Evaluation of the antidiabetic potential, safety and efficacy of selected natural products using zebrafish larvae and in vitro bioassays
- Reddy, Shanika, Dambuza, Ntokozo
- Authors: Reddy, Shanika , Dambuza, Ntokozo
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Research -- South Africa , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Research , Insulin resistance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62575 , vital:72825
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Reddy, Shanika , Dambuza, Ntokozo
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Research -- South Africa , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Research , Insulin resistance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62575 , vital:72825
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Evidence of Late Holocene extreme marine wave event (tsunami) deposits along the South African coast and implications for coastal zone management
- Authors: Mfikili, Athi Nkosibonile
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Tsunamis -- South Africa , Coasts -- Risk assessment , Sediments (Geology)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62517 , vital:72811
- Description: Although extreme marine wave events such as tsunamis and storm surges have always been part of human existence, their impact on ever-growing coastal population of the world’s coast was highlighted by the recent catastrophic events over the past three decades. Although in situ observations and eyewitness accounts have improved our ability to record and interpret wave inundation by modern extreme marine events, records documenting inundation by pre-historic and historical events are relatively sparse to provide reasonable information on their distribution, magnitude and frequency intervals in most parts of the world. Owing to consequences these natural coastal hazards have on coastal population and infrastructure of the world’s coast, onshore sedimentary deposits preserved in the geological records have been extensively utilized by scientists worldwide to reconstruct the record of pre-historic and historical events and establish the recurrence interval of future events. Although studies investigating inundation of past tsunami has increased worldwide over the past two decades, research on extreme marine inundation has received little attention along the South African coast, despite known inundation by recent events and potential source mechanisms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate sedimentary evidence of past tsunamis and related extreme marine wave events (i.e., storm surges) preserved in the recent geological archive of several coastal environments along the South African coast. The Swartkops, Kabeljous, Kromme and Keurbooms estuaries located in log-spiral bays along the south-east coast and sheltered coastal systems of the Berg Estuary and Verlorenvlei as well as coastal lowlands of the Dwarskersbos on the west coast were selected as the study sites. The sediment cores were collected from these coastal environments and identification of extreme marine wave inundation was based on the recognition of distinct anomalous sand layers. To characterise sediment transport and reconstruct provenance source origin of the deposits, a combination of sedimentological (i.e., grain size distribution), exoscopy (i.e., quartz grain surface microtextures) and micropaleontological (i.e., foraminiferal assemblages) proxies were utilized. Furthermore, age estimation of the deposits was determined using a combination of radiocarbon (14C) and radiometric (137Cs and 210Pb) dating methods.Evidence of coastal flooding by high-energy marine wave events is found preserved in the stratigraphic records of Swartkops and Kabeljous estuaries along the south-east coast and lowlands of Dwarskersbos on the west coast in the form of anomalous sand deposits (layers). The anomalous deposits of Swartkops and Kabeljous estuaries generally consist of gravel-sized shell fragments often with a sharp erosive contact suggesting deposition by a highly energetic marine wave event. Although the preservation varies between cores, a maximum of three anomalous sand depositional layers are preserved in the Swartkops whereas only a single layer in the Kabeljous Estuary with a basal layer of calcrete deposits. 210Pb and 14C dating, constrain the ages of the younger deposits (i.e., the uppermost layer) at Swartkops between 1770-1804 AD and 339-3 cal. BP (1611-1947 cal. AD), respectively. Although these ages span over a wide period, they are interpreted to represent evidence of one of the historical tsunamis generated in the subduction zones of the Indian Ocean e.g., 1762 AD and 1797 AD events generated by 8.8 and 8.0 Mw earthquakes in the Arakan and Sunda Subduction Zones, respectively. Furthermore, the deposits could also represent geological evidence of the 1833 Mentawai events whereas evidence of 1883 Krakatau tsunami is not disregarded, since this event reportedly inundated Algoa Bay. On the other hand, the 14C dating constrain the ages of the second anomalous deposits between 1526-1253 cal. BP (424-697 cal. AD), whereas the older anomalous deposits preserved in the deeper sections of the Swartkops cores as well as the backwater channel of the Kabeljous Estuary are constrained to have been deposited around 4000 cal. BP. Although there is no known locally documented extreme marine wave event during this period, these deposits are interpreted to represent late and mid-Holocene tsunamis associated with mega-thrust subduction zones of the Indian Ocean whereas local submarine landslide generated event are also not disregarded entirely. On the west coast, three anomalous deposits representing extreme marine wave inundation are preserved in the coastal lowlands of the Dwarskersbos. Although the general sedimentary features and thickness vary between the deposits, the first anomalous deposits in the uppermost section of the cores consist of medium sand with scattered shell fragments whereas, the third anomalous deposits in the deeper section of the cores are generally coarser with gravel-sized shell fragments and sharp erosive basal contacts. By contrast, the second anomalous deposits consist of three successive sub-layers of yellow sand with variable sedimentary features and these layers represent successive wave inundation events. Although the sedimentary characteristics of these sub-layers varies, it was noted that the lowermost layers consist of coarser and less well sorted sediments often with basal erosive contact, suggesting that the first wave was more energetic than the two-succeeding waves. Furthermore, calibrated 14C dated shell fragments from the first and second anomalous deposits yielded ‘post-bomb’ ages suggesting deposition after 1950 AD. Given their position within the stratigraphic records, the two deposits are interpreted to represent first geological evidence of the 2008 west coast and 1969 Dwarskersbos events, respectively. On the other hand, the 14C dated shell fragments constrain the deposition of the third anomalous deposits between 315-0 cal. BP (1635-11950 cal. AD) and 358-0 cal. BP (1592-1950 cal. AD), respectively. The third anomalous deposits are interpreted to the 07 April 1620 event, which was described as ‘Two startling thunderclaps’ near Robben Island. Although initially associated to earthquakes, there are no records of an earthquake during this period, therefore, we postulate that the 1620 event could have been a similar event to that of 2008 that inundated the west coast region and/or an unknown event. While it is acknowledged that the absence of reliable source mechanisms poses a great challenge in the reconstruction of extreme marine wave events inundation along the south-east coast, the findings of exoscopy and micropaleontological analyses suggest that the deposits were transported to their depositional environments, although resultant microtextural features and occurrence of individual foraminiferal species and their taphonomical conditions is dependent on coastal setting. The south-east coast deposits consist of highly diverse foraminiferal assemblages, which are dominated by marine and marginal-marine taxa with relatively low abundances of estuarine-brackish species and variable taphonomical conditions. Furthermore, the mechanical-induced features such as percussion marks, fresh surfaces with sharp edges were still preserved on quartz grain surface of the Swartkops deposits, despite dominance by chemical-induced features such as dissolution. By contrast, grain surface microtextural signatures of the Dwarskersbos deposits are dominated by mechanical features such as fresh surfaces and v-percussion marks. Furthermore, the foraminiferal assemblages of the Dwarskersbos deposits consist of exclusively marine and marginal-marine species, suggesting that the sediments were sourced from shallow water environments as well as the adjacent beach. It was further noted that the foraminiferal tests of these deposits consist of higher abundance of corroded and fragmented tests indicating deposition by high-energy conditions. , Thesis (D.Phil) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Mfikili, Athi Nkosibonile
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Tsunamis -- South Africa , Coasts -- Risk assessment , Sediments (Geology)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62517 , vital:72811
- Description: Although extreme marine wave events such as tsunamis and storm surges have always been part of human existence, their impact on ever-growing coastal population of the world’s coast was highlighted by the recent catastrophic events over the past three decades. Although in situ observations and eyewitness accounts have improved our ability to record and interpret wave inundation by modern extreme marine events, records documenting inundation by pre-historic and historical events are relatively sparse to provide reasonable information on their distribution, magnitude and frequency intervals in most parts of the world. Owing to consequences these natural coastal hazards have on coastal population and infrastructure of the world’s coast, onshore sedimentary deposits preserved in the geological records have been extensively utilized by scientists worldwide to reconstruct the record of pre-historic and historical events and establish the recurrence interval of future events. Although studies investigating inundation of past tsunami has increased worldwide over the past two decades, research on extreme marine inundation has received little attention along the South African coast, despite known inundation by recent events and potential source mechanisms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate sedimentary evidence of past tsunamis and related extreme marine wave events (i.e., storm surges) preserved in the recent geological archive of several coastal environments along the South African coast. The Swartkops, Kabeljous, Kromme and Keurbooms estuaries located in log-spiral bays along the south-east coast and sheltered coastal systems of the Berg Estuary and Verlorenvlei as well as coastal lowlands of the Dwarskersbos on the west coast were selected as the study sites. The sediment cores were collected from these coastal environments and identification of extreme marine wave inundation was based on the recognition of distinct anomalous sand layers. To characterise sediment transport and reconstruct provenance source origin of the deposits, a combination of sedimentological (i.e., grain size distribution), exoscopy (i.e., quartz grain surface microtextures) and micropaleontological (i.e., foraminiferal assemblages) proxies were utilized. Furthermore, age estimation of the deposits was determined using a combination of radiocarbon (14C) and radiometric (137Cs and 210Pb) dating methods.Evidence of coastal flooding by high-energy marine wave events is found preserved in the stratigraphic records of Swartkops and Kabeljous estuaries along the south-east coast and lowlands of Dwarskersbos on the west coast in the form of anomalous sand deposits (layers). The anomalous deposits of Swartkops and Kabeljous estuaries generally consist of gravel-sized shell fragments often with a sharp erosive contact suggesting deposition by a highly energetic marine wave event. Although the preservation varies between cores, a maximum of three anomalous sand depositional layers are preserved in the Swartkops whereas only a single layer in the Kabeljous Estuary with a basal layer of calcrete deposits. 210Pb and 14C dating, constrain the ages of the younger deposits (i.e., the uppermost layer) at Swartkops between 1770-1804 AD and 339-3 cal. BP (1611-1947 cal. AD), respectively. Although these ages span over a wide period, they are interpreted to represent evidence of one of the historical tsunamis generated in the subduction zones of the Indian Ocean e.g., 1762 AD and 1797 AD events generated by 8.8 and 8.0 Mw earthquakes in the Arakan and Sunda Subduction Zones, respectively. Furthermore, the deposits could also represent geological evidence of the 1833 Mentawai events whereas evidence of 1883 Krakatau tsunami is not disregarded, since this event reportedly inundated Algoa Bay. On the other hand, the 14C dating constrain the ages of the second anomalous deposits between 1526-1253 cal. BP (424-697 cal. AD), whereas the older anomalous deposits preserved in the deeper sections of the Swartkops cores as well as the backwater channel of the Kabeljous Estuary are constrained to have been deposited around 4000 cal. BP. Although there is no known locally documented extreme marine wave event during this period, these deposits are interpreted to represent late and mid-Holocene tsunamis associated with mega-thrust subduction zones of the Indian Ocean whereas local submarine landslide generated event are also not disregarded entirely. On the west coast, three anomalous deposits representing extreme marine wave inundation are preserved in the coastal lowlands of the Dwarskersbos. Although the general sedimentary features and thickness vary between the deposits, the first anomalous deposits in the uppermost section of the cores consist of medium sand with scattered shell fragments whereas, the third anomalous deposits in the deeper section of the cores are generally coarser with gravel-sized shell fragments and sharp erosive basal contacts. By contrast, the second anomalous deposits consist of three successive sub-layers of yellow sand with variable sedimentary features and these layers represent successive wave inundation events. Although the sedimentary characteristics of these sub-layers varies, it was noted that the lowermost layers consist of coarser and less well sorted sediments often with basal erosive contact, suggesting that the first wave was more energetic than the two-succeeding waves. Furthermore, calibrated 14C dated shell fragments from the first and second anomalous deposits yielded ‘post-bomb’ ages suggesting deposition after 1950 AD. Given their position within the stratigraphic records, the two deposits are interpreted to represent first geological evidence of the 2008 west coast and 1969 Dwarskersbos events, respectively. On the other hand, the 14C dated shell fragments constrain the deposition of the third anomalous deposits between 315-0 cal. BP (1635-11950 cal. AD) and 358-0 cal. BP (1592-1950 cal. AD), respectively. The third anomalous deposits are interpreted to the 07 April 1620 event, which was described as ‘Two startling thunderclaps’ near Robben Island. Although initially associated to earthquakes, there are no records of an earthquake during this period, therefore, we postulate that the 1620 event could have been a similar event to that of 2008 that inundated the west coast region and/or an unknown event. While it is acknowledged that the absence of reliable source mechanisms poses a great challenge in the reconstruction of extreme marine wave events inundation along the south-east coast, the findings of exoscopy and micropaleontological analyses suggest that the deposits were transported to their depositional environments, although resultant microtextural features and occurrence of individual foraminiferal species and their taphonomical conditions is dependent on coastal setting. The south-east coast deposits consist of highly diverse foraminiferal assemblages, which are dominated by marine and marginal-marine taxa with relatively low abundances of estuarine-brackish species and variable taphonomical conditions. Furthermore, the mechanical-induced features such as percussion marks, fresh surfaces with sharp edges were still preserved on quartz grain surface of the Swartkops deposits, despite dominance by chemical-induced features such as dissolution. By contrast, grain surface microtextural signatures of the Dwarskersbos deposits are dominated by mechanical features such as fresh surfaces and v-percussion marks. Furthermore, the foraminiferal assemblages of the Dwarskersbos deposits consist of exclusively marine and marginal-marine species, suggesting that the sediments were sourced from shallow water environments as well as the adjacent beach. It was further noted that the foraminiferal tests of these deposits consist of higher abundance of corroded and fragmented tests indicating deposition by high-energy conditions. , Thesis (D.Phil) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Immigration and human development outcomes in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Nyagweta, David Tinashe
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects , South Africa -- Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects , Emigration and immigration -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65912 , vital:74283
- Description: Immigration remains an issue of constant and recuring debate which in many instances has reached extreme limits of violent confrontation. South Africa has been at the forefront of this debate given the history of migration that has led to the creation of the modern state. In this context, the current era has presented contestations on the implications of immigration to the country and how that relates to human development. With this backdrop, this thesis sought to investigate international immigration and its relation to human development outcomes within context of the democratic era in South Africa. Thus, the study focused on evaluating the differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of physical and mental health, subjective wellbeing, and education. Furthermore, the study evaluated the relationship between immigration concentration across provinces and human development outcomes in aggregate. The comprehensive results focusing on both the full and racial specific sample identified that there are no significant differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of health pinned to self-reported health. This finding supports small scale studies in South Africa and other countries which divert from the immigrant-paradox paradigm although this could be accounted for by convergence adjustments to the healthy immigrant effect. In terms of mental health and subjective wellbeing, the results showed that immigrants are significantly less likely to report depressive level scores on the CEDS-10 scale. Thus, the study demonstrated that the healthy immigrant effect holds in relation to depression. Contrarily, in terms of satisfaction with life, no significant differences are found between immigrants and non-immigrants, thus pointing to possible sudden convergence upwards in satisfaction with life, particularly considering most immigrants are from countries with lower levels of satisfaction with life. In relation to education findings, it was demonstrated that there are no significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant students in terms of progression. Thus, neither the straight-line nor immigrant-paradox argument prevails as found mostly in the Global North. Lastly, regional analysis which accounted for human development across provinces showed that a significant positive relationship exists between immigration concentration and human development overall coupled with the component accounting for education diverting from panel studies. Furthermore, insignificant relationship is found in terms of health and income supporting findings by the study of no differences between immigrants and non-immigrants. Thus, this thesis proved that the pessimistic view on immigrants significantly diverting from the overall health and education levels coupled with negative relationship with human development are not supported empirically within the context of post-apartheid South Africa. Results of this study provide evidence that is critical to formulate policy, both in terms of immigration and further factors identified as important markers, on issues of education and physical and mental health such as race, gender, and wealth. In this regard, the differences in findings from those in countries especially in Global North challenge policies based on theoretical and empirical formulations that lack account for countries especially in the Global South which have increased levels of both inequality and poverty. Thus, it is critical that policies reflect the socioeconomic issues a country faces and informed by research that takes regional factors within a country to account. The study prescribes policies which aim to reduce discrimination due to unproved assumptions and those that aim to ensure that racial and income inequality are tackled within the country. In terms of immigration, rollout of awareness projects and campaigns, coupled with regional policies and projects rooted in communities to ensure participation of both sending and receiving countries will create platforms for better structuring of policies to tackle immigration especially given the integration goals of the African Union. Moreover, critical revaluation of policies and implementation thereof is critical given results identify inequality with those that are African, Coloured, and from poorer households facing lower levels of health, education and high levels of depression scores coupled with life dissatisfaction. Policies should thus, focus on ensuring that redistributive investments are enabled and implemented efficiently for better outcomes in terms of access to education, health, and economic opportunities for the disadvantaged. In enabling such projects with considerations of societal needs and immigration policies, strides could be made given that most contestations arise out of increased inequalities and socioeconomic destitution. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Nyagweta, David Tinashe
