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Strategies to sustain SMEs post the hard lockdown period: a multiple case study in Gauteng

  • Authors: Rabohale, Mokabolane Innocent
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53015 , vital:44889
  • Description: The outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions imposed by the government in March 2020 exacerbated uncertain conditions of the weak South African business environment. This meant that SME owners and managers in different sectors had to implement strategies to manoeuvre the further weakened and unprecedented business environment. To investigate this, the research question asked was: what sustainable strategies will SME owners and managers craft and implement to use post the lockdown period? The study analysed strategies before, during, and post the hard lockdown period to provide insight into how SMEs adopted to the uncertain business environment. This study interviewed twenty (20) SMEs in different sectors in Gauteng to explore strategies that SME owners and managers used to sustain their businesses prior to, during, and post the level 5 and level 4 lockdown. The study revealed strategies employed by SME owners across five sectors. Furthermore, the study indicated that during the hard lockdown, owners used a “wait and see” strategy in different degrees. Post the level 5 and 4 lockdown, different sectors were innovating, cost cutting, and digitisation according to their level of comfortability and diversification. The study reveals that strategic planning was missing prior, during, and post the level 4 and 5 lockdowns, despite SME owners’ educational background. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

Synthesis of coumarin based fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of metal ions.

  • Authors: Hamukoshi, Simeon Shiweda
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Organic compounds--Synthesis
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52041 , vital:43422
  • Description: The study focused on the synthesis of three coumarin-based chemosensors; hydrazone fluorescent chemosensor , azo-benzothiazole dye and azo-quinoline dye. The hydrazone fluorescent chemosensor was synthesised through multiple reaction steps were the azide functionality at position 8 of the coumarin backbone was replaced with the hydrazone group in the last reaction step. The azo dyes were synthesised through a two step reaction process. The photophysical properties of all three chemosensors were investigated. The hydrazone chemosensor and azo-benzothiazole dye presented high absorption and emission, while the azo-quinoline only presented absorption properties. The chemosensing ability of the three products were investigated through absorption and emission. The hydrazone chemosensor was found to be highly selective towards Fe3+ in water and the dyes were found to be selective towards Hg2+. The mechanisms of interaction between the chemosensors and their selective metal ions were investigated via computational analysis and 1H NMR analysis. All of the chemosensors where characyerised using 1H NMR, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and the X Ray Chrystal structure for the hydrazone chemosensor was obtained via X ray Chrystallography. Finally, the electron density distribution of the all synthesised compounds their predicted stable metal ion complexes was determined using Density Functionaly Theory (DFT). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

Testing alternative Pinus species and hybrids for the South African structural pole market

  • Authors: Ndovela, Lisakhanya Sizo
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52002 , vital:43435
  • Description: According to the South African National Standards, only Pinus canariensis, Pinus pinaster and Pinus radiata are suitable to be used as structural softwood poles. Of the three Pinus species mentioned, only P. radiata is still planted in South Africa and its future and availability is uncertain. The lack of availability of structural pine poles necessitates the South African forestry industry to look at alternative softwood species to plant. The broad aim of this study was to determine whether there are alternative Pinus species or hybrids that can be planted in South Africa’s Western and Southern Cape areas that will have suitable properties to be used as a resource for structural poles. This document reports on the testing of the strength and stiffness, as well as other relevant properties, of poles from several Pinus species and Pinus hybrids. The poles were derived from thinned eight-year-old tree stands in Knysna, Western Cape. Poles were peeled, kiln dried and graded before bending tests were carried out. Species and hybrids were also assessed for differences within a tree along the length. Also, the correlation between modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and wood grading properties was evaluated. The results showed that there was a highly significant effect of species and log position on the mean MOR of the poles. In general, poles from the bottom of the tree had a higher mean MOR than poles from the top of the tree. There was also a highly significant effect of species and pole position on the mean MOE of poles, with poles at the top of the trees generally having higher MOE values. A very concerning finding was that the 5th percentile MOR and mean MOE values of all the species were far lower than required by SANS 10163-1 (2003). Even for the best performing species, P. radiata, the MOR 5th percentile value was less than half the required value, while the mean MOE was also 39% lower than the required mean MOE. Apart from P. radiata, the P. maximinoi performed the best of all species and hybrids since it had a statistically similar mean MOR and MOE to P. radiata. P. elliottii and the hybrid P. elliottii x caribaea had statistically significant lower MOR and MOE than P. radiata. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The application of the doctrine of common purpose to the joint possession of firearms

