Browsing by Author "Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi."

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Developing sustainable corporate identity strategies: a case of Stanbic Bank Tanzania.
(2016) Kiiza, Doris Kokubelwa.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
The limited resources and increased competition are the challenges that organisations face. Corporate identity as a source and an effective strategic tool because of its unique characteristics, it is the source of competitive advantage. It enhances organisation competitiveness. The paper defined corporate identity and explained its interaction with the business strategy for competitive advantage. Then the strategic dimensions determined by the theoretical framework of the study. The main objective of this study was to explore the strategic dimensions that Stanbic Bank applies in developing its corporate identity that improves Stanbic Bank’s image, profitability and performance against its competitors in the industry. Strategic dimensions are the areas of the organisation's strategy-making process that are affected by corporate identity. Stanbic Bank was the case study. In the study, three strategic dimensions for engaging corporate identity and strategy were proposed. They include; strategic orientation, strategic action and strategic function. A non-systematic literature review approach was conducted where insights were drawn from a wide range of secondary sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles, non-peer reviewed publications on the topic. Given the exploratory nature of the study, a mixed method design was used to collect primary data. Eighty-four respondents participated in the study. Two types of sampling techniques were used in the study. Convenience sampling for the questionnaire and purposive sampling for the in-depth interviews. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software was used to analyse quantitative data. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyse qualitative data. The key empirical findings revealed that Stanbic Bank applies the strategic dimensions process in developing their corporate identity that improves the Banks’ image, profitability and performance. The findings indicated that the Bank has a well-structured strategic orientation process that supports the Banks’ overall corporate identity through its mission and goals which determine the Banks’ favourable identity for the future. The key conclusion drawn from the study was that corporate identity in Stanbic Bank is considered as a core competence in the Bank hence the corporate identity of Stanbic Bank does not only define their purpose and meaning but, also the direction in which the Bank follows which is a source of competitive advantage. The study will provide insights to managers and practitioners who seek to distinguish the key strategic dimensions to centre on creating a strong corporate identity.
Entrepreneur perceptions of sustainable entrepreneurship: a case of Pietermaritzburg SMMEs.
(2020) Ramlal, Naisha.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Understanding the effects of entrepreneurs’ intentions towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship can serve as an initial step in developing true sustainable entrepreneurs. However, limited research has been conducted on the intention of practising entrepreneurs, specifically amongst owners of SMMEs, towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Previous studies focused on the traditional entrepreneurial process, with limited studies having been done to investigate the intentions of entrepreneurs to engage in Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Studies focusing on intention towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship are limited, more so in South Africa. Not much has been known regarding the antecedents of intention towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship in South Africa. Studies conducted by various researchers have successfully explained how entrepreneurs practise Sustainable Entrepreneurship and what their contributions are. Unfortunately, the intention and motivation that drive entrepreneurs towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship, have not been addressed adequately in the current literature. Therefore, to address this research gap, this study investigated the perceptions of entrepreneurs on Sustainable Entrepreneurship. The study used a quantitative research approach to collect data from a sample of 234 SMMEs owners. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants from the population. Data was obtained through a questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the entrepreneur's intentions to adopt sustainable practices were mostly influenced by the pressures they felt from their customers, investors, society, employees, and colleagues (subjective norms), their attitudes about sustainability, and their perceived behavioural controls. The results further indicated that attitude was the most critical determinant of the intention of entrepreneurs to engage in Sustainable Entrepreneurship. From a managerial perspective, this study recommends that SMMEs in Pietermaritzburg should align their business practices towards the values of their external stakeholders. From a policy perspective, this study recommends that the government and entrepreneurs should prioritise interventions aimed at developing and strengthening intrinsic and extrinsic motivations among entrepreneurs towards sustainability. The main limitation of the study was that the sample for this study was SMMEs which were registered under the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) in Pietermaritzburg. This population does not represent all SMMEs in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, or South Africa as a whole. As a result, the findings cannot be generalised to the entire population of South African entrepreneurs.
