Doctoral Degrees (Graduate School of Business and Leadership)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/7377

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A conceptual framework to address challenges facing female-owned agricultural cooperatives in Pietermaritzburg.
(2023) Ndlovu, Silindile Goodness.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
The study investigated challenges encountered by small to medium-scale (primary to secondary level) female cooperatives in the agricultural sector in Pietermaritzburg. This research aimed to assess the challenges encountered by female entrepreneurs in the small to medium-scale agricultural sector in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal to present a conceptual framework to address the challenges encountered by female owned agricultural cooperatives in Pietermaritzburg. A qualitative methodology generated an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under study. The researcher’s target population in this study was female owned cooperative enterprises in the agricultural sector in Pietermaritzburg. The sample for the study was selected through the purposive sampling method. Only 20 female-owned cooperatives out of 306 in the agricultural sector in Pietermaritzburg participated in the study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data on the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector in Pietermaritzburg. Ten primary-level female-owned cooperatives and ten secondary-level female-owned cooperatives were selected to participate. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Study findings revealed that a lack of access to sufficient and productive land for expansion; a lack of skills; a demand for legal and regulatory frameworks; a lack of capital and markets and the issue of collateral availability; a lack of government support, a lack of infrastructure, a gap in understanding business culture; and poor value chain organisation affect female entrepreneurs in the small to medium-scale agricultural sector. These constraints presented a framework of barriers for female entrepreneurs in the small to medium-scale agricultural sector that must be addressed. This conceptual framework can be used towards the empowerment of women as a prerequisite for achieving inclusive growth or for promoting their services from primary to secondary cooperative level within the formal sector of the economy. Iqoqa Lolu cwaningo luhlole izingqinamba izinhlangano zabesifazane ezincane neziphakathi nendawo ngobukhulu emkhakheni wezolimo ePietermaritzburg ezibhekene nazo. Lolu cwaningo lwaluhlose ukuhlola ukuthi zingakanani izingqinamba ababhekene nazo emkhakheni wezolimo osomabhizinisi besifazane abanamapulazi amancane naphakathi nendawo ngobukhulu ePietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natali, ukuze lwethule uhlaka olucatshangelwe oluzosiza ekubhekaneni nalezo zingqinamba ezihlangabezana nazo izinhlangano zezolimo zabesifazane ePietermaritzburg. Kwasetshenziswa indlela eyikhwalithethivu ukuze kuqondwe kabanzi le ndaba ecwaningwayo. Kulolu cwaningo, umcwaningi ubegxile kubabambiqhaza abangabesifazane emkhakheni wezolimo ePietermaritzburg. Isampula locwaningo bekungolwenhloso. Zingama-20 kuphela izinhlangano zobambiswano zabesifazane kwezingama-306 emkhakheni wezolimo ePietermaritzburg ezibambe iqhaza kulolu cwaningo. Kusetshenziswe izingxoxo ezijulile ezisakuhleleka ukuze kuqoqwe imininingo emayelana nezingqinamba ababhekene nazo osomabhizinisi besifazane emkhakheni wezolimo ePietermaritzburg. Kwakhethwa izinhlangano zobambiswano zabesifazane eziyishumi ezisesigabeni sokuqala kanye neziyishumi ezakhiwa yizinhlangano zabesifazane ezisesigabeni esesithe thuthu ukuba zibambe iqhaza. Kwasetshenziswa ukuhluza ngokwezindikimba ukuhlaziya imininingo. Okutholakale kulolu cwaningo kwembula ukuthi ukuntuleka komhlaba owanele nokhiqizayo ukuze kukhuliswe ibhizinisi; ukuntuleka kwamakhono; izidingo zezinhlaka zezomthetho nezokulawula; ukuntuleka kwezimali nezimakethe okuzodayiswa kuzo nenkinga yokungabi nezibambiso ezingasetshenziselwa ukuboleka; ukuntuleka komxhaso kahulumeni, ukuntuleka kwezingqalasizinda, ukungakuqondi kahle ukuphathwa kwebhizinisi; nendlela yokusebenza kwebhizinisi lezolimo engahleliwe kahle kuba nemiphumela engemihle kosomabhizinisi besifazane abanamabhizinisi amancane naphakathi nendawo ngobukhulu emkhakheni wezolimo. Lezi zithiyo zethula uhlaka lwezingqinamba okumele kubhekwane nazo zosomabhizinisi besifazane bamabhizinisi amancane kuya kwaphakathi nendawo ngobukhulu emkhakheni wezolimo. Lolu hlaka olutuswayo lungasetshenziselwa ukukwenza kube yimfuneko yokuqala ukufukula abesifazane, ukuze kube nokukhula okubandakanya wonke umuntu noma ukuqhakambisa imisebenzi yabo kusukela esigabeni samabhizinisi obambiswano aqalisayo kanye nalawo asethe thuthu ayizinhlangano ezibambisene emkhakheni wezamabhizinisi abhalisiwe.