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects , South Africa -- Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects , Emigration and immigration -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65912 , vital:74283
- Description: Immigration remains an issue of constant and recuring debate which in many instances has reached extreme limits of violent confrontation. South Africa has been at the forefront of this debate given the history of migration that has led to the creation of the modern state. In this context, the current era has presented contestations on the implications of immigration to the country and how that relates to human development. With this backdrop, this thesis sought to investigate international immigration and its relation to human development outcomes within context of the democratic era in South Africa. Thus, the study focused on evaluating the differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of physical and mental health, subjective wellbeing, and education. Furthermore, the study evaluated the relationship between immigration concentration across provinces and human development outcomes in aggregate. The comprehensive results focusing on both the full and racial specific sample identified that there are no significant differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of health pinned to self-reported health. This finding supports small scale studies in South Africa and other countries which divert from the immigrant-paradox paradigm although this could be accounted for by convergence adjustments to the healthy immigrant effect. In terms of mental health and subjective wellbeing, the results showed that immigrants are significantly less likely to report depressive level scores on the CEDS-10 scale. Thus, the study demonstrated that the healthy immigrant effect holds in relation to depression. Contrarily, in terms of satisfaction with life, no significant differences are found between immigrants and non-immigrants, thus pointing to possible sudden convergence upwards in satisfaction with life, particularly considering most immigrants are from countries with lower levels of satisfaction with life. In relation to education findings, it was demonstrated that there are no significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant students in terms of progression. Thus, neither the straight-line nor immigrant-paradox argument prevails as found mostly in the Global North. Lastly, regional analysis which accounted for human development across provinces showed that a significant positive relationship exists between immigration concentration and human development overall coupled with the component accounting for education diverting from panel studies. Furthermore, insignificant relationship is found in terms of health and income supporting findings by the study of no differences between immigrants and non-immigrants. Thus, this thesis proved that the pessimistic view on immigrants significantly diverting from the overall health and education levels coupled with negative relationship with human development are not supported empirically within the context of post-apartheid South Africa. Results of this study provide evidence that is critical to formulate policy, both in terms of immigration and further factors identified as important markers, on issues of education and physical and mental health such as race, gender, and wealth. In this regard, the differences in findings from those in countries especially in Global North challenge policies based on theoretical and empirical formulations that lack account for countries especially in the Global South which have increased levels of both inequality and poverty. Thus, it is critical that policies reflect the socioeconomic issues a country faces and informed by research that takes regional factors within a country to account. The study prescribes policies which aim to reduce discrimination due to unproved assumptions and those that aim to ensure that racial and income inequality are tackled within the country. In terms of immigration, rollout of awareness projects and campaigns, coupled with regional policies and projects rooted in communities to ensure participation of both sending and receiving countries will create platforms for better structuring of policies to tackle immigration especially given the integration goals of the African Union. Moreover, critical revaluation of policies and implementation thereof is critical given results identify inequality with those that are African, Coloured, and from poorer households facing lower levels of health, education and high levels of depression scores coupled with life dissatisfaction. Policies should thus, focus on ensuring that redistributive investments are enabled and implemented efficiently for better outcomes in terms of access to education, health, and economic opportunities for the disadvantaged. In enabling such projects with considerations of societal needs and immigration policies, strides could be made given that most contestations arise out of increased inequalities and socioeconomic destitution. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness in Zimbabwean polytechnics
- Authors: Bhebe, Bekimpilo
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Internet marketing , Industrial marketing , Digital media , Brand name products Brand choice
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65545 , vital:74186
- Description: The heightened competition for skilled students, capable staff, and government funding has spurred Zimbabwean higher education institutions to engage in competitive efforts. Due to the intense competition in the higher education sector, higher education institutions have become more market-oriented than before. Furthermore, the increased offering of online programmes by higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the bargaining power of students. Higher education institutions have therefore taken initiatives to promote their institutions through various interactive digital marketing activities. Digital marketing activities have brought about innovative changes and opportunities for higher education marketers. Higher education marketers, specifically university marketers, are taking advantage of the opportunity to market their institutions through digital marketing activities, thereby gaining a competitive advantage over other institutions of higher education such as polytechnics. There is, therefore, a need for polytechnics to effectively utilise digital marketing activities such as websites, text messaging, social media marketing and email marketing for brand awareness purposes so that they gain a competitive advantage over other institutions of higher learning. The study aimed to empirically evaluate the influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness of Zimbabwe polytechnics and to propose a model that can be adopted by Zimbabwean polytechnics in an attempt to enhance their brand awareness. As such, a conceptual model was constructed from the literature review to investigate the relationship between digital marketing activities (independent variable) and brand awareness (dependent variable). Based on the comprehensive literature review, four digital marketing activities (website, text messaging, social media marketing and email marketing) were identified in the Zimbabwean polytechnic context. The study further identified the digital marketing activities sub-factors that were adopted in the development of a customised measuring instrument that was used to evaluate the influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness of Zimbabwean polytechnics. These sub-factors included web design, navigation, interactivity and relevance for website; personalisation, interactivity, timeliness and reliability for text messaging; interactivity, sharing of content, advocacy and credibility for social media marketing and personalisation, interest, informativeness, interactivity and efficiency for email marketing. Furthermore, five hypotheses were formulated and three hypotheses were supported while two hypotheses were rejected. The positivist paradigm, the descriptive research design and the quantitative approach were used in the current study. The study‟s target population consisted of the registered student population of the two Zimbabwean polytechnics in the Midlands province, in the Applied Sciences, Commerce and Engineering divisions. The respondents were selected using non-probability sampling, specifically convenience sampling. Data was collected through an email survey, whereby a web-based self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the Applied Sciences, Commerce and Engineering students with assistance from the Information Technology Departments of the two polytechnics. The measuring instrument consisted of three sections with section A having nominal scales to gather demographic data from respondents. Section B consisted of scaled items that measured the influence of digital marketing activities, while section C measured brand awareness focussing on the three levels of brand awareness. A total of 500 completed questionnaires were received from the two polytechnics. Out of the 500 completed questionnaires, a total of 492 questionnaires had usable responses. Therefore, the current study had a response rate of 98.4%. The study further used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to interpret the data. The descriptive statistics utilised included frequency measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion or variation. Regarding inferential statistics, the study utilised the CFA, Pearson‟s correlation coefficient, regression analysis, p-value independent sample t-test, ANOVAs and the Welch Robust test, Tukey HSD test, the Games-Howell test and the Cohen‟s d tests. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship and a strong correlation between digital marketing activities and brand awareness. Regarding website use and brand awareness, a significant relationship and a moderate correlation were determined. The results further revealed an insignificant relationship but a moderate correlation between text messaging and brand awareness. The empirical results also revealed a significant relationship and a strong correlation between social media marketing and brand awareness. Finally, an insignificant relationship and a moderate correlation were revealed between email marketing and brand awareness in the current study. Based on the empirical results, this study gave recommendations to polytechnic marketers. Under the website use items, the study revealed that the respondents had a less positive experience with the web design of the polytechnics' websites. It was recommended that polytechnic marketers should take pragmatic steps to enhance their polytechnic web designs so that students can take note of the college information on well-organised polytechnic websites. The study also found that the respondents felt the need to experience more personalisation and timeliness of the polytechnics' text messaging. Therefore the polytechnic marketers were advised to personalise their text messages each time that they send them to students enabling them to build long-lasting relationships with students. Regarding the timeliness of text messaging, the polytechnic marketers were advised to send text messages to students at the right time when they need the information so that the disseminated information is readily accepted by the students. The polytechnic marketers were also advised to provide up-to-date polytechnic information on their social media pages after the respondents indicated the need to experience more sharing of content on the colleges' social media pages through the provision of up-to-date information. Lastly, the empirical results revealed that the respondents felt the need to experience more personalisation and the provision of interesting content through polytechnic email marketing. Therefore the Zimbabwean polytechnic marketers were strongly recommended to personalise the students' emails to motivate students to engage with them personally. The polytechnic marketers were further recommended to include interesting content in students' emails so that they draw the students' attention to polytechnic information in their emails. The study made the following important contributions. Firstly, the study made contributions to theory, literature, knowledge, society and marketing practitioners within the context of digital marketing activities and brand awareness in Zimbabwean polytechnics. Secondly, the current study provided the measuring instrument and a model that adds to scholarly work and provides a basis for future research in the marketing of Zimbabwean polytechnics. Thirdly, the study will assist in the enhancement of brand awareness of Zimbabwean polytechnics, enabling them to attract academically gifted students who will become productive workers, self-reliant entrepreneurs and responsible citizens. Lastly, the model will also provide a basis for future reference for polytechnic marketers in their marketing efforts for competitive advantage purposes. The current study had limitations that comprised uneven sample distribution, the adoption of limited social media variables and the exclusion of external stakeholders from the current study. Finally, the study made recommendations for future areas of study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Bhebe, Bekimpilo
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Internet marketing , Industrial marketing , Digital media , Brand name products Brand choice
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65545 , vital:74186
- Description: The heightened competition for skilled students, capable staff, and government funding has spurred Zimbabwean higher education institutions to engage in competitive efforts. Due to the intense competition in the higher education sector, higher education institutions have become more market-oriented than before. Furthermore, the increased offering of online programmes by higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the bargaining power of students. Higher education institutions have therefore taken initiatives to promote their institutions through various interactive digital marketing activities. Digital marketing activities have brought about innovative changes and opportunities for higher education marketers. Higher education marketers, specifically university marketers, are taking advantage of the opportunity to market their institutions through digital marketing activities, thereby gaining a competitive advantage over other institutions of higher education such as polytechnics. There is, therefore, a need for polytechnics to effectively utilise digital marketing activities such as websites, text messaging, social media marketing and email marketing for brand awareness purposes so that they gain a competitive advantage over other institutions of higher learning. The study aimed to empirically evaluate the influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness of Zimbabwe polytechnics and to propose a model that can be adopted by Zimbabwean polytechnics in an attempt to enhance their brand awareness. As such, a conceptual model was constructed from the literature review to investigate the relationship between digital marketing activities (independent variable) and brand awareness (dependent variable). Based on the comprehensive literature review, four digital marketing activities (website, text messaging, social media marketing and email marketing) were identified in the Zimbabwean polytechnic context. The study further identified the digital marketing activities sub-factors that were adopted in the development of a customised measuring instrument that was used to evaluate the influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness of Zimbabwean polytechnics. These sub-factors included web design, navigation, interactivity and relevance for website; personalisation, interactivity, timeliness and reliability for text messaging; interactivity, sharing of content, advocacy and credibility for social media marketing and personalisation, interest, informativeness, interactivity and efficiency for email marketing. Furthermore, five hypotheses were formulated and three hypotheses were supported while two hypotheses were rejected. The positivist paradigm, the descriptive research design and the quantitative approach were used in the current study. The study‟s target population consisted of the registered student population of the two Zimbabwean polytechnics in the Midlands province, in the Applied Sciences, Commerce and Engineering divisions. The respondents were selected using non-probability sampling, specifically convenience sampling. Data was collected through an email survey, whereby a web-based self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the Applied Sciences, Commerce and Engineering students with assistance from the Information Technology Departments of the two polytechnics. The measuring instrument consisted of three sections with section A having nominal scales to gather demographic data from respondents. Section B consisted of scaled items that measured the influence of digital marketing activities, while section C measured brand awareness focussing on the three levels of brand awareness. A total of 500 completed questionnaires were received from the two polytechnics. Out of the 500 completed questionnaires, a total of 492 questionnaires had usable responses. Therefore, the current study had a response rate of 98.4%. The study further used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to interpret the data. The descriptive statistics utilised included frequency measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion or variation. Regarding inferential statistics, the study utilised the CFA, Pearson‟s correlation coefficient, regression analysis, p-value independent sample t-test, ANOVAs and the Welch Robust test, Tukey HSD test, the Games-Howell test and the Cohen‟s d tests. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship and a strong correlation between digital marketing activities and brand awareness. Regarding website use and brand awareness, a significant relationship and a moderate correlation were determined. The results further revealed an insignificant relationship but a moderate correlation between text messaging and brand awareness. The empirical results also revealed a significant relationship and a strong correlation between social media marketing and brand awareness. Finally, an insignificant relationship and a moderate correlation were revealed between email marketing and brand awareness in the current study. Based on the empirical results, this study gave recommendations to polytechnic marketers. Under the website use items, the study revealed that the respondents had a less positive experience with the web design of the polytechnics' websites. It was recommended that polytechnic marketers should take pragmatic steps to enhance their polytechnic web designs so that students can take note of the college information on well-organised polytechnic websites. The study also found that the respondents felt the need to experience more personalisation and timeliness of the polytechnics' text messaging. Therefore the polytechnic marketers were advised to personalise their text messages each time that they send them to students enabling them to build long-lasting relationships with students. Regarding the timeliness of text messaging, the polytechnic marketers were advised to send text messages to students at the right time when they need the information so that the disseminated information is readily accepted by the students. The polytechnic marketers were also advised to provide up-to-date polytechnic information on their social media pages after the respondents indicated the need to experience more sharing of content on the colleges' social media pages through the provision of up-to-date information. Lastly, the empirical results revealed that the respondents felt the need to experience more personalisation and the provision of interesting content through polytechnic email marketing. Therefore the Zimbabwean polytechnic marketers were strongly recommended to personalise the students' emails to motivate students to engage with them personally. The polytechnic marketers were further recommended to include interesting content in students' emails so that they draw the students' attention to polytechnic information in their emails. The study made the following important contributions. Firstly, the study made contributions to theory, literature, knowledge, society and marketing practitioners within the context of digital marketing activities and brand awareness in Zimbabwean polytechnics. Secondly, the current study provided the measuring instrument and a model that adds to scholarly work and provides a basis for future research in the marketing of Zimbabwean polytechnics. Thirdly, the study will assist in the enhancement of brand awareness of Zimbabwean polytechnics, enabling them to attract academically gifted students who will become productive workers, self-reliant entrepreneurs and responsible citizens. Lastly, the model will also provide a basis for future reference for polytechnic marketers in their marketing efforts for competitive advantage purposes. The current study had limitations that comprised uneven sample distribution, the adoption of limited social media variables and the exclusion of external stakeholders from the current study. Finally, the study made recommendations for future areas of study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Key drivers for enhancing sustainable livelihoods of national park adjacent communities in Uganda: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Kiconco, Michelle
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Social entrepreneurship , Sustainable development -- Uganda , Economic development -- Uganda , Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Social aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65655 , vital:74221