Environmental sustainability management in the small business sector: a case of Pietermaritzburg small, medium and micro enterprises.
(2021) Bhengu, Nonkululeko Cellular.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
The present study examines the environmental sustainability management in the small business sector with specific reference to the Pietermaritzburg area. As a business sector the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) have impact that can be negative or positive on the environment. Few studies, in the subject area that the researcher have explored, have focused on the environmental sustainability management of SMMEs. For that reason, this study in its own humble way, contributes to the expansion of scholarship and literature in the area. The study has aimed to understand the measures taken by South African SMMEs to minimise and or prevent the negative impact they might have on the environment. Factors that motivate environmental preservation and protection by SMMEs have also been examined in this study as well as those factors or challenges that hinder the SMMEs from engaging in environmentally sustainable business practices. Methodologically, the study adopted a qualitative approach to investigate the opinions, perceptions and experiences of environmental sustainability of the practitioners of business in the SMME sector in the area of Pietermaritzburg as unit within the South African small business landscape. The qualitative methodological strategy of convenience sampling was deployed to collect data from 21 SMMEs in the elected area. Primary data was obtained through the use of face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and duly analysed using thematic analysis. Further, 7 articles were selected for review using a PRISMA method for secondary data. The results of the study indicated that the owners and managers of SMMEs in Pietermaritzburg have understanding and knowledge of the necessity for environmental sustainability management and they pursuantly engage is practices that foster environmental sustainability. They engage in recycling of resources and they try to use eco-friendly and recyclable products. Like other businesses, SMMEs are driven by a profit motive; in particular they receive revenue from selling the recyclables and build a good business image. The results of the study also indicated that some SMMEs lag behind in implementing environmental practices because of lack of resources including finance. The lack of knowledge, limited education and lack of government support are a hindrance. The study concluded that the SMMEs are aware of the fundamentals of environmental sustainability management and are largely willing to comply with the requirements although they encounter challenges and limitations on their way. They need governmental support in form of finance, education and encouragement.
An exploratory study of human-robot collaboration’s potential to create sustainable enterprises in Durban.
(2021) Ntusi, Njabulo Ellias.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
SMEs are encountering challenges transitioning into the fourth industrial revolution and ultimately adopting technology that will work with humans to ensure they engage in sustainable business practices. The challenges SMEs are battling with are the ability to deal with economic, environmental and social changes, responsibly and efficiently using natural resources and protecting the environment, providing high-quality products and services and meeting stakeholder needs. Therefore, this study will be of benefit in that it has explored how the use of collaborative robotics in the workstation and manufacturing floor will lead to sustainable production which will ultimately balance between the economic, environmental and social sustainability among Durban SMEs. The study adopted a qualitative approach using six in-depth telephonic and video interviews to gather insights about the human-robot collaboration’s potential to crate sustainable enterprises in Durban. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The study's findings indicated the obstacles that businesses are encountering as they migrate to Industry 4.0. Lack of resources, such as financial capital, machinery, and more information on Industry 4.0, are among these problems. Furthermore, the study revealed that the Covid 19 pandemic was a significant stumbling block for SMEs. The results revealed that adoption of collaborative robots by SMEs will create a sustainable environment which produces less waste and less depletion of nonrenewable resources, enable enterprises to make more profit while taking care of the wellbeing of the societies they operate in. The study concludes that the collaboration between humans and collaborative robots will solve sustainability challenges faced by Durban SMEs. Likewise, collaborative robots and humans will enable sustainable entrepreneurship to be geared towards the implementation of green strategies and techniques that are more efficient in the reduction of waste. The recommendations pointed that the government (SEDA) should raise awareness and educate entrepreneurs more about the fourth industrial revolution.
An exploratory study of sustainability initiatives: a case of UKZN Campus Management Services.