A sustainability model for agricultural cooperatives in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Buthelezi, Sifiso Wiseman.; Taylor, Simon Michael.; Tefera, Orthodox.
The high attrition and stagnant rate of agricultural cooperatives in the Province of KwaZulu Natal has raised concerns, given that they are recognised globally and in South Africa for their significant role in promoting impoverished communities' social and economic development. This challenge has become a threat to community development by hampering the growth of the agricultural cooperatives. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the challenges that hinder the growth of agricultural cooperatives and assess factors that contribute to their growth. The study utilised clustered sampling to ensure the representation of all districts and was conducted in nine districts of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The sample comprised 367 respondents who were members of agricultural cooperatives from 99 cooperatives in the province. Quantitative research was employed using questionnaires, and the data were analysed using SPSS (Version 25.0.). Sustainability models used in the study included pictorial visualization, quantitative, physical, conceptual, standardising, egg of sustainability, and prism models. The literature gap in a sustainability model that considers the combined behaviour of resource management, good governance, sustainability monitoring, market access, and social and economic aspects in agricultural cooperatives has been addressed. The study revealed several factors contributing to agricultural cooperatives' demise, including a lack of good governance, leadership, technical skills, business management expertise, conflict management abilities, cohesion among members, and sustainable farming methods. These deficiencies suggest that the agricultural cooperatives under review could be more sustainable. Therefore, the study recommends adherence to cooperative principles, capacity building of cooperatives in all aspects of business, including environmental training, the appointment of boards to inculcate governance systems, the institutionalisation of social responsibility programs, and redefining the government's relationship with agricultural cooperatives. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by developing a model that enhances the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives in KwaZulu-Natal, thereby increasing their success rate.
Achieving high performance through competitive strategy: a case of Tshwane-based small and medium enterprises.
(2018) Kgoetiane, Cecil Hlophego.; Mashau, Pfano.
The goal of the study was to explore achieving high performance for the Tshwane-based Small and Medium Enterprises based on the competitive strategies and examine the effect that the competitive strategies had on the Tshwane-based SMEs’ high performance despite the slow economic growth and inclement government legislation. However, for the Tshwane-based SMEs to succeed in achieving high performance, it was significant to introduce SMEs’ resources as a moderating construct. The SMEs’ resources provided a moderating effect on the relationship between competitive strategies and the Tshwane-based SMEs’ high performance. The study further sought to determine the existence of the relationship between the competitive strategies/resources and the SMEs’ high performance through the quantitative methods. The study used a sample size of 110 out of a population of 151 SMEs based in and around the City of Tshwane. The population was drawn out of the SMEs that had an annual turnover of between ZAR5M – ZAR10M. Since the population was known probability sampling was therefore used. The structural model was effected as a test to prove the goodness of fit index for the conceptual model using CMIN, TLI, GFI, and RMSEA. The dependent variable, based on the conceptual model, was the SMEs’ high performance. Through factor analysis, the model was adjusted which then resulted in a goodness of fit for the data observed based on the CMIN/Chi- Square. The model adjustment led to the strategy being dropped completely from the analysis since its inclusion resulted in the reliability of the study being questionable with the Alpha coefficient < .7. The findings revealed that there was a relationship between the competitive strategies and the SMEs’ high performance when moderated by the SMEs’ resources. Of key importance was the finding that when competitive strategies were applied as a unit they influenced the SMEs’ high performance. The study concluded that the Tshwane-based SMEs were unaware of the effect that the competitive strategies had on high performance. The government of the Republic of South Africa should speed up some of the processes and legislation aimed at assisting SMEs to grow and become sustainable.
Action strategies for enhancing the implementation of performance improvement initiatives within the health sector in Botswana.
(2013) Kachingwe, Lasting Ketsile.; Allen, Garth James.; Pillay, Kribendiren.
