Graduate School of Business and Leadership

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Aligning information and communication technology strategies with Ethekwini municipality’s strategic objectives for service delivery.
(2023) Dlamini, Zandile Virtue.; Majola, Priscilla Xoliswa.
In the realm of municipal governance, the rapid integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has introduced new opportunities and challenges. A critical challenge is the misalignment between strategic objectives and ICT strategies within municipalities, as exemplified by eThekwini municipality in South Africa. The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the pivotal role of strategic alignment in shaping ICT implementation for effective service delivery within eThekwini municipality. The aim was to provide insights and solutions to bridge the gaps between ICT and municipal strategy alignment. A mixed methods approach was employed in this study, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques in a convergent parallel design. The questionnaires used in the study were meticulously aligned with the research's specific objectives. A census approach was adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data gathered through purposive sampling. The research identified a key issue as limited executive involvement in developing the municipality's ICT strategy, resulting in a misalignment between the strategy and the overarching municipal goals. This misalignment risks suboptimal decision-making based solely on operational inputs. This finding underscores the critical need for strategic alignment between municipal objectives and ICT strategies in eThekwini municipality. The municipality should thus prioritise the development of a comprehensive ICT strategy that aligns seamlessly with its overarching objectives. This strategy should be crafted with active involvement from key stakeholders, outlining clear goals and action plans aimed at harnessing technology for efficient service delivery. To ensure effective alignment, robust ICT governance structures and decision-making processes must be established. These changes will not only enhance service delivery to the community, but also promote a transparent, efficient, and technology-enabled governance approach.
Evaluation of the intrapreneurship orientation in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2022) Chetty, Rangini.; Ngwenya, Tony Charles Simphiwe.
The pharmaceutical industry in South Africa is considered a knowledge-intensive sector, with sophisticated consumers, world-class clinical skills, excellent infrastructure, and an established policy and regulatory environment. However, recent global business disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with its ensuing socio-economic sequelae, have highlighted the importance of an innovation or intrapreneurship orientation in pharmaceutical companies, where agility and responsiveness is pivotal - not just for surviving, but also thriving and creating value. It is in this context that intrapreneurship can be leveraged to spur innovation, augment business renewal, enhance organisational performance and ensure sustainability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the nature and extent of the intrapreneurship orientation of the company’s managerial employees, to identify the strengths and weaknesses that influence intrapreneurship orientation at the company, to investigate the relationship between the company’s intrapreneurship orientation and organisational culture, and finally to explore strategies to augment the intrapreneurship orientation of the company’s managers. This sequential mixed methods explanatory study evaluated the nature and extent of intrapreneurship orientation of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company located in KwaZulu-Natal, using a sample of 55 managers, employing a self-administered online questionnaire for the quantitative research phase, and a focus group discussion of 10 managers for the qualitative research phase. The findings revealed a suboptimal intrapreneurship orientation, with weaknesses revolving around the management support, organisational structure and culture, as well as the availability and orchestration of resources. The organisation’s strengths were underpinned by the proactiveness and learning orientation of its managerial employees. Recommendations to the organisation include the development of a structure for innovation and intrapreneurship, the performance of a cultural survey as a first step in establishing a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning, and the development and implementation of an innovation balanced scorecard to manage innovation-related performance.
Examining container handling equipment to reduce port congestion at Durban Container Terminal.
(2022) Naicker, Rowen.; Chasomeris, Mihalis Georgiou.
