A revenue generation model for adoption of voice telephony applications
- Authors: Mazwi, Sekelo P Lusanda
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Internet telephony , Telecommunication systems
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25530 , vital:64331
- Description: Amongst various Voice Telephony Applications discovered, IBM India has developed the Spoken Web which enables voice commerce capabilities that are ideally suitable for underprivileged rural communities. Admittedly, these communities are barred from fully utilising ICT enabled electronic commerce services such as the Internet for business marketing processes as a consequence of poor literacy and financial constraints. The advent of Voice Telephony Applications aids accessibility and participation of the underprivileged rural communities to the ICT world. It should be noted that users are not compelled to be computer savvy to make voice calls, but high voice call costs are the deterrent. Therefore, devising an appropriate Revenue Generation Model would enhance the accessibility and participation of the underprivileged rural communities to the ICT world. As guided by the Design Science Approach, and the Diffusion of Innovations and Social Exchange theories, this research project has discovered and applied five models such as the Freemium, Affiliation, Advertising, Incentives-driven and Subsidy within each development stage of Spoken Web. This research project is of the idea that reimbursing content providers through supporting the proposed Revenue Generation Model as a de facto solution will help in reducing voice call costs to the users of Voice Telephony Applications in future. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Mazwi, Sekelo P Lusanda
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Internet telephony , Telecommunication systems
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25530 , vital:64331
- Description: Amongst various Voice Telephony Applications discovered, IBM India has developed the Spoken Web which enables voice commerce capabilities that are ideally suitable for underprivileged rural communities. Admittedly, these communities are barred from fully utilising ICT enabled electronic commerce services such as the Internet for business marketing processes as a consequence of poor literacy and financial constraints. The advent of Voice Telephony Applications aids accessibility and participation of the underprivileged rural communities to the ICT world. It should be noted that users are not compelled to be computer savvy to make voice calls, but high voice call costs are the deterrent. Therefore, devising an appropriate Revenue Generation Model would enhance the accessibility and participation of the underprivileged rural communities to the ICT world. As guided by the Design Science Approach, and the Diffusion of Innovations and Social Exchange theories, this research project has discovered and applied five models such as the Freemium, Affiliation, Advertising, Incentives-driven and Subsidy within each development stage of Spoken Web. This research project is of the idea that reimbursing content providers through supporting the proposed Revenue Generation Model as a de facto solution will help in reducing voice call costs to the users of Voice Telephony Applications in future. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
An examination of human resource management strategies and their contribution to effective local government systems in Zimbabwe
- Mutongoreni, Noah Ariel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6039-6241
- Authors: Mutongoreni, Noah Ariel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6039-6241
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Personnel management , Local government--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24024 , vital:62299
- Description: The study sought to examine human resource management strategies and their contributions to effective local government systems in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. Local government in Zimbabwe, though being nearest to the people, is showing evidence of failure to discharge its mandate. Various factors have been used to explain the reasons behind local government‘s failures to provide services. None of these have touched on the role played by people management in ensuring local government performance. This was notwithstanding the fact that towards the last two decades of the twentieth century research emerged glorifying human resources as the source of organizational excellence. Consequently, being motivated by the fact that good people management strategies lead to excellent organizational performance, attention in this study focused on people management strategies in local government in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a mixed approach with a strong inclination towards qualitative methodology. The data was gleaned from documents from local authorities, interviews, focus group interviews and questionnaire surveys. The study focused on local authorities in Manicaland Province. The results of the study confirmed the existence of human resource management strategies in local authorities in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The human resource management strategies have however not resulted in excellent performance of local authorities. The reason behind this is attributable to severe resource constraints. Excellent people management strategies were found to be on paper as there were no resources to support them. The dearth of resources in local authorities was found to be attributed to the economic, political, legal and social factors engulfing the local government system in Zimbabwe. Consequently, local government in Zimbabwe remain stressed and in dire need of a ―Lazarus moment‖. There is an engineer with skills to construct dams to quench the thirst souls in the city but there are no resources to construct the dams. The fireman‘s truck rushes to quench a fire outbreak only to arrive at the scene with no water. In view of this, the study recommends that the review of the local government legal framework be speeded up and more autonomy be granted to local authorities. Such a review would have a bearing on the notion of decentralization, democratization and consequently economic development. In addition, government must seriously consider setting aside a portion of its budget towards support of local authorities. v Where democratic ethos exists, there is transparency, accountability, the rule of law and responsiveness. The human resource in local government would in turn promote democracy and excellence. Other strategies such as granting of garnishing powers to local authorities as well as giving their police arresting would further nourish their resource base. When this happen people management strategies would contribute to effective local government systems in Zimbabwe. Further studies on the contribution of human resource management strategies in effective local government systems after the complete overhaul of the current legislative regime would nonetheless be of interest to researchers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Mutongoreni, Noah Ariel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6039-6241
