Possible futures for the Republic of South Africa towards 2055
- Adendorff, Christian Michael
- Authors: Adendorff, Christian Michael
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7816 , vital:24294
- Description: The purpose of this thesis was to develop four scenarios for South Africa over the next forty years: Mandela's Dream in which positive elements come into function for South Africa's economy and governance; the Historical African Syndrome, in which the key driving forces unfold in an uneven pattern, or have a differentiated impact on South Africa's economy; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in which less good governance prevails, but where a fortunate economy and firm national management allow South Africa to become competitive and benefit from satisfactory economic growth; and the Pyramid Syndrome Scenario in which negative regional drivers of change corrode positive policies and initiatives in a manner which compounds the pre-existing threats to South Africa's growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adendorff, Christian Michael
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7816 , vital:24294
- Description: The purpose of this thesis was to develop four scenarios for South Africa over the next forty years: Mandela's Dream in which positive elements come into function for South Africa's economy and governance; the Historical African Syndrome, in which the key driving forces unfold in an uneven pattern, or have a differentiated impact on South Africa's economy; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in which less good governance prevails, but where a fortunate economy and firm national management allow South Africa to become competitive and benefit from satisfactory economic growth; and the Pyramid Syndrome Scenario in which negative regional drivers of change corrode positive policies and initiatives in a manner which compounds the pre-existing threats to South Africa's growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The benefits and challenges of implementing the Equator Principles: the case of four large banks in South Africa, through the eyes of project finance teams
- Authors: Baloyi, Glenda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial institutions -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Project management -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126165 , vital:35855
- Description: The purpose of this research was to investigate the benefits and challenges of implementing the Equator Principles (EPs) by the four large banks in South Africa who are signatories to the framework. This was investigated through the eyes of the project finance teams. The research focused on the perceptions of the project finance team. The EPs are voluntary standards, to date they have been adopted by 94 financial institutions. Financial institutions that have adopted the EPs, benefit by having a competitive advantage of getting involved with high risk projects / developments. The Equator Principles resulted in having environmental and social risk policies and structures to manage these risks. This research was conducted using mixed methods and followed the post-positivist paradigm. The research found that the project finance teams were aware of the environmental, social and governance risks associated with project finance transactions. Furthermore, they understood the need to have the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk assessment during the credit process. This research found out that the benefits of the EPs outweigh the challenges, as they promote responsible investment, thus promoting the reputation of the investor. The EPs requires the client / borrower to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment and commit to covenants that are binding in the financial legal agreements. By having processes and strategies that promote responsible investment in the financed projects / development, this gives the Equator Principles Financial Institution (EPFI) the advantage of competing in the international market. EPs may indirectly influence the financial institutions that have not adopted the EPs, to promote responsible investment by applying ESG risk assessment processes as required by the banks that have adopted the EPs. EPs lack of capacity such as human resources, policies, funds and structures is the reason why companies do not adopt responsible investment is their operation and not incorporating them in the decision-making process. Some EPFI are not committed the EPs and become free riders. Other EPFI are not complying with the EPs and this causes uncertainties with regards to the legitimacy of the ES standards. EPs are ambiguous, subjective and voluntarism can make it difficult to be achieved by the EPFI. EPs increases the approval process for the financial institution to conclude the transaction, thus delaying the start of a needed project / development. And that EPFI may be forced to have fewer clients as a result of the funding requirements required by EPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Baloyi, Glenda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial institutions -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Project management -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126165 , vital:35855
- Description: The purpose of this research was to investigate the benefits and challenges of implementing the Equator Principles (EPs) by the four large banks in South Africa who are signatories to the framework. This was investigated through the eyes of the project finance teams. The research focused on the perceptions of the project finance team. The EPs are voluntary standards, to date they have been adopted by 94 financial institutions. Financial institutions that have adopted the EPs, benefit by having a competitive advantage of getting involved with high risk projects / developments. The Equator Principles resulted in having environmental and social risk policies and structures to manage these risks. This research was conducted using mixed methods and followed the post-positivist paradigm. The research found that the project finance teams were aware of the environmental, social and governance risks associated with project finance transactions. Furthermore, they understood the need to have the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk assessment during the credit process. This research found out that the benefits of the EPs outweigh the challenges, as they promote responsible investment, thus promoting the reputation of the investor. The EPs requires the client / borrower to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment and commit to covenants that are binding in the financial legal agreements. By having processes and strategies that promote responsible investment in the financed projects / development, this gives the Equator Principles Financial Institution (EPFI) the advantage of competing in the international market. EPs may indirectly influence the financial institutions that have not adopted the EPs, to promote responsible investment by applying ESG risk assessment processes as required by the banks that have adopted the EPs. EPs lack of capacity such as human resources, policies, funds and structures is the reason why companies do not adopt responsible investment is their operation and not incorporating them in the decision-making process. Some EPFI are not committed the EPs and become free riders. Other EPFI are not complying with the EPs and this causes uncertainties with regards to the legitimacy of the ES standards. EPs are ambiguous, subjective and voluntarism can make it difficult to be achieved by the EPFI. EPs increases the approval process for the financial institution to conclude the transaction, thus delaying the start of a needed project / development. And that EPFI may be forced to have fewer clients as a result of the funding requirements required by EPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Property development in Mthatha: an interactive framework
- Authors: Bavu, Sonwabile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Real estate development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14553 , vital:27761
- Description: Property development (PD) is basically driven by the need or demand from the people. Sustainable property development has emerged in response to a global problem – and the need to maintain environmental integrity, according to Gurry (2011) cited by Botha (2013: 7). Keeping and Shiers (2004) state that property development, as a whole, has to balance social, economic and environmental needs. Emanating from the above, any successful development project must offer investors security, infrastructure and efficiency and should also put the needs of citizens at the forefront of all its planning activities. Availability of land, existing infrastructure, availability of finance, economic conditions, political influence and corruption always influence growth of property development in any area. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to lack of property development in Mthatha. Data collected shows that the challenges sometimes lead to failure and delays of the development. The purpose of this study is to identify these challenges, investigate the available literature, consider what has been done so far to address these challenges and make recommendations. It is essential to understand the state of the town and perceptions of the people in the area dealing with Property Development. Mthatha is the main focus of the study because of the perceived number of failed and delayed property development initiatives. The primary and secondary data collected provide the basis for understanding challenges that lead to such failures and delays. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature and an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative statistical approach by distributing research questionnaires to members falling within the sample population. The primary objective of the study is to develop a framework for successful implementation of property developments in Mthatha. The study’s findings reveal shortcomings which contribute to the study’s identified problems relating to property development in Mthatha, namely: decaying infrastructure, shortage of land, implementation of the IDP, availability of finance to promote real estate developments, political influence and corruption. Wikipedia defines Property Development as a “multifaceted business encompassing activities that range from the renovations and release of existing buildings to the purchase of land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others”. Harvey and Jowsey (2004), as cited by Botha (2013: 5), define Property Development as a process that involves changing or intensifying the use of land to produce buildings for occupation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bavu, Sonwabile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Real estate development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14553 , vital:27761
- Description: Property development (PD) is basically driven by the need or demand from the people. Sustainable property development has emerged in response to a global problem – and the need to maintain environmental integrity, according to Gurry (2011) cited by Botha (2013: 7). Keeping and Shiers (2004) state that property development, as a whole, has to balance social, economic and environmental needs. Emanating from the above, any successful development project must offer investors security, infrastructure and efficiency and should also put the needs of citizens at the forefront of all its planning activities. Availability of land, existing infrastructure, availability of finance, economic conditions, political influence and corruption always influence growth of property development in any area. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to lack of property development in Mthatha. Data collected shows that the challenges sometimes lead to failure and delays of the development. The purpose of this study is to identify these challenges, investigate the available literature, consider what has been done so far to address these challenges and make recommendations. It is essential to understand the state of the town and perceptions of the people in the area dealing with Property Development. Mthatha is the main focus of the study because of the perceived number of failed and delayed property development initiatives. The primary and secondary data collected provide the basis for understanding challenges that lead to such failures and delays. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature and an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative statistical approach by distributing research questionnaires to members falling within the sample population. The primary objective of the study is to develop a framework for successful implementation of property developments in Mthatha. The study’s findings reveal shortcomings which contribute to the study’s identified problems relating to property development in Mthatha, namely: decaying infrastructure, shortage of land, implementation of the IDP, availability of finance to promote real estate developments, political influence and corruption. Wikipedia defines Property Development as a “multifaceted business encompassing activities that range from the renovations and release of existing buildings to the purchase of land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others”. Harvey and Jowsey (2004), as cited by Botha (2013: 5), define Property Development as a process that involves changing or intensifying the use of land to produce buildings for occupation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Mindsets of change agents for development: a case study of the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape
- Bezuidenhout, Theo Gerhardus
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Theo Gerhardus
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Social change , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Well-being , Economic development -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64874 , vital:73937