This study investigates the extent to which performance improvement initiatives are efficiently and effectively implemented in the Botswana health sector. The study is prompted by numerous public complaints through various media, the results of customer satisfaction surveys that lowly rated the delivery of health services, and the acknowledgement by public officials that the provision of services, particularly health services, left a lot to be desired. The perceived under-performance in the delivery of health services to the public was in spite of the significant health sector expenditure that is in line with the Governments‟ efforts to prioritise the improvement of the health status of the nation and the introduction of performance improvement initiatives. The study assesses the evidential base for sustaining a three-fold hypothesis, that is: performance improvement initiatives were imposed in a top-down manner in the Botswana health sector with the noble belief that they were valuable in contributing towards the achievement of the goals of Vision 2016; there is limited knowledge on the part of the health workers at the operational level regarding the usefulness of the performance improvement initiatives and this contributes to their low uptake of the initiatives in Botswana health sector; and the frequency of complaints by health services consumers is a reflection of the poor quality of health services provided in the health sector in Botswana. The perceptions of staff and patients regarding the quality indicators of efficiency, effectiveness, empowerment and equity were examined. Data collection was triangulated through the use of different data collection methods and the collection of data from different sources such as self-administered questionnaires for senior management in the Ministry of Health, in-depth interviews of health workers and consumers of health services in the form of patients and Focus Group Discussions for community members. The health facilities under study in the public sector were stratified according to the level of operation with systematic sampling used to select hospitals from each level. The conclusions of the study, based on the empirical work, is that although the staff proved to be knowledgeable of the existence of the performance improvement initiatives, there was a moderate effectiveness of the initiatives in the public health sector with a higher success rate in the private health sector. The efficiency with which the initiatives were implemented was compromised by the perceived internal inequities and poor conditions of service as well as low remuneration packages for health sector staff. The consumers of health services indicated their satisfaction with the equitable distribution of services. There were weaknesses in the empowerment mechanisms for both health workers and consumers of health services. The findings revealed inadequacies in the implementation of the initiatives. Positive results were noted for the empowerment of employees through their participation in the planning for health services delivery. Recommendations include: the need to strengthen the community interface with health service providers; the inculcation into health workers of values that prioritise the interests of clients; the involvement of all stakeholders in planning; and the contextualisation of the performance improvement initiatives.
Advancing gross farming income sustainability of smallholder farmers in the Free State Province, South Africa.
(2023) Moloabi, Badiri Victor Motlhabani.; Yalezo, Bhasela.
Abstract available in PDF.
Advancing gross fixed capital formation (investment) paradigm in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa: historical trends and prospects.
(2018) Yalezo, Bhasela.; Bokana, Koye Gerry.
Current rates of investment in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa are insufficient to drive substantial economic growth. These rates have not changed significantly from 1995 to date. This study examined the reasons for low investment rates in the Eastern Cape Province in the post-democratic era by both the private and public sectors and explored the hindrances to attracting investment. Its examination of trends and prospects informed the study’s recommendations to address the current situation. A mixed methods research methodology that incorporated econometrics was employed to calculate the investment gap and the investment required to close this gap. The quantitative research analysis results indicated that; there is an investment gap, low investment and a dire lack of infrastructure, which discourages investment in rural and urban areas in the Eastern Cape. The qualitative research analysis results indicated that: the province lacks adequate infrastructure, an integrated investment model and strategy as well as poor political leadership at provincial and local levels were significant contributors to low investment rates. The econometrics analysis, indicated that an investment rate of 11.05% of the province’s Gross Domestic Product is required to close the current investment gap. Some policy implications of these three results are that in advancing investment in the province, the foremost priority should be infrastructure investment which must be underpinned by intelligent public sector investment. Amongst other priorities there is an urgent need to strengthen the province’s political leadership and administration.
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.
Analysing the eThekwini green economy according to its dynamic and complex components for identifying leverage points.
(2018) Naidoo, Magashen Kisanderan.; Kader, Abdulla Dawood.; Proches, Cecile Naomi Gerwel.
It is widely accepted that climate change is taking place as a result of anthropogenic activities. The rapid rate of the current bout of climate change being experienced is unprecedented. Climate change results in disastrous consequences for humankind. However, climate change also offers opportunities which include the potential for developing a green economy. A green economy is a concept that will result in actions for enhancing the growth of an economy, while simultaneously protecting the environment and spurring progress towards social equity. This study was of the position that the eThekwini green economy is not well understood in terms of its dynamic and complex characteristics. Specifically, the core focus of the study was to identify the components that make up the eThekwini green economy, highlight the characteristics of the components, determine the manner in which those components interact, pinpoint leverage points in the system and develop a framework to depict the eThekwini green economy from the findings. Pragmatism was the guiding philosophical worldview for this research, which resulted in a mixed methods approach being adopted. Data collection tools included surveys, focus groups and interviews. The population and sample for this research consisted of sixteen purposely identified individuals for interviews. In addition, four hundred and ninety seven individuals were identified for survey participation and a total of twenty two for focus groups. It was noted during the study that many businesses that provide green related goods and services, do not view themselves as being part of the green economy. It is widely accepted that the eThekwini green economy does exist, albeit it has stemmed as organic growth from the broader economy. A total of seven key components were identified through the research, with a total of forty two sub components. In addition, a total of ten leverage points have been highlighted, the principal of which is that without addressing unemployment, discretionary income, inequality and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, the eThekwini green economy will not grow. It was further found that no component operates in isolation. Characteristics of components were broadly found to be made up of similar elements, but to differing degrees. A plethora of indicators were raised and synthesised into a matrix of five core indicator segments. All information gathered through the study resulted in the development of a framework that depicts the manner in which the eThekwini green economy operates.