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Personnel management , Local government--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24024 , vital:62299
- Description: The study sought to examine human resource management strategies and their contributions to effective local government systems in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. Local government in Zimbabwe, though being nearest to the people, is showing evidence of failure to discharge its mandate. Various factors have been used to explain the reasons behind local government‘s failures to provide services. None of these have touched on the role played by people management in ensuring local government performance. This was notwithstanding the fact that towards the last two decades of the twentieth century research emerged glorifying human resources as the source of organizational excellence. Consequently, being motivated by the fact that good people management strategies lead to excellent organizational performance, attention in this study focused on people management strategies in local government in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a mixed approach with a strong inclination towards qualitative methodology. The data was gleaned from documents from local authorities, interviews, focus group interviews and questionnaire surveys. The study focused on local authorities in Manicaland Province. The results of the study confirmed the existence of human resource management strategies in local authorities in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The human resource management strategies have however not resulted in excellent performance of local authorities. The reason behind this is attributable to severe resource constraints. Excellent people management strategies were found to be on paper as there were no resources to support them. The dearth of resources in local authorities was found to be attributed to the economic, political, legal and social factors engulfing the local government system in Zimbabwe. Consequently, local government in Zimbabwe remain stressed and in dire need of a ―Lazarus moment‖. There is an engineer with skills to construct dams to quench the thirst souls in the city but there are no resources to construct the dams. The fireman‘s truck rushes to quench a fire outbreak only to arrive at the scene with no water. In view of this, the study recommends that the review of the local government legal framework be speeded up and more autonomy be granted to local authorities. Such a review would have a bearing on the notion of decentralization, democratization and consequently economic development. In addition, government must seriously consider setting aside a portion of its budget towards support of local authorities. v Where democratic ethos exists, there is transparency, accountability, the rule of law and responsiveness. The human resource in local government would in turn promote democracy and excellence. Other strategies such as granting of garnishing powers to local authorities as well as giving their police arresting would further nourish their resource base. When this happen people management strategies would contribute to effective local government systems in Zimbabwe. Further studies on the contribution of human resource management strategies in effective local government systems after the complete overhaul of the current legislative regime would nonetheless be of interest to researchers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
Implications of the protection of state information bill on government accountability: a critical analysis of governance in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Obi, Maryjane Chukwunyem
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Government accountability , Transparency in government , Post-apartheid era -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25874 , vital:64560
- Description: The study explores the following research questions; the nature of State access to and restriction of information during the apartheid era, the tenets of democratic leadership and good governance in the new dispensation in South Africa and the possible consequences of the Bill in its present form on democratic principles of accountability and transparency in South Africa. In terms of the methodology, the study critically analysed some sections of the Protection of State Information Bill-B6-2010 in relation to the principles of accountability and transparency in a democratic South Africa in accordance to the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution section 32. The study recommends that government could include “public interest clause to the current Bill. This is to ensure that the public are able to play their Constitutional role, in which they are able to hold government accountable for the decisions taken and also help foster a system of government that is accountable, transparent, open, efficient and responsive to the Constitutional needs of the public. In addition, the study also recommends that government should consider the reduction of the period within which information may be declassified. It suggests that it should be reduced from 20 to 10 years in order to ensure that democratic government provides its citizens with information that is timely in making an informed decision in relation to governance. The study further recommends that the appeal process for information before the court of law should be done by an independent judge. This is to ensure that the court of law performs its duties without interference from government representatives and that it carries out its duties in a fair manner as envisaged or enshrined in section 34 of the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. The study further recommends that government should ensure that the current information Bill in the new dispensation should hold the elected delegates appointed by the Head of State accountable. This is to ensure that transparency and accountability is promoted at all level in government. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Obi, Maryjane Chukwunyem
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Government accountability , Transparency in government , Post-apartheid era -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25874 , vital:64560