  • Authors: Mnono, Zimbini
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Firearms--Law and legislation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51197 , vital:43225
  • Description: According to the South African criminal justice system, where two or more people in a joint unlawful enterprise associate to commit a crime with only one participant carrying a firearm, the principles of joint possession are used to secure successful prosecution of the participants for joint possession of the firearm. However, up to date, the State is yet to see a conviction based on the application of these principles. S v Khambule marks the first case in which the doctrine of common purpose was used to secure a conviction of multiple accused for the crime of joint possession of firearms. The case has become outdated law following the Supreme Court of Appeal decision in S v Mbuli where the court found that the doctrine could not be applied to circumstance crimes such as joint possession of firearms. Both cases have received enormous criticism from academics and in subsequent judgments. One main criticism relates to whether the failure to apply the doctrine of common purpose is consistent with the current law and constitutional freedoms, such as the right to be free from all forms of violence and the right to equal benefit of the law. The purpose of the dissertation is to evaluate the jurisprudence on the application of the doctrine of common purpose to the joint possession of firearms. The evaluation includes an analysis of the principles of joint possession in the context of constitutional rights as well as contributions made by academics such as Burchell. The commonpurpose doctrine does not extend to joint possession of firearms. This is as a result of firstly, the absence of causation from the definitional elements of the crime; secondly, the mental aspect of possession; thirdly, the principles of joint possession as the basis of liability for joint possession of firearms; and lastly due to the nature of the crime of joint possession of firearms, being a circumstance crime. The paper recommends the extension of the doctrine of common purpose to joint possession of firearms. The recommendation is based on the following arguments. Firstly, the mental aspect of possession relates to the description of the article and not fault. Secondly, the doctrine is and has always been intended to criminalise joint wrongdoings. Thirdly, the extension of the doctrine of common purpose to joint possession of firearms is consistent with the presumption of possession in terms of the Firearm Controls Act. Lastly, the expansion enhances constitutional rights and fulfils the duty of the State to make South Africa less vulnerable to firearms. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Criminal and Procedural Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The application of the prevention and combating of corrupt activities act

  • Authors: Landman, Johan Abraham
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Corrupt practices--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51201 , vital:43223
  • Description: The study will address the application of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act (PCCAA) and the various offences that is created by PCCAA and how the coutls apply PCCAA in corruption cases. This study will compare the crimes that was created under the repealed Corruption Act with the crimes created under PCCAA, lt will further show how the courls interpreted the application of PCCAA. The infamous case of former police commissioner, Jacki Selebi will be discussed and how the Supreme coutl of Appeal applied section 4 of PCCAA. lt will furlher explore why section 5 of PCCAA needs amendment to be able to prosecute foreign public officials under PCCAA. The PCCAA Amendment Bill is currently before parliament to amend section 5 of PCCAA. This study will further explore how corruption is dealt considering hospitality and gifts. This must be the most unnoticed form of bribery that occurs which PCCAA does not specifically clearly addresses. This will shorlly be compared to the German Penal Code. All legislation has strengths and weaknesses, including PCCAA. This study will explore those strengths and weaknesses and how they can be solved. lt will explore loopholes within PCCAA and the strategy of 'unbundling' corruption and its effects. lt has been stressed by the courts that corruption is a very serious crime and therefore the reporting thereof is impoftant. This study will discuss the reporling of corruption in terms of section 34 of PCCAA. This study will fufther show through South African case law that the courls are too lenient when sentencing individuals guilty of corruption and that the minimum sentence needs to be the starting point for sentencing offenders. The courts should not have discretion to deviate from this minimum sentence given how serious the courls express corruption to be and the devastating effects it has. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Criminal and Procedural Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The concurrent jurisdiction of the high court and labour court

