Masters Degrees (Management)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/8363

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Evaluating strategies for consumer trust in e-commerce.
(2024) Dhaja, Shayur.; Martins, Ana Maria De Azevedo.
This study evaluates strategies in e-commerce to enhance consumer trust. In light of the post-COVID-19 pandemic, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning the shift towards technological environments and increased consumer engagement with online platforms. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate and analyse the impact of consumer trust on e-commerce platforms. The study design adopted in this dissertation follows a systematic review approach. A qualitative approach is used, employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework to identify the most suitable articles. Additionally, a desktop approach has been followed to collect secondary data. The findings of this study reveal that there is a wide range of e-commerce platforms available, with a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour. Several strategies are being developed to improve customer satisfaction. These results suggest that practical contributions need to be made in the future. This study contributes valuable insights for consumers using e-commerce platforms and others engaged in online business transactions. It aims to bridge the gap in understanding consumer trust within e-commerce by proposing new strategies for the evolving technological landscape. The results of this study will have practical implications for businesses, consumers and policymakers involved in e-commerce, potentially promoting greater adoption of these platforms.
The impact of artificial intelligence on business operations.
(2024) Benjamin, Caitlin Jade.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
The swift advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has had a substantial impact on several industries, including business operations in South Africa. This thesis, entitled "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business Operations", investigates the adoption of AI, the challenges as well as possibilities it brings and how governments can help in promoting the incorporation of AI through policies. The study offers a thorough assessment of the influence of AI on business operations, emphasising its capacity to significantly improve productivity, decision-making and innovation. The study utilises a qualitative research technique to analyse the implementation and integration of AI in South African organisations. It draws upon current literature, industry reports and case studies for analysis. The results suggest that AI has significant advantages, such as enhanced efficiency in operations, consumer satisfaction and tactical decision-making. However, it also presents difficulties, such as problems with data management, shortages of skilled personnel and ethical considerations. Furthermore, the thesis explores the responses of company executives in South Africa toward the implementation of AI, analysing their approaches and adjustments. Additionally, it explores the prospects of management in a context where AI is prevalent, highlighting the importance of aligning strategies and gaining a thorough comprehension of AI's function in corporate activities. The research findings indicate that AI has the capacity to fundamentally transform business operations in South Africa, as long as organisations are able to skilfully mitigate the associated risks and successfully exploit AI technology to their benefit. This report provides useful perspectives into the practical application of AI in business, offering recommendations for businesses to navigate the ever-changing technological environment.
The relationship between wellness and support staff performance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2025) Butka, Alton Llewellyn.; Mavunda, Nyikiwa Agreement.
This study explores how various dimensions of well-being influence the performance of support staff at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). This well-being amongst organisation's staff can have a significant effect on the functioning of that business as well as the output and perception of the business or institution. It is for this very reason that the study undertaken navigated how a business or institution can consider its staff and its personnel’s state of mind when it comes to their overall well-being. The research was guided by five objectives that examined physical, mental, psychological, and social well-being, as well as the effectiveness of institutional well-being programmes. As such, the study looked to scrutinise the relationship between support staff employed within UKZN and their well-being, and in turn how this may have an impact on their work performance. The study applied a qualitative research approach, using a structured face-to-face interview schedule comprising twelve participants who were selected from three support divisions within the institution, namely the Human Resources department, the Finance department and lastly the Information and Communication Services department. From the sample of twelve participants, all twelve participants agreed to participate in the interview schedule. The findings revealed that overall well-being significantly affects job performance, with mental and psychological factors being most influential. Clearly, from the findings recorded in the qualitative data, it was evident that the support staff placed a huge emphasis on their overall well-being and how this affected their work performance as a result. A key criticism was the fact that the institution is not doing enough to either promote the initiatives on offer as well as advertise all the wellness offerings that are available to staff. The study recommends that UKZN enhance its wellness initiatives and provide greater managerial support to sustain staff well-being. However, the qualitative design and small sample size limit the generalisation of findings to broader populations.
A study of customer value management technology adoption by mobile operators in eSwatini.
(2026) Dlamini , Nathi Emmanuel Hudson.; Govender, Irene.