- Description: The growing concern about the negative impact of tourism on the social, cultural, and economic systems of local communities has caused policymakers to envision improved methods of tourism management. Governments realise that the feasibility of protected areas is dependent on giving considerable attention to the livelihoods of host communities and, according to them, a greater role in the management of protected areas. The worrying poverty rate of national park adjacent communities in Uganda has prompted an inquiry into the key drivers that could enhance sustainable livelihoods. As such, an inquiry into the intervention of tourism social enterprises in enhancing the livelihood of park adjacent communities has been sought. Presently, limited academic research has been conducted on the influence of vulnerability context, livelihood capital access and livelihood strategies on enhancing the sustainable livelihood outcomes of national park adjacent communities. Furthermore, the links between tourism social entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods have hardly been explored in literature. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of vulnerability context, livelihood capital access and livelihood strategies on the sustainable livelihood outcomes of national park adjacent communities where tourism social entrepreneurship is practised in Uganda. Considering the primary objective of the study and the researcher’s assumptions, a positivistic research paradigm with a deductive approach to theory development was adopted. A quantitative methodological approach was selected, and a survey research strategy and a cross-sectional approach were employed. The study used a questionnaire to gather primary data from potential respondents who were selected through simple random sampling. From the data collection, 364 usable questionnaires from Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) – exemplifying a tourism social enterprise were obtained. The primary data collected was analysed to investigate the hypothesised relationships between the independent and dependent variables. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to establish the factor structure of the variables and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for each of the factors was assessed based on various goodness-of-fit indices. The suitability of the measuring instrument was determined by the validity and reliability tests from which the average variance extracted (AVE) estimates and squared correlations between the constructs and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were reported; validity and reliability assessments of the factors were conducted to confirm the suitability of the measuring instrument. A modified hypothesised model was derived based on these analyses, after which the descriptive statistics and correlation results on the dependent and independent variables were then reported. The study used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) statistical technique to test the significance of the hypothesised relationships. Significant relationships between resilience to shock and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being) and also resilience to seasonality and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being) for the case of vulnerability context. With regard to livelihood capital access, a significant relationship was found between social capital access and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being). A significant relationship between tourism-related strategies and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being was also found).This study has contributed to the body of knowledge of sustainable livelihoods in general as well as how vulnerability context, livelihood capital access and livelihood strategies influence sustainable livelihood outcomes of national park adjacent communities where tourism social entrepreneurship is practised. Theoretically, this study contributes to the application and extension of the sustainable livelihood framework by integrating a theory of access and the capability approach in assessing livelihoods. Practical recommendations were made that could enhance the sustainable livelihood of national park adjacent communities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Kiconco, Michelle
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Social entrepreneurship , Sustainable development -- Uganda , Economic development -- Uganda , Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Social aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65655 , vital:74221
- Description: The growing concern about the negative impact of tourism on the social, cultural, and economic systems of local communities has caused policymakers to envision improved methods of tourism management. Governments realise that the feasibility of protected areas is dependent on giving considerable attention to the livelihoods of host communities and, according to them, a greater role in the management of protected areas. The worrying poverty rate of national park adjacent communities in Uganda has prompted an inquiry into the key drivers that could enhance sustainable livelihoods. As such, an inquiry into the intervention of tourism social enterprises in enhancing the livelihood of park adjacent communities has been sought. Presently, limited academic research has been conducted on the influence of vulnerability context, livelihood capital access and livelihood strategies on enhancing the sustainable livelihood outcomes of national park adjacent communities. Furthermore, the links between tourism social entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods have hardly been explored in literature. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of vulnerability context, livelihood capital access and livelihood strategies on the sustainable livelihood outcomes of national park adjacent communities where tourism social entrepreneurship is practised in Uganda. Considering the primary objective of the study and the researcher’s assumptions, a positivistic research paradigm with a deductive approach to theory development was adopted. A quantitative methodological approach was selected, and a survey research strategy and a cross-sectional approach were employed. The study used a questionnaire to gather primary data from potential respondents who were selected through simple random sampling. From the data collection, 364 usable questionnaires from Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) – exemplifying a tourism social enterprise were obtained. The primary data collected was analysed to investigate the hypothesised relationships between the independent and dependent variables. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to establish the factor structure of the variables and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for each of the factors was assessed based on various goodness-of-fit indices. The suitability of the measuring instrument was determined by the validity and reliability tests from which the average variance extracted (AVE) estimates and squared correlations between the constructs and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were reported; validity and reliability assessments of the factors were conducted to confirm the suitability of the measuring instrument. A modified hypothesised model was derived based on these analyses, after which the descriptive statistics and correlation results on the dependent and independent variables were then reported. The study used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) statistical technique to test the significance of the hypothesised relationships. Significant relationships between resilience to shock and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being) and also resilience to seasonality and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being) for the case of vulnerability context. With regard to livelihood capital access, a significant relationship was found between social capital access and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being). A significant relationship between tourism-related strategies and sustainable livelihood outcomes (improved well-being was also found).This study has contributed to the body of knowledge of sustainable livelihoods in general as well as how vulnerability context, livelihood capital access and livelihood strategies influence sustainable livelihood outcomes of national park adjacent communities where tourism social entrepreneurship is practised. Theoretically, this study contributes to the application and extension of the sustainable livelihood framework by integrating a theory of access and the capability approach in assessing livelihoods. Practical recommendations were made that could enhance the sustainable livelihood of national park adjacent communities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Postgraduate student experience and retention at South African public higher education institutions
- Authors: Smith, Carly Kim
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , College dropouts -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66005 , vital:74296
- Description: A country’s economic growth and global competitiveness as a knowledge-based economy can be enhanced by an educated workforce. Therefore, the completion of postgraduate qualifications is of high importance to any country. In South Africa, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), it is necessary to improve postgraduate (PG) output and practice skills to promote socioeconomic development. Despite an increase in PG enrolments at public higher education institutions (PHEIs), South Africa reported an increase in PG student dropouts and therefore it is evident that student retention is a challenge. To foster student retention, the interactions between PHEIs and students on their student journeys are important since positive experiences can contribute to the retaining of students. The positive experiences of students depend on different aspects, challenges and dispositions during the student journey. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the variables that influence PG student experience for PG student retention at South African PHEIs. Based on an extensive review of the South African higher education landscape, marketing literature, also in the context of the study, a hypothesised model of the variables possibly influencing PG student experience for PG student retention was proposed. The four independent variables identified were higher education service quality, service design, student engagement and student satisfaction. The hypothesised model presented student experience as the intervening variable and student retention as the dependent variable. This positivistic study followed a deductive approach and a quantitative research methodology. During the empirical investigation, a survey strategy using a self-administered questionnaire collected data from a convenience sample of PG students registered at 15 South African PHEIs. A total of 435 usable questionnaires were returned and analysed statistically. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including a Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlations, regression analyses, SEM for mediation as well as t-tests and ANOVAs, were employed in the data analysis. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023 , A country’s economic growth and global competitiveness as a knowledge-based economy can be enhanced by an educated workforce. Therefore, the completion of postgraduate qualifications is of high importance to any country. In South Africa, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), it is necessary to improve postgraduate (PG) output and practice skills to promote socioeconomic development. Despite an increase in PG enrolments at public higher education institutions (PHEIs), South Africa reported an increase in PG student dropouts and therefore it is evident that student retention is a challenge. To foster student retention, the interactions between PHEIs and students on their student journeys are important since positive experiences can contribute to the retaining of students. The positive experiences of students depend on different aspects, challenges and dispositions during the student journey. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the variables that influence PG student experience for PG student retention at South African PHEIs. Based on an extensive review of the South African higher education landscape, marketing literature, also in the context of the study, a hypothesised model of the variables possibly influencing PG student experience for PG student retention was proposed. The four independent variables identified were higher education service quality, service design, student engagement and student satisfaction. The hypothesised model presented student experience as the intervening variable and student retention as the dependent variable. This positivistic study followed a deductive approach and a quantitative research methodology. During the empirical investigation, a survey strategy using a self-administered questionnaire collected data from a convenience sample of PG students registered at 15 South African PHEIs. A total of 435 usable questionnaires were returned and analysed statistically. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including a Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlations, regression analyses, SEM for mediation as well as t-tests and ANOVAs, were employed in the data analysis. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were confirmed. The main empirical results of the regression analyses revealed that statistically significant relationships exist between the independent variables (higher education service quality, service design, student engagement and student satisfaction) and the intervening variable (student experience). A significant relationship was also found between the intervening variable (student experience) and the dependent variable (student retention). Therefore, all the formulated hypotheses were accepted. The SEM analysis revealed that an indirect-only mediation exists, implying that student experience mediates the relationships between the independent variables and student retention. No model modification was required since the goodness-of-fit indices showed that the hypothesised model is a good fit. Finally, the differences in mean scores across biographic and demographic variables revealed significant differences in how males and females perceive both student experience and student retention. In addition, the ANOVAs indicated that research doctorate, course work master’s and honours students (level of education) had different perceptions regarding only student experience. The study contributed on a theoretical level since it added to the body of knowledge on the retention of PG students through student experience within the South African PHEI context. The study also contributed on national innovation, human capital, national budgetary, PHEI budgetary and individual PG student levels. The final contribution of the research was at a practical level through the study’s recommendations and the development of a PHEI student experience for student retention implementation framework. Therefore, should this study’s recommendations and framework be implemented, it may assist to reduce the student dropout at PHEIs and this may positively contribute to South Africa’s socioeconomic development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Smith, Carly Kim
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , College dropouts -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66005 , vital:74296
- Description: A country’s economic growth and global competitiveness as a knowledge-based economy can be enhanced by an educated workforce. Therefore, the completion of postgraduate qualifications is of high importance to any country. In South Africa, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), it is necessary to improve postgraduate (PG) output and practice skills to promote socioeconomic development. Despite an increase in PG enrolments at public higher education institutions (PHEIs), South Africa reported an increase in PG student dropouts and therefore it is evident that student retention is a challenge. To foster student retention, the interactions between PHEIs and students on their student journeys are important since positive experiences can contribute to the retaining of students. The positive experiences of students depend on different aspects, challenges and dispositions during the student journey. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the variables that influence PG student experience for PG student retention at South African PHEIs. Based on an extensive review of the South African higher education landscape, marketing literature, also in the context of the study, a hypothesised model of the variables possibly influencing PG student experience for PG student retention was proposed. The four independent variables identified were higher education service quality, service design, student engagement and student satisfaction. The hypothesised model presented student experience as the intervening variable and student retention as the dependent variable. This positivistic study followed a deductive approach and a quantitative research methodology. During the empirical investigation, a survey strategy using a self-administered questionnaire collected data from a convenience sample of PG students registered at 15 South African PHEIs. A total of 435 usable questionnaires were returned and analysed statistically. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including a Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlations, regression analyses, SEM for mediation as well as t-tests and ANOVAs, were employed in the data analysis. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023 , A country’s economic growth and global competitiveness as a knowledge-based economy can be enhanced by an educated workforce. Therefore, the completion of postgraduate qualifications is of high importance to any country. In South Africa, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), it is necessary to improve postgraduate (PG) output and practice skills to promote socioeconomic development. Despite an increase in PG enrolments at public higher education institutions (PHEIs), South Africa reported an increase in PG student dropouts and therefore it is evident that student retention is a challenge. To foster student retention, the interactions between PHEIs and students on their student journeys are important since positive experiences can contribute to the retaining of students. The positive experiences of students depend on different aspects, challenges and dispositions during the student journey. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the variables that influence PG student experience for PG student retention at South African PHEIs. Based on an extensive review of the South African higher education landscape, marketing literature, also in the context of the study, a hypothesised model of the variables possibly influencing PG student experience for PG student retention was proposed. The four independent variables identified were higher education service quality, service design, student engagement and student satisfaction. The hypothesised model presented student experience as the intervening variable and student retention as the dependent variable. This positivistic study followed a deductive approach and a quantitative research methodology. During the empirical investigation, a survey strategy using a self-administered questionnaire collected data from a convenience sample of PG students registered at 15 South African PHEIs. A total of 435 usable questionnaires were returned and analysed statistically. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including a Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlations, regression analyses, SEM for mediation as well as t-tests and ANOVAs, were employed in the data analysis. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were confirmed. The main empirical results of the regression analyses revealed that statistically significant relationships exist between the independent variables (higher education service quality, service design, student engagement and student satisfaction) and the intervening variable (student experience). A significant relationship was also found between the intervening variable (student experience) and the dependent variable (student retention). Therefore, all the formulated hypotheses were accepted. The SEM analysis revealed that an indirect-only mediation exists, implying that student experience mediates the relationships between the independent variables and student retention. No model modification was required since the goodness-of-fit indices showed that the hypothesised model is a good fit. Finally, the differences in mean scores across biographic and demographic variables revealed significant differences in how males and females perceive both student experience and student retention. In addition, the ANOVAs indicated that research doctorate, course work master’s and honours students (level of education) had different perceptions regarding only student experience. The study contributed on a theoretical level since it added to the body of knowledge on the retention of PG students through student experience within the South African PHEI context. The study also contributed on national innovation, human capital, national budgetary, PHEI budgetary and individual PG student levels. The final contribution of the research was at a practical level through the study’s recommendations and the development of a PHEI student experience for student retention implementation framework. Therefore, should this study’s recommendations and framework be implemented, it may assist to reduce the student dropout at PHEIs and this may positively contribute to South Africa’s socioeconomic development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