Port congestion has become a major problem around the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) precinct and investors and key stakeholders have raised concerns and expressed their frustration over the poor productivity and capacity limitations. The aim of this study was to examine container handling equipment that should reduce port congestion at the DCT. The objectives are: 1) to examine the productivity of the DCT in comparison to other ports nationally and internationally; 2) to examine the performance of current container handling equipment used at the DCT and 3) to examine and compare the costs and productivity of using a Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) system versus Straddle Carrier (SC) system at the DCT. This desktop study collected and analysed secondary data on container handling productivity and costs of the container handling equipment used at the DCT. Cost effective analysis was applied to the available equipment data and associated costs were retrieved and studied. A compound interest formulae and inflation calculator were used to convert all costs to their 2021 approximate values. The performance results between 2015 to 2020 showed that the DCT was performing poorly. The DCT, Pier 1 and Pier 2 use RTG and SC respectively. RTGs performed exceptionally well compared to SCs. Examining the advantages and disadvantages of the RTG and SC showed that the RTG was the preferred option. Although RTGs were more expensive to purchase and operate, the SCs were costlier to maintain. Analysis of the equipment used by leading container ports shows that top ports have adopted the RTG system and that 2018 and 2019, more RTGs were purchased than Rail Mounted Gantrys (RMGs) and SCs combined by major ports globally. The results indicate the most viable option would be for the DCT to adopt a RTG system of operation due to its high efficiency levels and cost effectiveness.
Exploring personnel differentiation at KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform to create a competitive advantage.
(2022) Mkhize, Gugulethu Cynthia.; Pelser, Theunis Gert.
KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing platform (KRISP) is the health sciences Research Center of the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN). The platform offers cutting-edge genomics services. It started operating in 2017 and since its inception, KRISP has focused on establishing a professional genomic services laboratory through acquiring state of-the-art equipment, and implementing industrial scale processes and systems. Managers at KRISP also place emphasis on recruiting highly-qualified personnel. At the time of this research, the selected market for KRISP encompassed users from public research organisations, industry R&D and other commercial users. The need for cutting edge-genomics is fast-growing in South Africa and globally, given an impact of its application in many fields of science. Because of the expertise in health sciences research, KRISP is well positioned to offer genomics for infectious diseases’ research and diagnostics. In the marketplace, KRISP faces a strong competition from large domestic and international genomic laboratories. To penetrate the market, KRISP adopted a cost leadership strategy. While the approach helped KRISP build customer base, it is not sustainable because established rival laboratories operate at scale and are able to offer much lower prices. Therefore, KRISP’s survival and growth depend on devising a better suited approach to attain sustainable competitive advantage. The main aim of this study was to explore personnel differentiation as a strategy to create competitive advantage at KRISP. The focus was on understanding whether KRISP’s personnel demonstrate unique qualities that enhance the value of the services the platform offers. The research employed an exploratory case study strategy and qualitative research method underpinned by two qualitative research tools: an in-depth interview and document collection. The findings showed that the elements differentiating KRISP services were its high technical competence, knowledge, diverse skillset and the positive attitude of personnel. Service delivery outcomes resulting from these qualities included high-quality and comprehensive services offering, reliability and customisation. The KRISP environment and work practices were enabling for personnel learning and continuous capacity development. This was key to sustain personnel commitment and creativity.
Investigation of poor service delivery of road infrastructure in uMshwathi local municipality.
(2023) Gwala, Phumulani Mpilwenhle.; Yalezo, Bhasela.
This study examines the poor service delivery of road infrastructure development in uMshwathi local municipality, in the Kwa Zulu Natal province. The study seeks fundamental evidence that points out the prolonged poor road infrastructure development and verification of the challenges that beget the status quo. The extant literature notes that inadequate road infrastructure is more prominent in municipal wards falling under traditional authority (Ingonyama Trust) while the municipal wards enjoy adequate road infrastructure. This study adopted a qualitative exploratory research approach. Document analysis was conducted to gain their insight and understanding of the challenges and impact of poor road infrastructure on the livelihood of the people. The qualitative analysis allowed for an in-depth analysis of both institutional and structural challenges of road infrastructure and its impact on the livelihoods of residents thereof. Umshwathi municipality is a land dominated by agricultural landscapes and derives its economy from mainly farming, while the residents practice large-scale subsistence and commercial farming. Road infrastructure development becomes a critical component and the only solution to assist residents to diversify their economy and ease travel. However, the majority of its rural dwellers still live in abject poverty and are very much excluded from participating in some commercial activities and enjoying all the liberties accorded to them in the South African Constitution. Poor road infrastructure development in the municipality especially in the rural sectors causes this exclusion. Poor road infrastructure development is caused by a lack of synergy between national and local governance structures and dilemmas brought about by institutional and structural challenges. The poor road infrastructure development affects negatively the residents, as well as their livelihood and welfare, is hampered; thus, creating secondary challenges for the community.