(2019) Laban, Comilla.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Sustainability has become a global challenge in the twenty first century and many higher education institutions are facing internal and external challenges in terms of managing sustainability. Higher education institutions are best equipped to address issues and find solutions to sustainability as they have a powerful tool, which is knowledge and education. The study focuses on the role of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Campus Management Services (CMS) in managing sustainable initiatives for energy, water and waste. The qualitative research method was used and the data collected was done through semi- structured in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants from CMS management staff. The sample size was twelve. The research concluded that UKZN does have implemented energy management and water management systems. However, the research found that UKZN is lacking in the area of waste management. Furthermore, the research concluded that UKZN has not been able to fully implement and manage sustainability initiatives due to a number of internal and external challenges. The research recommends that the present electronic energy system be monitored in an effort to better manage the energy costs. There is a need to implement a water monitoring system and to set up a waste management system for the different waste types so that UKZN can benefit from recycled, reduced and reused waste. Due to poor communication amongst top management, middle management and the municipality, the researcher recommended an effective communication system to improve the flow of information. There is a need to employ more skilled staff and to increase the knowledge and skills of management by implementing training workshops. There is a need for written policies to guide the management of sustainable initiatives. The researcher recommends that UKZN should embrace innovative technology and the need to collaborate with businesses to improve in the management of sustainability initiatives.
An exploratory study of the position accorded to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) by business in Gauteng Province.
(2010) Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.; Ellis, Deborah Ann.
No abstract available.
Exploring technology adoption for business and awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution amongst business managers and entrepreneurs in Ndola, Zambia.
(2022) Mwale, Mukonkola.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is believed to have an impact on various sectors across the globe. The disruptive change of the 4IR has impacted business models and the way managers and entrepreneurs can conduct business practices through innovativeness. The study focused on Exploring technology adoption for business and awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution amongst business managers and entrepreneurs in Ndola, Zambia. The study adopted a qualitative research method, and the data collection was conducted through semi-structured online interviews. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of participants. The participants were recruited from The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) database in Ndola, Zambia. Forty (40) companies spanning sectors such as Logistics, business consultancy, cosmetics, information technology services, secretarial services and tourism took part in the online interviews. The interview transcriptions were analysed using NVivo 12. The study revealed that entrepreneurs and managers are knowledgeable about the 4IR and understand its impact on business, they employ the use of technology in their business’s operations. Furthermore, the study’s findings revealed that entrepreneurs and managers have the necessary facilities in their organisations that support technology adoption. The research found that based on the perspective of small business managers and entrepreneurs who were participants of the research, there is not much that the government is doing to provide policies of economic growth through technology adoption for business and provision of information on the perceived benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The research recommends that there is a need for improvement in the government’s efforts to play a leading role in the sensitization of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the country with a particular target towards entrepreneurs as they are drivers of the economy. There is a need for managers and entrepreneurs to play a proactive role in acquiring information on the benefits of the 4IR and prepare for adoption in business through education and training programmes.
Factors influencing green practices amongst South African food retailers.
(2019) Ghebrehiwet, Yodit Fisseha.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
The growing population globally and the finite resources on earth necessitated the need for the prudent utilisation of natural resources through sustainable production and use. As a result, it has become common knowledge to business entities to support initiatives towards environmental protection. Food retail stores are amongst the immediate role players that could contribute to shifting ordinary business activities into greener practices. Thus, most retailers are adopting green practices in their daily business operations with varying degrees of success. The specific research questions asked in this study are which factors influence green practices in the food retail sector in South Africa; and what is the level of green practices in the food retail sector in this country. The theoretical section of the study focuses on understanding the underlining literature on the meaning of green and green practice and factors influencing it. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach. Eight food retail stores participated in the study. The primary data was gathered employing face-to-face interviews with 23 managers and personally administered questionnaires distributed to 105 employees from which full responses were attained. A purposive sampling technique was used to select managers and employees. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the qualitative data and SPSS for descriptive statistics as well as univariate regression analysis to understand the relationship between the different variables. As per the objectives of the study, that is to identify the influencing factors and determine the level of green practices in the South African food retail sector, the findings of the study showed that different driving factors lead the food retail sector to implement green practices. There are also differences in the degree of implementation of green practices. The empirical data suggested that the dependent variable, namely the employee initiative to perform green practice, is significantly influenced by the independent variables. Despite the smaller sample size and limited geographic distribution due to logistical constraints, the study provides enough evidence in the progress made and in the limitations that exist within the food retail sector when it comes to the promotion and implementation of green practices. This study may be used as base-line information for other similar studies that are more comprehensive.