South Africa’s international competitiveness and the 4th Industrial Revolution
- Authors: Mchunu, Siyabonga Raymond
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Industry 4.0. , Technological innovations --21st century , Economic growth, development, planning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65718 , vital:74231
- Description: Economic growth and development are of major concern for the economy of many countries around the globe including South Africa. The production function predicts that economic growth and development are determined by the quality and quantity of inputs. Economic theory recognizes that there is a positive relationship between productivity, economic growth, and development. Industry 4.0 is predicted to be a major enhancer of productivity. In recent years, the 4th Industrial Revolution has been considered as influential for industrial growth and development. South Africa’s growth in manufactured products requires elements that are characterized by the 4th industrial revolution given the growing but relatively low manufacturing output over the recent period. The adoption of new technologies in the production processes requires structural changes in production requirements and this has implications for the factor market. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of competitiveness on South Africa’s industrial development over the past 20 years (1998 - 2018), in the context of the 4th industrial revolution. A quantitative approach was used to examine the relationship between industry 4.0 and competitiveness and ultimately between competitiveness and industrial development. This study focused on the manufacturing sector and a sample of three industries were randomly selected and they are, the chemicals, the automotive, and the iron and steel industries. The countries of focus are South Africa relative to Germany, China, and the US. A panel data regression analysis technique was employed, and the study utilizes fixed and random effects methods. This analysis method was used to answer the research questions and to address the research aim and objectives. Two models were used to address the aim of the study. The first model determines the relationship between industry 4.0 and competitiveness controlling for capital intensities and labour productivity. The second model determines the relationship between competitiveness and industrial development controlling for trade finance, the real effective exchange rate, trade agreements, and distance. The study found that for South Africa relative to Germany, the fixed effects estimation (estimation 3) shows a positive and significant effect of relative investment on relative total factor productivity controlling for capital intensities, labour productivity, and fixed effects. The random effects estimation (estimation 4) showed a significant and positive effect of relative total factor productivity on the export ratio. The relative real effective exchange rate and the trade agreement dummy were insignificant, but they had the correct signs which are positive. With regards to the findings for South Africa relative to China, the random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows that relative investment has a positive effect on total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. The fixed effects estimation (estimation 2) shows that relative total factor productivity is positively correlated to the export ratio, but it is insignificant. The relative interest rate is positively correlated to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus and this variable is significant. Estimation 3 shows that the relative total factor productivity is positively correlated to the export ratio, but it is insignificant. The relative interest rate variable is positively related to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus and this variable is highly significant. The relative real effective exchange rate shows insignificant results with regards to its effect on the export ratio for all the estimations with the exception of the pooled OLS estimation. The findings for South Africa relative to the US show that there is a positive and significant relationship between relative total factor productivity and the relative investment in the fixed effects estimation. In the fixed effects estimation (estimation 1), relative investment is positively related to relative total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. In the fixed effects estimation (estimation 2), relative investment is positively related to relative total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. The relative capital intensity and relative labour productivity variables are insignificant, and the direction of correlation is contrary to expectations. The random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows a negative correlation between relative investment and relative total factor productivity. The estimate is insignificant, and this is contrary to the expectations. On the other hand, the correlation between the relative capital intensity and the relative labour productivity has the expected signs even though both variables are insignificant. The random effects estimation shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between the export ratio and the relative total factor productivity for estimations 2 and 3. The random effects estimation (estimation 2) shows that relative total factor productivity is positively related to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus. The random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows that an increase in relative total factor productivity also results in an increase in the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus. The relative interest rate and the relative real effective exchange rate variable are insignificant in estimations 2 and 3 but both variables had the expected positive signs in terms of correlation. The recommendations of this study which are informed by the empirical literature discussed and findings are that trade and industry policymakers should provide a policy that directs the investment of resources to new technologies that are being used in the production process of goods and services by the firms/investors to achieve industrial development in the modern day and age. Clarity is required with regards to returns from industry 4.0 investment which may be expected over time since there may be a need for capital budgeting. Provide incentives for the use of labour enhancing industry 4.0 technologies for manufacturers to encourage the employment of labour since labour productivity is important for competitiveness. To complement industrial policy with other relevant policies such as labour and environmental policies. Labour policies are vital for sustainable accommodative industrial policy for Industry 4.0. Factor in a provision for trade finance to further facilitate and stimulate the movement of goods into international markets since trade finance was an important factor for industrial development. Mitigate the barriers that hinder the movement of industry 4.0 technologies locally and internationally. The positive contributions of Industry 4.0 that were determined by this study echo the need for investment into education and training to provide the necessary skilled labour for smart production since this is regarded as a prerequisite for a wholistic implementation of Industry 4.0 and finally outline the necessary standards and regulations for the safe and sustainable use of digital technologies. Suggested future research is to investigate the effect of Industry 4.0 on competitiveness and industrial development in the primary and tertiary sectors to provide the literature which sets out insights on these sectors and informs policy. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Mchunu, Siyabonga Raymond
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Industry 4.0. , Technological innovations --21st century , Economic growth, development, planning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65718 , vital:74231
- Description: Economic growth and development are of major concern for the economy of many countries around the globe including South Africa. The production function predicts that economic growth and development are determined by the quality and quantity of inputs. Economic theory recognizes that there is a positive relationship between productivity, economic growth, and development. Industry 4.0 is predicted to be a major enhancer of productivity. In recent years, the 4th Industrial Revolution has been considered as influential for industrial growth and development. South Africa’s growth in manufactured products requires elements that are characterized by the 4th industrial revolution given the growing but relatively low manufacturing output over the recent period. The adoption of new technologies in the production processes requires structural changes in production requirements and this has implications for the factor market. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of competitiveness on South Africa’s industrial development over the past 20 years (1998 - 2018), in the context of the 4th industrial revolution. A quantitative approach was used to examine the relationship between industry 4.0 and competitiveness and ultimately between competitiveness and industrial development. This study focused on the manufacturing sector and a sample of three industries were randomly selected and they are, the chemicals, the automotive, and the iron and steel industries. The countries of focus are South Africa relative to Germany, China, and the US. A panel data regression analysis technique was employed, and the study utilizes fixed and random effects methods. This analysis method was used to answer the research questions and to address the research aim and objectives. Two models were used to address the aim of the study. The first model determines the relationship between industry 4.0 and competitiveness controlling for capital intensities and labour productivity. The second model determines the relationship between competitiveness and industrial development controlling for trade finance, the real effective exchange rate, trade agreements, and distance. The study found that for South Africa relative to Germany, the fixed effects estimation (estimation 3) shows a positive and significant effect of relative investment on relative total factor productivity controlling for capital intensities, labour productivity, and fixed effects. The random effects estimation (estimation 4) showed a significant and positive effect of relative total factor productivity on the export ratio. The relative real effective exchange rate and the trade agreement dummy were insignificant, but they had the correct signs which are positive. With regards to the findings for South Africa relative to China, the random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows that relative investment has a positive effect on total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. The fixed effects estimation (estimation 2) shows that relative total factor productivity is positively correlated to the export ratio, but it is insignificant. The relative interest rate is positively correlated to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus and this variable is significant. Estimation 3 shows that the relative total factor productivity is positively correlated to the export ratio, but it is insignificant. The relative interest rate variable is positively related to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus and this variable is highly significant. The relative real effective exchange rate shows insignificant results with regards to its effect on the export ratio for all the estimations with the exception of the pooled OLS estimation. The findings for South Africa relative to the US show that there is a positive and significant relationship between relative total factor productivity and the relative investment in the fixed effects estimation. In the fixed effects estimation (estimation 1), relative investment is positively related to relative total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. In the fixed effects estimation (estimation 2), relative investment is positively related to relative total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. The relative capital intensity and relative labour productivity variables are insignificant, and the direction of correlation is contrary to expectations. The random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows a negative correlation between relative investment and relative total factor productivity. The estimate is insignificant, and this is contrary to the expectations. On the other hand, the correlation between the relative capital intensity and the relative labour productivity has the expected signs even though both variables are insignificant. The random effects estimation shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between the export ratio and the relative total factor productivity for estimations 2 and 3. The random effects estimation (estimation 2) shows that relative total factor productivity is positively related to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus. The random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows that an increase in relative total factor productivity also results in an increase in the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus. The relative interest rate and the relative real effective exchange rate variable are insignificant in estimations 2 and 3 but both variables had the expected positive signs in terms of correlation. The recommendations of this study which are informed by the empirical literature discussed and findings are that trade and industry policymakers should provide a policy that directs the investment of resources to new technologies that are being used in the production process of goods and services by the firms/investors to achieve industrial development in the modern day and age. Clarity is required with regards to returns from industry 4.0 investment which may be expected over time since there may be a need for capital budgeting. Provide incentives for the use of labour enhancing industry 4.0 technologies for manufacturers to encourage the employment of labour since labour productivity is important for competitiveness. To complement industrial policy with other relevant policies such as labour and environmental policies. Labour policies are vital for sustainable accommodative industrial policy for Industry 4.0. Factor in a provision for trade finance to further facilitate and stimulate the movement of goods into international markets since trade finance was an important factor for industrial development. Mitigate the barriers that hinder the movement of industry 4.0 technologies locally and internationally. The positive contributions of Industry 4.0 that were determined by this study echo the need for investment into education and training to provide the necessary skilled labour for smart production since this is regarded as a prerequisite for a wholistic implementation of Industry 4.0 and finally outline the necessary standards and regulations for the safe and sustainable use of digital technologies. Suggested future research is to investigate the effect of Industry 4.0 on competitiveness and industrial development in the primary and tertiary sectors to provide the literature which sets out insights on these sectors and informs policy. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Study of bias within CCMA Commissioners decision making processes
- Authors: Gregersen, Peter
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: South Africa. -- Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration , Mediation and conciliation, Industrial -- South Africa , Ethics , Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65622 , vital:74206
- Description: The South African law places a duty on judicial officers; to “protect the Constitution and the human rights entrenched in it, and will administer justice to all persons alike without fear, favour or prejudice, in accordance with the Constitution and the law. CCMA rulings have consistently come under review for “gross irregularities”, “misconduct” and bias as set out in section 145 of the Labour Relations Act. The Engen and Monare cases confirm that Commissioners’ decisions are prone to personal bias regardless of legal process designed to ensure the contrary. The linkage of bias, prejudice and discrimination has not been fully explored in a quasi-judicial sphere within South Africa. The key objective of the research was to determine the prevalence of bias and identify legal and psycho-social factors impacting Commissioners’ decision-making within the quasi-judicial body of the CCMA. A secondary objective includes the development of a mechanism for reducing bias decision-making. There are primarily two aspects at play when one considers bias within the ambit of commissioners’ decision-making. Firstly, the legal judicial side, section 145 of the Labour Relations Act and secondly, a psycho-social side of bias that effects all people. The formulation of decision making in a psychological sphere is fraught with many obstacles such as framing effects, heuristics, forecasting and indeed decoding or understanding of the problem and solution to be found. The relevance is that bias can be defined by a rationally explained theory that has been irrationally applied. A biased outcome causes a reaction. Due to the reciprocal nature of the reaction of the prejudice, bias can be seen as centred on an event or practice which would give it an ontological value based on biasness being an event. One would then classify bias as a sub-group of a form of discrimination which is in itself a sub-group of prejudice that directly effects social justice and is impacted by stereotypical attitudes and social dominance. The purpose of this research was to show the prevalence of bias in a semi-judicial state sanctioned body and the impact that ineffective, contradictory rules and laws have on the business community at large. In addition, a mechanism to be implemented that would reduce the bias phenomena from the CCMA and business organisations. This research was undertaken to uncover trends and provide insights into bias. During the conciliation/arbitration process various rules are ignored. Therefore, the gleaned insights from experts assisted in identifying whether the systems that are in place need to be improved upon and if manipulation of the processes does take place. As this research was the study of bias within the legislative framework of the CCMA the primary method of research was a deductive survey supported by a literature review and an archival research. In addition to the quantitative research a qualitative research approach using a semi structured interview was used for the study. Non-probability purposive expert sampling including six legal practitioners, au fait with CCMA procedures, were interviewed to determine their experience and views on Bias within the CCMA. Due to the technical expertise required in various Labour Laws, incorporated into the research problem, a qualitative research approach with inductive rather than deductive reasoning was preferred to facilitate understanding of the prevalence of bias. With the gap being a lack of properly qualified Commissioners. It is evident when a standard application of the same rules for all the people are not applied. In addition, with case management in regard to the referral of matters to weed out frivolous and vexatious disputes. The circumstances that result in biased decision making by Commissioner’s are numerous, corruption, racism, gender bias, ineptitude, lack of knowledge of the law, pressure to settle matters, a language component, an economic component, and lack of training to evaluate facts and evidence objectively. Additionally, a lack of consequences for taking biased decisions, rather than a decision that is necessarily right in law. Furthermore, a poor understanding of social justice is evident. The findings of which were that bias does exist and does have an impact on social justice. The CCMA can improve on their performance by managing their caseloads more effectively, with rejecting frivolous cases, employing commissioners with a formal legal qualification and improved training in the reduction of bias decision making. HR practitioners and labour practitioners leading cases at the CCMA can benefit by the psycho-social and legal (procedural) influences identified in the study. This study contributes to the understanding of Bias within a quasi-judicial system and explores the various contradicting laws and systems in use that expose Bias and the views from legal experts on ways to mitigate Bias. This study contributes to the literature of Bias within these systems and further research must explore the underlying causes of overt and covert Bias within the CCMA. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Gregersen, Peter
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: South Africa. -- Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration , Mediation and conciliation, Industrial -- South Africa , Ethics , Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65622 , vital:74206