  • Authors: Beyleveld, Dominique
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Labor laws and legislation--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51191 , vital:43218
  • Description: The words “concurrent jurisdiction” essentially means that there is more than one court which has the power to hear a matter and therefore, a party may choose which forum to approach.1 The High Court (hereinafter referred to as “HC”) may exercise jurisdiction, together with the Labour Court (hereinafter referred to as “LC”), in enforcing purely contractual and other common law claims as well as for breach of fundamental rights to which the Labour Relations Act (LRA)2 (or other labour statutes) do not give effect to.3 However, this is not without limitations. The HC and the LC have concurrent jurisdiction over claims relating to the lawfulness of dismissal or other conduct by the parties, whereas all claims based on fairness falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the LC.4 The practical implication of the approach taken by the Constitutional Court (hereinafter referred to as “CC”)5 is that jurisdiction may, to a certain extent,6 be based on the pleadings, and a litigant may in fact have simultaneous claims arising from the same circumstances.7 However, where the basis of the action and the relief sought is clearly identifiable as being part of the machinery of the Labour Relations Act (hereinafter referred to as the “LRA”) or other labour legislation, then the HC will not have jurisdiction and it is up to the LC to remedy the wrong and give effect to the primary objects of the LRA , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The decision to stay or go: study of generation y chartered accountants in South Africa

  • Authors: Hluyo, Fungai
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53031 , vital:44878
  • Description: Having deduced from literature that millennials have a very high employee turnover, the purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of what factors would make millennial Chartered Accountants in South Africa, or (CA)s, stay with or leave organisations. This is a case study within a qualitative research paradigm and followed an interpretivistic approach. A purposeful sampling technique was used in selecting a sample of seven millennial CAs for data collection. The sample constituted millennials who had changed jobs at least once in the past five years as these fell within the scope of this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted virtually using an interview guide as a data collecting instrument. Data saturation was reached after the interview of the sixth participant. The interview process provided a good blance of subjective views, opinions, emotions, and values of all participants. Having transcribed the interview transcripts, a manually detailed coding process was completed. Eight main emerging themes were identified which ultimately provided responses to the research questions. The data analysis revealed that millennial CA(SA)s prioritise, and in fact, demand flexibility coupled with a work-life balance. They expect their employers to understand and be supportive of these expectations. Other important retaining factors for this cohort of employees include, amongst others; training and development opportunities, growth, diversity, obtaining performance feedback, and coaching. An important issue that participants highlighted is the importance of ethics at work and or ethical leadership. The researcher could not probe more into this due to time constraints. This is recommended for further research. Having interviewed only six participants, this relatively small number poses a limitation to this study as these findings cannot be generalised to apply to all millennial CAs in South Africa. The data collected however, provided useful recommendations to employers looking for ways to retain millennial Chartered Accountants. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The development of a framework to assess the effectiveness of the existing viability based lending format of development funding institutions to facilitate increased financial inclusion; recent evidence from the SME sector in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

  • Authors: Mkhize, Bukhosi Walter
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52999 , vital:44867
  • Description: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) internationally have a significant involvement in global economies, as they often are key drivers of economic growth through job creation, increasing production volumes, increased exports and imports. SMEs’ access to development finance and other financing products in the market remains one of the most significant constraints to the establishment, survival, growth, and productivity of SMEs. The South African Government has enacted policies to support SME development and enhance financial inclusion; however, the financing gap has proven to be persistent. Most SMEs cannot access various development and commercial credit funding due to a number of reasons, such as: the detailed complex financial documentation, own contribution and collateral required by finance institutions to grant loan finance; high cost involved in raising loan funding and high punitive interest rates due to the perceived high risk nature of the SMEs; and long time frames for the economic viability and business sustainability assessment processes for credit approval. In this study, a broad analysis of a viability based lending format of a development funding institution was conducted with the intention to develop a framework to assess its effectiveness to facilitate increased financial inclusion in the SMEs sector in KwaZulu-Natal. The study used the literature review to identify key factors that have an impact on economic viability and business sustainability/feasibility in terms of how these factors influence perceived financial inclusion of SMEs. The empirical section of the study tested SMEs’ perceptions and understanding of the concepts that influence the economic viability and business sustainability/feasibility of the SME sector. Strong evidence emerged from the empirical study that SMEs lack crucial resources such as own contribution to achieve an optimal equity structure in the business, lack of grant funding information available to support SMEs, lack of collateral required for funding security, lack of business support available to SMEs to compile comprehensive business plans and lack of own resources to manage various aspects of the business. Without appropriate coordination of the SMEs’ ecosystem, financial inclusion for SMEs will remain a challenge. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The dismissal of employees for a group or team misconduct

