Tokyo Sexwale residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Jeffrey’s Bay
- Authors: Madlwabinga, Zolani Maxwell
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Tourism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Jeffrey's Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48786 , vital:41072
- Description: In the context of tourism, the community is seen as one of many stakeholders, with the other stakeholders being the tourism product owners, the government and tourism marketers. An understanding of a particular community’s perceptions and attitudes and how these perceptions are shaped concerning tourism development is important for decision-makers. The knowledge and involvement of the community in tourism related matters often determine the success of tourism development. The key element of effective planning for tourism is involving the local community and paying attention to their ideas, needs and aspirations, regarding tourism development in their community. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine Tokyo Sexwale residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Jeffrey’s Bay. In order to address this aim, the following research objectives were formulated: To conduct a comprehensive literature review on residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism; To ascertain the levels of knowledge of Tokyo Sexwale residents about tourism; and To investigate the Tokyo Sexwale residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Jeffrey’s Bay. In an attempt to address the objectives of this study, a quantitative research approach was adopted. Using the non-probability sampling method, specifically, convenience sampling, the data was collected by conducting the fieldwork in Tokyo Sexwale community in Jeffrey’s Bay from the beginning of June 2019 until the end of August 2019. As a result, completed questionnaires were collected from a sample size of 400 respondents. The findings revealed that 34.7 percent of the respondents were young and aged between 26-35 years. Twenty-seven (27.0) percent of the respondents have been residing in the community for six to ten (6-10) years. A substantial number of respondents had completed a secondary qualification (75.3 percent). The findings further revealed that the majority of respondents were knowledgeable about the statement “Tourism includes holiday trips, travelling away from home for recreational and business purposes” (91.5 percent). Half of the respondents indicated that they interact with tourists more frequently when they visit their area, purchasing goods and services (50.0 percent). With respect to positive and negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism, the findings revealed that 63.5 percent of respondents indicated that tourism has improved the image of Jeffrey’s Bay, while 49.5 percent of respondents indicated that traditional culture is being commercialised as a result of tourism. This study recommends that the local government and tourism businesses in Jeffrey’s Bay should implement community tourism awareness programmes to educate local residents about the potential positive and negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism. This will ensure that local residents of Tokyo Sexwale community are aware of such impacts and reject tourism developments that will be harmful to their community and support those that will benefit them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Madlwabinga, Zolani Maxwell
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Tourism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Jeffrey's Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48786 , vital:41072
- Description: In the context of tourism, the community is seen as one of many stakeholders, with the other stakeholders being the tourism product owners, the government and tourism marketers. An understanding of a particular community’s perceptions and attitudes and how these perceptions are shaped concerning tourism development is important for decision-makers. The knowledge and involvement of the community in tourism related matters often determine the success of tourism development. The key element of effective planning for tourism is involving the local community and paying attention to their ideas, needs and aspirations, regarding tourism development in their community. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine Tokyo Sexwale residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Jeffrey’s Bay. In order to address this aim, the following research objectives were formulated: To conduct a comprehensive literature review on residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism; To ascertain the levels of knowledge of Tokyo Sexwale residents about tourism; and To investigate the Tokyo Sexwale residents’ perceptions of the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Jeffrey’s Bay. In an attempt to address the objectives of this study, a quantitative research approach was adopted. Using the non-probability sampling method, specifically, convenience sampling, the data was collected by conducting the fieldwork in Tokyo Sexwale community in Jeffrey’s Bay from the beginning of June 2019 until the end of August 2019. As a result, completed questionnaires were collected from a sample size of 400 respondents. The findings revealed that 34.7 percent of the respondents were young and aged between 26-35 years. Twenty-seven (27.0) percent of the respondents have been residing in the community for six to ten (6-10) years. A substantial number of respondents had completed a secondary qualification (75.3 percent). The findings further revealed that the majority of respondents were knowledgeable about the statement “Tourism includes holiday trips, travelling away from home for recreational and business purposes” (91.5 percent). Half of the respondents indicated that they interact with tourists more frequently when they visit their area, purchasing goods and services (50.0 percent). With respect to positive and negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism, the findings revealed that 63.5 percent of respondents indicated that tourism has improved the image of Jeffrey’s Bay, while 49.5 percent of respondents indicated that traditional culture is being commercialised as a result of tourism. This study recommends that the local government and tourism businesses in Jeffrey’s Bay should implement community tourism awareness programmes to educate local residents about the potential positive and negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism. This will ensure that local residents of Tokyo Sexwale community are aware of such impacts and reject tourism developments that will be harmful to their community and support those that will benefit them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of agricultural support programmes on the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho: asset utilisation, productivity and perceptions
- Authors: Mohlahatsa, Taole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriculture and state -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Lesotho , Agricultural assistance -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71580 , vital:29914
- Description: The agricultural sector is widely considered an important contributor to economic development in least developed countries. It plays an important role in Lesotho and has been the backbone of rural activities and the prime employer of Basotho citizens. Smallholder farming is recognised by the government of Lesotho as a vehicle for addressing food security and poverty reduction. Maize is the principal staple crop produced by about 90 percent of farmers in Lesotho and it constitutes about 80 percent of the Basotho diet. Maize production is highly affected by climate change and is characterised by fluctuating yields because of erratic rainfall. In addition to unfavorable climate change, smallholder farmers in Lesotho experience challenges such as lack of farming inputs, limited access to markets and limited financial capital. These constraints confine them to a life of subsistence farming with low production and increased incidences of poverty. The government of Lesotho has intervened in the smallholder agricultural sector to stimulate production and productivity by introducing some agricultural programmes such as (i) the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy, (ii) the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme, (iii) the National Block Farming, and (iv) the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. However, despite such government interventions, production in the smallholder agricultural sector continues to face recurring constraints. Studies on the National Block Farming Programme have showed that the programme has had limited impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, farmers believe the Integrated Watershed Management Programme has a biased selection criteria as selection of areas is influenced by politicians who favour areas where they have a large political following and marginilise other areas. These concerns have also led to low participation rates in such programmes as wealthier, large scale farmers capture most of the benefits of government programmes. Disproportionate benefits of agricultural programmes to smallholder farmers imply that they continue to face the same constraints in production and have to find alternative ways of maintaining production and selling excess produce to sustain their livelihoods. The main goal of this research is therefore to study the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho and how agricultural support programmes influence their production of maize. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed methods approach with a qualitative dominant sequential design. Accordingly, both quantitative and qualitative data was used to address the research goal. Quantitative data collected from the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank was used for trend analysis on maize productivity, temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2016. Qualitative primary data was collected by conducting focus group discussions with smallholder maize farmers and key stakeholder interviews using the sustainable livelihood framework as a conceptual guide. The study comprised of a total of 85 research participants consisting of 75 smallholder maize farmers and 10 key stakeholders. Farmers were selected from 10 key maize producing areas in Leribe and Mafeteng districts in Leribe. Results revealed fluctuating maize productivity and productivity growth rates where such fluctuations are caused by government intervention and natural calamities in the form of erratic rains and dry spells. Droughts and late arrival of subsidised inputs are the chief constraints to maize production. In relation to livelihood assets, human and social assets are the more available assets relative to other assets (financial, natural and physical) of the sustainable livelihood framework. Furthermore, the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy Programme and the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme are the most beneficial programmes to farmers livelihoods as they increase the accessibility of limited livelihood assets and therefore allowing farmers to achieve their livelihood goals. In contrast, the National Block Farming and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme are the least beneficial programmes to farmers’ livelihoods and are biased in their geographical targeting criteria. The study recommends that the government revises all selected support programmes in this study in areas warranting improvements so as to fairly and efficiently allocate resources that meet the needs of farmers. The study also recommends that farmers put more effort in adopting new technologies and strategies to improve production of maize in areas where government intervention has failed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mohlahatsa, Taole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriculture and state -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Lesotho , Agricultural assistance -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71580 , vital:29914