- Description: The South African law places a duty on judicial officers; to “protect the Constitution and the human rights entrenched in it, and will administer justice to all persons alike without fear, favour or prejudice, in accordance with the Constitution and the law. CCMA rulings have consistently come under review for “gross irregularities”, “misconduct” and bias as set out in section 145 of the Labour Relations Act. The Engen and Monare cases confirm that Commissioners’ decisions are prone to personal bias regardless of legal process designed to ensure the contrary. The linkage of bias, prejudice and discrimination has not been fully explored in a quasi-judicial sphere within South Africa. The key objective of the research was to determine the prevalence of bias and identify legal and psycho-social factors impacting Commissioners’ decision-making within the quasi-judicial body of the CCMA. A secondary objective includes the development of a mechanism for reducing bias decision-making. There are primarily two aspects at play when one considers bias within the ambit of commissioners’ decision-making. Firstly, the legal judicial side, section 145 of the Labour Relations Act and secondly, a psycho-social side of bias that effects all people. The formulation of decision making in a psychological sphere is fraught with many obstacles such as framing effects, heuristics, forecasting and indeed decoding or understanding of the problem and solution to be found. The relevance is that bias can be defined by a rationally explained theory that has been irrationally applied. A biased outcome causes a reaction. Due to the reciprocal nature of the reaction of the prejudice, bias can be seen as centred on an event or practice which would give it an ontological value based on biasness being an event. One would then classify bias as a sub-group of a form of discrimination which is in itself a sub-group of prejudice that directly effects social justice and is impacted by stereotypical attitudes and social dominance. The purpose of this research was to show the prevalence of bias in a semi-judicial state sanctioned body and the impact that ineffective, contradictory rules and laws have on the business community at large. In addition, a mechanism to be implemented that would reduce the bias phenomena from the CCMA and business organisations. This research was undertaken to uncover trends and provide insights into bias. During the conciliation/arbitration process various rules are ignored. Therefore, the gleaned insights from experts assisted in identifying whether the systems that are in place need to be improved upon and if manipulation of the processes does take place. As this research was the study of bias within the legislative framework of the CCMA the primary method of research was a deductive survey supported by a literature review and an archival research. In addition to the quantitative research a qualitative research approach using a semi structured interview was used for the study. Non-probability purposive expert sampling including six legal practitioners, au fait with CCMA procedures, were interviewed to determine their experience and views on Bias within the CCMA. Due to the technical expertise required in various Labour Laws, incorporated into the research problem, a qualitative research approach with inductive rather than deductive reasoning was preferred to facilitate understanding of the prevalence of bias. With the gap being a lack of properly qualified Commissioners. It is evident when a standard application of the same rules for all the people are not applied. In addition, with case management in regard to the referral of matters to weed out frivolous and vexatious disputes. The circumstances that result in biased decision making by Commissioner’s are numerous, corruption, racism, gender bias, ineptitude, lack of knowledge of the law, pressure to settle matters, a language component, an economic component, and lack of training to evaluate facts and evidence objectively. Additionally, a lack of consequences for taking biased decisions, rather than a decision that is necessarily right in law. Furthermore, a poor understanding of social justice is evident. The findings of which were that bias does exist and does have an impact on social justice. The CCMA can improve on their performance by managing their caseloads more effectively, with rejecting frivolous cases, employing commissioners with a formal legal qualification and improved training in the reduction of bias decision making. HR practitioners and labour practitioners leading cases at the CCMA can benefit by the psycho-social and legal (procedural) influences identified in the study. This study contributes to the understanding of Bias within a quasi-judicial system and explores the various contradicting laws and systems in use that expose Bias and the views from legal experts on ways to mitigate Bias. This study contributes to the literature of Bias within these systems and further research must explore the underlying causes of overt and covert Bias within the CCMA. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Sustainable conservation practices in Tigray, Ethiopia
- Authors: Assefa, Mulat Zinabu
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Nature conservation -- Economic aspects , Biodiversity conservation -- Economic aspects , Sustainable development -- Ethiopia
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65532 , vital:74185
- Description: After the short-lived Derg regime's land reform in 1975, Ethiopia's smallholder farmers were granted equitable tenure and ownership rights for the first time in history. Furthermore, since 1991 there was a growing desire for better living conditions among smallholder farmers. As a result of the involvement of smallholder farmers, Sustainable Conservation Practices (SCP) was regarded as an effective symbol of government land and rural development policy in Ethiopia in the last two decades. SCP in Tigray, Ethiopia has been hailed as a model of conservation practices impacting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and sustainable development. It has, however, been accompanied by both criticism and acclaim. Contrary to the success narratives of the SCP, Tigray's smallholder farmers continue to face livelihood challenges and climate threats. The primary aim of this study was to critically assess and explain the livelihood impact of SCPs and ongoing participation in soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs) among Tigrayan smallholder farmers. Previously, studies on the issue have focused on SWC techniques or local watershed management. There has been a lack of adequate research on the historical and political interactions between smallholder farmers and the state regarding land conservation in the past two decades. A mixed method approach was used to address this knowledge gap in four tabiyas through multiple sampling methods, using purposive sampling methods to select two reported models of conservation and random sampling methods to select two average tabiyas, in three different woredas. Mixed methods research was used to combine quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. The study revealed that Ethiopia's land use laws and policies under previous regimes have led to current challenges in sustainable land conservation and poverty reduction. As a result of land tenure laws and rights imposed by previous regimes, the challenges for the sustainable land use rights and land conservation practices continue to impact the livelihood of smallholder farmers. To demonstrate the success of land reform and conservation efforts, the government has been promoting the continued use of SWC practices by smallholder farmers in the last two decades. As part of SWC practices, political mobilisation and incentives such as safety-net programmes and agricultural inputs are used to encourage participation. Despite admirable advances in land degradation management, there were no appreciable differences between the results from the model and the average tabiya categories in terms of livelihood improvements. The success of the model tabiyas has proven difficult to replicate and it is still too early to judge whether the success of model tabiyas will be sustainable if they do not continue to receive extensive support from government and external stakeholders. The integration of local knowledge is crucial for the success of SCP, and the cumulative effect of the ‗one size fits all‘ approach in Tigray contributed to the failure to see substantial changes in the rural households. Thus, this study recommends the transformation of the rural and agricultural sector requires comprehensive, reliable, indigenous, and scientific paths that are informed by the local and lived experience of the rural households, rather than telling the success stories of conservation over again. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Assefa, Mulat Zinabu
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Nature conservation -- Economic aspects , Biodiversity conservation -- Economic aspects , Sustainable development -- Ethiopia
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65532 , vital:74185
- Description: After the short-lived Derg regime's land reform in 1975, Ethiopia's smallholder farmers were granted equitable tenure and ownership rights for the first time in history. Furthermore, since 1991 there was a growing desire for better living conditions among smallholder farmers. As a result of the involvement of smallholder farmers, Sustainable Conservation Practices (SCP) was regarded as an effective symbol of government land and rural development policy in Ethiopia in the last two decades. SCP in Tigray, Ethiopia has been hailed as a model of conservation practices impacting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and sustainable development. It has, however, been accompanied by both criticism and acclaim. Contrary to the success narratives of the SCP, Tigray's smallholder farmers continue to face livelihood challenges and climate threats. The primary aim of this study was to critically assess and explain the livelihood impact of SCPs and ongoing participation in soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs) among Tigrayan smallholder farmers. Previously, studies on the issue have focused on SWC techniques or local watershed management. There has been a lack of adequate research on the historical and political interactions between smallholder farmers and the state regarding land conservation in the past two decades. A mixed method approach was used to address this knowledge gap in four tabiyas through multiple sampling methods, using purposive sampling methods to select two reported models of conservation and random sampling methods to select two average tabiyas, in three different woredas. Mixed methods research was used to combine quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. The study revealed that Ethiopia's land use laws and policies under previous regimes have led to current challenges in sustainable land conservation and poverty reduction. As a result of land tenure laws and rights imposed by previous regimes, the challenges for the sustainable land use rights and land conservation practices continue to impact the livelihood of smallholder farmers. To demonstrate the success of land reform and conservation efforts, the government has been promoting the continued use of SWC practices by smallholder farmers in the last two decades. As part of SWC practices, political mobilisation and incentives such as safety-net programmes and agricultural inputs are used to encourage participation. Despite admirable advances in land degradation management, there were no appreciable differences between the results from the model and the average tabiya categories in terms of livelihood improvements. The success of the model tabiyas has proven difficult to replicate and it is still too early to judge whether the success of model tabiyas will be sustainable if they do not continue to receive extensive support from government and external stakeholders. The integration of local knowledge is crucial for the success of SCP, and the cumulative effect of the ‗one size fits all‘ approach in Tigray contributed to the failure to see substantial changes in the rural households. Thus, this study recommends the transformation of the rural and agricultural sector requires comprehensive, reliable, indigenous, and scientific paths that are informed by the local and lived experience of the rural households, rather than telling the success stories of conservation over again. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
The determinants of manufacturing sector growth among East African Community countries
- Authors: Musiita Benjamin
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Economic development -- East African Community , Industrial productivity -- East African Community , Gross domestic product -- East African Community
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65876 , vital:74279
- Description: Given the concern of the meagre contribution of the manufacturing sector output in total GDP within the East African Community (EAC) member states, the purpose of this study was to in-vestigate whether growth rates in the manufacturing sector output of the five East African Com-munity member states can be explained by variations in the factors of input, productivity and governance. The study benchmarks the growth frameworks of neoclassical growth and its exten-sions, as well as the institutionalist growth theory, which guided the formulation of empirical growth models. Estimation is achieved by implementing first difference generalised method of moments (D-GMM) on a linear dynamic panel model through the specific-to-general modelling technique. Among the factors motivated by the neoclassical growth paradigm and its extensions, estimates from this study indicate that human capital and the gross capital formation input factors can help in predicting variations in manufacturing sector output growth in EAC member countries. Among the productivity factors, estimates show that higher lending rates and increased openness had a significant negative effect on the growth of the manufacturing sector among EAC member states. The productivity variables of foreign direct investment, inflation, domestic credit and financial deepening showed no ability to influence manufacturing sector growth in the EAC member states. Estimates further indicate that among the governance factors, control of corrupt-ion could help boost manufacturing sector output growth among EAC member states. Results from this study show that the governance variables of voice and accountability, and of regulatory quality, had an insignificant effect on the growth of manufacturing sector output among EAC member states. So the study shows that manufacturing sector output variations in EAC member states can partially be explained by the neoclassical and endogenous growth models, with little efficacy in the institutional growth model, suggesting the incompleteness of the growth frame-works adopted in assessing the sources of growth in manufacturing sector output in EAC mem-ber states. The study results suggest that the EAC member states can boost their manufacturing sector output growth by implementing policies and programmes that create incentives for more additions to capital stocks and improving the quality of human resources while equipping people with skills, establishng financial instituitions which offer access to cheap capital, like the East African Development Bank, and adopting import substitution growth strategies which could re-duce the quantity of imports and limit outflows of foreign exchange. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Musiita Benjamin
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Economic development -- East African Community , Industrial productivity -- East African Community , Gross domestic product -- East African Community
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65876 , vital:74279
- Description: Given the concern of the meagre contribution of the manufacturing sector output in total GDP within the East African Community (EAC) member states, the purpose of this study was to in-vestigate whether growth rates in the manufacturing sector output of the five East African Com-munity member states can be explained by variations in the factors of input, productivity and governance. The study benchmarks the growth frameworks of neoclassical growth and its exten-sions, as well as the institutionalist growth theory, which guided the formulation of empirical growth models. Estimation is achieved by implementing first difference generalised method of moments (D-GMM) on a linear dynamic panel model through the specific-to-general modelling technique. Among the factors motivated by the neoclassical growth paradigm and its extensions, estimates from this study indicate that human capital and the gross capital formation input factors can help in predicting variations in manufacturing sector output growth in EAC member countries. Among the productivity factors, estimates show that higher lending rates and increased openness had a significant negative effect on the growth of the manufacturing sector among EAC member states. The productivity variables of foreign direct investment, inflation, domestic credit and financial deepening showed no ability to influence manufacturing sector growth in the EAC member states. Estimates further indicate that among the governance factors, control of corrupt-ion could help boost manufacturing sector output growth among EAC member states. Results from this study show that the governance variables of voice and accountability, and of regulatory quality, had an insignificant effect on the growth of manufacturing sector output among EAC member states. So the study shows that manufacturing sector output variations in EAC member states can partially be explained by the neoclassical and endogenous growth models, with little efficacy in the institutional growth model, suggesting the incompleteness of the growth frame-works adopted in assessing the sources of growth in manufacturing sector output in EAC mem-ber states. The study results suggest that the EAC member states can boost their manufacturing sector output growth by implementing policies and programmes that create incentives for more additions to capital stocks and improving the quality of human resources while equipping people with skills, establishng financial instituitions which offer access to cheap capital, like the East African Development Bank, and adopting import substitution growth strategies which could re-duce the quantity of imports and limit outflows of foreign exchange. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
The determinants of manufacturing sector growth among East African Community countries
- Authors: Musiita, Benjamin
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Economic development , Industrial productivity -- East African Community , Supply and demand
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65874 , vital:74280
- Description: Given the concern of the meagre contribution of the manufacturing sector output in total GDP within the East African Community (EAC) member states, the purpose of this study was to in-vestigate whether growth rates in the manufacturing sector output of the five East African Com-munity member states can be explained by variations in the factors of input, productivity and governance. The study benchmarks the growth frameworks of neoclassical growth and its exten-sions, as well as the institutionalist growth theory, which guided the formulation of empirical growth models. Estimation is achieved by implementing first difference generalised method of moments (D-GMM) on a linear dynamic panel model through the specific-to-general modelling technique. Among the factors motivated by the neoclassical growth paradigm and its extensions, estimates from this study indicate that human capital and the gross capital formation input factors can help in predicting variations in manufacturing sector output growth in EAC member countries. Among the productivity factors, estimates show that higher lending rates and increased openness had a significant negative effect on the growth of the manufacturing sector among EAC member states. The productivity variables of foreign direct investment, inflation, domestic credit and financial deepening showed no ability to influence manufacturing sector growth in the EAC member states. Estimates further indicate that among the governance factors, control of corrupt-ion could help boost manufacturing sector output growth among EAC member states. Results from this study show that the governance variables of voice and accountability, and of regulatory quality, had an insignificant effect on the growth of manufacturing sector output among EAC member states. So the study shows that manufacturing sector output variations in EAC member states can partially be explained by the neoclassical and endogenous growth models, with little efficacy in the institutional growth model, suggesting the incompleteness of the growth frame-works adopted in assessing the sources of growth in manufacturing sector output in EAC mem-ber states. The study results suggest that the EAC member states can boost their manufacturing sector output growth by implementing policies and programmes that create incentives for more additions to capital stocks and improving the quality of human resources while equipping people with skills, establishng financial instituitions which offer access to cheap capital, like the East African Development Bank, and adopting import substitution growth strategies which could re-duce the quantity of imports and limit outflows of foreign exchange. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Musiita, Benjamin
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Economic development , Industrial productivity -- East African Community , Supply and demand
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65874 , vital:74280