Analysis of global competitiveness in the light motor vehicle component industry of South Africa.
(2014) Rampersad, Dhanesh.; Kader, Abdulla Dawood.
The automotive industry’s global competitiveness has been acknowledged by the South African government and therefore the sector has been identified as a key economic growth sector. The success of the domestic automotive component industry is dependent on efficient business platforms which is essential for the industry to become progressively more internationally competitive, grow exports, stimulate economic growth and create more jobs. The research problem addressed in this study was to establish an in-depth understanding of the extent of South Africa’s global competitiveness in the automotive component manufacturing industry, identifying the factors influencing the component industry’s competitiveness and its impact on economic growth and sustainability of the component industry. A comprehensive literature review was executed to obtain a clear understanding of South Africa’s global competitiveness in the automotive component industry. To achieve the objectives of the study and effectively answer the research question, it was necessary to approach the research from different angles. The research approach to this study was both exploratory and descriptive, therefore both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were executed. The findings of this research clearly indicates that the automotive industry in the medium to long term is dependent on government regulations and policies for the survival of the industry. The findings further highlighted that localisation as a key factor behind successful integration of the South African automotive component industry into the global market. The results obtained from both the qualitative and quantitative research indicated that there was a consensus on many issues regarding the role of government strategies and policies in creating a competitive advantage for the component industry and the importance of government’s intervention in stimulating the industry’s competitiveness. The respondents were virtually unanimous in indicating that the component industry zealously anticipates further changes in government policy in order to increase competiveness of the automotive component industry in the global supply chain. The study also found that there is a need for tariff protection or the industry will collapse in the face of global competition due to increased cheap imports into South Africa. Despite the challenges of globalisation, leaders in the South African automotive component industry remain positive about the future growth of the industry.
Analysis of open innovation strategy and challenges faced by automotive component manufacturers in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape in South Africa.
(2021) Gonyora, Arthur Mzwandile.; Migiro, Stephen Oseko.; Mashau, Pfano.
The automotive components manufacturing sector is an essential complementary strategic player in the automotive industry in South Africa. Without this sector's vibrancy, the automotive industry cannot forge ahead as a globally competitive player and critical economic growth driver in the local economy. This inevitable dynamism and its continued sustainability in the automotive industry is currently dependent on foreign players, who are bankrolling its activities. To successfully fulfil its mandate and survive the cutthroat competition, the automotive components manufacturers have no choice but to engage in innovation. However, the levels of competition in the sector have forced the automotive components manufacturers to move away from closed innovation to adopting a more open approach to innovation in the quest to build sustainable competitive advantage. This study investigated how open innovation strategic alignment among the various organizational managers influences sustainable competitive advantage and decision-making from the selected automotive component manufacturers in South Africa. The study's broader aim was to examine the nature and extent to which these firms' top management are aligned to execute their open innovation strategies and overcome the inherent operational challenges. The study used a mixed research methodology with a sample of 44 randomly selected respondents drawn from a target population of 100 chief executive officers, senior and research and development managers subscribed to the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers from KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape provinces The results identified that the challenges faced by automotive component manufacturers are lack of resources, lack of dynamic capabilities, and high-risk exposure, with the lack of resources being the most significant. The study contributes to knowledge by extending the concept of attaining aboveaverage returns by integrating the resource-based view theory, the dynamic capabilities theory, and the portfolio theory. It further recommends practical managerial solutions to overcome open innovation challenges through managers' strategic alignment, risk mitigation, erosion factor mitigation, improved organisational innovation culture, and product development capabilities.
An analysis of the effectiveness of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) procurement process for tourism projects.
(2018) Chiliza, Sthabiso Hernold.; Houghton, Jennifer Alice.
Although the South African government has implemented a range of infrastructure delivery programs that have significantly increased access to services, large backlogs remain. Within the same context, National Treasury concedes that it would be wrong to assume that government can meet this challenge alone. The state is expected to complement its budgetary capacity with investment capital and the wealth of innovative and special skills available within the private sector, through public private partnerships. Two out of ten government entities, who applied to go through the public private partnership procurement process, reach the end of this process. This increasing failure rate of public private partnership procurement initiatives was the motivating factor to conducting this study. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the public private partnership procurement process and to better understand the reasons for Treasury Approval Phases being passed or not passed with the intention of formulating more effective guidelines to assist in guiding organisations as they embark on this process. This was a qualitative study conducted among 36 participants who were managers and coordinators of tourism PPP projects within KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. They were selected purposefully. There were individual interviews conducted and a focus group discussion consisting of twelve (12) people. Data was analysed thematically. This study revealed that there is an understanding of the meaning of the public private partnerships and of the theories that influence or should influence the process. However, the study further revealed that there are gaps with the implementation of the process. The guidelines provided through the Treasury Department, are unable to regulate the process to ensure that the stages are finalized timeously. The biggest challenge was with the project initiation stage. Gaps in managing the project initiation stage contribute to the reason why most organization struggle to proceed beyond the Treasury Approval 1 stage. Other areas identified as critical contributors to the failures within the process were capacity building on PPPs, ensuring that the enabling environment is ready for PPPs and the financial support for project facilitation process. The study concluded that the public private partnership procurement process is a very good policy tool that, if managed and structured correctly, can create many positive benefits. However, the gaps within the enabling environment and practice, renders it ineffective. Hence the proposed model’s focus on the PPP project initiation stage.