- Description: Societal development in underdeveloped areas is a process of enhancing and improving the quality of life in communities, with a focus on meeting their social, economic, environmental, and political needs. Despite ideological efforts and growing interest in movements, mobilisations and communities promoting social change, little research has been done on the mindsets of change agents. Margaret Archer’s (1988), Morphogenetic Approach to social development has been used in this case as a theoretical framework emphasising that social change and development occur through interactions between individuals and their social environments. This approach focusses on the importance of feedback loops, where changes in the environment and the reactions of individuals to these changes both influence and are influenced by one another. Through reflective learning, semistructured interviews and document analysis, the dissertation explored research questions concerning different perspectives of change agents in the Sundays River Valley. The theories examined provide options of theoretical frameworks which can be used to assess and evaluate the work and role of change agents to participate in societal development. This is important in the Sundays River Valley context as, up to now, there has been no shortage or lack of development plans and policies for the area. Rather, what has been absent is the theoretical frameworks to provide the context and meaning for change agents to participate in societal development and occupy their role in the various development plans and policies. Collaborative development and participation acknowledge that solving complex social problems requires the efforts of multiple organisations, individuals, and generations. To enable societal development requires social trust and cooperation of multiple stakeholders, including government, community members, businesses, development agencies, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism , 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Theo Gerhardus
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Social change , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Well-being , Economic development -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64874 , vital:73937
- Description: Societal development in underdeveloped areas is a process of enhancing and improving the quality of life in communities, with a focus on meeting their social, economic, environmental, and political needs. Despite ideological efforts and growing interest in movements, mobilisations and communities promoting social change, little research has been done on the mindsets of change agents. Margaret Archer’s (1988), Morphogenetic Approach to social development has been used in this case as a theoretical framework emphasising that social change and development occur through interactions between individuals and their social environments. This approach focusses on the importance of feedback loops, where changes in the environment and the reactions of individuals to these changes both influence and are influenced by one another. Through reflective learning, semistructured interviews and document analysis, the dissertation explored research questions concerning different perspectives of change agents in the Sundays River Valley. The theories examined provide options of theoretical frameworks which can be used to assess and evaluate the work and role of change agents to participate in societal development. This is important in the Sundays River Valley context as, up to now, there has been no shortage or lack of development plans and policies for the area. Rather, what has been absent is the theoretical frameworks to provide the context and meaning for change agents to participate in societal development and occupy their role in the various development plans and policies. Collaborative development and participation acknowledge that solving complex social problems requires the efforts of multiple organisations, individuals, and generations. To enable societal development requires social trust and cooperation of multiple stakeholders, including government, community members, businesses, development agencies, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism , 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
The role of women's agricultural cooperatives in meeting United Nations sustainable development goals
- Authors: Boni, Ntomboxolo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Millennium Development Goals , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Women in agriculture -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21768 , vital:29775
- Description: The majority of the people in South Africa were poor prior 1994, especially those in the rural areas. Poverty in the rural areas affected mostly the women. The government of South Africa designed support programmes to mainstream women into the economy, although it had its own challenges, such as the non-participation of women in their own development and the top-down approach that at times was used by the government in the implementation of the programmes. Owing to the nature of the rural areas, agriculture was identified as a sector that had a potential to improve the economy in order to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Since 2005 the concept of cooperative development has been a vehicle that has the potential to address the aforementioned challenges. In order for the cooperative development to run efficiently and effectively and in line with the cooperative principles and values, the government should keep the independence of this sector in mind by engaging the cooperatives in all the activities that were affecting the cooperative sector through their cooperative movement.The findings of the study showed that the agricultural cooperatives have not yet addressed poverty fully. All their members were employed and at times employment opportunities were extended to their community members, but the income earned was not satisfying its members. The women felt that they were not in control of their development as they lacked the capacity to lead and they were still led by the men in their cooperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boni, Ntomboxolo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Millennium Development Goals , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Women in agriculture -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21768 , vital:29775
- Description: The majority of the people in South Africa were poor prior 1994, especially those in the rural areas. Poverty in the rural areas affected mostly the women. The government of South Africa designed support programmes to mainstream women into the economy, although it had its own challenges, such as the non-participation of women in their own development and the top-down approach that at times was used by the government in the implementation of the programmes. Owing to the nature of the rural areas, agriculture was identified as a sector that had a potential to improve the economy in order to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Since 2005 the concept of cooperative development has been a vehicle that has the potential to address the aforementioned challenges. In order for the cooperative development to run efficiently and effectively and in line with the cooperative principles and values, the government should keep the independence of this sector in mind by engaging the cooperatives in all the activities that were affecting the cooperative sector through their cooperative movement.The findings of the study showed that the agricultural cooperatives have not yet addressed poverty fully. All their members were employed and at times employment opportunities were extended to their community members, but the income earned was not satisfying its members. The women felt that they were not in control of their development as they lacked the capacity to lead and they were still led by the men in their cooperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A proposed Christian-based governing model to increase the success of entrepreneurial ventures in South Africa
- Authors: Boshoff, Leslie Ian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa , Business -- Religious aspects , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4827 , vital:20712
- Description: The Republic of South Africa (RSA) became a democracy when the African National Congress (ANC) came to power in 1994. However, more than twenty years after the apartheid era, the people of the RSA are highly politicised and society still shows an extremely high level of inequality in income that is aggravated by the lack of formal job opportunities in the country. Disturbingly, early-stage entrepreneurial activity in the RSA declined from 7.8 percent in 2008 to 5 percent in 2009. As a result, the low levels of entrepreneurial activity are partly responsible for the stagnation in the structural transformation of the economy. The economy remains dependent on sectors such as agriculture and mining where looting, instability, violence and rent-seeking are endemic in spite of plentiful natural resources. As a consequence of these factors, manufacturing is becoming increasingly uncompetitive and the economy is becoming increasingly less innovative. The RSA‟s government leaders should have used the strengths of the country to minimise or rectify the weaknesses of the extremely high levels of inequality in income and the lack of formal job opportunities. Instead, these leaders identified their supporters, satisfied their short-term consumption demands, distributed jobs to the party faithful and provided social welfare to the poor. Additionally, the majority of school leavers are not pursuing tertiary studies but, with limited or little education, they still have to form part of the potential labour force of the future. The youth employment rate for 15 to 24 year-olds, in the RSA, is as low as 12.5 percent. Again, this highlights the importance of finding alternative ways to increase the population‟s participation in the economy, probably through some form of entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model with the main objective being to identify the factors (variables) that will promote growth, sustainability and good governance in Christian-owned Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME) within the RSA. Business is commonly viewed as a secular pursuit and religious people, particularly in Western societies, have a narrow view of the conceptual and practical application of their faith and spirituality in their businesses. As a result, the potential of businesses to influence communities, particularly with regard to issues such as social iniquities and cultural reform, good governance, responsible business behaviour, social capital, spiritual intelligence (SQ) and Christian entrepreneurship orientation appear to be, at worst, more or less irrelevant and, at best, greatly under-valued and under-utilised. The intersection of these constructs provides an understanding of how an entrepreneur‟s heightened consciousness in terms of his/her personal values and beliefs can affect his or her business activities and crucial characteristics of the entrepreneurial process, such as the recognition of opportunities, the creation of new ventures, as well as the operation and growth of these business ventures. This study uncovered a number of themes that shed light on how Christian SMME owner-managers rationalise the everyday dealings of their business lives as an expression of their faith. This study is an expression of a complex phenomenon that is extremely relevant in the present day and sharpens the focus on the important role that religious faith has to play in the field of business outcomes. Many Christian entrepreneurs express a motivational need to give back to their communities, customers and other stakeholders of the business venture. Christian entrepreneurs value intrinsic factors like purpose, passionate work and personal calling above wealth, fame, power, money, and recognition. A combination of Christian character traits forms the backbone of a Christian‟s internal power and purpose. God created people to glorify Him and this purpose is achieved through the fulfilling of a personal calling. A calling is often accompanied by a conviction of divine influence and the vocation in which one customarily engages. The call to the Christian entrepreneur is to be the salt and light in an environment (Mathew 5:13) like RSA, that is not conducive to entrepreneurial behaviour, where unemployment is very high, infrastructure is buckling under the pressures of bad management and corruption is rife.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Boshoff, Leslie Ian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa , Business -- Religious aspects , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4827 , vital:20712
- Description: The Republic of South Africa (RSA) became a democracy when the African National Congress (ANC) came to power in 1994. However, more than twenty years after the apartheid era, the people of the RSA are highly politicised and society still shows an extremely high level of inequality in income that is aggravated by the lack of formal job opportunities in the country. Disturbingly, early-stage entrepreneurial activity in the RSA declined from 7.8 percent in 2008 to 5 percent in 2009. As a result, the low levels of entrepreneurial activity are partly responsible for the stagnation in the structural transformation of the economy. The economy remains dependent on sectors such as agriculture and mining where looting, instability, violence and rent-seeking are endemic in spite of plentiful natural resources. As a consequence of these factors, manufacturing is becoming increasingly uncompetitive and the economy is becoming increasingly less innovative. The RSA‟s government leaders should have used the strengths of the country to minimise or rectify the weaknesses of the extremely high levels of inequality in income and the lack of formal job opportunities. Instead, these leaders identified their supporters, satisfied their short-term consumption demands, distributed jobs to the party faithful and provided social welfare to the poor. Additionally, the majority of school leavers are not pursuing tertiary studies but, with limited or little education, they still have to form part of the potential labour force of the future. The youth employment rate for 15 to 24 year-olds, in the RSA, is as low as 12.5 percent. Again, this highlights the importance of finding alternative ways to increase the population‟s participation in the economy, probably through some form of entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model with the main objective being to identify the factors (variables) that will promote growth, sustainability and good governance in Christian-owned Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME) within the RSA. Business is commonly viewed as a secular pursuit and religious people, particularly in Western societies, have a narrow view of the conceptual and practical application of their faith and spirituality in their businesses. As a result, the potential of businesses to influence communities, particularly with regard to issues such as social iniquities and cultural reform, good governance, responsible business behaviour, social capital, spiritual intelligence (SQ) and Christian entrepreneurship orientation appear to be, at worst, more or less irrelevant and, at best, greatly under-valued and under-utilised. The intersection of these constructs provides an understanding of how an entrepreneur‟s heightened consciousness in terms of his/her personal values and beliefs can affect his or her business activities and crucial characteristics of the entrepreneurial process, such as the recognition of opportunities, the creation of new ventures, as well as the operation and growth of these business ventures. This study uncovered a number of themes that shed light on how Christian SMME owner-managers rationalise the everyday dealings of their business lives as an expression of their faith. This study is an expression of a complex phenomenon that is extremely relevant in the present day and sharpens the focus on the important role that religious faith has to play in the field of business outcomes. Many Christian entrepreneurs express a motivational need to give back to their communities, customers and other stakeholders of the business venture. Christian entrepreneurs value intrinsic factors like purpose, passionate work and personal calling above wealth, fame, power, money, and recognition. A combination of Christian character traits forms the backbone of a Christian‟s internal power and purpose. God created people to glorify Him and this purpose is achieved through the fulfilling of a personal calling. A calling is often accompanied by a conviction of divine influence and the vocation in which one customarily engages. The call to the Christian entrepreneur is to be the salt and light in an environment (Mathew 5:13) like RSA, that is not conducive to entrepreneurial behaviour, where unemployment is very high, infrastructure is buckling under the pressures of bad management and corruption is rife.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A proposed framework for the development of urban agriculture in South African cities