Managing stakeholder complexities: a model to curb project cost overruns in the construction industry in South Africa=Ukulawula ubunkimbinkimbi kwalabo abanesabelo: Imodeli yokuthiba izindleko zephrojekthi ezigijimela phambili embonini yokwakha eNingizimu Afrika.
(2022) Nyathi, Moses.; Proches, Cecile Naomi.; Taylor, Simon Michael.
Project cost overruns present major economic problems for financiers, governments, clients, companies, the supply chain, and the community. Meeting the project’s budget is one of the major objectives in completing a project successfully, and the exhaustion of finances may result in project discontinuation. It is alarming that previous and current studies have shown on-going project cost overruns within the construction industry. Joint project interdependency complexities between diverse project stakeholders in the project life cycle are implicated as one of the major causes of project budget overruns. However, there has been limited research and available literature on project stakeholder complexities' impact on the project budget within the South African construction industry. Therefore, this study focused on project-stakeholder cost overruns causes and established the extent to which construction project managers can effectively and efficiently liaise with stakeholders to curb stakeholder complexities and cost overruns. Construction project managers registered with the Construction Professional board participated in this study. The mixed method research approach was employed for this study by integrating both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms in data collection and analysis to draw inferences. A quantitative research approach focused on positivism paradigm, which utilises mathematical procedures and methods to statically explain the research phenomena. A qualitative research approach focused on interpretivism paradigm, which draws research phenomena understanding, emanating from numerous behavioural trends, processes, reflections, cultural and social contexts. Concurrent triangulation design was used by simultaneously collecting and discussing quantitative and qualitative approaches, aimed to better understand the study of interest by comparing and contrasting study findings to produce well-validated conclusions. Here, online questionnaires and structured interviews were the applied data collection techniques guided by a pragmatism philosophical worldview. One-hundred and fifty-two online questionnaires were completed and analysed, using SPSS to obtain quantitative data. To obtain qualitative data, thirteen interviewees participated and NVivo was used to analyse transcribed responses. The findings showed that the number of projects completed and scope changes, are central to stakeholders-related complexities contributing to budget overruns. Furthermore, the findings showed that factors comprising incompetency, local community strikes or unrest, market conditions, South African regulatory framework, reworks and contract misunderstanding, significantly contribute to project budget overruns. An iterative project-stakeholder budget overrun mitigation model was developed, and a template incorporating all the stages of the construction project life cycle was included, which will be jointly used to alleviate project-stakeholder budget overruns. Iqoqo Izindleko zephrojekthi ezigijima phambili ezinkingeni ezinkulu ezikhona njengamanje kwabanikezela ngemali, ohulumeni, amakilayenti namabhizinisi. Ukubhekana nesabelomali