Factors influencing the engagement in sustainable practices amongst Pietermaritzburg small, medium and micro enterprises.
(2021) Pita, Thembelihle Prudence.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Studies undertaken by various authors have explained what sustainability is and how big businesses engage in it. However, there is a limited body of literature on the factors that influence SMMEs to engage in sustainable practices. Therefore, this study investigated factors that influence SMMEs to engage in sustainable practices to address this research gap. The specific research questions in this study asked to what extent do coercive pressure, normative pressure, mimetic pressure, and entrepreneurial values influence SMMEs owners in Pietermaritzburg to adopt sustainable practices; and what impact they have on entrepreneurs when applying sustainable practices. The primary data was gathered using online questionnaires distributed to 235 entrepreneurs, descriptive and inferential statistics were produced. The empirical data revealed that normative pressures had more influence when it comes to leading entrepreneurs to engage in sustainable practices, with 83% of the respondents revealing consumers as the most influential. The study clarifies and presents how there is a consistency in how SMMEs are influenced by isomorphic forces similar to large corporations in the adoption of sustainable practices. Since there’s increasing demand for firms to become active in sustainable development aspects, this study calls for the SMME sector to place a stronger emphasis on knowledge sharing. Entrepreneurs must also become more proactive in driving internal innovation toward sustainable practices while also being realistic about what can be accomplished. The findings of this study offer a significant perspective as to what influences entrepreneurs to adopt sustainable practices in their businesses and therefore should not be generalised.
Factors that influence entrepreneurial intentions of rural youth: a case of Narysec Free State.
(2019) Makhwedzha, Murendeni.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Poverty alleviation in South Africa has been placed high on the government agenda in the past decades. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA, 2017), the unemployment rate in the country has risen rapidly in the past few decades, increasing from 7per cent in 1980, to 18per cent in 1991 and 27.5per cent in 2019. The government has a political and moral obligation to alleviate the burden of poverty, create jobs and ensure that it stimulates economic growth and development through the creation of a conducive environment which will enable the small businesses to survive and thrive. The purpose of the study was to identify factors affecting the entrepreneurial intention of the National Rural Youth Service Corp students. The study draws heavily from entrepreneurial intention models and focuses on the relationship between key variables, namely, exposure to entrepreneurial education and social capital. The institutions of higher learning play a crucial role in stimulating entrepreneurial intentions of students, hence the university students are perceived to be more effective in their role of developing entrepreneurial intentions leading to the emergence of new ventures and to the growth of small, medium and macro enterprises. Entrepreneurial education has an important role to play in enhancing entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the influence of social capital on entrepreneurship intentions. A survey was conducted amongst the NARYSEC students. The respondents of the study comprised of 103 students who were identified by means of simple random technique. The total numbers of 103 questionnaires were completed by the NARYSEC students at Thaba Nchu College in the Free-State and the response rate was 84.3per cent. The data was quantitatively analysed with the use of SPSS computer software. The results show that the majority of students have strong intentions to become entrepreneurs in the near future. Students had positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship as they would prefer to be entrepreneurs rather than to be employed and some of them indicated that they are already in a process of starting their own businesses. Most students admitted that their families are everything to them and whatever they do is aimed at pleasing them however they do not choose a career based on their family’s advice. To overcome the challenges, this study recommended the review of curriculum to determine success, failures and gaps as well as stimulating entrepreneurship intentions by allowing students to discuss and implement their own business ideas in class as a research project. The study concluded by recommending that the government should expose every South African learner to entrepreneurship from primary level so that they can grow up thinking and reasoning about entrepreneurship which will propel them to put their ideas into action.
The impact of corporate culture on employees' performance : a case of Standard Bank in Pietermaritzburg.