- Description: Given the concern of the meagre contribution of the manufacturing sector output in total GDP within the East African Community (EAC) member states, the purpose of this study was to in-vestigate whether growth rates in the manufacturing sector output of the five East African Com-munity member states can be explained by variations in the factors of input, productivity and governance. The study benchmarks the growth frameworks of neoclassical growth and its exten-sions, as well as the institutionalist growth theory, which guided the formulation of empirical growth models. Estimation is achieved by implementing first difference generalised method of moments (D-GMM) on a linear dynamic panel model through the specific-to-general modelling technique. Among the factors motivated by the neoclassical growth paradigm and its extensions, estimates from this study indicate that human capital and the gross capital formation input factors can help in predicting variations in manufacturing sector output growth in EAC member countries. Among the productivity factors, estimates show that higher lending rates and increased openness had a significant negative effect on the growth of the manufacturing sector among EAC member states. The productivity variables of foreign direct investment, inflation, domestic credit and financial deepening showed no ability to influence manufacturing sector growth in the EAC member states. Estimates further indicate that among the governance factors, control of corrupt-ion could help boost manufacturing sector output growth among EAC member states. Results from this study show that the governance variables of voice and accountability, and of regulatory quality, had an insignificant effect on the growth of manufacturing sector output among EAC member states. So the study shows that manufacturing sector output variations in EAC member states can partially be explained by the neoclassical and endogenous growth models, with little efficacy in the institutional growth model, suggesting the incompleteness of the growth frame-works adopted in assessing the sources of growth in manufacturing sector output in EAC mem-ber states. The study results suggest that the EAC member states can boost their manufacturing sector output growth by implementing policies and programmes that create incentives for more additions to capital stocks and improving the quality of human resources while equipping people with skills, establishng financial instituitions which offer access to cheap capital, like the East African Development Bank, and adopting import substitution growth strategies which could re-duce the quantity of imports and limit outflows of foreign exchange. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
The impact of political instability on exchange rates in South Africa: an econometric modelling
- Munzhelele, Tshilidzi Whitney
- Authors: Munzhelele, Tshilidzi Whitney
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Econometric models , Economics -- Statistical methods , Finance -- Econometric models , Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65861 , vital:74278
- Description: The exchange rate and political instability are crucial macroeconomic variables strongly related to every economy. In South Africa, exchange rate fluctuations are widely related to major political events. The study analyses the fluctuations in exchange rates by applying exchange rate data over the period 1989 to 2020. The current study, used the predictive quantitative design that combines correlational analysis with predictive modelling. The Unit root results show that political instability and exchange rate are stationary at first difference, and inflation, GDP, political instability, the rule of law, and corruption control and corruption freedom are stationary at level. The Vector Auto Regression model (VAR) was applied to examine the short-run relationship between political instability exchange rate, GDP, inflation, real interest rate, corruption and the rule of law. The results show a short-run relationship between political instability, exchange rate, GDP, inflation, real interest rate, corruption and rule of law. Johansen Cointegration testing was also performed to establish cointegration between variables. The results from the Johansen tests suggest that the model presents a cointegration between political instability, GDP, inflation, real interest rate, corruption and the rule of law and exchange rate, implying that these variables are related and can be combined linearly. The VECM was performed to establish a long-run relationship between variables since cointegration was established between variables. The Vector Error Correction (VEC) model complemented these findings resulting in the null hypothesis that states there is no long-run relationship between variables being rejected. The alternative hypothesis that there is a long-run relationship between variables was accepted. The Granger Causality test was performed to examine the causality between variables and to examine the drivers and causes of exchange rate fluctuations in the VAR model. The results revealed that political instability does not Granger cause exchange rate fluctuations in the short run and that there is a negative relationship between political instability and exchange rate fluctuations. The short-run results revealed that the exchange rate does not Granger cause political instability. However, the exchange rate Granger causes the country's political instability in the long run. This study’s literature review found that political instability harms exchange rates and the economy, and its impact can be felt globally. The results of the study show that there is a negative relationship between political instability and exchange rates. In the short run, the results show that political instability Granger causes inflation. The impulse response function (IRF) was conducted to determine the shock of political instability on the exchange rate. The findings indicate that the magnitude of the shock refers to one standard deviation. The results show that after two years, 92% of the shock in exchange rates is due to the shock on the exchange rate itself, and only 0.12% is due to political instability in the short run. This means that the shock on the exchange rate is associated with the exchange rate itself. The result is consistent with empirical findings in South Africa that fluctuations, in the long run, are largely caused by political instability from corruption. The exchange rate results and the political instability response were used to calibrate the long-run response to exchange rate fluctuation. Political instability was also used to assess the nexus between political instability and economic growth. The results determine a positive relationship between political instability and economic growth. The IRF was performed to track the impact of a variable on other variables (that is, the exchange rate on political instability, GDP, corruption, inflation, real interest rate, the rule of law, and corruption) in the system from several periods in the future. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model for forecasting was selected because it provides an accurate forecast and satisfies the criteria for an ideal model. The results show that in the future, not much variation can be expected in the long run, meaning that political instability is projected to stabilise from 2021 to 2040, and the exchange rate will increase. The results from the analysis of exchange rates and political instability confirm the existence of a negative relationship between political instability and exchange rates. The findings of the study point to a need for the South African government to immediately respond to an increase in exchange rates and to stabilise the undercurrents caused by macroeconomic shocks. The study will contribute to the theoretical understanding of fluctuations in exchange rates and the formulation of macroeconomic stabilisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism , 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Munzhelele, Tshilidzi Whitney
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Econometric models , Economics -- Statistical methods , Finance -- Econometric models , Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65861 , vital:74278
- Description: The exchange rate and political instability are crucial macroeconomic variables strongly related to every economy. In South Africa, exchange rate fluctuations are widely related to major political events. The study analyses the fluctuations in exchange rates by applying exchange rate data over the period 1989 to 2020. The current study, used the predictive quantitative design that combines correlational analysis with predictive modelling. The Unit root results show that political instability and exchange rate are stationary at first difference, and inflation, GDP, political instability, the rule of law, and corruption control and corruption freedom are stationary at level. The Vector Auto Regression model (VAR) was applied to examine the short-run relationship between political instability exchange rate, GDP, inflation, real interest rate, corruption and the rule of law. The results show a short-run relationship between political instability, exchange rate, GDP, inflation, real interest rate, corruption and rule of law. Johansen Cointegration testing was also performed to establish cointegration between variables. The results from the Johansen tests suggest that the model presents a cointegration between political instability, GDP, inflation, real interest rate, corruption and the rule of law and exchange rate, implying that these variables are related and can be combined linearly. The VECM was performed to establish a long-run relationship between variables since cointegration was established between variables. The Vector Error Correction (VEC) model complemented these findings resulting in the null hypothesis that states there is no long-run relationship between variables being rejected. The alternative hypothesis that there is a long-run relationship between variables was accepted. The Granger Causality test was performed to examine the causality between variables and to examine the drivers and causes of exchange rate fluctuations in the VAR model. The results revealed that political instability does not Granger cause exchange rate fluctuations in the short run and that there is a negative relationship between political instability and exchange rate fluctuations. The short-run results revealed that the exchange rate does not Granger cause political instability. However, the exchange rate Granger causes the country's political instability in the long run. This study’s literature review found that political instability harms exchange rates and the economy, and its impact can be felt globally. The results of the study show that there is a negative relationship between political instability and exchange rates. In the short run, the results show that political instability Granger causes inflation. The impulse response function (IRF) was conducted to determine the shock of political instability on the exchange rate. The findings indicate that the magnitude of the shock refers to one standard deviation. The results show that after two years, 92% of the shock in exchange rates is due to the shock on the exchange rate itself, and only 0.12% is due to political instability in the short run. This means that the shock on the exchange rate is associated with the exchange rate itself. The result is consistent with empirical findings in South Africa that fluctuations, in the long run, are largely caused by political instability from corruption. The exchange rate results and the political instability response were used to calibrate the long-run response to exchange rate fluctuation. Political instability was also used to assess the nexus between political instability and economic growth. The results determine a positive relationship between political instability and economic growth. The IRF was performed to track the impact of a variable on other variables (that is, the exchange rate on political instability, GDP, corruption, inflation, real interest rate, the rule of law, and corruption) in the system from several periods in the future. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model for forecasting was selected because it provides an accurate forecast and satisfies the criteria for an ideal model. The results show that in the future, not much variation can be expected in the long run, meaning that political instability is projected to stabilise from 2021 to 2040, and the exchange rate will increase. The results from the analysis of exchange rates and political instability confirm the existence of a negative relationship between political instability and exchange rates. The findings of the study point to a need for the South African government to immediately respond to an increase in exchange rates and to stabilise the undercurrents caused by macroeconomic shocks. The study will contribute to the theoretical understanding of fluctuations in exchange rates and the formulation of macroeconomic stabilisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism , 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
The influence of visual identity elements on the creation of a footwear brand in Ghana
- Kwarteng-Amaniampong, Emmanuel
- Authors: Kwarteng-Amaniampong, Emmanuel
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- Ghana , Brand name products -- Ghana , Footwear industry -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65666 , vital:74226
- Description: Branding is crucial to increase and improve competitiveness in the contemporary market. Due to consumers' sophisticated and high standards for various branded items and services, marketers and organisations are now investing in branding to increase the visibility of their goods and services. All industries share this. The high demand for international footwear brands in Ghana has made the local market uncompetitive, causing many local footwear organisations to lose customers and income to their international competitors and ultimately leading to the failure of many local footwear organisations (Agyeman, 2013:24; Vidal, 2022:2). To save Ghana's declining footwear industry, a new footwear brand must be built. The commitment to the effective implementation of the new footwear brand will raise consumer awareness, improve its visual and cognitive image, and increase its competitiveness. The study investigated how footwear manufacturers could build a powerful brand to save Ghana's domestic footwear market. The study also examined how visual identity elements affected the new footwear brand identity development in Ghana's footwear manufacturing industry. The necessary sample was drawn using convenience non-probability sampling approaches, cluster sampling, and basic random probability sampling. A questionnaire was used in the study's quantitative research design to collect the primary data from a sample of 400 consumers who made footwear purchases at Ghana's three biggest malls: Kumasi City Mall, Accra City Mall, and Achimota Mall in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, respectively. The questionnaires were distributed to the respondents via email, then, IBM SPSS (version 28)and AMOS software were used to investigate the data. Descriptive statistics andinferential statistics were the two main types of analysis used for the primary data. These provided the frequency tables showing data structures, correlations showing relationships between variables, regressions showing visual identity elements as predictors of footwear brand identity in Ghana. From the empirical results, the visual identity elements: brand name, logo and symbol colour, slogan, and typography had a statistically significant relationship with the new footwear brand identity in Ghana. The results further reveal that brand awareness and brand image significantly measured the new footwear brand identity. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
- Authors: Kwarteng-Amaniampong, Emmanuel
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- Ghana , Brand name products -- Ghana , Footwear industry -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65666 , vital:74226
- Description: Branding is crucial to increase and improve competitiveness in the contemporary market. Due to consumers' sophisticated and high standards for various branded items and services, marketers and organisations are now investing in branding to increase the visibility of their goods and services. All industries share this. The high demand for international footwear brands in Ghana has made the local market uncompetitive, causing many local footwear organisations to lose customers and income to their international competitors and ultimately leading to the failure of many local footwear organisations (Agyeman, 2013:24; Vidal, 2022:2). To save Ghana's declining footwear industry, a new footwear brand must be built. The commitment to the effective implementation of the new footwear brand will raise consumer awareness, improve its visual and cognitive image, and increase its competitiveness. The study investigated how footwear manufacturers could build a powerful brand to save Ghana's domestic footwear market. The study also examined how visual identity elements affected the new footwear brand identity development in Ghana's footwear manufacturing industry. The necessary sample was drawn using convenience non-probability sampling approaches, cluster sampling, and basic random probability sampling. A questionnaire was used in the study's quantitative research design to collect the primary data from a sample of 400 consumers who made footwear purchases at Ghana's three biggest malls: Kumasi City Mall, Accra City Mall, and Achimota Mall in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, respectively. The questionnaires were distributed to the respondents via email, then, IBM SPSS (version 28)and AMOS software were used to investigate the data. Descriptive statistics andinferential statistics were the two main types of analysis used for the primary data. These provided the frequency tables showing data structures, correlations showing relationships between variables, regressions showing visual identity elements as predictors of footwear brand identity in Ghana. From the empirical results, the visual identity elements: brand name, logo and symbol colour, slogan, and typography had a statistically significant relationship with the new footwear brand identity in Ghana. The results further reveal that brand awareness and brand image significantly measured the new footwear brand identity. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-12
Digital ambidexterity in South African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): the role of network capability and value creation
- Chigori, Darlington Tawanda https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6284-1970
- Authors: Chigori, Darlington Tawanda https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6284-1970
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Small business -- Management , Small business—Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28513 , vital:74366
- Description: Ambidexterity is the capacity of an organisation to develop both exploration and exploitation capabilities simultaneously. These require different types of responses. This thesis investigates the role of ambidexterity in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Ambidexterity is associated with network capability and value co-creation. In addition, SMEs can benefit from ambidexterity by reducing the risk of failure and promoting growth. The results suggest that ambidexterity in conjunction with networking partnerships and co-creation are key capabilities for small businesses. Secondly, they reveal that SMEs can develop ambidexterity by engaging in both formal and informal learning from their networking partnerships. This is important for policy makers because it suggests that government support for SMEs should focus on developing both formal and informal learning opportunities. Managers of SMEs should also focus on developing both formal and informal learning opportunities. It is an important capability for the success of these businesses. Networks can also be used as a learning mechanism by SMEs. Furthermore, the research also suggests that the use of digital technology networks can be beneficial for the development of ambidexterity. This means that SMEs should consider investing in digital technology networks to enhance their ambidexterity capabilities. Additional research is needed to determine the specific benefits that digital technology networks provide to SMEs. However, the findings suggest that digital technology networks can help to improve the development of ambidexterity. Although networks and co-creation may be necessary for SMEs, they should caution that openness to change can also be risky. It is essential to manage the risks associated with susceptibility to change. SMEs should consider investing in digital technology networks to help them manage these risk. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
- Authors: Chigori, Darlington Tawanda https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6284-1970
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Small business -- Management , Small business—Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28513 , vital:74366
- Description: Ambidexterity is the capacity of an organisation to develop both exploration and exploitation capabilities simultaneously. These require different types of responses. This thesis investigates the role of ambidexterity in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Ambidexterity is associated with network capability and value co-creation. In addition, SMEs can benefit from ambidexterity by reducing the risk of failure and promoting growth. The results suggest that ambidexterity in conjunction with networking partnerships and co-creation are key capabilities for small businesses. Secondly, they reveal that SMEs can develop ambidexterity by engaging in both formal and informal learning from their networking partnerships. This is important for policy makers because it suggests that government support for SMEs should focus on developing both formal and informal learning opportunities. Managers of SMEs should also focus on developing both formal and informal learning opportunities. It is an important capability for the success of these businesses. Networks can also be used as a learning mechanism by SMEs. Furthermore, the research also suggests that the use of digital technology networks can be beneficial for the development of ambidexterity. This means that SMEs should consider investing in digital technology networks to enhance their ambidexterity capabilities. Additional research is needed to determine the specific benefits that digital technology networks provide to SMEs. However, the findings suggest that digital technology networks can help to improve the development of ambidexterity. Although networks and co-creation may be necessary for SMEs, they should caution that openness to change can also be risky. It is essential to manage the risks associated with susceptibility to change. SMEs should consider investing in digital technology networks to help them manage these risk. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
Human capital investment, productivity and economic growth in selected Sub Saharan African countries