- Description: The agricultural sector is widely considered an important contributor to economic development in least developed countries. It plays an important role in Lesotho and has been the backbone of rural activities and the prime employer of Basotho citizens. Smallholder farming is recognised by the government of Lesotho as a vehicle for addressing food security and poverty reduction. Maize is the principal staple crop produced by about 90 percent of farmers in Lesotho and it constitutes about 80 percent of the Basotho diet. Maize production is highly affected by climate change and is characterised by fluctuating yields because of erratic rainfall. In addition to unfavorable climate change, smallholder farmers in Lesotho experience challenges such as lack of farming inputs, limited access to markets and limited financial capital. These constraints confine them to a life of subsistence farming with low production and increased incidences of poverty. The government of Lesotho has intervened in the smallholder agricultural sector to stimulate production and productivity by introducing some agricultural programmes such as (i) the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy, (ii) the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme, (iii) the National Block Farming, and (iv) the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. However, despite such government interventions, production in the smallholder agricultural sector continues to face recurring constraints. Studies on the National Block Farming Programme have showed that the programme has had limited impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, farmers believe the Integrated Watershed Management Programme has a biased selection criteria as selection of areas is influenced by politicians who favour areas where they have a large political following and marginilise other areas. These concerns have also led to low participation rates in such programmes as wealthier, large scale farmers capture most of the benefits of government programmes. Disproportionate benefits of agricultural programmes to smallholder farmers imply that they continue to face the same constraints in production and have to find alternative ways of maintaining production and selling excess produce to sustain their livelihoods. The main goal of this research is therefore to study the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho and how agricultural support programmes influence their production of maize. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed methods approach with a qualitative dominant sequential design. Accordingly, both quantitative and qualitative data was used to address the research goal. Quantitative data collected from the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank was used for trend analysis on maize productivity, temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2016. Qualitative primary data was collected by conducting focus group discussions with smallholder maize farmers and key stakeholder interviews using the sustainable livelihood framework as a conceptual guide. The study comprised of a total of 85 research participants consisting of 75 smallholder maize farmers and 10 key stakeholders. Farmers were selected from 10 key maize producing areas in Leribe and Mafeteng districts in Leribe. Results revealed fluctuating maize productivity and productivity growth rates where such fluctuations are caused by government intervention and natural calamities in the form of erratic rains and dry spells. Droughts and late arrival of subsidised inputs are the chief constraints to maize production. In relation to livelihood assets, human and social assets are the more available assets relative to other assets (financial, natural and physical) of the sustainable livelihood framework. Furthermore, the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy Programme and the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme are the most beneficial programmes to farmers livelihoods as they increase the accessibility of limited livelihood assets and therefore allowing farmers to achieve their livelihood goals. In contrast, the National Block Farming and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme are the least beneficial programmes to farmers’ livelihoods and are biased in their geographical targeting criteria. The study recommends that the government revises all selected support programmes in this study in areas warranting improvements so as to fairly and efficiently allocate resources that meet the needs of farmers. The study also recommends that farmers put more effort in adopting new technologies and strategies to improve production of maize in areas where government intervention has failed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An online information security Aaareness model: the disclosure of personal data
- Authors: Parker, Heather Joubert
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Social media -- Psychological aspects , Social media -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Human behavior , Disclosure of information -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Personal information management -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Data protection -- Psychologial aspects -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172329 , vital:42189
- Description: Social media has revolutionized the way people send and receive information by creating a new level of interconnected communication. However, the use of the Internet and social media brings about various ways in which a user’s personal data can be put at risk. This study aims to investigate what drives the disclosure of personal information online and whether an increase in awareness of the value of personal information motivates users to safeguard their information. Fourteen university students participated in a mixed-methods experiment, where they completed a questionnaire before and after being shown the data stored about them by online platforms to determine if changes occur in their intention to disclose. Following completing the initial questionnaire, the participant viewed the personal data stored about them by Facebook, Google, and Instagram. Other online tools such as Social Profile Checker, Facebook View As, and HaveIBeenPawned were used to see the information publicly available about each participant. Together these findings were discussed in a semi-structured interview to determine the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and awareness on the cost-benefit analysis users conduct when disclosing information online. Overall, the findings indicate that users are able to disregard their concerns due to a resigned and apathetic attitude towards privacy. Furthermore, subjective norms enhanced by FOMO further allow users to overlook potential risks to their information in order to avoid social isolation and sanction. Alternatively, an increased awareness of the personal value of information and having experienced a previous privacy violation encourage the protection of information and limited disclosure. Thus, this study provides insight into privacy and information disclosure on social media in South Africa. It reveals more insight into the cost-benefit analysis users conduct by combining the Theory of Planned Behaviour with the Privacy Calculus Model, as well as the antecedent factors of Trust in the Social Media Provider, FOMO, and Personal Valuation of Information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Parker, Heather Joubert
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Social media -- Psychological aspects , Social media -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Human behavior , Disclosure of information -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Personal information management -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Data protection -- Psychologial aspects -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172329 , vital:42189
- Description: Social media has revolutionized the way people send and receive information by creating a new level of interconnected communication. However, the use of the Internet and social media brings about various ways in which a user’s personal data can be put at risk. This study aims to investigate what drives the disclosure of personal information online and whether an increase in awareness of the value of personal information motivates users to safeguard their information. Fourteen university students participated in a mixed-methods experiment, where they completed a questionnaire before and after being shown the data stored about them by online platforms to determine if changes occur in their intention to disclose. Following completing the initial questionnaire, the participant viewed the personal data stored about them by Facebook, Google, and Instagram. Other online tools such as Social Profile Checker, Facebook View As, and HaveIBeenPawned were used to see the information publicly available about each participant. Together these findings were discussed in a semi-structured interview to determine the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and awareness on the cost-benefit analysis users conduct when disclosing information online. Overall, the findings indicate that users are able to disregard their concerns due to a resigned and apathetic attitude towards privacy. Furthermore, subjective norms enhanced by FOMO further allow users to overlook potential risks to their information in order to avoid social isolation and sanction. Alternatively, an increased awareness of the personal value of information and having experienced a previous privacy violation encourage the protection of information and limited disclosure. Thus, this study provides insight into privacy and information disclosure on social media in South Africa. It reveals more insight into the cost-benefit analysis users conduct by combining the Theory of Planned Behaviour with the Privacy Calculus Model, as well as the antecedent factors of Trust in the Social Media Provider, FOMO, and Personal Valuation of Information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The South African economy and internationally fuelled business cycles: an econometric analysis
- Authors: Conradie, Tiaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Business cycles -- Econometric models , Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4354 , vital:20588
- Description: The objective of this study is to understand the dynamics of international monetary policy and the relationship that exists between larger more developed economies and smaller less developed economies within a policy context. The 2008 financial crisis has caused intense revival of Austrian economics due to the monetary nature of the recession caused as a subsequent effect of the stock/housing market collapse that occurred in 2007. One factor of the 2008 financial crisis that created intense concern was the extent to which the slowdown in economic activity was able to be transmitted across international borders. The South African economy was not isolated from the financial crisis by any means and experienced a significant slowdown in economic growth. By making use of data collected from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the appropriate econometric techniques, a model is developed to study the dynamics between United States monetary policy and the South African economy. The Austrian School provides a sound theoretical framework that allows for the specification of testable propositions to verify the validity of an “Austrian” internationally transmitted business cycle. Using United States money supply, South African private consumption, South African gross fixed capital formation and the South African current account, a vector autoregressive model is specified to analyse the dynamics behind the United States and South African economy. The results of the empirical test all confirm the theoretical prescriptions developed in the literature review that monetary growth in the United States raise consumption, investment and improve the current account balance in the South African economy. This is a novel result for this study as it confirms that a large central economy has the ability to trigger economic expansions in a peripheral economy. This study further points out the inefficiencies associated with Keynesian style policy making and propagates for a movement towards a more prudent Austrian approach. Keynesian policy making through demand oriented policies have historically been more concerned with “curing” economic instability rather than preventing it. In light of this, the need for economic reform specifically within the manner in which monetary policy is conducted is evident. Aggressive monetary policy in the wake of economic slowdown is no longer effective at creating a sustainable and stable economic environment. A movement away from the monopolization of money and central economic decision making is necessary if the global economy wishes to reach economic permanence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Conradie, Tiaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Business cycles -- Econometric models , Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4354 , vital:20588