- Description: The study explores the following research questions; the nature of State access to and restriction of information during the apartheid era, the tenets of democratic leadership and good governance in the new dispensation in South Africa and the possible consequences of the Bill in its present form on democratic principles of accountability and transparency in South Africa. In terms of the methodology, the study critically analysed some sections of the Protection of State Information Bill-B6-2010 in relation to the principles of accountability and transparency in a democratic South Africa in accordance to the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution section 32. The study recommends that government could include “public interest clause to the current Bill. This is to ensure that the public are able to play their Constitutional role, in which they are able to hold government accountable for the decisions taken and also help foster a system of government that is accountable, transparent, open, efficient and responsive to the Constitutional needs of the public. In addition, the study also recommends that government should consider the reduction of the period within which information may be declassified. It suggests that it should be reduced from 20 to 10 years in order to ensure that democratic government provides its citizens with information that is timely in making an informed decision in relation to governance. The study further recommends that the appeal process for information before the court of law should be done by an independent judge. This is to ensure that the court of law performs its duties without interference from government representatives and that it carries out its duties in a fair manner as envisaged or enshrined in section 34 of the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. The study further recommends that government should ensure that the current information Bill in the new dispensation should hold the elected delegates appointed by the Head of State accountable. This is to ensure that transparency and accountability is promoted at all level in government. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
Social protection and secondary education in Zimbabwe: the case of Masvingo District in Masvingo Province
- Authors: Mago, David
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Zimbabwe--Economic conditions , Elementary school dropouts , Zimbabwe--Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24554 , vital:63170
- Description: The study sought to examine the role of social protection in reducing school dropouts in secondary education in Masvingo District of Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the idea that despite the social assistance interventions that are in place, the school dropout phenomenon is still continuing among secondary school learners in the Masvingo District. This was achieved by discussing various programmes delivered by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the government in reducing the number of school dropouts. The thesis also outlined various economic, social and political depressions that affected secondary education since Zimbabwe’s gaining of independence. From 1962 until 1980 the colonial government catered for the European child, this meant that secondary education was difficult to be accessed by blacks. Education maintained a bottleneck structure that favoured whites more than black people. After gaining independence, the Zimbabwe African Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party introduced laws that allowed the black majority an opportunity to proceed with their education. Over the years the number of school dropouts is still increasing. This was curtailed by the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) in 1991 to 1995. The introduction of the SAPs led to the introduction of user fees in education and health. This raised poverty levels which were curtailed by the macroeconomic situation in Zimbabwe. This was beyond the reach of many and led to the increase of school dropouts in Zimbabwe. The major objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of social assistance in the reduction of school dropouts in Zimbabwe. The specific objectives are to analyse the role played by social assistance on the provision of secondary education and reduction of school dropouts and examining the impact of assistance on the education of the girl child. The last objective in the study was to identify a more comprehensive social assistance intervention for the support of secondary education. A more comprehensive social assistance intervention is intervention that provides support to secondary learners that includes among them uniforms, transport food and school fees. The study adopted the qualitative research methodology. The qualitative research methodology was used because it seeks to go deeper in what people experience on day to day activities. In-depth information helps to understand the successes and failures faced by NGOs and government in reducing the number of school dropouts. The study looked at how effective government and NGO assistance has been in reducing the number of school dropouts. Today there are a majority of NGOs, private organisations and government programmes that are working in secondary education assistance in Masvingo District. What matters most is that despite the growing rate of assistance by NGOs, individual help and government assistance the number of school dropouts is still increasing. The study’s theoretical framework is based on the Human rights based approach and the Transformative paradigm. The analysis relates to social assistance programmes focusing on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and NGOs and their contribution in reducing the number of school dropouts. From the research findings, the research established the way forward that can be used to reduce the rate of school dropouts in Masvingo District and Zimbabwe at large. Lack of school fees, school uniforms, food and transport are the major causes of school dropouts in Masvingo District. The findings of the study revealed that Zimbabwe’s social assistance programmes are not adequate in reducing the number of school dropouts. The way forward that was proposed in the study in that the assistance to children at secondary education should be holistic approach. NGOs and government should work together to educate parents and children on the importance of secondary education. , Thesis (MSoc Dev.) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Mago, David
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Zimbabwe--Economic conditions , Elementary school dropouts , Zimbabwe--Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24554 , vital:63170