- Authors: Brown, Nicola Jayne
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Food security -- Climatic factors -- South Africa , Resilience (Ecology)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174413 , vital:42475
- Description: While climate change and rapid urbanisation are impacting our cities and existing infrastructure, population growth and resource scarcity are placing unprecedented pressure on our food systems. In light of such challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals, resilient solutions are being sought to move both urban development and food production towards a more sustainable future. In this context, Urban Agriculture (UA) has been identified as a possible mechanism to complement rural food production with many associated social, economic and environmental benefits for urban communities. Some of these benefits include increased food system resilience, better urban environmental management, circular and productive reuse of urban wastes, employment opportunities, reduced food miles and the promotion of social inclusivity. Through a sustainable food system lens and underpinned by Resilience Theory, this research study sets out to investigate and explore the considerations for UA development. The research study reviews UA literature to identify and analyse the common challenges which act as barriers to implementation, as well as the current or potential opportunities which could be leveraged to drive UA development. The insights gained from literature on UA and UA development frameworks; and the data gathered from qualitative interviews with experts working in UA-related fields in South Africa (SA), were used to build a conceptual framework for UA development in SA. The conceptual framework developed is intended to be used as a guide for local municipalities, urban planners, urban farmers, urban communities and UA support organisations in their approach to developing UA initiatives. The findings from this research study reveal that UA development in SA involves numerous actors at both provincial and municipal levels; and within private institutions, businesses, universities, farmer organisations and society. The findings also reveal that UA currently occurs at many levels in SA, with each level drawing a particular range of participants due to the various social, economic and/or environmental features of the initiative. Along with challenges associated with land access, the lack of UA-related knowledge, the threat of theft, vandalism and soil contamination (to name a few); a lack of understanding of how agriculture can fit into urban spaces was found to be a major obstacle. The findings suggest that this lack of understanding has led to an under-realisation of the full potential of UA in South African towns and cities; and an inability to incentivise and optimise the development of UA. Considering the findings derived from the investigation, the study proposes five major considerations for UA development in SA, all of which are unpacked in the conceptual framework. The study concludes by making recommendations for UA decision-makers and UA organisations to consider for future developments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Brown, Nicola Jayne
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Food security -- Climatic factors -- South Africa , Resilience (Ecology)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174413 , vital:42475
- Description: While climate change and rapid urbanisation are impacting our cities and existing infrastructure, population growth and resource scarcity are placing unprecedented pressure on our food systems. In light of such challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals, resilient solutions are being sought to move both urban development and food production towards a more sustainable future. In this context, Urban Agriculture (UA) has been identified as a possible mechanism to complement rural food production with many associated social, economic and environmental benefits for urban communities. Some of these benefits include increased food system resilience, better urban environmental management, circular and productive reuse of urban wastes, employment opportunities, reduced food miles and the promotion of social inclusivity. Through a sustainable food system lens and underpinned by Resilience Theory, this research study sets out to investigate and explore the considerations for UA development. The research study reviews UA literature to identify and analyse the common challenges which act as barriers to implementation, as well as the current or potential opportunities which could be leveraged to drive UA development. The insights gained from literature on UA and UA development frameworks; and the data gathered from qualitative interviews with experts working in UA-related fields in South Africa (SA), were used to build a conceptual framework for UA development in SA. The conceptual framework developed is intended to be used as a guide for local municipalities, urban planners, urban farmers, urban communities and UA support organisations in their approach to developing UA initiatives. The findings from this research study reveal that UA development in SA involves numerous actors at both provincial and municipal levels; and within private institutions, businesses, universities, farmer organisations and society. The findings also reveal that UA currently occurs at many levels in SA, with each level drawing a particular range of participants due to the various social, economic and/or environmental features of the initiative. Along with challenges associated with land access, the lack of UA-related knowledge, the threat of theft, vandalism and soil contamination (to name a few); a lack of understanding of how agriculture can fit into urban spaces was found to be a major obstacle. The findings suggest that this lack of understanding has led to an under-realisation of the full potential of UA in South African towns and cities; and an inability to incentivise and optimise the development of UA. Considering the findings derived from the investigation, the study proposes five major considerations for UA development in SA, all of which are unpacked in the conceptual framework. The study concludes by making recommendations for UA decision-makers and UA organisations to consider for future developments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Stewardship and collaboration in multifunctional landscapes: a transdisciplinary enquiry
- Authors: Cockburn, Jessica Jane
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental management -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Ecosystem management -- South Africa , Social ecology -- South Africa , Interdisciplinary research
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61267 , vital:27998
- Description: Social-ecological sustainability challenges, from the local to the global level, are of increasing concern. Stewardship has been proposed as a means of dealing with these challenges, but how can it be achieved in practice? In South Africa, the concept is put into practice by practitioners working with local stewards to facilitate more sustainable and equitable management of ecosystem services across landscapes. This landscape approach requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders, as social-ecological processes function beyond the boundaries of individual farms or villages. The aim of this research was to investigate the practice of stewardship and collaboration in multifunctional landscapes in South Africa through a transdisciplinary enquiry. This was achieved using a methodological framework based on critical complexity, transdisciplinarity, and critical realism. This framework was applied through an inductive, mixed methods research design which involved stewardship practitioners, stewards, and other stakeholders in the research. Practitioners' understandings of the stewardship concept vary, yet they coalesce around the idea of responsible use and care of nature. Accordingly, the primary role of stewards is to interact with nature responsibly and carefully, balancing the use of ecosystem services for their own benefit with broader social- ecological interests and needs. Although the biodiversity stewardship tool dominates stewardship practice in South Africa, more integrated social-ecological initiatives are also emerging, often hand-in-hand with this approach. Practitioners working in these initiatives face multiple interacting and mutually reinforcing enablers and barriers that facilitate or hinder collaboration for stewardship. Individual and social-relational enablers are pivotal to long-term sustainability of initiatives, whilst deep-seated inequalities and mistrust are significant barriers to collaboration. Despite such challenges, practitioners are succeeding in fostering collaboration by operating as hubs in the landscape. They are actively building new relationships and networks among diverse stakeholders to address shared sustainability challenges. This results in a patchwork of collaborative stewardship activity across the landscape, suggesting that stewardship and collaboration are fundamentally relational processes and that pluralistic approaches to sustainability are needed in multifunctional landscapes. Moreover, by re-focusing stewardship on stewards, practitioners are finding innovative ways to enable farmers to appreciate and practice stewardship, addressing the conflict between agriculture and conservation. Drawing on these findings, a critical realist analysis revealed underlying generative mechanisms that help to explain the challenges encountered in collaborative efforts toward stewardship. These mechanisms included, amongst others: individual stewards' values, societal constraints on the ability of stewards to express care, conflict between agriculture and conservation due to dominant agricultural approaches and neoliberal economic policies, and the divided and unequal nature of South African society. Operationalising transdisciplinary research enabled meaningful engagement with practitioner partners, allowing for novel insights and unexpected findings to emerge from practice-based knowledge. Putting transdisciplinarity into practice revealed the dynamic and multi-faceted role that researchers can play in transdisciplinary research, highlighting the importance of relational knowledge and competencies. Existing support systems and incentives within universities need to be re-configured to enable postgraduate students to conduct engaged science in service of society. , Kuyanda ukuxhalatyiswa yimiceli mngeni yobudlewlane obuhlala buhleli bezentlalo nendalo, ekuhlaleni nakwihlabathi. Kuphakanyiswe umbono wobugosa-bumeli (ubuphathi bendalo, stewardship) ukuze kuhlangatyezwane nale miceli mngeni, kodwa iza kwenziwa njani le nto? EMzantsi Afrika le ngcamango iye yabekwa entsebenzweni ngabo banezakhono no bugcisa besebenza namagosa-bameli asekuhlaleni, benceda ekulawulweni ngendlela ehlala ihleli nelinganayo iinkonzo zobudlelwane nendalo kuyo yonke imihlaba. Le ndlela yokusebenzisa le mihlaba ifuna intsebenziswano phakathi kwabo bonke ababandakanyekayo, njengoko ubudlelwane bentlalo nendalo busebenza ngaphaya kwemida yomfama ngamnye okanye iilali. Injongo yoluhlolisiso ibikukuphanda ngoqheliselo lobugosa-bumeli nentsebenziswano yeemihlaba esebenza ngendlela ezininzi eMzantsi Afrika kubuzwa kumasebe olwazi ohlukeneyo olwazi(transdisciplinarity). Oku kwathi kwaphunyezwa ngenkqubo ehlola izinto ezahlukahlukeneyo kwimigangatho eyahlukeneyo, isekelwe kwingcamango enzulu kunoko kubonakala kuqondakalayo, kumasebe olwazi ohlukeneyo, nakulwazi lwesayensi nentlalo. Le nkqubo yenziwa kusetyenziswa inkqubo yokuqokelela ulwazi luze luhlalutywe, iintlobo ezahlukeneyo zokwenza uhlolisiso, ezazibandakandakanya abanezakhono zobugosa-bumeli, amagosa-bameli nabanye ababandakanyekileyo kolu hlolisiso. Ingcamango zabanezakhono zobubugosa-bumeli ziyohluka, kanti iingcamango zinye ngokuphathelele ukusetyenziswa nokukhathelela indalo yemvelo. Phofu ke, indima esisiseko yamagosa-bameli kukuphembelelana ngokufanelekileyo nangenkathalo nendalo, bethelekisa ukusebenzisa iinkonzo zobudlelwane nendalo ukuze zincede bona, kunye nomdla neemfuno eziphangaleleyo zobudlelwane bendalo nentlalo. Nakubeni isixhobo Sobugosa-Bumeli Bendalo Eyahlukeneyo Yezityalo Nezilwanyana (Biodiversity Stewardship) isesona sitshotsha phambili kuqheliselo lobugosa-bumeli eMzantsi Afrika, zikhona nezinye izixhobo ezivelayo eziqukwayo kwiphulo lobudlelwane bendalo nentlalo, ezisoloko zisebenza kakuhle neli lokuqala. Abanezakhono nabasebenza kula maphulo bajamelene neendidi zokuphembelelana, iingxaki ezahlukeneyo, izisombululo nezithinteli ezinceda okanye zonakalise intebenziswano yobugosa-bumeli. Isisombululo ngasinye nezo zayanyaniswa nentlalo zibaluleke gqitha kumaphulo azakuhlala ehleli, nakubeni ukungalingani okuzinze nzulu nokungathembani iyimiqobo ebelulekileyo kwintsebenziswano. Nangona ikhona le micelimngeni, abanezakhono bayaphumelela ekukhuliseni intsebenziswano ngokuthi basebenze kwiindawo ezithile kwimihlaba. Bakha unxulumano olutsha noqhagamishelwano nababandakanyekileyo ngokwahluka kwabo ukuze kusingathwe nemiceli mngeni yokugcina ubudlelwane bendalo nentlalo buhlale buhleli. Oku kuye kwaphumela kwintsebenziswano yobugosa-bumeli ethe yakho pha na pha kule mihlaba, nto leyo ebonisa ukuba ubugosa- bumeli nentsebenziswano ngokusisiseko yinkqubo enxulumeneyo, kwaye iindlela ezininzi zokwenza ubudlelwane bendalo nentlalo buhlale buhleli ziyimfuneko kwimihlaba ekwenziwa izinto ezininzi kuyo. Ngapha koko, ngokuthi kuphindwe kunikelwe ingqalelo kubugosa-bumeli isiya kumagosa bameli, abanezakhono bafumana iindlela ezintsha zokunceda amafama axabise aze aqhelisele ubugosa-bumeli, ngolu hlobo kusingathwa ingxabano phakathi kwezolimo nolondolozo lwendalo. Xa sifunda koku, ukucamngca nzulu ngako kutyhile enye indlela eye yanceda ekucaciseni imiceli mngeni ekuhlangatyezwane nayo kwimigudu yentsebenziswano yobugosa-bumeli. Ezi ndlela zibandakanya, phakathi kwezinye: indlela aziphatha ngayo amagosa-bameli, iingcinezelo yabahlali ekubeni amagosa-bameli abonakalise inkathalo, ukungavisisani phakathi kwezolimo nolondolozo lwendalo ngenxa yendlela ezongamelayo nezisetyenziswayo zolimo, nemigaqo-nkqubo yezoqoqosho elawulwa bucala, nokwahlukana, ukungalingani kwabantu baseMzantsi Afrika. Ukusebenzisa uhlolisiso lwamasebe olwazi ohlukeneyo kubangele ukufuthelana okunentsingiselo namaqabane abo banezakhono, oku kuvulele iingcamango ezinzulu nokufumana izinto ebezingalindelekanga kulwazi olusekelwe kuqheliselo. Ukubeka ulwazi lwamasebe ahlukeneyo entsebenzweni kutyhile iindima ezahlukeneyo okanye ezininzi ezidlalwa ngabahlolisisi kuhlolisiso lolwazi lwamasebe ohlukeneyo, kubalaseliswa ukubaluleka kolwazi olunxulunyaniswayo nozimiselo. Iinkqubo zenkxaso nezinye izinto ezincedayo ezikhoyo kwiyunivesiti kufuneka ziphinde zakhiwe ukuze zincede abafundi abenza uhlolisiso balwenze benomfutho wesayensi enceda abahlali.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Cockburn, Jessica Jane