- Description: The objective of this study is to understand the dynamics of international monetary policy and the relationship that exists between larger more developed economies and smaller less developed economies within a policy context. The 2008 financial crisis has caused intense revival of Austrian economics due to the monetary nature of the recession caused as a subsequent effect of the stock/housing market collapse that occurred in 2007. One factor of the 2008 financial crisis that created intense concern was the extent to which the slowdown in economic activity was able to be transmitted across international borders. The South African economy was not isolated from the financial crisis by any means and experienced a significant slowdown in economic growth. By making use of data collected from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the appropriate econometric techniques, a model is developed to study the dynamics between United States monetary policy and the South African economy. The Austrian School provides a sound theoretical framework that allows for the specification of testable propositions to verify the validity of an “Austrian” internationally transmitted business cycle. Using United States money supply, South African private consumption, South African gross fixed capital formation and the South African current account, a vector autoregressive model is specified to analyse the dynamics behind the United States and South African economy. The results of the empirical test all confirm the theoretical prescriptions developed in the literature review that monetary growth in the United States raise consumption, investment and improve the current account balance in the South African economy. This is a novel result for this study as it confirms that a large central economy has the ability to trigger economic expansions in a peripheral economy. This study further points out the inefficiencies associated with Keynesian style policy making and propagates for a movement towards a more prudent Austrian approach. Keynesian policy making through demand oriented policies have historically been more concerned with “curing” economic instability rather than preventing it. In light of this, the need for economic reform specifically within the manner in which monetary policy is conducted is evident. Aggressive monetary policy in the wake of economic slowdown is no longer effective at creating a sustainable and stable economic environment. A movement away from the monopolization of money and central economic decision making is necessary if the global economy wishes to reach economic permanence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Land reform in South Africa: effects on land prices and productivity
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Jonathan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Right of property -- South Africa , Land reform -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , Agricultural prices -- South Africa , Land tenure -- Government policy -- South Africa , Land reform -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Real property -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:987 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002721
- Description: South Africa’s land redistribution policy (1994-2008) has been widely publicised, and has come under scrutiny of late from the public, private and government spheres, highlighting a need for research in this area. The research examines progress in South Africa’s land redistribution programme in two of KwaZulu-Natal’s district municipalities, Uthungulu and iLembe. Specifically the research investigates whether the government has paid above market prices when purchasing sugarcane farmland for redistribution in these districts. Moreover, it is illustrated how productivity on redistributed farms has been affected with the changes in ownership. To investigate the research questions, reviews of theories pertaining to property rights, land reform and market structures were conducted. Moreover, two cases studies were conducted in the districts of Uthungulu and iLembe, with assistance from the Department of Land Affairs, Inkezo Land Company and the South African Cane Growers Association. The case study data indicate that above ordinary market prices have been paid (2004-2006) by the government for sugarcane farmland in the districts concerned, and further that productivity has been negatively impacted ‘during’ and ‘post‘ transfer, in the majority of cases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Jonathan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Right of property -- South Africa , Land reform -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , Agricultural prices -- South Africa , Land tenure -- Government policy -- South Africa , Land reform -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Real property -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:987 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002721
- Description: South Africa’s land redistribution policy (1994-2008) has been widely publicised, and has come under scrutiny of late from the public, private and government spheres, highlighting a need for research in this area. The research examines progress in South Africa’s land redistribution programme in two of KwaZulu-Natal’s district municipalities, Uthungulu and iLembe. Specifically the research investigates whether the government has paid above market prices when purchasing sugarcane farmland for redistribution in these districts. Moreover, it is illustrated how productivity on redistributed farms has been affected with the changes in ownership. To investigate the research questions, reviews of theories pertaining to property rights, land reform and market structures were conducted. Moreover, two cases studies were conducted in the districts of Uthungulu and iLembe, with assistance from the Department of Land Affairs, Inkezo Land Company and the South African Cane Growers Association. The case study data indicate that above ordinary market prices have been paid (2004-2006) by the government for sugarcane farmland in the districts concerned, and further that productivity has been negatively impacted ‘during’ and ‘post‘ transfer, in the majority of cases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Financial development and economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Mhango, Joseph
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Finance -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41117 , vital:36358
- Description: Since the identification of financial development for economic growth by Schumpeter (1911), the importance of financial development has been emphasised. However, the nature of the relationship is unclear, whether financial development is demand-following, supply-leading, feedback relationship or no causal relationship with economic growth. The revolution of the relationship between finance and economic growth has left a void of the exact nature of the relationship and importance of financial development in literature and empirical evidence. In addition, the variation of the nexus between financial development and economic growth in developed and developing countries has left policy makers uncertain on the exact policy to employ. In awe of this, after the discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa, policy makers have attempted to improve the access, depth and efficiency of the finance sector to spur economic growth. However, South Africa has been subject to apartheid, low economic growth, global financial crises, international sanctions, unemployment and other challenges to the finance sector. In light of this, this study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between financial development and economic growth in South Africa. The study used the recently developed financial institutions index and financial markets index by the International Monetary Fund to represent bank-based and market-based financial development. This study utilises annual data over the period 1980 to 2014. The study applied the Autoregressive Disturbed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) Granger – Causality, Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Variance Decomposition to uncover the relationship between financial development and economic growth in South Africa. The ARDL was selected over the Johansen Cointegration because the variables can be I (1) or I(0) before carrying out the bounds testing. It is more suitable to a small sample size. It uses a reduced form equation, and it provides unbiased estimates of the long-run model. Lastly, it can be transformed into an error correction model. The VECM Granger-Causality was chosen because it represents the short-run and long-run causalities. After selection of the optimal lag, the ARDL bounds testing shows that economic growth, bank-based financial development, market-based financial development, savings and investment have a long-run relationship in South Africa. However, after estimation of the coefficients, financial development has a positive relationship with economic growth, but insignificant and only savings and investment were significant in determining long-run economic growth. The VECM granger-causality results show that financial development (bank and market), savings and investment granger cause economic growth in the long-run. While, economic growth, market-based financial development, savings and investment granger cause bank-based financial development in the long-run. Therefore, a feedback relationship exists between bank-based financial development and economic growth in the long-run. In the short-run, it was clear that bank-based financial development positively causes economic growth. The causality results show that a feedback relationship exists between bank-based financial development and economic growth in South Africa in the short-run as well. The IRF shows that a shock in economic growth negatively and positively affects bank based and market-based financial development respectively. A shock in bank-based financial development causes a positive effect on economic growth. Lastly, a shock in market-based financial development causes a positive effect on economic growth. Whilst, the variance decomposition shows that fluctuations in economic growth are increasingly explained by financial development (bank and market). While, fluctuations in bank-based financial development are increasingly explained by market-based financial development, savings and investment. The fluctuations in market-based financial development are increasingly caused by economic growth, savings and investment. It is recommended that policy makers utilise bank-based financial development for economic growth and reduced unemployment, to increase savings for long-run economic growth. Furthermore, challenges against market-based financial development should be reduced in order to create a positive relationship between investment and economic growth in the long run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mhango, Joseph
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Finance -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41117 , vital:36358
- Description: Since the identification of financial development for economic growth by Schumpeter (1911), the importance of financial development has been emphasised. However, the nature of the relationship is unclear, whether financial development is demand-following, supply-leading, feedback relationship or no causal relationship with economic growth. The revolution of the relationship between finance and economic growth has left a void of the exact nature of the relationship and importance of financial development in literature and empirical evidence. In addition, the variation of the nexus between financial development and economic growth in developed and developing countries has left policy makers uncertain on the exact policy to employ. In awe of this, after the discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa, policy makers have attempted to improve the access, depth and efficiency of the finance sector to spur economic growth. However, South Africa has been subject to apartheid, low economic growth, global financial crises, international sanctions, unemployment and other challenges to the finance sector. In light of this, this study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between financial development and economic growth in South Africa. The study used the recently developed financial institutions index and financial markets index by the International Monetary Fund to represent bank-based and market-based financial development. This study utilises annual data over the period 1980 to 2014. The study applied the Autoregressive Disturbed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) Granger – Causality, Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Variance Decomposition to uncover the relationship between financial development and economic growth in South Africa. The ARDL was selected over the Johansen Cointegration because the variables can be I (1) or I(0) before carrying out the bounds testing. It is more suitable to a small sample size. It uses a reduced form equation, and it provides unbiased estimates of the long-run model. Lastly, it can be transformed into an error correction model. The VECM Granger-Causality was chosen because it represents the short-run and long-run causalities. After selection of the optimal lag, the ARDL bounds testing shows that economic growth, bank-based financial development, market-based financial development, savings and