  • Authors: Mnisi, Daphney Sibongile
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Unfair labor practices
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51184 , vital:43226
  • Description: South African labour law is founded on the fundamental constitutional right of fair “labour practices”. This fundamental right is afforded to both the employer and workers. This means that in the employment relationship, there are two competing rights involved which necessitate the need to strike a balance when each party’s rights are exercised. Therefore, this right is not absolute, and it is subject to limitations as per the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution. The Labour Relations Act, amongst other labour law resources considered in this research, give effect to those competing rights and seek to strike the necessary balance by establishing guidelines to protect the individual employee against unfair dismissals, amongst other things. It requires that the dismissal of an employee be fair. This requirement is met where two elements are fulfilled: (1) substantive fairness and (2) procedural fairness. The purpose of this study is to focus on “misconduct” as a valid reason for dismissal, as well as “group or team misconduct” which is included in the notion and ambit of “misconduct”. This type of misconduct involves a group or team who the employer has identified as having committed a misconduct, but the employer, due to different reasons explored in this research, is unable to identify the specific individual employees directly involved in the primary misconduct it wishes to prosecute. Therefore, the employer formulates a disciplinary charge of “group or team misconduct” to discipline the entire group or team. This group or team may form part of the entire workforce or a team within a department of the employer’s business. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The effect of laundering on the physical and thermal properties of phase change textile materials

  • Authors: Scheepers, Ricardo
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Textile chemistry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52038 , vital:43443
  • Description: Phase change materials (PCMs) have been incorporated into clothing and textiles to provide added value in terms of thermoregulation and thus added comfort to the wearer in extreme weather conditions and sporting activities. Since clothing is laundered many times during the service life of the textile, the effects of simulated domestic laundering on the physical and thermal properties of a non-woven textile which contains PCMs were investigated. The thermal properties, such as the thermal degradation, melting, evaporation and crystallisation were measured by the TGA and DSC analytical techniques. The physical properties, such as the microcapsule size distribution, and the microcapsule morphologies of the PCM microcapsules, were measured by the SEM and Raman analytical techniques. The main objectives of this study were to determine the effect of repeated laundering at different wash temperatures on the mass loss, enthalpy, and physical changes in PCM. Thermal degradation as determined by TGA thermograms was found to be higher at a wash temperature of 60°C relative to that of a wash temperature at 30°C, the mass loss being 4.6% more at 60°C than at 30°C. This was asserted to physical changes such as size and shape of the PCM microcapsules as evident in SEM images. The SEM images showed broken and collapsed PCM microcapsules in the web and around the fibre, indicating evaporation of the thermoregulating content of the PCM. It was found that the heat capacity of the sample washed at 60°C was much lower than that of the unwashed sample, the difference being approximately 50% in terms of the latent heat capacity as determined by DSC thermograms. This implies that the latent heat effectiveness of the PCM has decreased significantly. The physical properties of the PCM such as the intermolecular interaction, the intensity and width of peaks, polarisation, degree of crystallinity and the orientation changed as illustrated in the Raman analysis. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The feeding ecology and habitat selection of small antelopes in the Overberg Renosterveld, Western Cape