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental management -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Ecosystem management -- South Africa , Social ecology -- South Africa , Interdisciplinary research
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61267 , vital:27998
- Description: Social-ecological sustainability challenges, from the local to the global level, are of increasing concern. Stewardship has been proposed as a means of dealing with these challenges, but how can it be achieved in practice? In South Africa, the concept is put into practice by practitioners working with local stewards to facilitate more sustainable and equitable management of ecosystem services across landscapes. This landscape approach requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders, as social-ecological processes function beyond the boundaries of individual farms or villages. The aim of this research was to investigate the practice of stewardship and collaboration in multifunctional landscapes in South Africa through a transdisciplinary enquiry. This was achieved using a methodological framework based on critical complexity, transdisciplinarity, and critical realism. This framework was applied through an inductive, mixed methods research design which involved stewardship practitioners, stewards, and other stakeholders in the research. Practitioners' understandings of the stewardship concept vary, yet they coalesce around the idea of responsible use and care of nature. Accordingly, the primary role of stewards is to interact with nature responsibly and carefully, balancing the use of ecosystem services for their own benefit with broader social- ecological interests and needs. Although the biodiversity stewardship tool dominates stewardship practice in South Africa, more integrated social-ecological initiatives are also emerging, often hand-in-hand with this approach. Practitioners working in these initiatives face multiple interacting and mutually reinforcing enablers and barriers that facilitate or hinder collaboration for stewardship. Individual and social-relational enablers are pivotal to long-term sustainability of initiatives, whilst deep-seated inequalities and mistrust are significant barriers to collaboration. Despite such challenges, practitioners are succeeding in fostering collaboration by operating as hubs in the landscape. They are actively building new relationships and networks among diverse stakeholders to address shared sustainability challenges. This results in a patchwork of collaborative stewardship activity across the landscape, suggesting that stewardship and collaboration are fundamentally relational processes and that pluralistic approaches to sustainability are needed in multifunctional landscapes. Moreover, by re-focusing stewardship on stewards, practitioners are finding innovative ways to enable farmers to appreciate and practice stewardship, addressing the conflict between agriculture and conservation. Drawing on these findings, a critical realist analysis revealed underlying generative mechanisms that help to explain the challenges encountered in collaborative efforts toward stewardship. These mechanisms included, amongst others: individual stewards' values, societal constraints on the ability of stewards to express care, conflict between agriculture and conservation due to dominant agricultural approaches and neoliberal economic policies, and the divided and unequal nature of South African society. Operationalising transdisciplinary research enabled meaningful engagement with practitioner partners, allowing for novel insights and unexpected findings to emerge from practice-based knowledge. Putting transdisciplinarity into practice revealed the dynamic and multi-faceted role that researchers can play in transdisciplinary research, highlighting the importance of relational knowledge and competencies. Existing support systems and incentives within universities need to be re-configured to enable postgraduate students to conduct engaged science in service of society. , Kuyanda ukuxhalatyiswa yimiceli mngeni yobudlewlane obuhlala buhleli bezentlalo nendalo, ekuhlaleni nakwihlabathi. Kuphakanyiswe umbono wobugosa-bumeli (ubuphathi bendalo, stewardship) ukuze kuhlangatyezwane nale miceli mngeni, kodwa iza kwenziwa njani le nto? EMzantsi Afrika le ngcamango iye yabekwa entsebenzweni ngabo banezakhono no bugcisa besebenza namagosa-bameli asekuhlaleni, benceda ekulawulweni ngendlela ehlala ihleli nelinganayo iinkonzo zobudlelwane nendalo kuyo yonke imihlaba. Le ndlela yokusebenzisa le mihlaba ifuna intsebenziswano phakathi kwabo bonke ababandakanyekayo, njengoko ubudlelwane bentlalo nendalo busebenza ngaphaya kwemida yomfama ngamnye okanye iilali. Injongo yoluhlolisiso ibikukuphanda ngoqheliselo lobugosa-bumeli nentsebenziswano yeemihlaba esebenza ngendlela ezininzi eMzantsi Afrika kubuzwa kumasebe olwazi ohlukeneyo olwazi(transdisciplinarity). Oku kwathi kwaphunyezwa ngenkqubo ehlola izinto ezahlukahlukeneyo kwimigangatho eyahlukeneyo, isekelwe kwingcamango enzulu kunoko kubonakala kuqondakalayo, kumasebe olwazi ohlukeneyo, nakulwazi lwesayensi nentlalo. Le nkqubo yenziwa kusetyenziswa inkqubo yokuqokelela ulwazi luze luhlalutywe, iintlobo ezahlukeneyo zokwenza uhlolisiso, ezazibandakandakanya abanezakhono zobugosa-bumeli, amagosa-bameli nabanye ababandakanyekileyo kolu hlolisiso. Ingcamango zabanezakhono zobubugosa-bumeli ziyohluka, kanti iingcamango zinye ngokuphathelele ukusetyenziswa nokukhathelela indalo yemvelo. Phofu ke, indima esisiseko yamagosa-bameli kukuphembelelana ngokufanelekileyo nangenkathalo nendalo, bethelekisa ukusebenzisa iinkonzo zobudlelwane nendalo ukuze zincede bona, kunye nomdla neemfuno eziphangaleleyo zobudlelwane bendalo nentlalo. Nakubeni isixhobo Sobugosa-Bumeli Bendalo Eyahlukeneyo Yezityalo Nezilwanyana (Biodiversity Stewardship) isesona sitshotsha phambili kuqheliselo lobugosa-bumeli eMzantsi Afrika, zikhona nezinye izixhobo ezivelayo eziqukwayo kwiphulo lobudlelwane bendalo nentlalo, ezisoloko zisebenza kakuhle neli lokuqala. Abanezakhono nabasebenza kula maphulo bajamelene neendidi zokuphembelelana, iingxaki ezahlukeneyo, izisombululo nezithinteli ezinceda okanye zonakalise intebenziswano yobugosa-bumeli. Isisombululo ngasinye nezo zayanyaniswa nentlalo zibaluleke gqitha kumaphulo azakuhlala ehleli, nakubeni ukungalingani okuzinze nzulu nokungathembani iyimiqobo ebelulekileyo kwintsebenziswano. Nangona ikhona le micelimngeni, abanezakhono bayaphumelela ekukhuliseni intsebenziswano ngokuthi basebenze kwiindawo ezithile kwimihlaba. Bakha unxulumano olutsha noqhagamishelwano nababandakanyekileyo ngokwahluka kwabo ukuze kusingathwe nemiceli mngeni yokugcina ubudlelwane bendalo nentlalo buhlale buhleli. Oku kuye kwaphumela kwintsebenziswano yobugosa-bumeli ethe yakho pha na pha kule mihlaba, nto leyo ebonisa ukuba ubugosa- bumeli nentsebenziswano ngokusisiseko yinkqubo enxulumeneyo, kwaye iindlela ezininzi zokwenza ubudlelwane bendalo nentlalo buhlale buhleli ziyimfuneko kwimihlaba ekwenziwa izinto ezininzi kuyo. Ngapha koko, ngokuthi kuphindwe kunikelwe ingqalelo kubugosa-bumeli isiya kumagosa bameli, abanezakhono bafumana iindlela ezintsha zokunceda amafama axabise aze aqhelisele ubugosa-bumeli, ngolu hlobo kusingathwa ingxabano phakathi kwezolimo nolondolozo lwendalo. Xa sifunda koku, ukucamngca nzulu ngako kutyhile enye indlela eye yanceda ekucaciseni imiceli mngeni ekuhlangatyezwane nayo kwimigudu yentsebenziswano yobugosa-bumeli. Ezi ndlela zibandakanya, phakathi kwezinye: indlela aziphatha ngayo amagosa-bameli, iingcinezelo yabahlali ekubeni amagosa-bameli abonakalise inkathalo, ukungavisisani phakathi kwezolimo nolondolozo lwendalo ngenxa yendlela ezongamelayo nezisetyenziswayo zolimo, nemigaqo-nkqubo yezoqoqosho elawulwa bucala, nokwahlukana, ukungalingani kwabantu baseMzantsi Afrika. Ukusebenzisa uhlolisiso lwamasebe olwazi ohlukeneyo kubangele ukufuthelana okunentsingiselo namaqabane abo banezakhono, oku kuvulele iingcamango ezinzulu nokufumana izinto ebezingalindelekanga kulwazi olusekelwe kuqheliselo. Ukubeka ulwazi lwamasebe ahlukeneyo entsebenzweni kutyhile iindima ezahlukeneyo okanye ezininzi ezidlalwa ngabahlolisisi kuhlolisiso lolwazi lwamasebe ohlukeneyo, kubalaseliswa ukubaluleka kolwazi olunxulunyaniswayo nozimiselo. Iinkqubo zenkxaso nezinye izinto ezincedayo ezikhoyo kwiyunivesiti kufuneka ziphinde zakhiwe ukuze zincede abafundi abenza uhlolisiso balwenze benomfutho wesayensi enceda abahlali.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Commerce powered by 'National culture'? : an assessment of "Wear Local" campaigns as tools for reinvigorating the textile and clothing industries in Ghana and South Africa
- Authors: Darku, Esther Naa Dodua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- Ghana Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Sustainable development -- Ghana , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2172 , vital:27619
- Description: This study examines the use of ‘cultural’ imagery and messaging as a tool to revitalise crucial national industries. Specifically, it examines the use of Wear Local campaigns in Ghana and South Africa as strategies to rejuvenate their textile industries and to make them viable in an increasingly competitive global market. Conceptualising Wear Local campaigns as possessing both cultural and economic imperatives, this study highlights how both factors contribute to making products of Buy Local campaigns marketable by showing their importance as both cultural and economic products. Using a descriptive-evaluative design, the study adopted a triangulated research approach comprising a survey, key informant interviews and document analysis. Survey questionnaires were administered to a total sample of 308 respondents in Ghana and South Africa. The qualitative phase of the study involved 10 key informant interviews (comprising textile labour unions, clothing designers, and government officials in both countries) and document/documentary research. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data were analysed using interpretive approaches, such as content analysis. The results indicate significant uses of national cultural elements in the campaign messaging in both Ghana and South Africa, as well as notable differences in the ways in which these campaigns resonated with consumers in the two countries. For instance, cultural differences accounted for high popularity of the campaign in Ghana and low popularity in South Africa. Following from these findings, the study concludes that the discourse on Buy Local and Wear Local, and the use of national culture in commerce, must go beyond the question of efficacy to examine the conditions under which these campaigns can become an effective economic/market tool. The study makes an important contribution to the existing knowledge on national culture, national economy and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Darku, Esther Naa Dodua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- Ghana Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Sustainable development -- Ghana , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2172 , vital:27619
- Description: This study examines the use of ‘cultural’ imagery and messaging as a tool to revitalise crucial national industries. Specifically, it examines the use of Wear Local campaigns in Ghana and South Africa as strategies to rejuvenate their textile industries and to make them viable in an increasingly competitive global market. Conceptualising Wear Local campaigns as possessing both cultural and economic imperatives, this study highlights how both factors contribute to making products of Buy Local campaigns marketable by showing their importance as both cultural and economic products. Using a descriptive-evaluative design, the study adopted a triangulated research approach comprising a survey, key informant interviews and document analysis. Survey questionnaires were administered to a total sample of 308 respondents in Ghana and South Africa. The qualitative phase of the study involved 10 key informant interviews (comprising textile labour unions, clothing designers, and government officials in both countries) and document/documentary research. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data were analysed using interpretive approaches, such as content analysis. The results indicate significant uses of national cultural elements in the campaign messaging in both Ghana and South Africa, as well as notable differences in the ways in which these campaigns resonated with consumers in the two countries. For instance, cultural differences accounted for high popularity of the campaign in Ghana and low popularity in South Africa. Following from these findings, the study concludes that the discourse on Buy Local and Wear Local, and the use of national culture in commerce, must go beyond the question of efficacy to examine the conditions under which these campaigns can become an effective economic/market tool. The study makes an important contribution to the existing knowledge on national culture, national economy and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Financing sustainable cities in South Africa
