Masters Degrees (Accounting)

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Analysing the need for financial literacy in micro-enterprises in the City of uMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2021) Soldat, Anne Margaret.; Gurr, Kerry-Lee.; Doorasamy, Mishelle.
Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs) have a fundamental role to play in the South African Government’s National Development Plan. Jobs created by this sector are expected to alleviate poverty and drive economic transformation. Financial literacy is key to the sustainability of SMMEs. The main objective of the study was to establish the financial literacy needs of micro-entrepreneurs in the City of uMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal. The participants' financial literacy level was measured, and areas of financial literacy weakness were identified. The possibility of a significant relationship between financial literacy and the gender, age, education, and years in business of micro-entrepreneurs was also explored. A quantitative research approach was used to gather and analyse primary data collected from fifty micro-entrepreneurs in the City of uMhlathuze. A non-probability sampling technique was used, and hence the results are unique to these participants and should not be generalised. The study revealed a high level of financial literacy. The weakest domains of financial literacy were financial planning, budgeting and control; risk management; and understanding funding sources. Additional weaknesses include insufficient use of digital technologies and inefficient use of financial investment products. Inadequate knowledge of external funding sources and prevalent macro-environmental conditions were also revealed. Lastly, the study concluded that the demographic factors tested do not serve as suitable predictors of an individual’s financial literacy score. Financial education interventions are recommended to support the sustainability of SMMEs.
Developing an environmental management accounting framework for the waste management sustainability of municipalities in Gauteng.
(2022) Nyahuna, Thomas.; Doorasamy, Mishelle.
Municipalities through local government play a significant role of solid waste management, among other roles. This is important to avoid emergence of negative waste-related environmental impacts. However, this is true for municipalities in Gauteng. Improper municipal solid waste management is leading to negative environmental and social impacts on communities such as rising pollution, emissions, blocked drains and related diseases. From an accounting standpoint, the traditional management accounting system is incapable of handling the environmental concerns hence environmental management accounting (EMA) was developed to overcome these limitations. Therefore, EMA is a new research area particularly in the local government. The primary aim of this study is to develop an EMA framework for the waste management sustainability of the municipalities in Gauteng. This is done by initially understanding how EMA can be used to improve waste management in the municipalities. More specifically, the study through secondary objectives aims: (1) to identify the nature of information used to report waste management issues, (2) to explore the current EMA practices used to improve waste management and (3) to examine the benefits of adopting the EMA practices. The study utilised a qualitative approach based on a constructivist grounded theory research design. Data was collected through documentary analysis. Using a purposive sampling, annual reports of five municipalities spanning 2015 to 2021 were used to achieve theoretical saturation. The overall findings show that EMA practices such as waste management system, environmental audits and employee environmental training are presently used to improve waste management. In addition, the results indicate that non-monetary environmental information is mostly used to report waste management issues in municipalities in Gauteng. This shows inefficiency in collecting of monetary information. Applying EMA practices in the municipalities has led to environmental benefits such as reduction in contribution to climate change, improvement in environmental performance and compliance with national legislation. Based on the findings, the study recommends that a national or provincial waste information database be developed, including definition and classification of different kinds of waste to overcome the limitation of absence of monetary waste management data in municipalities.
An exploration of environmental management accounting policies and practices at a higher education institution in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2019) Baldavoo, Kiran.; Doorasamy, Mishelle.