- Description: The study sought to examine the role of social protection in reducing school dropouts in secondary education in Masvingo District of Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the idea that despite the social assistance interventions that are in place, the school dropout phenomenon is still continuing among secondary school learners in the Masvingo District. This was achieved by discussing various programmes delivered by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the government in reducing the number of school dropouts. The thesis also outlined various economic, social and political depressions that affected secondary education since Zimbabwe’s gaining of independence. From 1962 until 1980 the colonial government catered for the European child, this meant that secondary education was difficult to be accessed by blacks. Education maintained a bottleneck structure that favoured whites more than black people. After gaining independence, the Zimbabwe African Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party introduced laws that allowed the black majority an opportunity to proceed with their education. Over the years the number of school dropouts is still increasing. This was curtailed by the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) in 1991 to 1995. The introduction of the SAPs led to the introduction of user fees in education and health. This raised poverty levels which were curtailed by the macroeconomic situation in Zimbabwe. This was beyond the reach of many and led to the increase of school dropouts in Zimbabwe. The major objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of social assistance in the reduction of school dropouts in Zimbabwe. The specific objectives are to analyse the role played by social assistance on the provision of secondary education and reduction of school dropouts and examining the impact of assistance on the education of the girl child. The last objective in the study was to identify a more comprehensive social assistance intervention for the support of secondary education. A more comprehensive social assistance intervention is intervention that provides support to secondary learners that includes among them uniforms, transport food and school fees. The study adopted the qualitative research methodology. The qualitative research methodology was used because it seeks to go deeper in what people experience on day to day activities. In-depth information helps to understand the successes and failures faced by NGOs and government in reducing the number of school dropouts. The study looked at how effective government and NGO assistance has been in reducing the number of school dropouts. Today there are a majority of NGOs, private organisations and government programmes that are working in secondary education assistance in Masvingo District. What matters most is that despite the growing rate of assistance by NGOs, individual help and government assistance the number of school dropouts is still increasing. The study’s theoretical framework is based on the Human rights based approach and the Transformative paradigm. The analysis relates to social assistance programmes focusing on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and NGOs and their contribution in reducing the number of school dropouts. From the research findings, the research established the way forward that can be used to reduce the rate of school dropouts in Masvingo District and Zimbabwe at large. Lack of school fees, school uniforms, food and transport are the major causes of school dropouts in Masvingo District. The findings of the study revealed that Zimbabwe’s social assistance programmes are not adequate in reducing the number of school dropouts. The way forward that was proposed in the study in that the assistance to children at secondary education should be holistic approach. NGOs and government should work together to educate parents and children on the importance of secondary education. , Thesis (MSoc Dev.) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
The impact of portfolio investment on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Tenderere, Morris
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Portfolio management , Capital market
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25603 , vital:64338
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of foreign portfolio investmenton economic growth in South Africa. South Africa, just like other several developing countries has recorded large capital inflows in recent years, reversing a trend of outflows. Much of this new capital inflow has been in the form of portfolio investment. This has been attributed to large domestic capital markets in South Africa. This surge in portfolio flows has raised the question whether these flows will be sustained or will instead be reversed in the near future. Some observers argue that the recent flows are inherently unsustainable because in many cases they have short maturities. In light of this, this study, then, sought to establish the impact of portfolio investment on economic growth in South Africa. The study used annual data from 1990 to 2012. The data was tested for stationarity using the Phillips Perron and Augmented Dickey–Fuller tests. This was followed by cointegration, after which thevector error correction modelling was carried out. Diagnostic checks, impulse response and variable decomposition were also conducted. Estimation results revealed that there is a positive relationship between foreign portfolio investments and economic growth in South Africa. The study recommended that the SARB and the government should remove all impediments that make it hard for foreign investors to invest in South Africa. The SARB should also keep interest rates at a rate that is high enough to attract foreign portfolios into South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Tenderere, Morris
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Portfolio management , Capital market
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25603 , vital:64338
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of foreign portfolio investmenton economic growth in South Africa. South Africa, just like other several developing countries has recorded large capital inflows in recent years, reversing a trend of outflows. Much of this new capital inflow has been in the form of portfolio investment. This has been attributed to large domestic capital markets in South Africa. This surge in portfolio flows has raised the question whether these flows will be sustained or will instead be reversed in the near future. Some observers argue that the recent flows are inherently unsustainable because in many cases they have short maturities. In light of this, this study, then, sought to establish the impact of portfolio investment on economic growth in South Africa. The study used annual data from 1990 to 2012. The data was tested for stationarity using the Phillips Perron and Augmented Dickey–Fuller tests. This was followed by cointegration, after which thevector error correction modelling was carried out. Diagnostic checks, impulse response and variable decomposition were also conducted. Estimation results revealed that there is a positive relationship between foreign portfolio investments and economic growth in South Africa. The study recommended that the SARB and the government should remove all impediments that make it hard for foreign investors to invest in South Africa. The SARB should also keep interest rates at a rate that is high enough to attract foreign portfolios into South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
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