- Authors: Ducie, Gregory Justin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Finance -- South Africa Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15577 , vital:28273
- Description: Although directives exist with respect to promoting sustainable development, financial strategies to cater for collective sustainable development, along with an increasing population, need to be formulated relevant to metropolitan and urban areas. This study determined the infrastructure investment basis of a sustainable city to investigate various funding mechanisms resulting in the design of a model for the financing of sustainable cities. For the study, first the various infrastructure investment alternatives were established from the literature, and thirteen themes and their relevant interventions were identified. Tangible and intangible methods of assessment were then identified as ways to calculate the acceptability of an intervention. A case study based on a hypothetical city was developed to determine the infrastructure investment base. Initially, only one intervention of a theme was populated and then confirmed by city development experts. Thereafter, all the themes were populated, and the acceptability of the interventions were determined. This provided an overview of the investment base of a sustainable city. The investment base facilitated deriving applicable tools and instruments to finance it. As a result, possible finance alternatives were derived for each of the identified themes. Although most of the financing of sustainable cities revolved around public sector finance, the private sector also played an important role for the financing of sustainable cities. Based on the investment base for sustainable cities and the resultant financing thereof, a model for the financing of sustainable cities was developed. The model consisted of four components. Firstly, the model included an application of financing tools and instruments relevant to the identified themes of sustainable city development. Secondly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to an immediate interventionist focus, a facilitative focus, a gradual intervention and an enabling intervention. Thirdly, the model included financing tools and instrument types in terms of incentive, opportunity, punitive and mandatory interventions. Fourthly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to scale in terms of a city-wide application, sector-wide application, urban application or suburban application. In addition, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments and their relation to addressing poverty within the city context. Although the public sector will always remain the key initiator behind infrastructure development, various mechanisms of financing, along with applicable financing partners and the basis of investment, are required to address future sustainable cities. This study may potentially form the basis of that platform.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ducie, Gregory Justin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Finance -- South Africa Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15577 , vital:28273
- Description: Although directives exist with respect to promoting sustainable development, financial strategies to cater for collective sustainable development, along with an increasing population, need to be formulated relevant to metropolitan and urban areas. This study determined the infrastructure investment basis of a sustainable city to investigate various funding mechanisms resulting in the design of a model for the financing of sustainable cities. For the study, first the various infrastructure investment alternatives were established from the literature, and thirteen themes and their relevant interventions were identified. Tangible and intangible methods of assessment were then identified as ways to calculate the acceptability of an intervention. A case study based on a hypothetical city was developed to determine the infrastructure investment base. Initially, only one intervention of a theme was populated and then confirmed by city development experts. Thereafter, all the themes were populated, and the acceptability of the interventions were determined. This provided an overview of the investment base of a sustainable city. The investment base facilitated deriving applicable tools and instruments to finance it. As a result, possible finance alternatives were derived for each of the identified themes. Although most of the financing of sustainable cities revolved around public sector finance, the private sector also played an important role for the financing of sustainable cities. Based on the investment base for sustainable cities and the resultant financing thereof, a model for the financing of sustainable cities was developed. The model consisted of four components. Firstly, the model included an application of financing tools and instruments relevant to the identified themes of sustainable city development. Secondly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to an immediate interventionist focus, a facilitative focus, a gradual intervention and an enabling intervention. Thirdly, the model included financing tools and instrument types in terms of incentive, opportunity, punitive and mandatory interventions. Fourthly, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments with respect to scale in terms of a city-wide application, sector-wide application, urban application or suburban application. In addition, the model included the application of financing tools and instruments and their relation to addressing poverty within the city context. Although the public sector will always remain the key initiator behind infrastructure development, various mechanisms of financing, along with applicable financing partners and the basis of investment, are required to address future sustainable cities. This study may potentially form the basis of that platform.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The implications of smallholder agricultural productivity growth for poverty alleviation in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Dwesini, Nontembiso Eugenia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11232 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021286 , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa
- Description: The adoption of the Millennium Development Goal 1(MDG 1) of reducing the rate of poverty to half of the 1990-level by 2015 has been a challenge faced by the developing countries including South Africa. The foundations of democracy have to be continuously assessed so that the obstacles faced by South Africa as it strives towards sustainable democracy are addressed. With agricultural sector identified as having the potential to alleviate poverty compared to the mining sector, manufacturing sector and services sector, it faced the challenges that include: (i) accelerating agricultural productivity; (ii) reducing poverty and vulnerability; and (iii) narrowing rural-urban income disparities. The identification of the critical linkages in the agricultural development framework allows for effective strategic planning, effective decision making and appropriate policy formulation. Expectedly, the sector has attracted considerable fiscal policy interest and public investments. The primary aim of this research study is to assess the extent to which smallholder agricultural productivity growth alleviates poverty in South Africa. The statistical and econometric techniques namely; Johansen technique of co-integration analysis (1995), analysis of covariance and correlation, Vector Error Correction Model, are employed in this research study. The data description, data sources, expected relationship between variables and indexation of data are done. The drivers and cause-effect relationships between agriculture and poverty reduction are investigated. The employed models allowed for an exploration of plausible future growth in agricultural elasticity of poverty and the possibility of reducing poverty level in South Africa. The data is obtained from the National Department of Agriculture from 1994 -2013. The analysis of the results strongly confirms that agricultural productivity has a significant inverse relationship to the levels of poverty in South Africa. The outcome of the analysis will contribute to improved decision making on the use of public funds in agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Dwesini, Nontembiso Eugenia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11232 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021286 , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa
- Description: The adoption of the Millennium Development Goal 1(MDG 1) of reducing the rate of poverty to half of the 1990-level by 2015 has been a challenge faced by the developing countries including South Africa. The foundations of democracy have to be continuously assessed so that the obstacles faced by South Africa as it strives towards sustainable democracy are addressed. With agricultural sector identified as having the potential to alleviate poverty compared to the mining sector, manufacturing sector and services sector, it faced the challenges that include: (i) accelerating agricultural productivity; (ii) reducing poverty and vulnerability; and (iii) narrowing rural-urban income disparities. The identification of the critical linkages in the agricultural development framework allows for effective strategic planning, effective decision making and appropriate policy formulation. Expectedly, the sector has attracted considerable fiscal policy interest and public investments. The primary aim of this research study is to assess the extent to which smallholder agricultural productivity growth alleviates poverty in South Africa. The statistical and econometric techniques namely; Johansen technique of co-integration analysis (1995), analysis of covariance and correlation, Vector Error Correction Model, are employed in this research study. The data description, data sources, expected relationship between variables and indexation of data are done. The drivers and cause-effect relationships between agriculture and poverty reduction are investigated. The employed models allowed for an exploration of plausible future growth in agricultural elasticity of poverty and the possibility of reducing poverty level in South Africa. The data is obtained from the National Department of Agriculture from 1994 -2013. The analysis of the results strongly confirms that agricultural productivity has a significant inverse relationship to the levels of poverty in South Africa. The outcome of the analysis will contribute to improved decision making on the use of public funds in agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Perceptions of selected beneficiaries regarding government grants for sustainable development projects
- Authors: Gwam, Zukiswa Sylvia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Government aid -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/517 , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Government aid -- South Africa
- Description: The overall aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of beneficiaries of government grants for the sustainability of development projects. A qualitative method was used following an explorative and descriptive design, as the researcher seeks to understand paradigm shifts from a welfare perspective to a developmental perspective. The qualitative approach is most suitable when the aim of the researcher is to understand a phenomenon from the point of view of participants (Creswell, 1998:17) and to elicit thought processes and feelings (Straus and Corbin, 1998:11). The methods of data collection included in-depth semi-structured interviews, field notes as well as the use of focus groups. The semi-structured interviews allowed the researcher to ask specific questions in an open-ended manner when necessary. Data analysis was done according to Tesch’s eight steps for analyzing qualitative research data (Creswell, 1994: 154-155). Guba’s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of research findings for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research (Krefting, 1990: 214-222). It is envisaged that this study will provide insights into the perceptions of beneficiaries of government social development grants. Findings indicate that a great deal of skills development for sustainability of development projects is needed, and will be used for further research in the area of social development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Gwam, Zukiswa Sylvia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Government aid -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/517 , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Government aid -- South Africa
- Description: The overall aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of beneficiaries of government grants for the sustainability of development projects. A qualitative method was used following an explorative and descriptive design, as the researcher seeks to understand paradigm shifts from a welfare perspective to a developmental perspective. The qualitative approach is most suitable when the aim of the researcher is to understand a phenomenon from the point of view of participants (Creswell, 1998:17) and to elicit thought processes and feelings (Straus and Corbin, 1998:11). The methods of data collection included in-depth semi-structured interviews, field notes as well as the use of focus groups. The semi-structured interviews allowed the researcher to ask specific questions in an open-ended manner when necessary. Data analysis was done according to Tesch’s eight steps for analyzing qualitative research data (Creswell, 1994: 154-155). Guba’s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of research findings for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research (Krefting, 1990: 214-222). It is envisaged that this study will provide insights into the perceptions of beneficiaries of government social development grants. Findings indicate that a great deal of skills development for sustainability of development projects is needed, and will be used for further research in the area of social development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An analysis of alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development.