  • Authors: Jansen van Vuuren, Amauréé
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Fynbos ecology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52014 , vital:43436
  • Description: Human impacts have altered natural ecosystems which required species to become resilient in order to survive the anthropogenic landscape. The study area is located in the highly fragmented Overberg area in the Western Cape of South Africa. The high degree of fragmentation of the area is as a result of the nutrient rich soils and favourable topography which makes the area highly suitable for agricultural practices. The agriculture practiced in the area is mainly grain crops and livestock farming and the remaining patches of natural vegetation consist of Fynbos and Renosterveld vegetation. The patches of Fynbos and Renosterveld vegetation acts as movement corridors to allow species movement through the anthropogenic landscape. The anthropogenic landscape requires species to be resilient and to adapt to a novel habitat which poses new threats as well as new resources. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of landscape transformation, resulting from agricultural practices, on the feeding and behavioural dynamics of five small specialist browser species in a fragmented lowland Fynbos and Renosterveld system. The objectives were to determine the forage preferences of each of the five specialist browser species and to determine which site-specific characteristics, drive the seasonal habitat use of the five specialist browser species. The five specialist browser species were bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus), Cape grysbok (Rhaphicerus melanotis), common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), grey rhebok (Pelea capreolus) and steenbok (Rhaphicerus campestris). To determine the dietary selection of the five specialist browser species we collected dung samples and performed a histological analysis on the dung samples. To determine the habitat use of the five specialist browser species we used an occupancy analysis framework on camera trap data collected on each of the species. Some species appeared more dependent on the food resources from the anthropogenic landscape and spent more time in the crops but required close by cover of natural vegetation. Others appeared more dependent on the remaining pockets of natural vegetation for food resources and spent more time in the natural vegetation. These species would occasionally move into the crops to utilise the food resources. Both the anthropogenic as well as the natural landscape contributed to the diets of all of the species. These species have been resilient to changes in the landscape and appear to be benefiting from the resources presented in the novel landscape. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The impact of the minimum wage in South Africa

  • Authors: Brown, Kenrick
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Minimum wage--Law and legislation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51202 , vital:43224
  • Description: On the 20th anniversary of freedom and democracy in South Africa, the government announced its intention to introduce a national minimum wage. The announcement made it clear that the intention was not to introduce a residual wage floor, but to rather completely transform the country’s inordinately unequal wage structure. “Change will not come about without some far-reaching interventions. … As government, we will, during this term, investigate the possibility of a national minimum wage as one of the key mechanisms to reduce income inequality.”1 Minimum wages are geared towards establishing wage floors, which are the bare minimum that employees are allowed to pay employees. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) describes minimum wages as remuneration that covers the basic needs of workers and their families, taking into account relevant economic factors.2 National minimum wages of course set these minimum wage floors at a national, economy-wide level. In South Africa, the stated purpose of a national minimum wage has the multi-purpose function of setting a national wage floor in order to reduce poverty and inequality in order to transform the inherently unequal wage structure radically that still exists in South Africa post-apartheid. Before 1st of January 2019 when the national minimum wage became effective, South Africa had minimum wages, but this was prescribed per sector of the economy. Particularly in unorganised sectors a nationally set minimum wage increased the scope and ease of enforcement for minimum wages in comparison to sectoral wage determinations. In short, it covers all employees in all industries, whereas sectoral determinations did not. Furthermore, a national minimum wage would be far more easily set to take into consideration broader governmental policy considerations in comparison to diverse, multisector wage determinations that only target the employees and economic considerations of their sector. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The protection of children during assert forfeiture procedure

  • Authors: Khunou, Lesego
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Children's rights
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51207 , vital:43221
  • Description: As South Africa was transitioning into a new democracy there was an upsurge of organised crimes in the country. In the pursuit of tackling the rise of organised crimes in South Africa which would destabilise the country's economy, the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act was introduced however the act was not only for organised crime, it was for crimes such as money laundering, racketeering and gang activities amongst other crimes. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Criminal and Procedural Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The readiness of embracing the fourth industrial revolution disruptive innovations: a case for an automotive assembler in the Nelson Mandela Metropole