(2016) Nxumalo, Bongumusa Zamani.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
This study set to analyse the impact of corporate culture on the performance of employees’ at Standard Bank in Pietermaritzburg. The researcher investigated the factors that make up the corporate culture model of Standard Bank; how those factors affect employees’ performance; and how employees perceive and adapt to the changes of corporate culture. The Competing Values Framework was adopted as the theoretical framework to guide the study. It consists of four constructs: hierarchical, developmental, rational, and group culture. The research made use of a mixed methods research approach; combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In order to select participants for the interviews, the purposive sampling method was used. In addition, convenience sampling was utilised to identify respondents for the questionnaires. Five service centre leaders or branch managers were interviewed and forty-one questionnaires were completed by Standard Bank employees. The findings of the study revealed that there was a strong correlation between corporate culture and employees’ performance. Using the Competing Values Framework as a guide, it was discovered that four dimensions of corporate culture exist within Standard Bank, but hierarchical culture was the most dominant. According to the findings, it takes an average of three months for all employees to fully adjust when there are changes of corporate culture within Standard Bank. While they would eventually adapt to modifications in the organisation, older employees were identified as more resistant towards these changes. It was thus recommended that Standard Bank make their organisational culture more flexible. Since all the dimensions of the Competing Values Framework exist within the bank, the managers need to ensure that employees apply the most effective dimension to deal with each given situation. When there are changes within the company, a succinct statement should be communicated to employees.
The influence of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial intentions of UKZN female entrepreneurship students.
(2019) Zulu, Mzwandile Boss Raymond.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Entrepreneurship intent resulting from entrepreneurship education provides a solid framework for understanding entrepreneurial activity globally. While the number of entrepreneurship education programmes is growing, their influence on the entrepreneurial intent of female entrepreneurship students has not been sufficiently investigated from a South African perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the influence of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurship intentions of female students who are enrolled for entrepreneurship at UKZN. The study used a quantitative research approach to collect data from a sample of 175 female students who had enrolled for entrepreneurship modules in their second year, of which 74 responded. Nonprobability sampling known as purposive samplingwas used to select the respondents to the study. Data was obtained through a questionnaire and analysed with both descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results revealed that entrepreneurship education has an influence on entrepreneurship intentions amongst female students. The results also indicated that the content and topics covered within entrepreneurship modules are a strong contributing factor affecting students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The study also discovered that behavioural control plays a prominent role in determining the entrepreneurial intentions of students. The results draw attention to the importance of introducing entrepreneurial modules to the curriculum of undergraduate students. Therefore, this study recommends that entrepreneurship modules should be compulsory for all students across the different disciplines to promote entrepreneurial intentions in female university students. Future research studies should compare the differences in entrepreneurship intentions between males and females that pursue entrepreneurship education at UKZN and probe the understanding of those causes in the differences, if they exist, with the view to maximising the impact of entrepreneurship education.
Investigating a South African listed company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in varying economic conditions.
(2020) Nxumalo, Langelihle Khayalethu.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
The role of the organisation in society has been an ongoing conversation with many scholars believing the organisation should play an active role within the community they operate and should be held accountable for the social and environmental impact of their business activities. Almost every major organisation has a CSR programme of some sorts, or they at least report annually on the impact of their business’s activities on society and the environment as stipulated by the King Report on Corporate Governance and enforced by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). A warranted question is what would be the firm’s approach towards investing back into society and the environment if its financial gains were to be strained by an economic downturn or incline? This study aims to explore CSR initiatives during boom and bust economic periods by exploring a South African listed Company’s CSR programme during the varying economic climates. A qualitative study was conducted. The study was conducted at the organisation’s headquarters in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa. A purposive sampling strategy was used with a targeted population made up of 11 members of the organisation’s CSR department, where all their national CSR activities are decided. Respondents were chosen based on their ability to adequately respond to the interview questions. Secondary data was collected in the form of integrated reports. Content and comparative analysis was implemented in the analysis of data. Findings from the study identified a shift in the purpose of the organisation with a stronger economic focus during the 2007-2009 bust period when South Africa’s economy was in a recession. Findings also identified customers and employees as the most significant stakeholders during the boom and bust economic periods. Company X’s social programmes focused on Education, Community and Health initiatives during all economic periods. Company X invested in improving their operation’s impact on the environment as part of its environmental effort during all economic periods. Company X CSR budget was unaffected by South Africa’s economy and grew every year. In conclusion, there was no evidence of a shift in the implementation of Company X’s CSR programmes during the economic periods assessed due to the organisation’s financial performance rallying despite South Africa’s and the industry’s GDP growth. That being said, there is evidence of the purpose of the organisation shifting during these economic periods.