investment have a long-run relationship in South Africa. However, after estimation of the coefficients, financial development has a positive relationship with economic growth, but insignificant and only savings and investment were significant in determining long-run economic growth. The VECM granger-causality results show that financial development (bank and market), savings and investment granger cause economic growth in the long-run. While, economic growth, market-based financial development, savings and investment granger cause bank-based financial development in the long-run. Therefore, a feedback relationship exists between bank-based financial development and economic growth in the long-run. In the short-run, it was clear that bank-based financial development positively causes economic growth. The causality results show that a feedback relationship exists between bank-based financial development and economic growth in South Africa in the short-run as well. The IRF shows that a shock in economic growth negatively and positively affects bank based and market-based financial development respectively. A shock in bank-based financial development causes a positive effect on economic growth. Lastly, a shock in market-based financial development causes a positive effect on economic growth. Whilst, the variance decomposition shows that fluctuations in economic growth are increasingly explained by financial development (bank and market). While, fluctuations in bank-based financial development are increasingly explained by market-based financial development, savings and investment. The fluctuations in market-based financial development are increasingly caused by economic growth, savings and investment. It is recommended that policy makers utilise bank-based financial development for economic growth and reduced unemployment, to increase savings for long-run economic growth. Furthermore, challenges against market-based financial development should be reduced in order to create a positive relationship between investment and economic growth in the long run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Occupational stress and intrinsic motivation as determinants of job engagement in the South African Police Service in Greater Kokstad Municipality
- Authors: Jojo, Avela
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1995 , vital:27592
- Description: Occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement are areas of importance for today’s management. The main objective of this study was to explore the combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation in determining job engagement in the South African Police Service. Moreover, the study investigated the relationship between occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement. The study also sought to enquire into the effects rank and gender has on the study variables. A quantitative approach was adopted. A structured self – administered questionnaire comprising of four sections: biographical information, police stress questionnaire, intrinsic motivation inventory and job engagement scale was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. The results revealed a negative relationship between occupational stress and job engagement. A positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and job engagement was also found. There was no combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation on job engagement. Lastly, no significant differences in the way police experience stress were found among rank and gender. The researcher concluded that even when police officers are under great amounts of stress they are still engaged in their jobs. Where levels of intrinsic motivation were high for the police officers, so were the levels of job engagement. Demographic variables did not yield any significant relationships to the study variables. These findings are of significance in creating a police force which is productive and meets the goals and objectives of the South African Police Service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Jojo, Avela
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1995 , vital:27592
- Description: Occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement are areas of importance for today’s management. The main objective of this study was to explore the combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation in determining job engagement in the South African Police Service. Moreover, the study investigated the relationship between occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement. The study also sought to enquire into the effects rank and gender has on the study variables. A quantitative approach was adopted. A structured self – administered questionnaire comprising of four sections: biographical information, police stress questionnaire, intrinsic motivation inventory and job engagement scale was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. The results revealed a negative relationship between occupational stress and job engagement. A positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and job engagement was also found. There was no combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation on job engagement. Lastly, no significant differences in the way police experience stress were found among rank and gender. The researcher concluded that even when police officers are under great amounts of stress they are still engaged in their jobs. Where levels of intrinsic motivation were high for the police officers, so were the levels of job engagement. Demographic variables did not yield any significant relationships to the study variables. These findings are of significance in creating a police force which is productive and meets the goals and objectives of the South African Police Service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A critical analysis of the income tax implications of loan account funding in the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) environment
- Authors: Van Zyl, Gideon Pieter
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Income tax -- South Africa Small business -- Taxation -- South Africa , Debt -- Management Small business -- Finance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21230 , vital:29459
- Description: The global economy is still recovering from the effects of the sub-prime crisis. The economic downturn has created international tax policies that seem to encourage debt funding. Some commentators are of the view that debt and equity should have a uniform tax treatment. South Africa has not escaped the aftermath of the economic meltdown and had three credit downgrades since the second half of 2009. The first objective of this treatise was to determine whether loan funding still has a role to play in a SME environment. This was considered in the context of interest-free or low-interest rate loans advanced by companies to shareholders or other connected persons and interest-bearing loans due by companies that in substance clearly have equity features. The primary enquiry pertaining to debit loans is whether the debt arose by virtue of any share held in the company. It is submitted that a causal connection is required between any share in that company and the advance made. Where a company parts with funds for no quid pro quo a deemed dividend in specie is triggered. Conversely, where a loan was made on commercial grounds the company will not be in breach, even if the loan is interest-free. A loan that lacks a reasonable redemption period is more akin to equity and to this extent a deemed dividend will be triggered where a loan owing by a company to a shareholder or other connected person is not redeemable within 30 years. There is ambiguity with regards to the inception of the 30-year period for pre-existing loan agreements. Taking the contra fiscum rule into account, it is submitted that the 30-year period should only commence from the effective date due to the impracticalities involved and because the concept of an ‘instrument’ did not previously exist. It is submitted that shareholder and other connected person loans are not by default equity, to the extent that the transaction is on commercial grounds and in substance a loan. It is further submitted that loan funding still has a role to play in a SME environment and that South Africa has no need for uniform tax rules pertaining to debt and equity, due to the anti-avoidance provisions highlighted above. The poor state of the local economy prompted Treasury to introduce new debt relief rules to assist distressed debtors. The second objective of this treatise was to analyse whether the new rules will provide tangible relief to distressed debtors as this was one of the short comings of the previous system. It is submitted that the new ordering rules delay the incurrence of an immediate tax as trading stock held and not disposed of, the base cost of an asset or the balance of an assessed capital loss is first reduced compared to the old rules where it instantly triggered a recoupment or a deemed disposal for CGT purposes. Tangible relief is provided to distressed debtors as a tax debt reduced has no normal tax consequences. This provides an opportunity for companies under business rescue because SARS rank on par with concurrent creditors. As a result, the tax debt reduced is likely to be higher under business rescue than liquidation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Van Zyl, Gideon Pieter
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Income tax -- South Africa Small business -- Taxation -- South Africa , Debt -- Management Small business -- Finance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21230 , vital:29459
- Description: The global economy is still recovering from the effects of the sub-prime crisis. The economic downturn has created international tax policies that seem to encourage debt funding. Some commentators are of the view that debt and equity should have a uniform tax treatment. South Africa has not escaped the aftermath of the economic meltdown and had three credit downgrades since the second half of 2009. The first objective of this treatise was to determine whether loan funding still has a role to play in a SME environment. This was considered in the context of interest-free or low-interest rate loans advanced by companies to shareholders or other connected persons and interest-bearing loans due by companies that in substance clearly have equity features. The primary enquiry pertaining to debit loans is whether the debt arose by virtue of any share held in the company. It is submitted that a causal connection is required between any share in that company and the advance made. Where a company parts with funds for no quid pro quo a deemed dividend in specie is triggered. Conversely, where a loan was made on commercial grounds the company will not be in breach, even if the loan is interest-free. A loan that lacks a reasonable redemption period is more akin to equity and to this extent a deemed dividend will be triggered where a loan owing by a company to a shareholder or other connected person is not redeemable within 30 years. There is ambiguity with regards to the inception of the 30-year period for pre-existing loan agreements. Taking the contra fiscum rule into account, it is submitted that the 30-year period should only commence from the effective date due to the impracticalities involved and because the concept of an ‘instrument’ did not previously exist. It is submitted that shareholder and other connected person loans are not by default equity, to the extent that the transaction is on commercial grounds and in substance a loan. It is further submitted that loan funding still has a role to play in a SME environment and that South Africa has no need for uniform tax rules pertaining to debt and equity, due to the anti-avoidance provisions highlighted above. The poor state of the local economy prompted Treasury to introduce new debt relief rules to assist distressed debtors. The second objective of this treatise was to analyse whether the new rules will provide tangible relief to distressed debtors as this was one of the short comings of the previous system. It is submitted that the new ordering rules delay the incurrence of an immediate tax as trading stock held and not disposed of, the base cost of an asset or the balance of an assessed capital loss is first reduced compared to the old rules where it instantly triggered a recoupment or a deemed disposal for CGT purposes. Tangible relief is provided to distressed debtors as a tax debt reduced has no normal tax consequences. This provides an opportunity for companies under business rescue because SARS rank on par with concurrent creditors. As a result, the tax debt reduced is likely to be higher under business rescue than liquidation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The tax benefits available to investors in immovable property in South Africa
- Authors: Baines, Daniel
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4026 , vital:20589