  • Authors: Mbolekwa, Luvuyo
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52988 , vital:44866
  • Description: Organisations and people find themselves in the era of what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Unlike the preceding revolutions, this revolution is characterised by technological advancements that lead to disruptive phenomena. These advancements are growing at an exponential rate. They have brought disruptive innovations that have either reshaped many industries, causing them to lose market share or exit altogether. Some organisations are keen to embrace disruptive innovation to ensure that they are sustainable into the future, while others are only inclined to use known technologies to leverage economies of scale. The 4IR has already been around for a while and is moving at a fast pace. The level of readiness for the automotive assembler, Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf), to take advantage of such technological changes brought by the 4IR, has not yet been measured. The primary objective of this study is to investigate IMSAf’s perceptions and readiness to embrace technological changes brought by the 4IR. The perceptions and readiness are assessed based on the technology embracing organisational framework of efficiencies, innovation, skills and re-training. This study is grounded in the philosophy of positivism and the related method used is a quantitative study to test the research questions in an objective manner. A questionnaire was the sole method of collecting first-hand data from the selected sample. The population size consisted of 139 respondents working in various business units within IMSAf. These individuals are occupying various roles and they have in depth, tacit, and multi-disciplinary knowledge of processes and would be the first to experience technological changes brought by the 4IR. A quantitative analysis technique is applied, such as descriptive and inferential statistics, to analyse data. A literature review on the topic was conducted as well as an empirical study. The results from both the literature review and the empirical study found that with the implementation of 4IR emerging technologies within an organisation, there is a significant improvement on efficiencies, innovation and skills and re-training. Furthermore, the level of awareness and understanding about the benefits of embracing 4IR emerging technologies within IMSAf is significant. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The regulation of renewable ocean energy

  • Authors: Kekana, Lerato Caroline
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51211 , vital:43217
  • Description: Energy is one of the vital natural resources that contribute towards an improvement in social and economic development. Environmental issues such as climate change have resulted in the exploitation of renewable energy gaining momentum. Renewable ocean energy is one of the renewable sources that have the potential to assist South Africa to achieve its energy policy goals, which include economic development and the management of energy-related environmental and health impacts. The exploitation and exploration of renewable ocean energy in South Africa raise legal concerns. These concerns are the lack of appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks and the possible conflicts among users in the marine environment that may occur as a result of the exploitation and exploration of renewable ocean energy. This dissertation, therefore, addresses these concerns by providing a critical assessment of the regulation of renewable ocean energy in South Africa. Firstly, it provides an introduction and legal background of renewable ocean energy. It proceeds by critically assessing the international requirements with which South Africa needs to comply regarding renewable ocean energy. Following that, the dissertation provides an analysis of the environment and energy legislation and the extent to which they regulate renewable ocean energy. Lastly, taking into account other existing and future activities in the marine environment, there is a discussion of the marine spatial planning (MSP) and other regulatory measures in so far as they relate to the resolution of the conflict in the context of renewable ocean energy. The conclusion is that the existing legislation does not appropriately regulate renewable ocean energy. As a result, the dissertation proposes how the existing legislation may adequately include renewable ocean energy. Furthermore, it makes recommendations. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Public Law, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The relationship between psychological capital and employee wellness in the retail sector in South Africa

  • Authors: Mphinyana, Masindi
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53018 , vital:44870
  • Description: Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and employee wellness. Moreover, the study investigated demographic differences in relation to the variables. The study employed a cross-sectional, correlational design to achieve the objectives. Additionally, a non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected from retail employees in Gauteng, Pretoria through a composite self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire which incorporated a biographical questionnaire, the PCQ-24 and the PWS. To determine whether a relationship exists between the constructs, Pearson’s product-moment correlations were used. To further determine demographical differences, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilised, and post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used to determine where the differences lie. Results indicated that PsyCap was positively correlated with wellness; and significant differences in the means for both PsyCap and wellness were observed for demographic variables. The study further revealed that PsyCap is predictive of employee wellness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The relationship between workplace well-being and authentic leadership

  • Authors: Vezile, Sindile
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52971 , vital:44900
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between authentic leadership and employee well-being. Data was collected from an online questionnaire survey sent to 141 Special Economic Zone employees who worked as non-managerial employees. Ninety-four employees responded. The collected data was analysed using statistical tools from SPSS 20. Subsequently, descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations and correlations were used to summarise information for demographic variables, authentic leadership and well-being. In addition, ANOVA was used to determine sub-group differences. First, it has been shown that project managers were seen by their subordinates as trustworthy leaders. Second, there was a connection between authentic leadership and well-being in the workplace. Third, it was discovered that all aspects of ethical leadership, apart from Work Intrusion (IoW), had a relationship with organisational well-being. Fourth, it has shown that males and females experience different levels of job satisfaction and feel differently about respect for the organisation. Keywords: Well- , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2021
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The rights of children in youth care centres