Customer Value Management (CVM) technology has emerged as a significant revenue stream in the mobile telecommunications industry. CVM technology contributes substantially to revenue growth in the mobile sector. CVM technology plays a crucial role in revenue growth within the mobile industry. In developed countries, major mobile operators have made considerable efforts to adopt CVM technology. It appears that mobile operators in developed countries are adopting CVM technology as a means to gain a competitive advantage. The study aims to examine the factors that influence the adoption and use of CVM by mobile operators in Eswatini. A quantitative survey methodology was implemented in the investigation. A total of 254 Eswatini MTN employees completed a closed-ended questionnaire. This study used the Technology, Organisational, and Environmental (TOE) Framework as a theoretical lens. The TOE framework is mainly utilised to study the adoption of technology at an organisational level. The findings revealed that the three constructs — technological, organisational, and environmental —are the main variables that impact the decision to adopt customer value management technology within the TOE model. However, the most significant determinants were technology, followed by organisational and environmental factors, which were the least important. The research contributes to the body of knowledge on the factors influencing mobile operators' adoption of customer value management technologies in Eswatini. The study's findings have the potential to inform mobile operators' strategies for implementing new technology. Additionally, mobile operators interested in investing in CVM technology should consider the factors highlighted in the study before adopting customer value management technologies.
Examining the impact of local government in promoting local economic development: the case study of Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality.
(2025) Makhedama, Avuma Zimasa.; Biyela, Andile Clifford.
Local Economic Development (LED) has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing persistent socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality in South Africa. Since the advent of democracy in 1994, municipalities have been constitutionally mandated to drive LED as part of their development role and create inclusive local economies that promote both social and economic well-being. The main aim of this dissertation was to evaluate the overall impact of local government on promoting Local Economic Development in South Africa, using the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality (WMMLM) as the case study. This research adopted a qualitative research approach, and the researcher employed the thematic analysis technique to analyse the collected data. The study aimed to interview sixteen participants, comprising eight Local Economic Development staff members from Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality and eight business community members within the WMMLM area. However, due to participant unavailability, in-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen participants. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The study was grounded in Community Development Theory, which provided a relevant framework for understanding the role of local government in facilitating local economic development. The findings indicated that WMMLM had established LED initiatives; however, several structural and operational challenges continued to limit their effectiveness. Although LED initiatives showed some positive impact on business growth, poor implementation, inadequate monitoring, weak alignment with local economic needs, unequal resource distribution, and budget constraints reduced their overall impact. These financial limitations also restricted the municipality’s ability to respond to economic shocks and emergencies. The study recommended strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing participatory governance, adopting context-sensitive LED strategies, and exploring diversified funding sources to maximise LED outcomes. The study contributed to knowledge on local economic development in South Africa and provided useful insights for policymakers and local government. However, as the study focused only on business community members within WMMLM, the findings could not be generalised to all municipalities, though they offered valuable insight into the realities faced by small municipalities.
The influence of organizational culture and leadership in promoting innovative behaviour in technical and vocational education and training colleges.
(2026) Mnikathi, Ayanda.; Kimweli, Kimanzi Mathew.; Gamede, Vangeli Wiseman.
This study explores the influence of organisational culture and leadership in promoting innovative behaviour within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa. In a world characterised by constant technological advancements and an ever-evolving economic environment, innovation emerges as the linchpin of progress and competitive edge. This is particularly true in the realm of education, where institutions are required to adapt to the needs of an increasingly complex and dynamic workforce (Terblanche, 2017). The research employed a qualitative approach, drawing data from two institutions-Elangeni TVET College and Mthashana TVET College-through interviews and questionnaires. Findings reveal that leadership styles and the prevailing organisational culture significantly impact the promotion of innovative behaviour among academic and administrative staff. Transformational and servant leadership styles were found to be particularly effective in encouraging a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and knowledge sharing. The study concludes by recommending strategies for leadership development and cultural transformation within TVET colleges to enhance institutional innovation.
Exploring social assistance administrative challenges at the South African Social Security Agency, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2024) Tshaba, Mabutho.; Madondo, Mfazo Cliford.