- Authors: Hlanti, Msawenkosi Madoda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: National income -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Gross domestic product -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Economic policy , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1099 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013144
- Description: The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Hlanti, Msawenkosi Madoda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: National income -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Gross domestic product -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Economic policy , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1099 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013144
- Description: The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Strategies for sustainable housing co-operatives in South Africa
- Authors: Jimoh, Richard Ajayi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing, Cooperative -- South Africa , Housing -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Housing -- Finance-- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009500 , Housing, Cooperative -- South Africa , Housing -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Housing -- Finance-- South Africa
- Description: An increasing number of people are in need of housing that would improve long-term tenure for them. Private ownership is a well-known incentive for peoples’ participation in housing programmes. The current difficulties in obtaining credit for housing, following the global economic crisis, show that private individual home-ownership is not effective enough in addressing the housing needs of the low and middle income groups. As a result of this, the need to find an option that will solve the housing needs of the people became intense. However, the implementation of the co-operative housing delivery option in South Africa has not been successfully implemented as a result of the actions or the inactions of the role players. The study sought answer to the causes of the inability to successfully implement the co-operative housing approach through the use of ‘triad model’ that has to do with the ideology of co-operatives, the praxis and the organisational structures of the various housing co-operatives. The study was domiciled in a pragmatic paradigm, using the mixed methods research approach by conducting a three-stage research whereby convergent parallel design was adopted as the methodology. Questionnaires were administered to the chairpersons of the housing co-operatives identified in this stage one of the study. Stage two consisted of conducting interviews with chairpersons of six housing co-operatives using the purposive non-probability sampling method. The final stage was the survey among the members of the housing co-operatives interviewed. It was discovered, inter alia, that the membership of housing co-operatives was not voluntary; policy and legislative documents on social housing were biased against the co-operative housing approach; limited understanding of the co-operative approach exists among officials of government responsible for the implementations and a lack of training to members of the housing co-operatives by agencies of government responsible for propagating the approach was evident. Based on the findings, framework for sustainable housing co-operatives in South Africa was proposed from the strategies identified. The strategies identified were classified into the following factors: Policy and legislation; support services; education, training and information; and governance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jimoh, Richard Ajayi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing, Cooperative -- South Africa , Housing -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Housing -- Finance-- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009500 , Housing, Cooperative -- South Africa , Housing -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Housing -- Finance-- South Africa
- Description: An increasing number of people are in need of housing that would improve long-term tenure for them. Private ownership is a well-known incentive for peoples’ participation in housing programmes. The current difficulties in obtaining credit for housing, following the global economic crisis, show that private individual home-ownership is not effective enough in addressing the housing needs of the low and middle income groups. As a result of this, the need to find an option that will solve the housing needs of the people became intense. However, the implementation of the co-operative housing delivery option in South Africa has not been successfully implemented as a result of the actions or the inactions of the role players. The study sought answer to the causes of the inability to successfully implement the co-operative housing approach through the use of ‘triad model’ that has to do with the ideology of co-operatives, the praxis and the organisational structures of the various housing co-operatives. The study was domiciled in a pragmatic paradigm, using the mixed methods research approach by conducting a three-stage research whereby convergent parallel design was adopted as the methodology. Questionnaires were administered to the chairpersons of the housing co-operatives identified in this stage one of the study. Stage two consisted of conducting interviews with chairpersons of six housing co-operatives using the purposive non-probability sampling method. The final stage was the survey among the members of the housing co-operatives interviewed. It was discovered, inter alia, that the membership of housing co-operatives was not voluntary; policy and legislative documents on social housing were biased against the co-operative housing approach; limited understanding of the co-operative approach exists among officials of government responsible for the implementations and a lack of training to members of the housing co-operatives by agencies of government responsible for propagating the approach was evident. Based on the findings, framework for sustainable housing co-operatives in South Africa was proposed from the strategies identified. The strategies identified were classified into the following factors: Policy and legislation; support services; education, training and information; and governance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Risk preferences and consumption decisions in organic production: the case of Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa
- Authors: Kisaka-Lwayo, Maggie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Organic farming -- South Africa , Natural foods industry -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa , Consumers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/492 , Food security -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Organic farming -- South Africa , Natural foods industry -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa , Consumers -- South Africa
- Description: Despite phenomenal success of the commercial agricultural sector in South Africa and significant progress in integrating smallholders since democratic reforms, food security concerns remain. Recent global increases in food prices have further exacerbated vulnerabilities and made it imperative to examine alternative food production questions in the country. Organic agriculture is identified as one of the sustainable approaches to farming and offers insights towards a paradigm shift in food and nutritional security. Notwithstanding, consumer awareness, knowledge and consumption of organic foods are significantly lower in developing than developed countries. Risks associated with adoption of organic practices need to be explored to address the supply and demand constraints. Similarly, while consumer awareness of organic foods is the first step in developing demand for organic products, it does not necessarily translate to consumption. Therefore it is important to investigate these issues. The objectives of this study were to: (i) describe the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of organic farmers and consumers; (ii) establish the determinants of farmers‘ decision to participate in organic farming distinguishing between the fully-certified organic, partially-certified organic and non-organic farmers; (iii) elicit farmers risk preferences and empirically analyse farmers sources of risk and risk management strategies; (iv) explore consumer awareness, perceptions and attitudes regarding organic products; and (v) identify the factors that influence consumer‘s preference and consumption of organic products. A total of 400 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 200 smallholder farmers in KwaZulu-Natal and 200 consumers in the Eastern Cape. The KwaZulu-Natal study was conducted earlier and identified the following as major sources of risk, lack of consumer awareness of organic products and lack of information among producers about consumer preferences for organic products. This informed the need to undertake a consumer awareness and preference study, in order to inform producers. The Eastern Cape is a bordering province to KwaZulu-Natal with similar socio economic conditions and a major consumer of produce from KwaZulu-Natal. It was also expected that in the intervening period there could have been awareness about the product. An vii indication of its appeal would not be in the consumption of the product by the people who grow it, but by consumers who reside in bordering regions. Producer and household questionnaires were used to record household activities, socio-economic and institutional data as well as household demographics through personal interviews. The Arrow Pratt Absolute Risk Aversion (APARA) coefficient was used to measure the farmer‘s degree of risk aversion and the experimental gambling approach to establish the risk classification. Consumers were also asked about their awareness and knowledge about organics, attitudes and perceptions towards organics, preference and consumption patterns. The ordered probit results indicate that older farmers, who are less risk averse and reside in the sub-ward Ogagwini, Ezigani, and Hwayi were more likely to be certified organic farmers. Similarly, the propensity to adopt organic farming is positively correlated to household size, livestock ownership, asset base and tenure security. The risk analysis indicates that at higher pay-offs most farmers are intermediate to moderately risk-averse, with little variation according to personal characteristics, and that non-organic farmers tend to be more risk averse than fully-certified and partially-certified farmers. In general, price, production and financial risks were perceived as the most important sources of risk. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), seven principal components (PCs) explaining 66.13% of the variation were extracted. Socio economic factors having a significant effect on the various sources of risk are age, gender, education, location, information access and risk taking ability. The most important traditional risk management strategies used by the surveyed farmers are crop diversification, precautionary savings and participating in social networks. There was general awareness of what constituted organic foods with many consumers associating organic foods with health and nutrition, chemical free and produced using indigenous methods of production. However, there was low awareness of organic products among consumers with little or no knowledge of organic certification and standards. According to the logit model the major factors influencing consumer awareness of organic products are: gender, education, employment status, and location of the respondents, person/household member responsible for shopping and the price perception of the decision maker. The discriminant analysis showed that the consumption of organic products is significantly affected by age of the consumer, viii location, person/household member responsible for shopping, consumer awareness of organics, price perception and label trust. The findings from this study provides useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of organic practices, increase smallholder farmers capacity to manage risk and drive growth in the organic food market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kisaka-Lwayo, Maggie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Organic farming -- South Africa , Natural foods industry -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa , Consumers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/492 , Food security -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Organic farming -- South Africa , Natural foods industry -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa , Consumers -- South Africa
- Description: Despite phenomenal success of the commercial agricultural sector in South Africa and significant progress in integrating smallholders since democratic reforms, food security concerns remain. Recent global increases in food prices have further exacerbated vulnerabilities and made it imperative to examine alternative food production questions in the country. Organic agriculture is identified as one of the sustainable approaches to farming and offers insights towards a paradigm shift in food and nutritional security. Notwithstanding, consumer awareness, knowledge and consumption of organic foods are significantly lower in developing than developed countries. Risks associated with adoption of organic practices need to be explored to address the supply and demand constraints. Similarly, while consumer awareness of organic foods is the first step in developing demand for organic products, it does not necessarily translate to consumption. Therefore it is important to investigate these issues. The objectives of this study were to: (i) describe the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of organic farmers and consumers; (ii) establish the determinants of farmers‘ decision to participate in organic farming distinguishing between the fully-certified organic, partially-certified organic and non-organic farmers; (iii) elicit farmers risk preferences and empirically analyse farmers sources of risk and risk management strategies; (iv) explore consumer awareness, perceptions and attitudes regarding organic products; and (v) identify the factors that influence consumer‘s preference and consumption of organic products. A total of 400 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 200 smallholder farmers in KwaZulu-Natal and 200 consumers in the Eastern Cape. The KwaZulu-Natal study was conducted earlier and identified the following as major sources of risk, lack of consumer awareness of organic products and lack of information among producers about consumer preferences for organic products. This informed the need to undertake a consumer awareness and preference study, in order to inform producers. The Eastern Cape is a bordering province to KwaZulu-Natal with similar socio economic conditions and a major consumer of produce from KwaZulu-Natal. It was also expected that in the intervening period there could have been awareness about the product. An vii indication of its appeal would not be in the consumption of the product by the people who grow it, but by consumers who reside in bordering regions. Producer and household questionnaires were used to record household activities, socio-economic and institutional data as well as household demographics through personal interviews. The Arrow Pratt Absolute Risk Aversion (APARA) coefficient was used to measure the farmer‘s degree of risk aversion and the experimental gambling approach to establish the risk classification. Consumers were also asked about their awareness and knowledge about organics, attitudes and perceptions towards organics, preference and consumption patterns. The ordered probit results indicate that older farmers, who are less risk averse and reside in the sub-ward Ogagwini, Ezigani, and Hwayi were more likely to be certified organic farmers. Similarly, the propensity to adopt organic farming is positively correlated to household size, livestock ownership, asset base and tenure security. The risk analysis indicates that at higher pay-offs most farmers are intermediate to moderately risk-averse, with little variation according to personal characteristics, and that non-organic farmers tend to be more risk averse than fully-certified and partially-certified farmers. In general, price, production and financial risks were perceived as the most important sources of risk. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), seven principal components (PCs) explaining 66.13% of the variation were extracted. Socio economic factors having a significant effect on the various sources of risk are age, gender, education, location, information access and risk taking ability. The most important traditional risk management strategies used by the surveyed farmers are crop diversification, precautionary savings and participating in social networks. There was general awareness of what constituted organic foods with many consumers associating organic foods with health and nutrition, chemical free and produced using indigenous methods of production. However, there was low awareness of organic products among consumers with little or no knowledge of organic certification and standards. According to the logit model the major factors influencing consumer awareness of organic products are: gender, education, employment status, and location of the respondents, person/household member responsible for shopping and the price perception of the decision maker. The discriminant analysis showed that the consumption of organic products is significantly affected by age of the consumer, viii location, person/household member responsible for shopping, consumer awareness of organics, price perception and label trust. The findings from this study provides useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of organic practices, increase smallholder farmers capacity to manage risk and drive growth in the organic food market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