  • Authors: Ngodwana, Gugulethu
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Juvenile delinquents
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51193 , vital:43230
  • Description: Poverty is prevalent in the Eastern Cape Province. As a result of poverty and other related factors, there is an increase on percentage of crime. There is a number of case laws where children have been found guilty of committing very serious criminal offences in the Eastern Cape. They are contributing high percentage in crime. In the past, before the dawn of the new constitutional dispensation, children in conflict with the law were not treated any different to adults who were in conflict with the law. There was no separate legislation that was child specific. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Laws, Criminal and Procedural Law, 2021
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The role of strategic leadership in strategy implementation: a case of the Eastern Cape Department of Health

  • Authors: Nkosi, Nonhlanhla
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53021 , vital:44882
  • Description: The goal of this research was to evaluate the role of strategic leadership in improving strategy implementation in the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH). According to literature, the strategic leadership actions, namely: determining strategic direction; managing the organisation’s resource portfolio; sustaining an effective organisational culture; emphasising ethical practices; and establishing balanced organisational controls, positively contribute to successful implementation of strategy. The research methodology used in this study was a quantitative research approach. The study used an online survey questionnaire to gather information on the respondents’ perceptions on the role of the strategic leadership actions in strategy implementation in the ECDOH. The survey also gathered respondents’ perceptions on the role of environmental complexity factors in moderating the relationship between the strategic leadership actions and strategy implementation in the ECDOH. The study revealed that determining strategic direction and establishing balanced organisational controls were positively related to strategy implementation in the ECDOH. Managing the organisation’s resource portfolio, sustaining an effective organisational culture as well as emphasising ethical practices were not positively related to strategy implementation in the ECDOH. The study also found that four out of the five environmental complexity factors measured, moderate the relationship between strategic leadership actions and strategy implementation in the ECDOH. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the ECDOH management apply all the strategic leadership actions in improving strategy implementation in the ECDOH and provides detailed recommendations per strategic leadership action. The study also recommends that the ECDOH management take note of the environmental complexity factors that moderate the relationship between the role of strategic leadership actions in the implementation of strategy in the ECDOH and develop plans to mitigate against the risk of these environmental complexity factors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, NMU Business School, 2021
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2021-04

The substantive fairness of dismissal for operational requirements in the context of collective bargaining

  • Authors: Mtshemla, Ntokozo
  • Date: 2021-04
  • Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Collective bargaining
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51195 , vital:43222
  • Description: An employer may wish to change terms and conditions of employment in order to respond to the operational needs of a business. The definition of operational requirements is not limited to initiatives aimed at ensuring the survival of a business but include measures intended to improve its performance. Changes to terms and conditions of employment ordinarily locate themselves within the realm of interest disputes which are mainly resolved through the process of collective bargaining coupled with power play. This means that an employer may not dismiss employees within the context of collective bargaining as a way of compelling compliance with a demand in relation to matters of mutual interest. Section187(1)(c) of the LRA renders any dismissal automatically unfair if the reason for the dismissal is a refusal by employees to accept a demand in respect of any matter of mutual interest. The question that arises relates to the interpretation of this section and the impact thereof on the right of the employer to retrench as envisaged in section 188(1)(a)(ii) of the LRA. This reveals the intersection between collective bargaining and dismissals for operational requirements. In other words, changes to terms and conditions of employment equally influence the performance of the business thereby also fall within the definition of operational requirements. The question therefore is when do employers’ economic needs justify a dismissal of employees who rejects changes to terms and conditions of employment? Secondly, whether or not the relevant provisions, and the whole scheme of the LRA, require retrenchments to be the measure of last resort? These issues shall be explored in this treatise with reference to the relevant provisions of the LRA and relevant case law. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2021
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2021-04
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