- Description: The object of this thesis is to provide guidelines relating to the tax benefits that are available to investors in immovable property in South Africa. This was done by analysing the various sections of the Income Tax Act, as well as case law and South African Revenue Service guidelines that interpret these sections, which provide for expenditure which may be deducted by taxpayers from their income when conducting the trade of letting immovable property in order to reduce their overall tax liability. The thesis also includes a chapter dealing with the four different types of vehicles that taxpayers may use when investing in property. It was found that there are significant tax benefits available to investors in immovable property through the general deductions provided in terms of section 11(a) of the Act, as well as the specific deductions that the legislature has promulgated for investors in immovable property. It was also found that each of the four vehicles has its own advantages and that a taxpayer’s personal circumstances will dictate which of the vehicles will best suit his or her needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Baines, Daniel
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4026 , vital:20589
- Description: The object of this thesis is to provide guidelines relating to the tax benefits that are available to investors in immovable property in South Africa. This was done by analysing the various sections of the Income Tax Act, as well as case law and South African Revenue Service guidelines that interpret these sections, which provide for expenditure which may be deducted by taxpayers from their income when conducting the trade of letting immovable property in order to reduce their overall tax liability. The thesis also includes a chapter dealing with the four different types of vehicles that taxpayers may use when investing in property. It was found that there are significant tax benefits available to investors in immovable property through the general deductions provided in terms of section 11(a) of the Act, as well as the specific deductions that the legislature has promulgated for investors in immovable property. It was also found that each of the four vehicles has its own advantages and that a taxpayer’s personal circumstances will dictate which of the vehicles will best suit his or her needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Bank credit extension to the private sector and inflation in South Africa
- Authors: Dlamini, Samuel Nkosinathi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002693 , Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates the contribution of bank credit extension to the private sector to inflation in South Africa, covering the period 1970:1-2006:4. The long-run impact of bank credit on inflation is investigated by means of the Johansen co integration model. The short-run ynamics of the inflation is subsequently modelled by means of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Using the Johansen methodology, the study identifies two co integrating equations linking inflation and its eterminants. The results suggest that the long-run relationship between inflation and bank credit to the private sector is negative and statistically significant at 10% level. The determinants that are significant at 5% level are: money supply, real gross domestic product, the money market rate, rand/dollar exchange rate and imports. The results are consistent with previous findings. The speed of adjustment in response to deviation from the equilibrium path was found to be negative at 10.56% per quarter, which is consistent with findings by Ohnsorge and Oomes (2003) for Russia. Both the signs and the magnitude of the coefficients suggest that the co integrating vector describes a long-run inflation equation. The impulse response functions confirm the theoretical expectations except for the import prices. The most persistent and significant shocks observed are on impulse response functions of money supply and bank credit to the private sector. The variance decomposition results also suggest that inflation responds quicker to innovations from money supply and the money market rate. The overall results provide evidence that the surge in inflation is associated with an increase in money supply as well as the instability in exchange rate. The effects of exchange rate fluctuation on inflation are reflected through changes in import prices. Based on the results we conclude that an increase in bank credit during the period 1970:1-2006:4 had a negative mpact on inflation in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dlamini, Samuel Nkosinathi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002693 , Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates the contribution of bank credit extension to the private sector to inflation in South Africa, covering the period 1970:1-2006:4. The long-run impact of bank credit on inflation is investigated by means of the Johansen co integration model. The short-run ynamics of the inflation is subsequently modelled by means of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Using the Johansen methodology, the study identifies two co integrating equations linking inflation and its eterminants. The results suggest that the long-run relationship between inflation and bank credit to the private sector is negative and statistically significant at 10% level. The determinants that are significant at 5% level are: money supply, real gross domestic product, the money market rate, rand/dollar exchange rate and imports. The results are consistent with previous findings. The speed of adjustment in response to deviation from the equilibrium path was found to be negative at 10.56% per quarter, which is consistent with findings by Ohnsorge and Oomes (2003) for Russia. Both the signs and the magnitude of the coefficients suggest that the co integrating vector describes a long-run inflation equation. The impulse response functions confirm the theoretical expectations except for the import prices. The most persistent and significant shocks observed are on impulse response functions of money supply and bank credit to the private sector. The variance decomposition results also suggest that inflation responds quicker to innovations from money supply and the money market rate. The overall results provide evidence that the surge in inflation is associated with an increase in money supply as well as the instability in exchange rate. The effects of exchange rate fluctuation on inflation are reflected through changes in import prices. Based on the results we conclude that an increase in bank credit during the period 1970:1-2006:4 had a negative mpact on inflation in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An empirical analysis of financial stress within South Africa and its apparent co-movement with financial stress emanating from advanced and emerging economies
- Authors: Graham, Brydone
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Financial crises -- South Africa Financial crises -- Developing countries Globalization -- Economic aspects -- South Africa International economic relations South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006795
- Description: The identification of financial stress, and an understanding of financial contagion on a global scale, is of critical importance to a South African economy that is becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy. The last decade has been characterised by periods of high economic growth, but also periods of significant financial instability culminating in global economic crises. This study examines the extent to which the South African financial system is exposed to distress abroad by identifying and measuring the co-movement of financial stress originating from within and outside South Africa. The study can be separated into two sections: the identification of financial stress and the measurement of financial contagion. Using monthly data for the period 2000 to 2012, three indices were constructed for the emerging markets, advanced economies and South Africa using varianceequal weighting. The indices were tested for contagion using the Johansen and Jesulius (1990) multivariate cointegration approach supplemented with basic OLS architecture and Impulse Response analysis. The results indicate the three constructed indices were highly accurate at identifying the intensity and timing of financial stress over the three regions respectively. It was found that the South African financial sector is highly susceptible to financial stress originating from advanced economies. The results obtained for financial stress emanating from emerging markets were not as conclusive and found to be insignificant. Overall, it is clear that the methods employed to identify financial stress are highly accurate and that South Africa is highly susceptible to financial stress originating from abroad. It is clear that advanced economies have a greater ability to affect financial stress in South Africa via contagion. It must be noted that this does not conclude that South Africa is not affected by emerging market crises, but that these crises tend to affect South Africa through advanced economy channels as defined within this thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Graham, Brydone
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Financial crises -- South Africa Financial crises -- Developing countries Globalization -- Economic aspects -- South Africa International economic relations South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006795
- Description: The identification of financial stress, and an understanding of financial contagion on a global scale, is of critical importance to a South African economy that is becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy. The last decade has been characterised by periods of high economic growth, but also periods of significant financial instability culminating in global economic crises. This study examines the extent to which the South African financial system is exposed to distress abroad by identifying and measuring the co-movement of financial stress originating from within and outside South Africa. The study can be separated into two sections: the identification of financial stress and the measurement of financial contagion. Using monthly data for the period 2000 to 2012, three indices were constructed for the emerging markets, advanced economies and South Africa using varianceequal weighting. The indices were tested for contagion using the Johansen and Jesulius (1990) multivariate cointegration approach supplemented with basic OLS architecture and Impulse Response analysis. The results indicate the three constructed indices were highly accurate at identifying the intensity and timing of financial stress over the three regions respectively. It was found that the South African financial sector is highly susceptible to financial stress originating from advanced economies. The results obtained for financial stress emanating from emerging markets were not as conclusive and found to be insignificant. Overall, it is clear that the methods employed to identify financial stress are highly accurate and that South Africa is highly susceptible to financial stress originating from abroad. It is clear that advanced economies have a greater ability to affect financial stress in South Africa via contagion. It must be noted that this does not conclude that South Africa is not affected by emerging market crises, but that these crises tend to affect South Africa through advanced economy channels as defined within this thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Good's casualty for time series: a regime-switching framework
- Authors: Mlambo, Farai Fredric
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Time-series analysis , Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6018 , vital:21025
- Description: Causal analysis is a significant role-playing field in the applied sciences such as statistics, econometrics, and technometrics. Particularly, probability-raising models have warranted significant research interest. Most of the discussions in this area are philosophical in nature. Contemporarily, the econometric causality theory, developed by C.J.W. Granger, is popular in practical, time series causal applications. While this type of causality technique has many strong features, it has serious limitations. The processes studied, in particular, should be stationary and causal relationships are restricted to be linear. However, we cannot classify regime-switching processes as linear and stationary. I.J. Good proposed a probabilistic, event-type explication of causality that circumvents some of the limitations of Granger’s methodology. This work uses the probability raising causality ideology, as postulated by Good, to propose some causal analysis methodology applicable in a stochastic, non-stationary domain. There is a proposal made for a Good’s causality test, by transforming the originally specified probabilistic causality theory from random events to a stochastic, regime-switching framework. The researcher performed methodological validation via causality simulations for a Markov, regime-switching model. The proposed test can be used to detect whether none stochastic process is causal to the observed behaviour of another, probabilistically. In particular, the regime-switch causality explication proposed herein is pivotal to the results articulated. This research also examines the power of the proposed test by using simulations, and outlines some steps that one may take in using the test in a practical setting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mlambo, Farai Fredric