Risk assessment: a case of a non-profit organisation in the environmental sector.
(2018) Msomi, Innocent Mondli.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
In South Africa (SA), non-profit organisations (NPOs) are governed by Codes of Good Practice, and the resulting strong governance, supported by effective risk management, is foundational to these organisations’ ability to anticipate and effectively respond to complex challenges. However, although organisations are expected to set higher standards through self-regulation mechanisms and abide by norms of good governance to improve their own transparency and accountabilities, the management of risks in the non-profit sector has not received adequate attention (Social Development, 2012:27). Effective risk assessment can improve the proper functioning of any organisation. This includes having financial stability, good governance, effective risk response strategies, the ability to make informed decisions, improved planning, and performance, and creating a positive organisational structure. The objective of this study is to give insight into the risk assessment of a non-profit organisation in the environmental sector. To achieve this, the study utilised three research questions: “How can a non-profit organisation identify an effective risk assessment process that can minimise risks?”; “Why is risk assessment important to the non-profit organisation?”; and “What are the challenges of risk assessment that are common among non-profit organisations within the environmental sector?” The research was a case study because a case study approach allows “in-depth explorations of complex issues in their real-life settings” (Crowe, Cresswell, Roberston, Huby, Avery & Sheikh, 2011:1). The research was also exploratory because it sought to understand the limited body of knowledge of risk assessment for the NPOs. Given the exploratory nature of the study, a mixed method design was used to collect primary data. A thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data and descriptive analysis to analyse quantitative data. The research was conducted in one of the leading environmental and conservation NPOs in SA. The target population for the study included top management of the organisation. Eighteen participants responded to the semistructured interviews and sixteen responded to the questionnaire. The study used a census technique where all participants who were willing to participate in the study were selected. The findings of this study suggest that a non-profit organisation is complex, thus, making it face unique challenges of growth, people, capacity, and reactiveness when conducting risk assessment. Despite these organisations carrying a non-profit status, results indicate that non-profit management viewed risk assessment as an important exercise to execute and that it must be a selfassessment controlled internally. The establishment of Risk Audit and Compliance SubCommittee (RAC), Risk Register, Internal Controls, and Risk Awareness are strategic processes implemented to effectively respond to risks.
The role of entrepreneurial education in fostering student entrepreneurship.