The analysis of the leadership governance in South African universities.
(2018) Jali, Lulu Fortunate.; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele.
The concepts of good leadership and governance have been topics of great interest to scholars, where most of the studies in this respect were confined to large corporations and businesses, and not focused on the education landscape. Due to changes in government funding criteria for higher education institutions, they are now operating using business-like practices to cope with and to survive competition in the global market place. A literature review reveals that poor leadership governance is a major problem facing South African institutions today. The literature indicates that poor leadership governance leads to high levels of dropouts and low levels of throughput in universities. Some researchers point out that there is a lack of leadership with the vision to push the agenda for open access to publishing to accredited journals. Those universities with resource problems can assist those which are lacking. The literature reviewed further indicates that leadership involves good relationships with others in order to ensure unity and cohesion in decision-making. Transformation has been discussed as an important aspect of leadership governance for universities to enable them to tap into the micro-environmental behaviours of their stakeholders. This study therefore aimed to investigate the problem of leadership and governance and suggest solutions. The aim of this study was to assess and examine critical leadership governance styles, and identify contributing factors that might influence the leadership governance of all universities in South Africa. In addition, it proposes procedures to be adopted for leadership governance within these universities. The study answered questions on the role of leadership governance at universities, and to what extent leadership governance influences policies implemented within universities. The targeted population were members of senates from the traditional universities and universities of technology in South Africa. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect primary data. Questionnaires were delivered to prospective respondents from all universities in South Africa. Research officers and registrars for institutions were approached to obtain permission to conduct research at their universities. With the assistance of the research officers and registrars, the link to a Survey Monkey questionnaire was e-mailed for distribution to the participants. Statistical analysis was employed, and quantitative data was descriptively analyzed, with results presented using various types of graphs. The data was analyzed using the SPSS Version 24.0 statistical software programme. The qualitative data was analyzed through inductive approach using research themes. The empirical findings indicate that there is a strong relationship between the type of universities and the process of reviewing policies and procedures. The main conclusion drawn from this study is the need for inclusion of diverse stakeholders in leadership governance and the consideration of their contributions. This study recommends further research to be conducted with other targeted populations from universities.
An application of systems methodologies to investigate social complexity at the Felixton Mill area.
(2014) Proches, Cecile Naomi Gerwel.; Bodhanya, Shamim.
Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is one type of systems methodology that was developed in response to the limitations of the systems engineering approach. It uses a flexible, yet organised process to bring about action to improve problematical situations. This research employed SSM and systems science, in combination with standard qualitative methods, towards comprehending social complexity in the context of the Felixton Mill area, an important component of the South African sugar industry. This context is characterised by diverse stakeholders who have multiple and often competing objectives. This research formed part of a larger multi-disciplinary research project, which was aimed at finding improvement processes for use in the sugar cane supply and processing system. Data were collected mainly through in-depth semi-structured interviews and SSM workshops which were held with growers, hauliers, the miller, and industry stakeholders, and processed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that critical factors such as haulier inefficiencies, cane supply, and cane quality, were affecting the sustainability of the Felixton Mill area. The diverse goals of the stakeholders were found to be characteristic of a purposeful system, as is the case with social systems, but were identified as a potential source of conflict. The research highlighted the value of applying SSM to comprehend social complexity in this type of context. Critical factors such as starting conditions, time allocated, grouping of participants, and prompts by the facilitator, were found to play a role in the SSM process. The study contributed to social complexity theory through the development of a model to illustrate the role of power, organisational culture, decision-making, and value systems in complex social systems. Methodological lessons were provided, and an SSM facilitation model developed, to guide SSM practitioners who intend to facilitate change. Conceptual models were also developed to assist with navigating complexity in multi-stakeholder engagements. The study finally proposes a novel multi-stakeholder leadership model applicable in this and other contexts.
Application of systems thinking in reviewing power-infrastructure capital investment in South Africa=Ukusebenzisa umcabangozinhlelo ekubuyekezeni Utshalozimali Olukhulu Lwengqalasizinda Enamandla eNingizimu Afrika.