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Time-series analysis , Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6018 , vital:21025
- Description: Causal analysis is a significant role-playing field in the applied sciences such as statistics, econometrics, and technometrics. Particularly, probability-raising models have warranted significant research interest. Most of the discussions in this area are philosophical in nature. Contemporarily, the econometric causality theory, developed by C.J.W. Granger, is popular in practical, time series causal applications. While this type of causality technique has many strong features, it has serious limitations. The processes studied, in particular, should be stationary and causal relationships are restricted to be linear. However, we cannot classify regime-switching processes as linear and stationary. I.J. Good proposed a probabilistic, event-type explication of causality that circumvents some of the limitations of Granger’s methodology. This work uses the probability raising causality ideology, as postulated by Good, to propose some causal analysis methodology applicable in a stochastic, non-stationary domain. There is a proposal made for a Good’s causality test, by transforming the originally specified probabilistic causality theory from random events to a stochastic, regime-switching framework. The researcher performed methodological validation via causality simulations for a Markov, regime-switching model. The proposed test can be used to detect whether none stochastic process is causal to the observed behaviour of another, probabilistically. In particular, the regime-switch causality explication proposed herein is pivotal to the results articulated. This research also examines the power of the proposed test by using simulations, and outlines some steps that one may take in using the test in a practical setting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A price analysis of vegetables on the East London municipal market
- Authors: Fraser, Gavin Cecil Gilbert
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Agricultural prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1055 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006970 , Agricultural prices -- South Africa
- Description: [Introduction] Much of the information available on the prices of vegetables marketed through the fresh produce markets is of limited use to producers. This information contains the actual prices for individual years. This can obviously be taken as a guide to future prices but it does not necessarily mean that those prices are a true reflection of the general pattern. In this study an attempt will be made, firstly, to establish whether a general pattern exists in the prices of selected vegetables on the East London municipal market. This will be attempted by studying the prices obtained over the 1964-1979 period. Information of this nature can be used as a basis for the planning of future crops. Secondly, to determine the months which obtain the "best" prices for the selected vegetables taking into account the quantities supplied to the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Fraser, Gavin Cecil Gilbert
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Agricultural prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1055 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006970 , Agricultural prices -- South Africa
- Description: [Introduction] Much of the information available on the prices of vegetables marketed through the fresh produce markets is of limited use to producers. This information contains the actual prices for individual years. This can obviously be taken as a guide to future prices but it does not necessarily mean that those prices are a true reflection of the general pattern. In this study an attempt will be made, firstly, to establish whether a general pattern exists in the prices of selected vegetables on the East London municipal market. This will be attempted by studying the prices obtained over the 1964-1979 period. Information of this nature can be used as a basis for the planning of future crops. Secondly, to determine the months which obtain the "best" prices for the selected vegetables taking into account the quantities supplied to the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
Why has South Africa been relatively unsuccessful at attracting inward foreign direct investment since 1994?
- Authors: Fulton, Mark Hugh John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Africa, Southern , Investments, Foreign -- Chile , Investments, Foreign -- Botswana , Economic development -- South Africa , Economic development -- Developing countries , Political corruption -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1097 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013056
- Description: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into South Africa have been very low for several decades, and this research examines the reason(s) why this has been the case since 1994. There is a common belief amongst economists that there is a positive relationship between the amount of FDI received and economic growth, thus the desire to attract greater FDI inflows. A literature review was conducted to establish the determinants of FDI globally and then data were collected and assessed to test which causes are most important. The performance of developing nations in attracting FDI was first compared with that of the developed nations. Thereafter, a regional breakdown of FDI flows was presented, with a particular focus on the Southern African region. FDI inflows to South Africa since 1994 were compared against the identified determinants of FDI, as well as with FDI inflows into two other major mining economies, Chile and Botswana. The friendliness of the government towards business was identified as a significant determinant of FDI inflows and the importance of this factor in explaining FDI inflows into environment in South Africa was looked at in more depth. It was found that many investors perceive the South African government as hostile towards business and as corrupt and/or inefficient. The empirical results show that this negative perception helps explain the FDI inflows attracted by South Africa since 1994. Therefore, increased friendliness to business by the government should increase future inward FDI flows into South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Fulton, Mark Hugh John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Africa, Southern , Investments, Foreign -- Chile , Investments, Foreign -- Botswana , Economic development -- South Africa , Economic development -- Developing countries , Political corruption -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1097 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013056
- Description: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into South Africa have been very low for several decades, and this research examines the reason(s) why this has been the case since 1994. There is a common belief amongst economists that there is a positive relationship between the amount of FDI received and economic growth, thus the desire to attract greater FDI inflows. A literature review was conducted to establish the determinants of FDI globally and then data were collected and assessed to test which causes are most important. The performance of developing nations in attracting FDI was first compared with that of the developed nations. Thereafter, a regional breakdown of FDI flows was presented, with a particular focus on the Southern African region. FDI inflows to South Africa since 1994 were compared against the identified determinants of FDI, as well as with FDI inflows into two other major mining economies, Chile and Botswana. The friendliness of the government towards business was identified as a significant determinant of FDI inflows and the importance of this factor in explaining FDI inflows into environment in South Africa was looked at in more depth. It was found that many investors perceive the South African government as hostile towards business and as corrupt and/or inefficient. The empirical results show that this negative perception helps explain the FDI inflows attracted by South Africa since 1994. Therefore, increased friendliness to business by the government should increase future inward FDI flows into South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Securitisation and its application to low cost housing finance in South Africa
- Authors: Zimbwa, Allan Golden
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South Africa. Constitution , Human rights -- Government policy -- South Africa , Right to housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Housing policy -- South Africa , Low income housing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002746 , South Africa. Constitution , Human rights -- Government policy -- South Africa , Right to housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Housing policy -- South Africa , Low income housing -- South Africa
- Description: Section 26 of the Constitution of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 provides that housing is a basic human right and that the government must take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the realisation of this right. A number of measures were taken to try to resolve this socio-economic issue. A number of housing institutions were established , various pieces of legislation were passed and housing subsidies were provided. However, housing backlogs remain a challenge. In March 1994 the housing backlog was estimated between 1,3 and 1,8 million units. When more than a million houses were provided by 2001 , the housing backlog had increased to between 2 and 3 million houses. To date subsidies in excess of R29 billion have been spent on housing provision. A study by the Department of Housing concluded that, at the current rate of increase of housing funding vis-a-vis the growing backlog and rapid urbanisation, the household backlog will not be changed in ten years' time. The United States of America (USA) had a similar low cost housing problem, but securitisation alleviated it with the participation of government agencies Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae and Freddie Mac. In South Africa, the NHFC tried to emulate the USA model by establishing Gateway Home Loans (Pty) Limited (Gateway) in 1999. Gateway, however, was not a success. This research investigates whether securitisation can be applied in South Africa to alleviate the low cost housing issue. The study finds that there is a credit availability gap for the low income sector earning less than R8 000 per month because of the perceived risk of default and unwillingness by banks to lend to this sector. The increase in housing backlog that continues unabated, inadequate housing finance system to low income earners, the lessons learnt from the failure of Gateway, the success factors of the USA securitisation model and the sound and sophisticated South African financial system are the rationale for applying securitisation. A proposal of how to effectively apply securitisation to low cost housing in South Africa is provided with recommendations to revive the primary market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Zimbwa, Allan Golden
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South Africa. Constitution , Human rights -- Government policy -- South Africa , Right to housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Housing policy -- South Africa , Low income housing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002746 , South Africa. Constitution , Human rights -- Government policy -- South Africa , Right to housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Housing policy -- South Africa , Low income housing -- South Africa