sephrojekthi yikhona okuyizinhloso ezinkulu ekuqedeni iphrojekthi ngempumelelo kanye nokuqedwa amandla kwezimali okungaholela ekungaqhubekini kwephrojekthi. Kuyethusa ukuthi ocwaningweni olwedlule nolwamanje lukhombisa ukwedlulela kwezindleko eziqhubekayo zephrojekthi phakathi embonini yokwakha. Ubunkimbinkimbi obuhlangene nephrojekthi encikene phakathi kwabehlukene abathintekayo bephrojekthi kumzungezompilo wephrojekthi ongena njengenye yezimbangela ezinkulu zokwedlulela kwesabelomali sephrojekthi. Nakuba kunocwaningo olungenele nokubuyekezwa kwemibhalo okutholakele kumthelela wobunkimbinkimbi kwabathintekayo bephrojekthi kusabelomali yephrojekthi embonini yokwakha eNingizimu Afrika. Ngakho-ke, lolu cwaningo lugxile ekwedluleleni kwezimbangela zezindleko zabathintekayo kuyiphrojekthi nokwakhiwa kwezinga abaphathi bamaphrojekthi ezokwakha abangasebenzisana ngayo kahle nabathintekayo ukuze kuthitshwe ubunkimbinkimbi kwabathintekayo nokwedlulela kwezindleko. Abaphathi bamaphrojekthi ezokwakha babhalise nebhodi Labafundele Ukwakha, iConstruction Professional board ababambe iqhaza kulolu cwaningo. Lolu cwaningo lwalandela indlelakwenza yocwaningo endlelangxube kwaphinde kwsetshenziswa zombili izinjulalwazi eyocwaningobunjalo botho neyocwaningozinombolo ngenkathi kuqoqwa imininingo kanye nokuhlaziya ukuze kutholakale umqondo. Indlelakwenza yocwaningozinombolo yayigxile kwinjulalwazi iphozithivizimu, eyayisebenzisa izinkambiso zezibalo nezindlela ukuze ichaze ngokwezibalomidanti okuvelayo kocwaningo. Indlelakwenza yocwaningo locwaningo lobunjalo botho yayigxile kuyinjulalwazi yomhumusho, eholela ekuqondeni okuvezwa ucwaningo, okuvela ezinkambisweni eziningi zokuziphatha, izinqubo, ukubuyiseleka, izimo zenhlalo nesiko. Isifanekisomumo sendlelakwenza yocwaningo engxube eyenzeka sikhathisinye yasetshenziswa kanye kanye kuqoqwa kubuye kuxoxiswane ngezindlelakwenza zocwaningozinombolo nocwaningo lobunjalo botho, kuhloswe ukuqonda kangcono okuthandwa ucwaningo kuqhathaniswa kubuye kufananiswe okutholwe ucwaningo ukuze kukhiqizwe isiphetho esiqinisekile. Lapha kwasetshenziswa uhlu lwemibuzo lwe-inthanethi kanye nezimposambuzo ezisakuhleleka okwakungamaqhingakwenza asetshenziselwa ukuqoqa imininingo aqondiswa ukubukajikelele ngobunzululwazi bendlelakubuka yenjulalwazi yokungenzeka. Uhlu lwemibuzo lwe-inthanethi oluyikhulu namashumi amahlanu nambili lwagcwaliswa lwaphinde lwahlaziywa kusetshenziswa iSPSS ukuze kutholakale imininingo yocwaningozinombolo. Ukuze kutholakale imininingo yocwaningo lobunjalo botho, ababamba iqhaza babuzwa imibuzo baba ishumi nantathu lapho kwasetshenziswa iNVivo ukuhlaziya izimpendulo zokuloba okuqoshiwe. Okwtholwa ucwaningo kwakhombisa inani lamaphrojekthi aqedwa kanye nezinguqo zomklamo okuyikhona kungumongo kubunkimbinkimbi obuhlobene nathintekayo kwaneqhaza ekwedluleleni kwesabelomali. Ngaphezu kwalokho, okwatholwa ucwaningo lwakhombisa izimo eziqukethe ezingenalo ikhono, iziteleka zendawo noma imibhikisho, izimo zezimakethe. Uphiko olushaya imithetho lwaseNingizimu Afrika, lusebenza kabusha luphinde lwakhe ukungaqondi, okuneqhaza ekwedluleleni kwesabelomali sephrojekthi. Kwasungulwa isabelomali sabathintekayo bephrojekthi ephindaphindekayo kokwedlulela kwimodeli yokuthambisa kuthambisa, kanye nokufakwa kwethemplethi ehlanganisa zonke izigaba zomjikelezo wempilo yephrojekthi yokwakha, ezazizostshenziswa ngokuhlanganyela ukudambisa ukwedlulela kwesabelomali sabathintekayo bephrojekthi.

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