(2022) Chili, Zothini Nicholas.; Zondi, Wellington Bonginkosi.
The aim of this study was to investigate how the application of systems thinking can minimize revenue losses in capital power-infrastructure investment in South Africa. The study reviewed the application of existing financial models such as Return on Investments (ROI), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) to multi-years of capital power-infrastructure investments with an intention of introducing new investment evaluation model. In order to achieve the study objective, the researcher had to investigate using the systems approach the challenges regarding development of capital power-infrastructure investments, and apply systems thinking in evaluating the positive impact of timeous payments by debtors. This study was conducted mainly within Eskom comprising 150 engineers that are in the capital power-infrastructure process. Seven of the engineers who are in executive position participated in the qualitative part of the study and 90 engineers participated in the quantitative part of the study. In other words, the sample of the study comprised of 97 engineers involved in capital power-infrastructure investment. The research employed both quantitative and qualitative mixed method approach. The study found that knowledge management and corporate governance in power utilities of South Africa, including Eskom, is very weak. Furthermore, financial models used such as Internal Rate of Return, Return on Investments, Net Present Value, Level Cost of Energy and Cost of Unserved Energy did not realize the envisaged benefits. Other problems identified by the study included but not limited to multi-packages of contracting instead of single contracting for turnkey solution, lack of understanding the environmental history of where infrastructure was to be constructed, complication caused by procuring services from foreign companies, and lack of proper front- end planning. The participants that were subject matter experts in capital power-infrastructure investments linear regression analysis have proven the consistent relationship between scope liquidity and cost variances and further concurred that current financial models used to assess returns are mostly not realized. The study recommends the formation of a special governance committee that will ensure that there are front-end planning processes, including the application Complexity Factor, as the way of ensuring financial returns and enable successful delivery of capital power-infrastructure investment. The proposed committee should also advise on the suitability of the service provider in provision of the turnkey solution. The recommended special governance committee should also ensure competency of foreign companies in alignment with Supply Chain Management requirements of South Africa during bid evaluation and adjudicating. The study further recommends a systems model that can be used by power utilities to ensure that initial envisaged benefits are realized. Iqoqa: Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwakuwuphenya ukuthi ukusetshenziswa komcabangozinhlelo kungakunciphisa kanjani ukulahleka kwemalinzuzo kwingqalasizindamandla yemali etshaliwe eNingizimu Afrika. Ucwaningo lubuyekeze ukusebenza kwamamodeli akhona ezezimali njengeMalinzuzo etholakala kuTshalozimali, Isikalosilinganiso seNgaphakathi semalinzuzo ekutshalweni kwezimali kwingqalasizinda-mandla ngenhloso yokwethula imodeli entsha yokuhlola utshalozimali. Ukuze kufinyelelwe enhlosweni yocwaningo, umcwaningi kwakumele aphenye esebenzisa indlelakwenza ngokwezinhlelo ukubuka izinselelo ezimayelana notshalozimali lwengqalasizinda-mandla, bese kusetshenziswa umcabangozinhlelo ekuhlaziyeni umthelela omuhle wokukhokhwa ngesikhathi kwezikweletu ngabakweletayo. Lolu cwaningo lwenziwa ikakhulukazi kwa-Eskom lufaka onjiniyela abayi-150 abasohlelweni lwengqalasizinda-mandla oluseqhulwini. Abayisikhombisa kulabo njiniyela abasezikhundleni ezithatha izinqumo babamba iqhaza engxenyeni eyikhwalithethivu ocwaningweni kanti onjiniyela abangamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye babamba iqhaza engxenyeni eyikhwantithethivu yocwaningo. Ngamanye amagama, isampula locwaningo lwalunonjiniyela abangamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesikhombisa ababamba iqhaza ekutshaleni izimali okuyingqalasizinda-mandla.
Articulating South Africa’s port doctrine for a democratic developmental state.
(2019) Meyiwa, Ayanda.; Chasomeris, Mihalis Georgiou.