- Description: Section 26 of the Constitution of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 provides that housing is a basic human right and that the government must take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the realisation of this right. A number of measures were taken to try to resolve this socio-economic issue. A number of housing institutions were established , various pieces of legislation were passed and housing subsidies were provided. However, housing backlogs remain a challenge. In March 1994 the housing backlog was estimated between 1,3 and 1,8 million units. When more than a million houses were provided by 2001 , the housing backlog had increased to between 2 and 3 million houses. To date subsidies in excess of R29 billion have been spent on housing provision. A study by the Department of Housing concluded that, at the current rate of increase of housing funding vis-a-vis the growing backlog and rapid urbanisation, the household backlog will not be changed in ten years' time. The United States of America (USA) had a similar low cost housing problem, but securitisation alleviated it with the participation of government agencies Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae and Freddie Mac. In South Africa, the NHFC tried to emulate the USA model by establishing Gateway Home Loans (Pty) Limited (Gateway) in 1999. Gateway, however, was not a success. This research investigates whether securitisation can be applied in South Africa to alleviate the low cost housing issue. The study finds that there is a credit availability gap for the low income sector earning less than R8 000 per month because of the perceived risk of default and unwillingness by banks to lend to this sector. The increase in housing backlog that continues unabated, inadequate housing finance system to low income earners, the lessons learnt from the failure of Gateway, the success factors of the USA securitisation model and the sound and sophisticated South African financial system are the rationale for applying securitisation. A proposal of how to effectively apply securitisation to low cost housing in South Africa is provided with recommendations to revive the primary market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A model for supporting environmental awereness in higher education using social media
- Authors: Tlebere, Thabo Eugene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Social media , Environmental education , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:10496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020820
- Description: University sustainability is a field of research that has been gaining increased interest in recent years. The reduction of environmental impact has become a strategic objective of universities globally. Universities have been prompted to take necessary action to ensure that their environmental impact is at a minimum. The environmental component of sustainability deals with the current conservation of the earth’s natural resources so that future generations can also have access to them. Human beings, due to their increasing needs, are accountable for the exploitation of natural resources. They are regarded as the main contributors to imbalances in the natural systems. Environmental concerns such as global warming, deforestations, disposal of wastes, and ozone reduction are the outcomes of the damage caused by humans on the environment. The aim of environmental education is to acquire remediation of the environment by making individuals aware of the environment and by educating them about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Environmental awareness is perceived as knowledge of the factors that affect the environment and having sensitivity towards the environment. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) bear the responsibility of educating individuals about environmental issues since they provide education to future leaders in society who may have an influence on future conditions in the environment. Social media are capable of delivering information to a large spectrum of audiences at a low cost. The Pew Internet American Life Project reported that the number of adults who utilise social media has increased by 57 percent from 2005 to 2011. Several environmental activist organisations utilise social media to carry out environmental awareness campaigns. In this study two environmental awareness campaigns which were powered by social media were conducted to improve environmental awareness of individuals in a higher education environment. A Social media Model for ENvironmental Awareness (SMENA) was developed to facilitate the environmental awareness campaigns. The SMENA includes a website, social media as well as theoretical guidelines for creating environmental awareness campaigns, and for using social media for environmental awareness campaigns. A case study at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was used to empirically evaluate SMENA. Students at the Department of Computer Sciences of NMMU were exposed to information about environmental issues through social media with the intention of improving their environmental knowledge and awareness. The SMENA website usability was rated positively and students enjoyed the blogs and information distributed by means of social media. The results of the study intervention were positive and showed that social media can be used to improve the environmental knowledge of students. This study provides a valuable contribution to both the field of environmental education and social media usage and acceptance. The guidelines and requirements for using social media to improve environmental awareness provided in this study can be used to assist educators and university management with addressing the problems of reducing environmental impact.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tlebere, Thabo Eugene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Social media , Environmental education , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:10496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020820
- Description: University sustainability is a field of research that has been gaining increased interest in recent years. The reduction of environmental impact has become a strategic objective of universities globally. Universities have been prompted to take necessary action to ensure that their environmental impact is at a minimum. The environmental component of sustainability deals with the current conservation of the earth’s natural resources so that future generations can also have access to them. Human beings, due to their increasing needs, are accountable for the exploitation of natural resources. They are regarded as the main contributors to imbalances in the natural systems. Environmental concerns such as global warming, deforestations, disposal of wastes, and ozone reduction are the outcomes of the damage caused by humans on the environment. The aim of environmental education is to acquire remediation of the environment by making individuals aware of the environment and by educating them about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Environmental awareness is perceived as knowledge of the factors that affect the environment and having sensitivity towards the environment. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) bear the responsibility of educating individuals about environmental issues since they provide education to future leaders in society who may have an influence on future conditions in the environment. Social media are capable of delivering information to a large spectrum of audiences at a low cost. The Pew Internet American Life Project reported that the number of adults who utilise social media has increased by 57 percent from 2005 to 2011. Several environmental activist organisations utilise social media to carry out environmental awareness campaigns. In this study two environmental awareness campaigns which were powered by social media were conducted to improve environmental awareness of individuals in a higher education environment. A Social media Model for ENvironmental Awareness (SMENA) was developed to facilitate the environmental awareness campaigns. The SMENA includes a website, social media as well as theoretical guidelines for creating environmental awareness campaigns, and for using social media for environmental awareness campaigns. A case study at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was used to empirically evaluate SMENA. Students at the Department of Computer Sciences of NMMU were exposed to information about environmental issues through social media with the intention of improving their environmental knowledge and awareness. The SMENA website usability was rated positively and students enjoyed the blogs and information distributed by means of social media. The results of the study intervention were positive and showed that social media can be used to improve the environmental knowledge of students. This study provides a valuable contribution to both the field of environmental education and social media usage and acceptance. The guidelines and requirements for using social media to improve environmental awareness provided in this study can be used to assist educators and university management with addressing the problems of reducing environmental impact.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The relationship between extraversion, emotional intelligence and leadership experience
- Molaudzi, Katlego Jacky-Grace
- Authors: Molaudzi, Katlego Jacky-Grace
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership Emotional intelligence , South Africa -- South African Defence Force
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19059 , vital:28769
- Description: The debate about leader characteristics continues yet understanding leadership is very important for selection, promotion and leadership development. The purpose of the study was to find out if a link existed between extraversion, emotional quotient (EQ), leadership position and years of experience as a leader. A quantitative study with a questionnaire, which included Jung Personality Questionnaire and Ryback’s Emotional Quotient Executive survey was administered to military personnel at Thaba Tshwane Military Area in Pretoria, which is the military headquarters of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Respondents were selected randomly from the ranks of Corporal to Generals. The results revealed that there is no correlation between extraversion and emotional intelligence. Results also show that more males were introverted while more females were extraverted. It can therefore be concluded that people who are extraverted do not necessarily have high levels of EQ. Extraversion did not present as a dominant characteristic in the leaders of the sample group with just over half presenting with higher levels of extraversion. With regard to emotional intelligence, the majority of respondents showed high levels of Emotional Intelligence. In terms of EQ, one could probably reason that introverts are better at self-awareness and more reflective of feelings and relationships, while extraverts are better at expressing feelings and taking overt action to build relations. However, further research on this is required. The study therefore places emphasises the role of EQ in leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Molaudzi, Katlego Jacky-Grace
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership Emotional intelligence , South Africa -- South African Defence Force
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19059 , vital:28769
- Description: The debate about leader characteristics continues yet understanding leadership is very important for selection, promotion and leadership development. The purpose of the study was to find out if a link existed between extraversion, emotional quotient (EQ), leadership position and years of experience as a leader. A quantitative study with a questionnaire, which included Jung Personality Questionnaire and Ryback’s Emotional Quotient Executive survey was administered to military personnel at Thaba Tshwane Military Area in Pretoria, which is the military headquarters of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Respondents were selected randomly from the ranks of Corporal to Generals. The results revealed that there is no correlation between extraversion and emotional intelligence. Results also show that more males were introverted while more females were extraverted. It can therefore be concluded that people who are extraverted do not necessarily have high levels of EQ. Extraversion did not present as a dominant characteristic in the leaders of the sample group with just over half presenting with higher levels of extraversion. With regard to emotional intelligence, the majority of respondents showed high levels of Emotional Intelligence. In terms of EQ, one could probably reason that introverts are better at self-awareness and more reflective of feelings and relationships, while extraverts are better at expressing feelings and taking overt action to build relations. However, further research on this is required. The study therefore places emphasises the role of EQ in leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of the influence of domestic macroeconomic variables on the performance of the South African stock market sectoral indices
- Authors: Hancocks, Ryan Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Stock price indexes -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Macroeconomics -- Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:954