(2021) Nqoko, Nompumelelo Sindiswa.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Entrepreneurship preparation has been generally recognised as important to leading to economic growth. Graduates may have different qualifications, but they still find themselves without a career. However, graduates are also hesitant to see entrepreneurship as a feasible career choice, even in times of high unemployment. University degrees and qualifications no longer carry the guarantee of availability of jobs for pupils, since hundreds of thousands of graduates cannot afford to do so. After acquiring degrees, graduates rarely consider entrepreneurship as a good and sustainable career option. This research was an exploratory study that adopted a mixed-method research approach for data collection and interpretation. This method allows both quantitative and qualitative data to be obtained in one analysis, it further offers more enhanced insight into the research problem and questions presented. The adoption of a mixed method allows for comparison and corroboration of research findings for a fuller understanding of the research problem. The mixed method was therefore, adopted to gather data from both third-year and postgraduate students in the discipline of management and entrepreneurship. Where self-administered questionnaires were adopted for quantitative which were administered to both third year (undergraduate) and honours students. Qualitative data was collected from postgraduate students to gather information about their entrepreneurial intentions. SPSS version 21 was used to include quantitative data with informative and inferential statistics; and NVivo (version 11) was utilised to analyse qualitative data. There was also a need to apportion the methods equally to each strand of the quantitative and qualitative data. Purposive sampling was utilised to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data from the respondents who were in the best position to engender such information. The sample for this study included the third- and fourth-year students enrolled in the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance, in the discipline of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This included three UKZN campuses, namely, the Westville Campus, and Howard College campus located in Durban, and the UKZN campus located in Pietermaritzburg. The sample for the study was drawn from students who had studied entrepreneurship modules during their programme, and had been exposed to entrepreneurial education for a minimum of a year. The overall enrolment of all students when the study was conducted was 330, composed of 233 third year students and 97 honorary students. The study used Krejcie and Morgan (1970) statistical table, to determine the sample size for quantitative data which was estimated at 180. The total number of questionnaires returned for quantitative was 169. The study achieved a response rate of 93%. 42% of the respondents were male and 58% were female. It was found that 72% of the respondents were pursuing an undergraduate bachelor’s degree, 28% were enrolled in a postgraduate honours degree. From the 169 questionnaires that were returned, twenty students were purposively selected to form a focus group for the qualitative data; however, only fifteen were available to participate in the focus-group discussion. The findings revealed that the university offered entrepreneurship modules as an elective. It is those students in small business management that had high entrepreneurial intentions. Students who took entrepreneurship modules as an elective plan to start their business five years after they complete their studies, and that entrepreneurship will be an option should they not find employment. The results also showed that entrepreneurial education does develop entrepreneurial intentions among the students if the curriculum is well structured. Furthermore, reflect that individuals with high entrepreneurial intentions are fully capable of taking entrepreneurial action. The research further confirmed that individuals with a high entrepreneurial mentality are more likely to have entrepreneurial ambitions and a deep desire to start a business. These studies have shown that entrepreneurial education has had a positive effect on the entrepreneurial attitude of students and their intentions towards entrepreneurship, their employability and their position in society and the economy as a whole. There has been a growing consensus among scholars that allowing students to work in interdisciplinary teams and engage with actual entrepreneurs is an especially effective way to cultivate entrepreneurial ambitions among students. The study highlighted the importance of entrepreneurial education in fostering student entrepreneurship, and also discovered that entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial action scores are higher if students are considered to have a need to research entrepreneurship at the university. Hence entrepreneurial education should strictly focus on influencing students' mind-set towards entrepreneurship, as a possible career. Furthermore, entrepreneurial education can make students experience more fulfilling by being explored to both theory and practice. The results of entrepreneurial education are focused on the belief that being an entrepreneur is a deliberately orchestrated action. The relation between expectations, actions and action is used on the basis of the "Theory of Planned Behavior" (TPB). If students' attitudes towards entrepreneurship are favourably affected by entrepreneurship education, their entrepreneurship intentions will or may be improved. Therefore, the present study applied TBP, this theory clearly explains human behaviour using three major variables, perceived behavioural control, attitude and subjective norms.
Service quality and customer satisfaction in a government funded low-income rental housing project in Pietermaritzburg.
(2021) Vilakazi, Ayanda Nondumiso.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
Increasing the value customers derive from services contributes to increasing perceived service quality. Perceived good service quality is key to establishing a competitive edge. There is not enough research aimed at the understanding of Service quality in the residential rental industry, especially in buildings that cater for the low-income market. This study aimed at determining residents’ perceptions on the service quality performance of the governmentfunded low-income project in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in which they reside. The objectives aimed at determining residents’ perception using the dimensions of service quality identified in the SERVQUAL model, these are tangibles, assurance, responsiveness, reliability, and empathy. The study was exploratory in nature and made use of a quantitative research approach. A questionnaire was utilised to collect the primary data, 228 respondents participated in the study. The importance of each dimension relative to total service quality was determined, using ordinal regression analysis. The data was analysed using SPSS to provide descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the tangibles dimension contributes the most to service quality perceptions, followed by the reliability dimension and the assurance dimension. Service quality is not the only determinant of customer satisfaction in the public rental sector, there are, by attempting to improve, performance on the five dimensions of service quality in the low-income rental housing project in Pietermaritzburg, management will be able to improve residents’ perception of their service offering. Interventions should prioritize the responsiveness and empathy dimensions of service quality where most improvements are, needed.