South Africa lacks a concise paradigm for port governance. This results in a number of challenges including lack of cost-based pricing for port services, retrogressive cross-subsidization, inequitable cost allocation to user groups, siphoning profits from ports to other loss-making divisions of the transport conglomerate; Transnet’s anticompetitive practices; the port authority’s disregard for the legislative demand to corporatize and poor port performance relative to the premium tariffs charged which compromises South African ports’ global competitiveness. These challenges cannot be satisfactorily addressed without interrogating the socio-political context within which pricing decisions, tariff structuring and port investment is done and questioning the philosophy informing these – the port doctrine. With South Africa professing to be a democratic developmental state, there is no divorcing her political dynamics from government’s strategic intervention in the ports sector. The socio-political demands and economic and trade objectives framing the entire macroeconomic strategy have, therefore, to filter down into the ports sector. This is a PhD by publication with four objectives, addressed through four papers. The study’s overall objective is to ex-ante articulate a South African port doctrine that translates her developmental state policies into a doctrine that addresses pricing methodology, tariff structure and port governance challenges. This study makes prescriptions that account for both historical context from which port governance emerged and the political convictions of the present and economic aspirations of the future, all within the paradigm of a democratic developmental state. Content analysis and document analysis through NVivo 11 Pro® are used to analyze data from secondary sources. It assesses comments from various port stakeholders concerning the Revenue Required tariff methodology, tariff structure and the evolutionary changes made to these through the consultative regulatory process facilitated by the Ports Regulator of South Africa. This study articulates South Africa’s own port doctrine. The doctrine aligns macroeconomic strategic intents with port policies and provides a framework for constructing port policy henceforth, gleaning lessons from some East-Asian states. The proposed doctrine presents a different approach to tariff methodology, tariff structure and port investment. Lastly, it proposes a port devolution strategy to achieve increased local private enterprise participation in ports.
An assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the strategic and operational management of the Makana Municipality, Grahamstown : a total quality management and business excellence approach.
(2006) Naidoo, Pravine.; Reddy, Purshottama Sivanarain.
In South Africa, companies and organisations are now operating within the global marketplace. Various authors writing on organisational effectiveness state that, in the last decade, many organizations have come to appreciate that total quality management (TQM) principles will enable them to become and remain competitive in both home and international markets. In many of these markets, quality and its continuous improvement are now qualifying criteria. TQM not only leads to increased productivity, higher standards, improved systems and procedures, improved motivation and increased customer satisfaction, but also to lower costs and bottom-line savings. The aim of this research study was to ascertain whether the strategic and operational management of the Makana Municipality in Grahamstown was effectively and efficiently leading and managing the institution in accordance with the principles of TQM, measured according to the international benchmark of business excellence. The practical and fundamental importance of this research study, therefore, lies in its evaluation of whether the Municipality's systems, processes, policies and procedures are in alignment with the principles of customer orientation, continuous improvement, process orientation, utilisation of business process re-engineering tools, promotion of accountability and measurement of services. This is vital, if the Makana Municipality, in Grahamstown is to deliver a world-class service in an effective and efficient manner. From an empirical research investigation by way of a survey of a cross-section of municipal employees, it was found that there are indeed challenges facing the organization with respect to the principles of TQM, such as education and training, a culture of process-orientation, communication, customer satisfaction, culture and values, and performance measurement. An Integrated Model for Total Quality Management and Business Excellence for Local Government has been proposed and an Action Plan for the introduction of TQM and business excellence within the Municipality has been devised for implementation.Making quality happen requires not only commitment, but also competence in the mechanics of TQM. Crucial early stages will comprise establishment of the appropriate organisation structure, teamwork and training, including information about quality costs and quality systems. The launch of quality improvement requires a balanced, three-pronged approach, through systems, teams and tools. A strategic implementation framework will allow the integration of TQM into the strategy of the organisation through an understanding of the core business processes and involvement of people. This will lead through -process analysis, selfassessment and benchmarking to identifying opportunities for improvement, including people development. The process opportunities will be prioritised into continuous improvement, re-engineering and re-design. Performance-based measurement will determine progress, and feedback to the strategic framework.
An assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of service delivery: a case study of eDumbe municipality.
(2017) Zwane, Zwelithini Michael.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
This study’s purpose was to investigate the extent to which the eDumbe municipality had progressed in providing service delivery effectively with the intention of strengthening good governance. In post-apartheid South Africa, the government is compelled to respond to global and economic changes by investing more on resources that can improve the lives of the people. To respond to these changes, government-formulated policies and legislation as mechanisms to assist local government; to carry out its developmental mandate aim to improve the status of communities and improve lives of the people. This study argues that the initiatives and intervention of local government to out carry its mandate has made limited progress in as far as the provision of service delivery and in upholding the principles of good governance at the eDumbe municipality are concerned. There is a great need to fast-track service delivery at local government level. These initiatives include: community satisfaction surveys; operation clean audit and back-to-basics. This study adopted a mixed methodology, that is, a combination of both the qualitative and quantitative methods and did an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of service delivery: A case study of the eDumbe Municipality. A mixed-method-approach means synthesising quantitative and qualitative data. This was seen as suitable for this study because the main purpose of the study was to assess how management of resources influences the effectiveness and efficiency at the eDumbe Municipality. The study commenced with the review of relevant literature, then presented a model developed for factors influencing efficient and effective service delivery and assesses the management of resources against this model. It also interpreted data that had been collected from the respondents. Findings of this study revealed the municipality had poor administrative capacity and infrastructure to carry out its mandate. This was as a result of inadequate financial resource (low tax base) as the municipality relied on a government grant. It is recommended that the managers should be visible to the community they serve and that the municipality must make it its obligation to inform the community about the availability of the financial statements.