- Description: An econometric study was undertaken to determine the extent to which selected macroeconomic variables influenced stock market prices on the All-Share, Financial, Mining and Retail Indices of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa from 1996:7 to 2008:12. The Johansen cointegration method was used to determine whether cointegrating relationships existed between the macroeconomic variables and the stock market indices. A Vector Error Correction model was estimated and found significant results that money supply, inflation, long and short- run interest rates, and the exchange rate all had an influence on stock market prices. Further, the VECM results for each sector indicated that certain macroeconomic variables had differing influences on each sector of the stock market. Impulse Response tests indicated that the selected macroeconomic variables caused shock to the sectoral indices in the short-run but that the effect was lagged. The Variance Decomposition tests conducted supported earlier evidence that the macroeconomic variables had a strong level of sectoral index determinacy in the long run. The results found that the All-Share and Financial Indices were negatively influenced by inflation and short term interest rates in the long run, while the Financial Index also had a negative relationship with long-run interest rates. Money supply was found to have a positive effect on all the indices. A weakening of the exchange rate was found to have a positive influence on both the Retail and Mining Indices, while it negatively affected the All-Share and Financial Indices. The long-run interest rate had a positive influence on both the Retail and Mining Indices. Overall the study finds that macroeconomic variables are important determinants of stock market prices in South Africa and that it is important to examine each sector of the stock market separately to capture what are different effects. The limitations of the study are that a different measure for exchange rates from the nominal rand/dollar exchange rate used here may yield more decisive results and provide insight into the link between exchange rate behaviour and performance of especially the retail sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Hancocks, Ryan Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Stock price indexes -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Macroeconomics -- Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:954
- Description: An econometric study was undertaken to determine the extent to which selected macroeconomic variables influenced stock market prices on the All-Share, Financial, Mining and Retail Indices of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa from 1996:7 to 2008:12. The Johansen cointegration method was used to determine whether cointegrating relationships existed between the macroeconomic variables and the stock market indices. A Vector Error Correction model was estimated and found significant results that money supply, inflation, long and short- run interest rates, and the exchange rate all had an influence on stock market prices. Further, the VECM results for each sector indicated that certain macroeconomic variables had differing influences on each sector of the stock market. Impulse Response tests indicated that the selected macroeconomic variables caused shock to the sectoral indices in the short-run but that the effect was lagged. The Variance Decomposition tests conducted supported earlier evidence that the macroeconomic variables had a strong level of sectoral index determinacy in the long run. The results found that the All-Share and Financial Indices were negatively influenced by inflation and short term interest rates in the long run, while the Financial Index also had a negative relationship with long-run interest rates. Money supply was found to have a positive effect on all the indices. A weakening of the exchange rate was found to have a positive influence on both the Retail and Mining Indices, while it negatively affected the All-Share and Financial Indices. The long-run interest rate had a positive influence on both the Retail and Mining Indices. Overall the study finds that macroeconomic variables are important determinants of stock market prices in South Africa and that it is important to examine each sector of the stock market separately to capture what are different effects. The limitations of the study are that a different measure for exchange rates from the nominal rand/dollar exchange rate used here may yield more decisive results and provide insight into the link between exchange rate behaviour and performance of especially the retail sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The influence of social media on the intention to vote for student political organisations in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Chininga, Tapiwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social media -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Students -- Political activity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Student movements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11506 , vital:39078
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of social media on the intention to vote for students political organizations in the Eastern Cape. The main objectives included measuring the influence of predictor variables such as medium credibility, message credibility, tie strength with peers, identification with the peers, peer communication, user trust, information credibilit on the intention to vote. To measure these hypothesised relationships a conceptual model was developed for the study. Data collection was conducted in the Eastern Cape in which 381 participants were surveyed. To analyse the data the two stage structural equation modeling approach was adopted in which confimatory factor analysis and hypothesis testing was adopted. This was conducted ulitising Structural equation modelling. The main findings of the study were that all the proposed hypotheses were supported with the exception of that of peer commnication and tie strength with peers on the intention to vote. It was also important to note that identification with peers had the strongest impact on the intention to vote while the message credibility had the weakest. The implication was that users feel that the ability to identify with each other influenced their voting intentions however the message itself was irrelevant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chininga, Tapiwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social media -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Students -- Political activity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Student movements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11506 , vital:39078
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of social media on the intention to vote for students political organizations in the Eastern Cape. The main objectives included measuring the influence of predictor variables such as medium credibility, message credibility, tie strength with peers, identification with the peers, peer communication, user trust, information credibilit on the intention to vote. To measure these hypothesised relationships a conceptual model was developed for the study. Data collection was conducted in the Eastern Cape in which 381 participants were surveyed. To analyse the data the two stage structural equation modeling approach was adopted in which confimatory factor analysis and hypothesis testing was adopted. This was conducted ulitising Structural equation modelling. The main findings of the study were that all the proposed hypotheses were supported with the exception of that of peer commnication and tie strength with peers on the intention to vote. It was also important to note that identification with peers had the strongest impact on the intention to vote while the message credibility had the weakest. The implication was that users feel that the ability to identify with each other influenced their voting intentions however the message itself was irrelevant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A model to enhance the perceived trustworthiness of Eastern Cape essential oil producers selling through electronic marketplaces
- Authors: Gcora, Nozibele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Security measures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- Marketing , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2194 , vital:27672
- Description: Eastern Cape Province farmers in the natural essential oils industry are yet to fully realise the use of electronic commerce (e-commerce) platforms, such as electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) for business purposes. This is due to the issues that include lack of awareness, poor product quality, untrusted payment gateways and unsuccessful delivery that are associated with e-marketplaces. As a result, farmers do not trust e-marketplaces and therefore hesitate to engage in e-marketplaces for business purposes. This is further complicated by natural essential oils buyers‟ tendency of preferring face-to-face interaction with a supplier rather than online interaction as they need quality assurance. As such, this research proposes a model to enhance the perceived trustworthiness of natural essential oil producers in the Eastern Cape Province selling through e-marketplaces. The model constitutes the factors that could be considered in assisting essential oil producers to create a perception of trustworthiness to buyers in e-marketplaces. These factors were evaluated amongst five organisations involved in the production, retail or processing of essential oils using a multiple-case study methodology. The study‟s use of multiple-case study was applied within the interpretivist paradigm and five cases were considered. Interviews, document analysis and observations were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using within-case analysis followed by cross-case analysis to establish factors of trust. The essential oil producers based in the Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces were cases that had been successfully using e-marketplaces for a notable period of time. Accordingly, factors that contributed to the successful use of e-marketplaces informed the proposed model of this research. The model proposes that perceived trustworthiness of enterprises in e-marketplaces can be achieved through following the uncertainty reduction stages (Entry, Personal and Exit) and applying uncertainty reduction strategies (passive, active and interactive).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Gcora, Nozibele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Security measures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- Marketing , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2194 , vital:27672
- Description: Eastern Cape Province farmers in the natural essential oils industry are yet to fully realise the use of electronic commerce (e-commerce) platforms, such as electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) for business purposes. This is due to the issues that include lack of awareness, poor product quality, untrusted payment gateways and unsuccessful delivery that are associated with e-marketplaces. As a result, farmers do not trust e-marketplaces and therefore hesitate to engage in e-marketplaces for business purposes. This is further complicated by natural essential oils buyers‟ tendency of preferring face-to-face interaction with a supplier rather than online interaction as they need quality assurance. As such, this research proposes a model to enhance the perceived trustworthiness of natural essential oil producers in the Eastern Cape Province selling through e-marketplaces. The model constitutes the factors that could be considered in assisting essential oil producers to create a perception of trustworthiness to buyers in e-marketplaces. These factors were evaluated amongst five organisations involved in the production, retail or processing of essential oils using a multiple-case study methodology. The study‟s use of multiple-case study was applied within the interpretivist paradigm and five cases were considered. Interviews, document analysis and observations were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using within-case analysis followed by cross-case analysis to establish factors of trust. The essential oil producers based in the Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces were cases that had been successfully using e-marketplaces for a notable period of time. Accordingly, factors that contributed to the successful use of e-marketplaces informed the proposed model of this research. The model proposes that perceived trustworthiness of enterprises in e-marketplaces can be achieved through following the uncertainty reduction stages (Entry, Personal and Exit) and applying uncertainty reduction strategies (passive, active and interactive).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016