National case study : teacher professional development with an education for sustainable development focus in South Africa: development of a network, curriculum framework and resources for teacher education
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Teachers -- Training of , Career development , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59646 , vital:27634 , https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122242
- Description: This national case study reports on the development of a national network, curriculum framework and resources for teacher education, with specific focus on the inclusion of environment and sustainability, also known as education for sustainable development (ESD) in the South African teacher education system. It reviews and reports on the history of environment and sustainability education in teacher education, and from this, the national case study begins to conceptualise a new approach to environment and sustainability teacher education within a new curriculum policy environment, and a new teacher education and development policy environment. Action research case study methodology is used to document the first phase of the emergence of this network, and this report covers Phase 1 of the initiative, which covers formation of the network, review of previous practices, three conceptual development pilot studies undertaken in both in-service and pre-service teacher education environments and a piloting of a ‘Train the Trainers’ or ‘Educate the Teacher Educators’ programme, which complements and extends the actual teacher education and development (TED) programme under development. The study highlights critical insights of relevance to the shift to a content referenced curriculum in South Africa, and shows how the ‘knowledge mix’ which forms the foundation of the new Teacher Education Qualifications Framework can be engaged. It also highlights some features of the changing knowledge environment, and what dominant knowledge practices are in environment and sustainability-related teaching and teacher education practices, opening these up for further scrutiny. It raises concerns that dominant knowledge work, while integrating a range of forms of knowledge (as is expected of the teacher education system under the new policy), tends to be limited by content on problems and issues for raising awareness, and fails to develop deeper conceptual depth and understanding of environment and sustainability, as issues based knowledge dominates. Similarly, it fails to support social innovation as a response to environment and sustainability concerns, as awareness raising dominates in dominant knowledge work. The study provides a revised conceptual framework for the Teacher Development Network (TEDN) programme, with guidance on key elements necessary to take the programme forward in Phase 2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Teachers -- Training of , Career development , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59646 , vital:27634 , https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122242
- Description: This national case study reports on the development of a national network, curriculum framework and resources for teacher education, with specific focus on the inclusion of environment and sustainability, also known as education for sustainable development (ESD) in the South African teacher education system. It reviews and reports on the history of environment and sustainability education in teacher education, and from this, the national case study begins to conceptualise a new approach to environment and sustainability teacher education within a new curriculum policy environment, and a new teacher education and development policy environment. Action research case study methodology is used to document the first phase of the emergence of this network, and this report covers Phase 1 of the initiative, which covers formation of the network, review of previous practices, three conceptual development pilot studies undertaken in both in-service and pre-service teacher education environments and a piloting of a ‘Train the Trainers’ or ‘Educate the Teacher Educators’ programme, which complements and extends the actual teacher education and development (TED) programme under development. The study highlights critical insights of relevance to the shift to a content referenced curriculum in South Africa, and shows how the ‘knowledge mix’ which forms the foundation of the new Teacher Education Qualifications Framework can be engaged. It also highlights some features of the changing knowledge environment, and what dominant knowledge practices are in environment and sustainability-related teaching and teacher education practices, opening these up for further scrutiny. It raises concerns that dominant knowledge work, while integrating a range of forms of knowledge (as is expected of the teacher education system under the new policy), tends to be limited by content on problems and issues for raising awareness, and fails to develop deeper conceptual depth and understanding of environment and sustainability, as issues based knowledge dominates. Similarly, it fails to support social innovation as a response to environment and sustainability concerns, as awareness raising dominates in dominant knowledge work. The study provides a revised conceptual framework for the Teacher Development Network (TEDN) programme, with guidance on key elements necessary to take the programme forward in Phase 2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A Sustainable development lens to understanding community participation in rural development: a case of Malamule Village, Mpumalanga Province
- Authors: Mathabela, Queen
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57874 , vital:58300
- Description: The study sought to explore the nature and extent to which community participation takes place for sustainable rural development at Malamule village, to better understand how to accelerate participation at both a regional and local level leading to sustainable development. The study further investigated how community members participate and involve themselves in sustainable rural development processes and at the same time, it identified approaches used to encourage community participation and sustainability of rural development. A qualitative research methodology was adopted where semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with community members and project managers from two NGOs in Malamule village. A thematic analysis was adopted in this study as it drew on a few thoughts introduced from the hypothetical framework supporting this investigation. There were four main findings of the study: 1) that community members of Malamule consider participation as a tool of emancipation and that they are not just development beneficiaries but influencers; 2) that the existence of NGOs brings about significant relief to the community of Malamule, while too much dependency on them could cause long term problems if the community does not learn to be self-sufficient; 3) that only a small amount of resources, or support, is needed to set up something sustainable; and 4) that the community of Malamule is undergoing many challenges, which results in class disputes that eventually translate into lack of unity. The following is recommended: that NGOs prioritise full involvement of the target communities to promote participation; that NGOs must continue to create awareness in Malamule through consistently training and equipping community members; and that there is a need for the community members and NGOs to continue working together so that sustainable development can be achieved. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mathabela, Queen
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57874 , vital:58300
- Description: The study sought to explore the nature and extent to which community participation takes place for sustainable rural development at Malamule village, to better understand how to accelerate participation at both a regional and local level leading to sustainable development. The study further investigated how community members participate and involve themselves in sustainable rural development processes and at the same time, it identified approaches used to encourage community participation and sustainability of rural development. A qualitative research methodology was adopted where semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with community members and project managers from two NGOs in Malamule village. A thematic analysis was adopted in this study as it drew on a few thoughts introduced from the hypothetical framework supporting this investigation. There were four main findings of the study: 1) that community members of Malamule consider participation as a tool of emancipation and that they are not just development beneficiaries but influencers; 2) that the existence of NGOs brings about significant relief to the community of Malamule, while too much dependency on them could cause long term problems if the community does not learn to be self-sufficient; 3) that only a small amount of resources, or support, is needed to set up something sustainable; and 4) that the community of Malamule is undergoing many challenges, which results in class disputes that eventually translate into lack of unity. The following is recommended: that NGOs prioritise full involvement of the target communities to promote participation; that NGOs must continue to create awareness in Malamule through consistently training and equipping community members; and that there is a need for the community members and NGOs to continue working together so that sustainable development can be achieved. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Participation and paradoxes: community control of mineral wealth in South Africa's Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela communities
- Authors: Mnwana, Sonwabile Comfords
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Sciences)
- Identifier: vital:11952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/526 , Political participation -- South Africa , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Description: Resource control as a form of community participation in the mineral economy has gained much recognition. One prevailing argument is that direct control of natural resources by local communities is an important precondition for equitable utilisation of the natural resource wealth, peaceful co-existence between mining corporations and indigenous communities, and congenial relations between local communities and the state. Studies have also shown that the absence of direct community control of mineral wealth remains a major factor in the communal resistance and socio-political conflict witnessed in the natural resource-endowed regions of countries such as Nigeria, Ecuador, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, little is known about mineral resource control at the community level. Does community control necessarily translate to equity? How does local involvement in the mobilisation of mining royalties benefit different segments of the community? Indeed, how do different segments of the community “control” the wealth? What is the specific model adopted to engender broad-based community participation in the utilisation of mineral wealth – and does it matter? These theoretical and practical questions were the impetus for undertaking this study in the Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela – two platinum-rich ‘traditional’ communities in South Africa’s North West Province that have significant control over platinum resources in their territories. Utilising ethnographic data collected in the two study communities in 2008 and 2009, the thesis examines the character of community participation in platinum wealth utilisation; specifically, the conditions under which community participation promotes or hinders sustainable community development. The analysis uses a “three-dimensional participation ladder” conceptual scheme, based in part on Sherry Arnstein’s (1969) “ladder of citizen participation” and subsequent typologies of participation. Among the key findings of the thesis are that despite observed benefits, the interface of resource wealth and community development is fraught with tokenistic participation, elite-targeted grassroots anger, and local tensions – all linked to the contradictory nature of participation. The thesis further reveals that in some instances the challenge of platinum wealth-engendered community development tends to undermine existing customary and democratic spaces for participation, and that this is exacerbated by community-level issues such as poverty and inequality. The findings of the study compel a shift of analytical focus from conflict as an epiphenomenon of collective community exclusion and deprivation (as in the case of many natural-rich countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere), to conflict as also resulting from collective community inclusion (in natural resource utilisation). At the policy level, the study generates insights that will, hopefully, assist mineral resource-endowed countries, such as South Africa, in dealing with the challenge of developing appropriate policy frameworks for regulating business and social partnerships between local communities and mining corporations, and within resource-rich communities themselves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mnwana, Sonwabile Comfords