Balanced scorecard usage as performance measurement tool for hotel and restaurant SME’s growth strategy.
(2020) Dlamini, Bafana Wilson.; Migiro, Stephen Oseko.
Abstract available in PDF.
Balanced scorecard usage as performance measurement tool for hotel and restaurant SME’s growth strategy.
(2020) Dlamini, Wilson Bafana.; Migiro, Stephen Oseko.; Tefera, Orthodox.
Performance measurement and management is very critical for any business growth and success. The study assessed the balanced scorecard (BSC) usage as a performance measurement tool for hotel and restaurant small and medium enterprises (SMEs’) growth strategy. BSC is a widely used performance measurement system that had contributed to the growth of many organizations. The study used explanatory sequential mixed method. This method requires the collection of quantitative data first and analysed before qualitative data collection and analysis. The overall results indicated that the majority of hotel and restaurant SMEs (57%) used the balanced scorecard perspectives for organizational growth strategy in Eswatini. The Chi Square results indicated a significant association between non-financial and financial measures (p= .000). The findings also revealed that of hotel and restaurant SMEs (68.8%) used financial and non-financial critical success factors The Chi Square test indicated the significance association between financial and non-financial critical success factors (p= .000). The study findings revealed that majority of hotel and restaurant SMEs (68.9%) had adopted innovation, shared valued, trust culture and cluster theories for organizational growth strategy. The Chi Square tests results also revealed a significant association between theoretical attributes (p= .000). The findings revealed that majority of hotel and restaurant SMEs (63.3%) recognised financial and non-financial factors for hotel and restaurant growth. The results revealed the association between financial and non-financial factors for hotel and restaurant SMEs growth strategy (p= .000). The follow up interview results give a clear reason why the hotel and restaurant SMEs sector used the balanced scorecard as performance measurement tool. Majority of participates cited reason such as customer service demands, new information, innovation, shared vision, trust culture, improve teamwork and improve employees fair working conditions contributes to hotel and restaurant SMEs growth strategy. However, participants acknowledged hotel and restaurant SMEs deficiency in skills development and employees non-participatory to financial planning affects the growth strategy. The study contributed to general knowledge through the development of Conceptual Framework, Performance Measurement Framework and Implementation Plan, hotel and restaurant SMEs could endorse for monitoring and evaluating their growth strategy.
A business sustainability framework for community pharmaceutical SMEs in South Africa, Gauteng Province.
(2021) Mulaudzi, Tshifhiwa Gift.; Mutambara, Emmanuel.
Community pharmaceutical Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) play a key role the world over and for South Africa, their role is more felt as the sector contributes to employment creation as well as boosting the gross domestic product. While they play such a key role, these community pharmaceutical SMEs often face insurmountable sustainability challenges ultimately undermining their growth and profitability. This study focuses on the community pharmaceutical SMEs of South Africa, following a published report by pharmaceutical boards that most community pharmacies were closing down or scaling down their operations due to sustainability challenges. The community pharmaceutical SMEs sector of South Africa is a significant business sector within the economy in terms of employment creations and poverty alleviation. Thus, the purpose of the study was to develop a sustainability framework for community pharmaceutical SMEs of South Africa in Gauteng province using a mixed research design with an online questionnaire of the quantitative study administered to 322 pharmacies selected through random sampling from a population of 1114 The qualitative design included in depth interviews conducted on 8 community pharmaceutical SME owners selected through purposive sampling. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 24) was used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis and NVIVO 12 Pro. The findings revealed that managerial factors, policymaking (rules and regulations), harsh economic conditions, access to finance, medication price hikes and competition due to location were the most severe challenges hindering sustainability of SMEs in the Gauteng province of South Africa. In addition, strategy problem, lack of financial literacy and marketing as well as lack of financial background by owner and managers further hindered sustainability of community pharmacy. Drawing from these findings, the study recommended that an introduction to managerial courses would assist managers greatly on how to manage community pharmacies, additionally policy makers needs to look into location challenges of these community pharmacies to avoid price fixing and unwarranted competition. Moreover, an establishment of remissions and rebates together with relaxed borrowing regulations will open opportunity to access finance to boost growth and sustainability. It is further recommended that there is a need to introduce a financial management course that looks into enterprising at a master’s degree level for those that wish to get into business in order to circumvent lack of financial background which seems to be one of the major reasons why these community pharmacies were not sustainable. In closing, the study developed and recommended the use of a conceptual community pharmaceutical framework towards ensuring business sustainability.

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