- Mutambirwa, Edward https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9010-1950
- Authors: Mutambirwa, Edward https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9010-1950
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Human capital -- Africa, Sub-Saharan , Economic development -- Africa, Sub-Saharan , Capital investments -- Africa, Sub-Saharan
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28639 , vital:74481
- Description: Many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries experience low economic growth rate levels which is worrisome given the demographic window of opportunities in the region. The governments of SSA countries have been putting emphasis on increasing investments in human capital development as it is vital in unlocking potential economic growth through enhancing regional productivity. With this in mind, this study examined the effect of human capital investment on economic growth through productivity in 12 selected SSA countries during the period 2000 to 2017. The selection of these countries and the study period were based on the data availability as well as differences in income growth. The sample represents all the countries in the income growth groups which are low income, lower middle income and upper middle income. In order to examine the overall effect of human capital investment on economic growth the study utilizes two models which are: 1. Human capital investment and productivity in selected SSA countries. 2. Human capital investment and economic growth in selected SSA countries. Model 1 objective of the study was to investigate the effect of human capital investment on productivity in the selected SSA countries. Productivity proxied by labour productivity measured by real output per person employed was the dependent regressed against a host of independent variables which includes human capital investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), total factor productivity (TFP) and labour quantity growth (LQ).The human capital investment components used in the model included: fiscal expenditure on primary education (PEI), secondary education(SEI), tertiary education (TEI) all as a percentage of government expenditure on education; public health(PHI) as a percentage of GDP and domestic private health (DPHI) as a percentage of current health expenditure. Several estimation techniques which include the Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Panel Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (PFMOLS) and Panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (PDOLS) were employed to analyse the relationship between the variables of interest. The empirical findings indicated that all human capital investment components contribute positively to labour productivity except tertiary education investment which had a negative effect. Moreover, the empirical findings also revealed that foreign direct investment and total factor productivity had positive effects on labour productivity while labour quantity growth had a negative effect. Model 2 objective examined the effect of productivity enhanced human capital on economic growth in the sample of countries. It also incorporated the direct channel of the effect of human capital on economic growth in the stated countries. Economic growth (EG) proxied by real GDP growth as the dependent variable and, on the other hand, explanatory variables being productivity enhanced human capital investment (PEHC), human capital (HC), gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), population growth (POP), institutional quality proxied by government effectiveness (GE) and political stability (PS). The same estimation techniques were also employed so as to obtain robust results. The empirical findings revealed that both productivity enhanced human capital investment and human capital contributes positively to economic growth in the selected SSA countries. In addition, the empirical results also proved that gross fixed capital formation, government effectiveness and political stability have positive effects on economic growth whilst population growth has a negative effect. Overall, the results of the study evidenced the existence of a transfer mechanism from human capital investment to economic growth through productivity in the selected SSA countries. The empirical results imply that increasing investment on human capital is of importance in trying to enhance productivity and through this economic growth in the SSA region. The study concludes that there is a potential on enhancing economic growth in the long run in the SSA region if countries invest more on human capital. Therefore, the study recommends that SSA countries must devote more budget to human capital so that free basic education can be offered in both primary and secondary as well as free health care services. With this, the objectives of quality education and health, sustainable and inclusive growth targets of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 as well as United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
Human capital investment, productivity and economic growth in selected Sub Saharan African countries
- Authors: Mutambirwa, Edward https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9010-1950
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Human capital -- Africa, Sub-Saharan , Economic development -- Africa, Sub-Saharan , Capital investments -- Africa, Sub-Saharan
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28639 , vital:74481
- Description: Many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries experience low economic growth rate levels which is worrisome given the demographic window of opportunities in the region. The governments of SSA countries have been putting emphasis on increasing investments in human capital development as it is vital in unlocking potential economic growth through enhancing regional productivity. With this in mind, this study examined the effect of human capital investment on economic growth through productivity in 12 selected SSA countries during the period 2000 to 2017. The selection of these countries and the study period were based on the data availability as well as differences in income growth. The sample represents all the countries in the income growth groups which are low income, lower middle income and upper middle income. In order to examine the overall effect of human capital investment on economic growth the study utilizes two models which are: 1. Human capital investment and productivity in selected SSA countries. 2. Human capital investment and economic growth in selected SSA countries. Model 1 objective of the study was to investigate the effect of human capital investment on productivity in the selected SSA countries. Productivity proxied by labour productivity measured by real output per person employed was the dependent regressed against a host of independent variables which includes human capital investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), total factor productivity (TFP) and labour quantity growth (LQ).The human capital investment components used in the model included: fiscal expenditure on primary education (PEI), secondary education(SEI), tertiary education (TEI) all as a percentage of government expenditure on education; public health(PHI) as a percentage of GDP and domestic private health (DPHI) as a percentage of current health expenditure. Several estimation techniques which include the Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Panel Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (PFMOLS) and Panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (PDOLS) were employed to analyse the relationship between the variables of interest. The empirical findings indicated that all human capital investment components contribute positively to labour productivity except tertiary education investment which had a negative effect. Moreover, the empirical findings also revealed that foreign direct investment and total factor productivity had positive effects on labour productivity while labour quantity growth had a negative effect. Model 2 objective examined the effect of productivity enhanced human capital on economic growth in the sample of countries. It also incorporated the direct channel of the effect of human capital on economic growth in the stated countries. Economic growth (EG) proxied by real GDP growth as the dependent variable and, on the other hand, explanatory variables being productivity enhanced human capital investment (PEHC), human capital (HC), gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), population growth (POP), institutional quality proxied by government effectiveness (GE) and political stability (PS). The same estimation techniques were also employed so as to obtain robust results. The empirical findings revealed that both productivity enhanced human capital investment and human capital contributes positively to economic growth in the selected SSA countries. In addition, the empirical results also proved that gross fixed capital formation, government effectiveness and political stability have positive effects on economic growth whilst population growth has a negative effect. Overall, the results of the study evidenced the existence of a transfer mechanism from human capital investment to economic growth through productivity in the selected SSA countries. The empirical results imply that increasing investment on human capital is of importance in trying to enhance productivity and through this economic growth in the SSA region. The study concludes that there is a potential on enhancing economic growth in the long run in the SSA region if countries invest more on human capital. Therefore, the study recommends that SSA countries must devote more budget to human capital so that free basic education can be offered in both primary and secondary as well as free health care services. With this, the objectives of quality education and health, sustainable and inclusive growth targets of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 as well as United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
The analysis of the impact of financial integration on financial development and economic growth in the Southern African development community
- Ndlovu, Nomusa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-2939
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nomusa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-2939
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Economic development -- Finance -- Africa, Southern , Financial services industry -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28650 , vital:74491
- Description: The study investigated the impact of financial integration on financial development and economic growth in the Southern African Development Community using annual data for the period 2000 to 2018. Literature shows that there is no universally accepted measure of financial integration hence the study utilized the Lane and Milesi-Ferretti measure, foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP and Chinn-Ito (KAOPEN) index in achieving the objectives of the study. One of the main objectives of the study was to examine the impact of financial integration on financial development in the SADC community. The study utilized first difference GMM to achieve this objective and the results showed that Lane and Milesi-Ferretti measure and foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP significantly affect financial development whilst Chinn-Ito (KAOPEN) index displayed an insignificant effect. The next step was to investigate the impact of financial integration on economic growth in the SADC region. To accomplish this objective, the study investigated both the direct channel as well as the possibility of financial integration indirectly influencing economic growth through financial development, trade openness, and institutional quality. The Three Stage Least Squares (3SLS) technique was utilized on a system of five simultaneous equations in examining the effect of financial integration on economic growth. The results revealed that financial integration affects economic growth both directly and indirectly. Regarding the indirect channels, only the financial development and institutional quality channel proved to be significant. To ensure the robustness of the results the study checked if the impact of financial integration was sensitive to the measure of financial integration and financial development used. The study employed KAOPEN to proxy financial integration while broad money supply (% of GDP) measured financial development. Robustness results confirmed that financial integration affects economic growth both directly and indirectly. This time, the trade openness channel was significant at 10% which shows the benefits through this channel are significant. This shows that the results of the trade openness channel are inconclusive. When the Lane and Milesi-Ferretti measure of financial integration was employed the impact of the trade openness channel was insignificant whilst a significant impact was found based on KAOPEN. The inconclusive findings for the trade openness channel may indicate the impact of financial integration on economic growth depends on the proxy of financial integration utilized. In addition, the study also gathered some interesting results where financial development, institutional quality, trade openness, and government size (government spending) are significant drivers of financial integration. The study makes some fundamental contributions to literature on financial integration, financial development, and economic growth. Initially, the study provides empirical evidence on the nature of the impact of financial integration on financial development in the SADC. In particular, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by showing that the impact of financial integration on financial development is linear. Secondly, this study makes an original contribution to the literature on the channels through which financial integration affect economic growth in the SADC, providing a more subtlety understanding of the mechanisms at play. Finally, the study provides important policy implications for policymakers and financial regulators in the SADC who seek to promote economic growth through financial integration. The findings of the study imply that deeper financial integration is crucial in the SADC region as it can potentially increase the rate of economic growth in the region. Not only economic growth will be boosted but also the institutional quality and the development of the financial sector of the countries in the region. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the governments of the member countries in the region continue to come up with policies that boost regional and international financial integration. The study suggests that to ensure that they continuously reap positive benefits from financial integration, member countries of the SADC should appoint a board that deals with implementation and accountability. This board must be responsible for ensuring that member countries implement the formulated policies and should also hold member countries accountable in case of failure to implement the formulated policies. Since the region is pursuing financial integration, the region must come up with policies that prioritize domestic developments in the form of financial development, improving domestic institutional quality and reducing trade restrictions in advance in order to ensure that preconditions for financial integration are met. Developing these will attract different forms of financial flows or increase financial openness which will ultimately boost economic growth. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nomusa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-2939
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Economic development -- Finance -- Africa, Southern , Financial services industry -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28650 , vital:74491
- Description: The study investigated the impact of financial integration on financial development and economic growth in the Southern African Development Community using annual data for the period 2000 to 2018. Literature shows that there is no universally accepted measure of financial integration hence the study utilized the Lane and Milesi-Ferretti measure, foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP and Chinn-Ito (KAOPEN) index in achieving the objectives of the study. One of the main objectives of the study was to examine the impact of financial integration on financial development in the SADC community. The study utilized first difference GMM to achieve this objective and the results showed that Lane and Milesi-Ferretti measure and foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP significantly affect financial development whilst Chinn-Ito (KAOPEN) index displayed an insignificant effect. The next step was to investigate the impact of financial integration on economic growth in the SADC region. To accomplish this objective, the study investigated both the direct channel as well as the possibility of financial integration indirectly influencing economic growth through financial development, trade openness, and institutional quality. The Three Stage Least Squares (3SLS) technique was utilized on a system of five simultaneous equations in examining the effect of financial integration on economic growth. The results revealed that financial integration affects economic growth both directly and indirectly. Regarding the indirect channels, only the financial development and institutional quality channel proved to be significant. To ensure the robustness of the results the study checked if the impact of financial integration was sensitive to the measure of financial integration and financial development used. The study employed KAOPEN to proxy financial integration while broad money supply (% of GDP) measured financial development. Robustness results confirmed that financial integration affects economic growth both directly and indirectly. This time, the trade openness channel was significant at 10% which shows the benefits through this channel are significant. This shows that the results of the trade openness channel are inconclusive. When the Lane and Milesi-Ferretti measure of financial integration was employed the impact of the trade openness channel was insignificant whilst a significant impact was found based on KAOPEN. The inconclusive findings for the trade openness channel may indicate the impact of financial integration on economic growth depends on the proxy of financial integration utilized. In addition, the study also gathered some interesting results where financial development, institutional quality, trade openness, and government size (government spending) are significant drivers of financial integration. The study makes some fundamental contributions to literature on financial integration, financial development, and economic growth. Initially, the study provides empirical evidence on the nature of the impact of financial integration on financial development in the SADC. In particular, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by showing that the impact of financial integration on financial development is linear. Secondly, this study makes an original contribution to the literature on the channels through which financial integration affect economic growth in the SADC, providing a more subtlety understanding of the mechanisms at play. Finally, the study provides important policy implications for policymakers and financial regulators in the SADC who seek to promote economic growth through financial integration. The findings of the study imply that deeper financial integration is crucial in the SADC region as it can potentially increase the rate of economic growth in the region. Not only economic growth will be boosted but also the institutional quality and the development of the financial sector of the countries in the region. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the governments of the member countries in the region continue to come up with policies that boost regional and international financial integration. The study suggests that to ensure that they continuously reap positive benefits from financial integration, member countries of the SADC should appoint a board that deals with implementation and accountability. This board must be responsible for ensuring that member countries implement the formulated policies and should also hold member countries accountable in case of failure to implement the formulated policies. Since the region is pursuing financial integration, the region must come up with policies that prioritize domestic developments in the form of financial development, improving domestic institutional quality and reducing trade restrictions in advance in order to ensure that preconditions for financial integration are met. Developing these will attract different forms of financial flows or increase financial openness which will ultimately boost economic growth. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
A comprehensive review of the taxonomic diversity within the freshwater catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes, Auchenoglanididae)
- Authors: Sithole, Yonela
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402992 , vital:69912
- Description: Thesis embargoed. To be released early 2026. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology & Fisheries Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Sithole, Yonela
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402992 , vital:69912
- Description: Thesis embargoed. To be released early 2026. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology & Fisheries Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
A formative evaluation and critical analysis of an alcohol and pregnancy intervention in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Graham, Nicola Susan Jearey
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432541 , vital:72879 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432541