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Sciences)
- Identifier: vital:11952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/526 , Political participation -- South Africa , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Description: Resource control as a form of community participation in the mineral economy has gained much recognition. One prevailing argument is that direct control of natural resources by local communities is an important precondition for equitable utilisation of the natural resource wealth, peaceful co-existence between mining corporations and indigenous communities, and congenial relations between local communities and the state. Studies have also shown that the absence of direct community control of mineral wealth remains a major factor in the communal resistance and socio-political conflict witnessed in the natural resource-endowed regions of countries such as Nigeria, Ecuador, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, little is known about mineral resource control at the community level. Does community control necessarily translate to equity? How does local involvement in the mobilisation of mining royalties benefit different segments of the community? Indeed, how do different segments of the community “control” the wealth? What is the specific model adopted to engender broad-based community participation in the utilisation of mineral wealth – and does it matter? These theoretical and practical questions were the impetus for undertaking this study in the Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela – two platinum-rich ‘traditional’ communities in South Africa’s North West Province that have significant control over platinum resources in their territories. Utilising ethnographic data collected in the two study communities in 2008 and 2009, the thesis examines the character of community participation in platinum wealth utilisation; specifically, the conditions under which community participation promotes or hinders sustainable community development. The analysis uses a “three-dimensional participation ladder” conceptual scheme, based in part on Sherry Arnstein’s (1969) “ladder of citizen participation” and subsequent typologies of participation. Among the key findings of the thesis are that despite observed benefits, the interface of resource wealth and community development is fraught with tokenistic participation, elite-targeted grassroots anger, and local tensions – all linked to the contradictory nature of participation. The thesis further reveals that in some instances the challenge of platinum wealth-engendered community development tends to undermine existing customary and democratic spaces for participation, and that this is exacerbated by community-level issues such as poverty and inequality. The findings of the study compel a shift of analytical focus from conflict as an epiphenomenon of collective community exclusion and deprivation (as in the case of many natural-rich countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere), to conflict as also resulting from collective community inclusion (in natural resource utilisation). At the policy level, the study generates insights that will, hopefully, assist mineral resource-endowed countries, such as South Africa, in dealing with the challenge of developing appropriate policy frameworks for regulating business and social partnerships between local communities and mining corporations, and within resource-rich communities themselves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Investigating long-term sustainability of financing photovoltaic systems, small scale inverters for the local communities in Soweto, South Africa
- Authors: Mnyani, Siphamandla
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems , Solar energy , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65197 , vital:74045
- Description: The study explores the energy supply challenges faced by South Africa. The research was triggered by the decline of the social fabric and lack of economic development in communities such as Soweto due to energy crisis in South Africa. It also analyses the impact that the energy supply challenges have on communities, as well as socio-economic development, employment opportunities and human development. Hence, it provides the nexus between the feasibility of funding photovoltaic (PV) installations, supply of clean reliable energy, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability. An in-depth literature review was conducted to obtain insights into various funding mechanisms that were adopted in Asia and the Andean countries for the installation of renewable PV systems to provide electricity in marginalised communities, with the aim of achieving sustainable development. This study was conducted using quantitative research methods, which consisted of collecting data from Soweto residents and using probability sampling method, 92 of the respondents completed the survey. The data collected was analysed using data analysis techniques such as, Pearson correlation test, Chi2 and sample T-testing analysis which were conducted to help the researcher to create knowledge and better decision-making and allowed for multiple measurements to be analysed simultaneously. The results obtained from the Pearson correlation as well as Chi2 techniques, indicated a positive relationship between the value of funding PV solar systems and the installation of small-scale inverters in Soweto Township. The analysis performed shows that funding the installation of PV solar system will contribute towards affordable, sustainable energy as well as economic growth in Soweto. Strong emphasis should be put on the analysis of funding models that will contribute towards affordable, clean, sustainable energy in the Townships. This can be achieved through tax breaks or incentives that were implemented by the national treasury in February 2023 or, the establishment of green funds coupled with incentives from the United Nations (UN) (National treasury , 2023). This study was significant in South Africa, since there are no studies of similar nature that have been conducted before, that are related to funding models, renewable energies technologies, micro grids for the marginalised communities. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Mnyani, Siphamandla
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems , Solar energy , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65197 , vital:74045
- Description: The study explores the energy supply challenges faced by South Africa. The research was triggered by the decline of the social fabric and lack of economic development in communities such as Soweto due to energy crisis in South Africa. It also analyses the impact that the energy supply challenges have on communities, as well as socio-economic development, employment opportunities and human development. Hence, it provides the nexus between the feasibility of funding photovoltaic (PV) installations, supply of clean reliable energy, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability. An in-depth literature review was conducted to obtain insights into various funding mechanisms that were adopted in Asia and the Andean countries for the installation of renewable PV systems to provide electricity in marginalised communities, with the aim of achieving sustainable development. This study was conducted using quantitative research methods, which consisted of collecting data from Soweto residents and using probability sampling method, 92 of the respondents completed the survey. The data collected was analysed using data analysis techniques such as, Pearson correlation test, Chi2 and sample T-testing analysis which were conducted to help the researcher to create knowledge and better decision-making and allowed for multiple measurements to be analysed simultaneously. The results obtained from the Pearson correlation as well as Chi2 techniques, indicated a positive relationship between the value of funding PV solar systems and the installation of small-scale inverters in Soweto Township. The analysis performed shows that funding the installation of PV solar system will contribute towards affordable, sustainable energy as well as economic growth in Soweto. Strong emphasis should be put on the analysis of funding models that will contribute towards affordable, clean, sustainable energy in the Townships. This can be achieved through tax breaks or incentives that were implemented by the national treasury in February 2023 or, the establishment of green funds coupled with incentives from the United Nations (UN) (National treasury , 2023). This study was significant in South Africa, since there are no studies of similar nature that have been conducted before, that are related to funding models, renewable energies technologies, micro grids for the marginalised communities. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Creating shared value through innovating business models: a case study of the Mapela Water Project
- Authors: Moyo, Bonnie
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Business planning -- South Africa , Strategic planning -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa , Mineral industries -- South Africa , Mapela Water Project , Hourglass Model
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177135 , vital:42793
- Description: Shared value creation is a contemporary concept that aims to address the strained relationship between business and society through business models that expand the competitive advantage of business while addressing societal challenges in the business environment. Being a novel concept, studies on how value is created and shared are limited, especially where the unit of analysis is a specific project. This paper investigates how value is created and shared among stakeholders using a water project case study reported as a shared value initiative. The investigation is considered under the Hourglass Model (Ludeke-Freund, Massa, Bocken, Brent and Musango, 2016) as a guiding framework. This sustainable business model is suggested as a business model that creates shared value. The study uses a qualitative research approach to investigate the inputs into the Hourglass Model (Ludeke-Freund et al., 2016) in the form of capitals, briefly considers the business models of specific stakeholders and then analyses the value created, missed and destroyed for each stakeholder through their value creation mechanisms. In the findings, six different capitals are identified from the participating stakeholders, and the value created, destroyed, and missed is discussed in the context of shared value principles. The findings show that capitals are used as inputs into the Hourglass Model and are consumed, created, and regenerated. There is also the realisation from the findings that different stakeholders required different and varying amounts of the six capitals identified. The interconnectedness of the capitals is shown in the study, and the findings show that the context of the environment within which a project operates contributes to the creation of shared value. As with the six capitals, the findings show that multiple stakeholders create shared value confirming stakeholder theory's guiding principles regarding stakeholder salience, which are relevant for creating shared value. Some stakeholders are identified as being more important to creating shared value in the project than others. Trade-offs are then required for value creation from a finite pool of capitals and stakeholders to consider the capitals and stakeholders' long and short-term impacts. Identifying stakeholders and the capitals allowed the researcher to consider the value created, destroyed and missed in the project. This assessment of shared value generated forms part of the findings on business models' outcomes for shared value, summarised for the project. Based on these areas where the outcomes are missing or destroying value, recommendations are made to address these opportunities, and an area of further research is identified. Drawing on these outcomes, developing clusters as per the value creation avenues of shared value would be the most appropriate avenue for this project. The study adds to the shared value body of knowledge by operationalising the Hourglass Model (Ludeke-Freund et al., 2016) and illustrating how the Model can be used to consider shared value creation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Moyo, Bonnie
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Business planning -- South Africa , Strategic planning -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa , Mineral industries -- South Africa , Mapela Water Project , Hourglass Model
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177135 , vital:42793
- Description: Shared value creation is a contemporary concept that aims to address the strained relationship between business and society through business models that expand the competitive advantage of business while addressing societal challenges in the business environment. Being a novel concept, studies on how value is created and shared are limited, especially where the unit of analysis is a specific project. This paper investigates how value is created and shared among stakeholders using a water project case study reported as a shared value initiative. The investigation is considered under the Hourglass Model (Ludeke-Freund, Massa, Bocken, Brent and Musango, 2016) as a guiding framework. This sustainable business model is suggested as a business model that creates shared value. The study uses a qualitative research approach to investigate the inputs into the Hourglass Model (Ludeke-Freund et al., 2016) in the form of capitals, briefly considers the business models of specific stakeholders and then analyses the value created, missed and destroyed for each stakeholder through their value creation mechanisms. In the findings, six different capitals are identified from the participating stakeholders, and the value created, destroyed, and missed is discussed in the context of shared value principles. The findings show that capitals are used as inputs into the Hourglass Model and are consumed, created, and regenerated. There is also the realisation from the findings that different stakeholders required different and varying amounts of the six capitals identified. The interconnectedness of the capitals is shown in the study, and the findings show that the context of the environment within which a project operates contributes to the creation of shared value. As with the six capitals, the findings show that multiple stakeholders create shared value confirming stakeholder theory's guiding principles regarding stakeholder salience, which are relevant for creating shared value. Some stakeholders are identified as being more important to creating shared value in the project than others. Trade-offs are then required for value creation from a finite pool of capitals and stakeholders to consider the capitals and stakeholders' long and short-term impacts. Identifying stakeholders and the capitals allowed the researcher to consider the value created, destroyed and missed in the project. This assessment of shared value generated forms part of the findings on business models' outcomes for shared value, summarised for the project. Based on these areas where the outcomes are missing or destroying value, recommendations are made to address these opportunities, and an area of further research is identified. Drawing on these outcomes, developing clusters as per the value creation avenues of shared value would be the most appropriate avenue for this project. The study adds to the shared value body of knowledge by operationalising the Hourglass Model (Ludeke-Freund et al., 2016) and illustrating how the Model can be used to consider shared value creation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04