Strategic approaches to achieve corporate goals : a case study of the financial sector.
(2015) Baptista, Bruno Elearde Da Cunha.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.
This research examined mergers and acquisitions in the South African banking sector. Many studies analysing bank mergers and acquisitions have been conducted in the United States and Europe. However, not much is investigated about these deals in South Africa. The purpose of this research was to understand mergers and acquisitions and the motivations for these corporate actions and to analyse some mergers that have occurred in the South African banking sector. In 2013, Barclays increased its interest in the Absa Group to 62,3%. The deal was part of the restructuring of most of Barclays African operations, Barclays Africa Group. This deal lead to Barclays introducing most of its African interest into ABSA Group – currently known as Barclays Africa Group. Research in the United States and Europe showed that organisations can take into consideration investing in mergers and acquisitions for motives for instance growth, diversification, synergy, market power and tax considerations. The research questions were as follows: What are the motives that drive banks to use mergers and acquisitions as a corporate strategy? What are the effects of mergers and acquisitions in the South African banking sector? Can a bank become a large global player without making any acquisitions? Since the aim of the study was to understand mergers and acquisitions in the South African bank sector and the motives for these corporate actions, the researcher conducted a qualitative, exploratory study. It was important to find the relevant literature and articles that could explain the motivations behind mergers and acquisitions. The findings led the researcher to use the following conceptual framework of motivations that could explain why mergers and acquisitions occur: strategic motivations refer to extension, consolidation and capabilities. Financial motivations refer to financial efficiency, tax efficiency and asset stripping. Managerial motivations refer to personal ambition and bandwagon effects. The results showed that the most important motivations mentioned were strategic and financial motivations. Participants were then asked to give their opinions on a few bank transactions that have occurred in South Africa. The most common answers given were that South Africa is mainly used as a gateway to the rest of Africa and that South Africa has a well-regulated financial system. People concerned with the conceptualisation, structuring and execution of bank mergers transactions, should consider the motivations mentioned by participants in this research.
Strategic intellectual capital management : case study in the banking and financial services sector in Zimbabwe.
(2016) Kehle, Kudzai Emmanuel.; Chiweshe, Nigel Tawanda Farayi.; Derera, Evelyn.
In today’s dynamic and competitive business environment, one way organisations can achieve and sustain competitive advantages is through the leveraging of valuable, inimitable, rare intangible assets. These intangible assets make up the organisation’s intellectual capital which consists of human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Each organisation has its intangible assets or intellectual capital which must be leveraged well in order to succeed. That efficient use of company resources can impact on profitability and competitiveness. This research sought to explore the extent to which the management of intellectual capital was being pursued within a participant institution in the banking and financial services sector in Zimbabwe to gain competitive advantage. The Zimbabwean banking and financial services sector provides an ideal research platform for such an investigation as much prior similar scholarship has been conducted in the context of developed, first world economies. With the world moving towards a knowledge-based economy, knowledge circulates at every level of business; as such it is of growing importance for knowledge intensive firms to reflect on their intellectual capital as a source of sustained competitive advantage. The case study research method was used to help with the understanding of the complex issues within the organisation’s real life setting. A mixed-methods research approach was used which in essence entailed the use of both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools. Data collection was to proceed by documents review, questionnaire based surveys and semi structured in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that the participant institution was leveraging its intellectual capital through good staff hires, enhancing of employee skills, adequately investing in information systems and being mindful of its customer and stakeholder relations. The findings have implications for strategic management in that it allows managers to identify the activities and factors of value which companies can devote resources to in order to augment their competitive position.