Universities have a role to play in the preservation of the environment and this study attempted to evaluate the environmental management accounting processes at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). UKZN, a South African university generates the same direct and indirect environmental impacts as the higher education sector worldwide. This is significant within the context of the South African environment which is constantly plagued by having to effectively manage the already scarce resources of water and energy, evident through imposition of water and energy restrictions over the recent years. The study’s aim is to increase awareness of having a structured approach to environmental management, in order to achieve the strategic environmental goals of the university. The research studied the experiences of key managers within UKZN, with the purpose of exploring the potential factors which influence the decision to adopt and apply environmental management accounting (EMA) within the higher education sector. The study comprised two objectives, namely understanding the current state of accounting practices for managing major environmental costs and identifying factors influencing EMA adoption within the university. The study adopted a case study approach, comprising semi-structured interviews of key personnel involved in Management Accounting, Environmental Management and Academic Schools within the university. Content analysis was performed on the transcribed interview data. A theoretical framework derived from literature was adopted to guide data collection and focus the study. Contingency and institutional theory was the resultant basis of the derived framework. The findings of the first objective revealed that there is a distinct lack of EMA utilisation within the university. There is no distinct policy on EMA, resulting in minimal environmental cost information being brought to the attention of senior management. The university embraces the principles of environmental sustainability however efforts to improve internal environmental accountability primarily from an accounting perspective are absent. The findings of the second objective revealed that five key barriers contributed to the lack of EMA utilisation within the university. The barriers are attitudinal, informational, institutional, technological, and lack of incentives (financial). The results and findings of this study supported the use and application of EMA, within the higher educational sector. Participants concurred that EMA is underutilised and if implemented would realise significant benefits for both the university and environment. Environmental management accounting is being widely acknowledged as a key management tool that can facilitate improved financial and environmental performance via the concept of enhanced environmental accountability. Historically, research has been concentrated primarily on the manufacturing industry, due to it generating the greatest proportion of environmental impacts. Service industries are also an integral component of environmental management as they contribute significant environmental impacts, both direct and indirect. Educational institutions such as universities form part of the service sector and directly impact on the environment through the consumption of paper, energy and water, as well as solid waste generated, with the associated demands. Keywords: Environmental management accounting, environmental impacts, higher education, Southern Africa.
Impact of higher electricity tariffs on the profitability of electricity supply and distribution companies in Namibia.
(2022) Shihepo, Wilhelm.; Doorasamy, Mishelle.; Razak, Mohamed Hassan Yousuf.
This paper presents the effect of increased electricity tariffs on the profitability of electricity supply and distribution companies in Namibia. The Namibian electricity tariffs regarding time-of-use, setting and pricing have been compared with others countries, regionally, continentally and internationally. The time-of-use methodology and concepts benefit the consumers in terms of low tariffs at off-peak times, and discourage high consumption at peak time. This study investigated the way in which high electricity tariffs impacted the profitability of electricity utilities in Namibia. It analysed and interpreted questionnaires administered to thirteen employees of the three electricity supply and distribution companies in Namibia. The results show that the high electricity tariffs had negative effects on the companies’ profitability in the electricity supply and distribution sector in Namibia. The results, furthermore, reveal that the electricity supply and distribution companies in Namibia passed the increases on to their customers. Moreover, the study concludes that there were factors that contributed to the high electricity tariffs, such as political factors, sources of energy, the poor management of utilities and a shortage of resources. There was no relationship between the electricity tariffs and profitability and equity ratios.
The role of emotional intelligence in business rescue in South Africa.
(2022) Maharaj, Yurashka Rajen.; Doorasamy, Mishelle.
Existing literature highlights a positive correlation between leadership performance and emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ is a person’s ability to understand their emotions, act on their intentions and make decisions on important matters. A business rescue practitioner (BRP) plays a fundamental role in rescue proceedings, having to develop a business rescue plan and turnaround the affairs of the financially distressed company within a defined space of time. Therefore, it is key for a powerful BRP to be appointed to increase the likelihood of the business rescue case being a success. Due to the low success rate of business rescue in South Africa, it is questionable whether the EQ of a BRP is considered during an appointment to a business rescue case. Section 138 of the Companies Act is silent in this regard. This study focused on the EQ traits required for a BRP to be successful in South Africa. This was a quantitative study that used a closed-ended questionnaire to gather data for the study. The questionnaire was administered to 161 BRPs that are currently licensed by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to operate in South Africa and the response rate was 20%. Secondary data in the form of previous studies and findings was used to corroborate the findings of this study. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data that was derived from the questionnaire. Results of the questionnaire revealed that the EQ of the BRP is not considered upon appointment. Moreover, the respondents agreed that the BRP takes on the role of a leader, having to make decisions and resolve conflicts. Their tasks include collaboration with stakeholders, dealing with setbacks and adapting to these accordingly. The findings showed that the respondents of the questionnaire were in agreement that an effective BRP should display self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, social skills and empathy in their tasks. This study developed a framework of questions that can be used by courts of law to assess the EQ of a BRP upon appointment. These questions were based on the tasks of the BRP. The results indicate that EQ is an important contributing factor for a successful BRP. Therefore, it is recommended that the interview process should include questions that would assess the level of EQ of the BRP upon appointment. This will help to determine whether the BRP will be successful in rehabilitating the financially distressed company.

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Accounting) by Author "Doorasamy, Mishelle."