- Description: Some communities in South Africa have the highest documented rates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the world. Interventions to reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy are crucial, but evaluations of such interventions are sparse. Formative evaluations are indicated to assist in the development of interventions. Harmful alcohol consumption during pregnancy is undergirded by a range of social injustices, including those imposed by colonisation and patriarchy; a feminist, decolonial approach to evaluations is, therefore, important. A research project, consisting of three arms, examined alcohol use during pregnancy in an under-resourced urban area of the Eastern Cape, and this research was one of those arms. An intervention was being rolled out in this area and I gathered a range of data from it. I engaged in a formative evaluation of it, and I reflect on the difficulties that I encountered in this endeavour. In the bulk of this thesis, I examine the power apparatuses and technologies that were used during the intervention to discursively position pregnant women. My analysis was guided by Foucauldian and post-Foucauldian theories, using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis and simplified Conversation Analysis (CA). Power apparatuses of coloniality, patriarchy, and pastoral power were used in the intervention to construct positions for pregnant women who drink alcohol as ignorant children, sinners, criminals, or “Mommies”. The foetus was constructed as a precious, vulnerable baby, while the person with FASD was constructed as the defiled Other, responsible for societal dissolution. The intervention used various disciplinary techniques to exhort women to follow their dictates. Women were generally compliant with being positioned as ignorant children, which absolved them from any blame for pre-natal drinking. However, some resistance was evident. I then introduce an ethics of care and justice, and I argue that pregnant/newly parenting women need to be positioned within such an ethics, which acknowledges both the universal resources that they require for reproductive freedoms, as well as their particular care needs. I highlight the few times when women were positioned in this way in the data, and I look at how the common positions could be altered or expanded to promote such an ethics. I conclude by arguing that alcohol use during pregnancy cannot be separated from the larger context of the cultural hegemony of alcohol use in some communities, and the social injustices that potentiate this use. I provide suggestions for country-wide policies and interventions, as well as specific FASD prevention programmes, and I argue that a feminist decolonising approach, within an ethics of care and justice, should guide interventions at all levels. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Graham, Nicola Susan Jearey
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432541 , vital:72879 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432541
- Description: Some communities in South Africa have the highest documented rates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the world. Interventions to reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy are crucial, but evaluations of such interventions are sparse. Formative evaluations are indicated to assist in the development of interventions. Harmful alcohol consumption during pregnancy is undergirded by a range of social injustices, including those imposed by colonisation and patriarchy; a feminist, decolonial approach to evaluations is, therefore, important. A research project, consisting of three arms, examined alcohol use during pregnancy in an under-resourced urban area of the Eastern Cape, and this research was one of those arms. An intervention was being rolled out in this area and I gathered a range of data from it. I engaged in a formative evaluation of it, and I reflect on the difficulties that I encountered in this endeavour. In the bulk of this thesis, I examine the power apparatuses and technologies that were used during the intervention to discursively position pregnant women. My analysis was guided by Foucauldian and post-Foucauldian theories, using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis and simplified Conversation Analysis (CA). Power apparatuses of coloniality, patriarchy, and pastoral power were used in the intervention to construct positions for pregnant women who drink alcohol as ignorant children, sinners, criminals, or “Mommies”. The foetus was constructed as a precious, vulnerable baby, while the person with FASD was constructed as the defiled Other, responsible for societal dissolution. The intervention used various disciplinary techniques to exhort women to follow their dictates. Women were generally compliant with being positioned as ignorant children, which absolved them from any blame for pre-natal drinking. However, some resistance was evident. I then introduce an ethics of care and justice, and I argue that pregnant/newly parenting women need to be positioned within such an ethics, which acknowledges both the universal resources that they require for reproductive freedoms, as well as their particular care needs. I highlight the few times when women were positioned in this way in the data, and I look at how the common positions could be altered or expanded to promote such an ethics. I conclude by arguing that alcohol use during pregnancy cannot be separated from the larger context of the cultural hegemony of alcohol use in some communities, and the social injustices that potentiate this use. I provide suggestions for country-wide policies and interventions, as well as specific FASD prevention programmes, and I argue that a feminist decolonising approach, within an ethics of care and justice, should guide interventions at all levels. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
A grounded theory study of the identity and career decisions of artistic creative entrepreneurs
- Gibson-Tessendorf, Jacoba Cornelia
- Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Jacoba Cornelia
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Creative entrepreneurship , Personality and creative ability , Career choice , Creative industries , Identity (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419208 , vital:71625 , DOI 10.21504/10962/419208
- Description: This research, in the field of creative careers, identity and entrepreneurship, aims to develop a grounded theory to explain the interaction between the phenomena of identity and career decision-making, focusing on Artistic Creative entrepreneurs in the creative industries. Artistic Creatives have unique characteristics and creative identities, presenting unique career opportunities. This research is interested in the different values of Artistic Creatives compared to those of Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs, who often experience a tension between their creative identity and their entrepreneurial identities The methodology used is the Straussian Grounded Theory. A Qualitative Research Approach used interviews to collect data on the careers and identity of Artistic Creative entrepreneurs in an area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Creative entrepreneurs work in the fields of fine art, design and crafts. The research procedure was recorded in detail, which enhances dependability. Ethics approval was obtained prior to the data collection. The data was analysed through open coding, axial coding and using a Straussian paradigm model. The findings present the values and identity of the Artistic Creative with Artistic Creative Archetypes and the entrepreneurial identities as Artistic Creative Entrepreneur Profiles. The Thesis by JC Gibson-Tessendorf effects of identity and contextual factors on their career patterns, especially as entrepreneurs, are analysed. The contribution that this study makes towards the creation of new knowledge is through, firstly, presenting aspiring creatives with career opportunities that relate to individual values. Secondly, it provides a model of Career Stage Options and Strategies that Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs may follow to either become part-time creative entrepreneurs or use the model as a guide for career planning. The study also developed a substantial theory proposing that the identities of Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs are 1) firstly multiple, 2) flexible and open to change, 2) driven by their values, 3) enacting across the tripartite identity framework, being personal identity, role identity and social identity. The concept of a tripartite of identities was taken from Brewer and Gardner (1996). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Jacoba Cornelia
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Creative entrepreneurship , Personality and creative ability , Career choice , Creative industries , Identity (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419208 , vital:71625 , DOI 10.21504/10962/419208
- Description: This research, in the field of creative careers, identity and entrepreneurship, aims to develop a grounded theory to explain the interaction between the phenomena of identity and career decision-making, focusing on Artistic Creative entrepreneurs in the creative industries. Artistic Creatives have unique characteristics and creative identities, presenting unique career opportunities. This research is interested in the different values of Artistic Creatives compared to those of Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs, who often experience a tension between their creative identity and their entrepreneurial identities The methodology used is the Straussian Grounded Theory. A Qualitative Research Approach used interviews to collect data on the careers and identity of Artistic Creative entrepreneurs in an area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Creative entrepreneurs work in the fields of fine art, design and crafts. The research procedure was recorded in detail, which enhances dependability. Ethics approval was obtained prior to the data collection. The data was analysed through open coding, axial coding and using a Straussian paradigm model. The findings present the values and identity of the Artistic Creative with Artistic Creative Archetypes and the entrepreneurial identities as Artistic Creative Entrepreneur Profiles. The Thesis by JC Gibson-Tessendorf effects of identity and contextual factors on their career patterns, especially as entrepreneurs, are analysed. The contribution that this study makes towards the creation of new knowledge is through, firstly, presenting aspiring creatives with career opportunities that relate to individual values. Secondly, it provides a model of Career Stage Options and Strategies that Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs may follow to either become part-time creative entrepreneurs or use the model as a guide for career planning. The study also developed a substantial theory proposing that the identities of Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs are 1) firstly multiple, 2) flexible and open to change, 2) driven by their values, 3) enacting across the tripartite identity framework, being personal identity, role identity and social identity. The concept of a tripartite of identities was taken from Brewer and Gardner (1996). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
A molecular investigation of stem-galling Tetramesa Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) on African grasses: applications to biological control
- Van Steenderen, Clarke Julian Mignon
- Authors: Van Steenderen, Clarke Julian Mignon
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432565 , vital:72881 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432565
- Description: South Africa is a larger donor than receiver of alien grasses, where approximately 15% (_ 165 spp.) of the country's native grass species have become naturalised elsewhere. Many of these grasses have become serious invaders, causing significant damage to native species, habitat structure, and ecosystem functioning. Biological control is a sustainable and cost-effective method for the control of invasive weeds, but its application to invasive grasses has been approached with trepidation in the past due to the fears of a lack of host-specific herbivores that may cause non-target damage to agriculturally-important crops. The Tetramesa Walker genus (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is one of three genera in the family that feed exclusively on grasses, and have a record of being host-specific to a particular species, or complex of closely-related congeners. There are over 200 described Tetramesa species, but this taxonomic effort has occurred almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. Only about 2% of the described species are from Africa, with none from southern Africa despite the high diversity of grasses in the region. The low morphological variability between many Tetramesa groups has made identification difficult, where there may in fact be multiple undiscovered cryptic species. This thesis generated genetic sequence data (mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S) that revealed at least eight native southern African Tetramesa taxa that are new to science, focusing particularly on the assemblages associated with Eragrostis curvula Nees (African lovegrass) and Sporobolus pyramidalis Beauv. and S. natalensis Steud. (giant rat's tail grass) which are alien invasive pests in Australia. Approximately 200 eurytomid wasps were collected and sequenced from 19 grass species across six South African provinces. Additionally, 27 grass species were sequenced using four gene regions (rps16-trnK, rps16, rpl32-trnL, and ITS), which were added to existing sequence data to build a dataset comprising over 700 sequences. Field host ranges and the use of host grass genetic proxies were important in making inferences about the host-specificity of eurytomid wasps of interest. Nine Tetramesa groups appeared to be host-specific to a single grass species, while six Tetramesa were associated with multiple species in a single grass genus. Since S. pyramidalis, S. natalensis, S. africanus, Hyparrhenia hirta, E. trichophora, and Andropogon gayanus are weeds elsewhere, there are at least six potential Tetramesa biological control agents that have been identified. A high diversity of Tetramesa on grasses within the Eragrostis genus was reported, with at least four taxa associated with E. curvula. It is currently uncertain whether these taxa represent different cryptic species or intraspecific populations that are the result of geographic sub-structuring. No-choice host-specificity testing using Tetramesa sp. 4 on E. curvula revealed that the wasp could complete its lifecycle on two non-target African grasses; namely E. plana and E. planiculmis. The wasp was also recorded on other Eragrostis species in the field (namely E. biflora and E. capensis). Using grass genetic sequences obtained in this study, it was found that there are four native Australian Eragrostis species that are more closely related to target E. curvula than to the non-target E. plana and E. planiculmis. This suggests that Tetramesa sp. 4 may not be suitably host-specific for use as a biological control agent. Further host-specificity testing on these native Australian species is required, however, before this insect is ruled out completely. The Tetramesa on S. pyramidalis (Tetramesa sp. 1), and the unidentified Sporobolus species presumed to be S. africanus, were suitably host-specific to be used as biological control agents. Since it was unclear whether some phylogenetic clades were true species or intraspecific populations, which is essential to understand when selecting agents for biological control, a new piece of software, SPEDE-sampler", was developed. It offers users of the Generalised Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) species delimitation model a means of assessing the degree to which sampling effects such as data size and parameter choice can influence species diversity estimates. When applied to the Tetramesa data set, the software assisted in identifying which groups may contain cryptic species, uncovering that the COI marker is affected more by singletons than the 28S marker (i.e. species diversity tends to be overestimated), and confirming putative Tetramesa taxa that could be useful for biological control programmes going forward. This thesis has provided evidence that South Africa contains a diverse assemblage of Tetramesa and other eurytomids that are closely associated with their grass hosts, and that many of these taxa hold promise for grass biological control. This work has also highlighted the importance of integrative taxonomy in the discovery of novel taxa, and that biological control practitioners need to be aware of the caveats of each line of evidence used in the delimitation of putative species. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Van Steenderen, Clarke Julian Mignon
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/432565 , vital:72881 , DOI 10.21504/10962/432565
- Description: South Africa is a larger donor than receiver of alien grasses, where approximately 15% (_ 165 spp.) of the country's native grass species have become naturalised elsewhere. Many of these grasses have become serious invaders, causing significant damage to native species, habitat structure, and ecosystem functioning. Biological control is a sustainable and cost-effective method for the control of invasive weeds, but its application to invasive grasses has been approached with trepidation in the past due to the fears of a lack of host-specific herbivores that may cause non-target damage to agriculturally-important crops. The Tetramesa Walker genus (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is one of three genera in the family that feed exclusively on grasses, and have a record of being host-specific to a particular species, or complex of closely-related congeners. There are over 200 described Tetramesa species, but this taxonomic effort has occurred almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. Only about 2% of the described species are from Africa, with none from southern Africa despite the high diversity of grasses in the region. The low morphological variability between many Tetramesa groups has made identification difficult, where there may in fact be multiple undiscovered cryptic species. This thesis generated genetic sequence data (mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S) that revealed at least eight native southern African Tetramesa taxa that are new to science, focusing particularly on the assemblages associated with Eragrostis curvula Nees (African lovegrass) and Sporobolus pyramidalis Beauv. and S. natalensis Steud. (giant rat's tail grass) which are alien invasive pests in Australia. Approximately 200 eurytomid wasps were collected and sequenced from 19 grass species across six South African provinces. Additionally, 27 grass species were sequenced using four gene regions (rps16-trnK, rps16, rpl32-trnL, and ITS), which were added to existing sequence data to build a dataset comprising over 700 sequences. Field host ranges and the use of host grass genetic proxies were important in making inferences about the host-specificity of eurytomid wasps of interest. Nine Tetramesa groups appeared to be host-specific to a single grass species, while six Tetramesa were associated with multiple species in a single grass genus. Since S. pyramidalis, S. natalensis, S. africanus, Hyparrhenia hirta, E. trichophora, and Andropogon gayanus are weeds elsewhere, there are at least six potential Tetramesa biological control agents that have been identified. A high diversity of Tetramesa on grasses within the Eragrostis genus was reported, with at least four taxa associated with E. curvula. It is currently uncertain whether these taxa represent different cryptic species or intraspecific populations that are the result of geographic sub-structuring. No-choice host-specificity testing using Tetramesa sp. 4 on E. curvula revealed that the wasp could complete its lifecycle on two non-target African grasses; namely E. plana and E. planiculmis. The wasp was also recorded on other Eragrostis species in the field (namely E. biflora and E. capensis). Using grass genetic sequences obtained in this study, it was found that there are four native Australian Eragrostis species that are more closely related to target E. curvula than to the non-target E. plana and E. planiculmis. This suggests that Tetramesa sp. 4 may not be suitably host-specific for use as a biological control agent. Further host-specificity testing on these native Australian species is required, however, before this insect is ruled out completely. The Tetramesa on S. pyramidalis (Tetramesa sp. 1), and the unidentified Sporobolus species presumed to be S. africanus, were suitably host-specific to be used as biological control agents. Since it was unclear whether some phylogenetic clades were true species or intraspecific populations, which is essential to understand when selecting agents for biological control, a new piece of software, SPEDE-sampler", was developed. It offers users of the Generalised Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) species delimitation model a means of assessing the degree to which sampling effects such as data size and parameter choice can influence species diversity estimates. When applied to the Tetramesa data set, the software assisted in identifying which groups may contain cryptic species, uncovering that the COI marker is affected more by singletons than the 28S marker (i.e. species diversity tends to be overestimated), and confirming putative Tetramesa taxa that could be useful for biological control programmes going forward. This thesis has provided evidence that South Africa contains a diverse assemblage of Tetramesa and other eurytomids that are closely associated with their grass hosts, and that many of these taxa hold promise for grass biological control. This work has also highlighted the importance of integrative taxonomy in the discovery of novel taxa, and that biological control practitioners need to be aware of the caveats of each line of evidence used in the delimitation of putative species. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13