The social assistance benefits plan in South Africa is the largest portion of the government's desperation and commitment to ease the programme to provide social assistance to eligible citizens of the nation. This study’s main objective was to investigate the administrative challenges experienced by the social assistance systems at SASSA, KZN Region. The study employed qualitative research with explorative research design. The study was undertaken with ten SASSA Regional Managers in the KwaZulu-Natal Region. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants who were purposively sampled from the population. The data collected was analysed through thematic analysis. The key findings of the study indicated that there is a connection between the concept of social security and management, because it was used as an accounting tool for the services rendered under grants administration process. Secondly, most key challenges identified included fraud and corruption. Key recommendations were made as follows: there is a need to strengthen the use of technology to improve the social security administrative systems and ease access by the services users. There is a need to align the national policies, government systems and improve stakeholder involvement in addressing these interconnected issues. It is hoped that these findings and recommendations could be used for influencing policies around social security administration processes and improve citizenry participation, so that service users have a voice on the programmes implemented by the government. Furthermore, this study is an important contribution towards efforts aimed at improving service delivery within the South African Social Security Agency.
Factors contributing to employee turnover intention at selected retail firms in KZN and strategies of mitigation.
(2025) Ramsundar, Avinesh.; Soni, Sanjay Shantilal.
Attracting and retaining high-quality employees is vital to ensuring a high level of organisational performance and maintaining competitiveness in business. In order to attain maximum productivity, organizations invest in employees through training and career development programs. Therefore, management are compelled to implement strategies to minimize employee turnover. Employee turnover has been described as the state by which an employee shows his willingness to quit a job. Given the organizational disruption, such as reduced organizational performance and productivity, associated with employee turnover, employee turnover has become a pressing issue. In South Africa, the literature showed that employee turnover rate in the retail industries has been critically high. Considering the role of the retail industry on the South African economy as well as its customer-facing nature, employee turnover has more consequences on the retail sector and the societies as compared to other sectors of the economy. In addition, the high rate of employee turnover and its consequences on the affected organization has necessitated the need for an investigation of possible influencing factors of employee turnover intention. This study therefore investigated the factors contributing to employee turnover intention in the retail sector of KwaZulu-Natal province, at Companies A, B, and C. A quantitative methodology was employed, with 130 questionnaires administered at Companies A, B, and C. The findings showed that factors such as poor working conditions, lack of training, and career development programs, as well as management culture, influence employee turnover. The study concludes with possible means to manage employee turnover in the retail industries. One of the implications of the findings is that Companies should focus on improving work environment and conditions, management culture, and job satisfaction. By addressing these key causative factors of employee turnover, they can improve retention rates and ensure that their employees are satisfied with their jobs. For future studies, it was recommended that additional sectors also be studied to acquire a broader perspective of the impact of labour turnover intention may have in other sectors of the South African labour market.
Government initiatives and learner perceptions influencing agriculture as a career choice in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2025) Qwabe, Xolani Mduduzi.; Salisbury, Roger Hans Theodore.
The participation of young people in farming has been one of the key issues for the South African government. For this reason, the government has implemented several important policies and strategies to inspire the youth to participate in agriculture. Strategies include programs that promote and support smallholder agricultural businesses, particularly those owned by the youth. National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) was established with one of the objectives being to assist young people of this country to establish their own farming businesses. furthermore, the National Empowerment Fund has provided financial support to the youth with the intention of promoting their full participation in farming. Youth participation in agriculture and the promotion of agripreneurship are vital for food security and the achievement of SA economic goals, yet government efforts do not seem to have resulted in the expected outcome. This study sought to investigate government initiatives and learner perceptions that influence the selection of agriculture as a career choice in KwaZulu-Natal. A quantitative methodology was employed with 140 questionnaires distributed by hand to the students of uMfolozi TVET Colleges (Nkandla, Eshowe, and Bhambanana/Jozini) in Kwazulu-Natal province. The findings indicate that students perceive that the agricultural industry does not provide clean jobs and that agricultural professions in general are not attractive. Students consider that resources are limited, and they lack the knowledge to utilise those that are available. The study proposes possible strategies to attract youth to careers in agriculture.
The impact of communication barriers at Majuba Technical and Vocational Education and Training college.
(2025) Ntshangase, Thulile Winfridah.; Naidoo, Vannie.
Every organisation engages in communication, which is a concept that is quite frequent in dayto-day life. Tasks cannot be completed if there are no efficient means of communication. Barriers and difficulties both that can be avoided and that cannot be avoided do arise during the communication process. To effectively surmount communication obstacles, a person must internalise all the necessary skills and dispositions. Examining the effects of communication obstacles that lecturers and management at Majuba Technical and Vocational Education and Training College encounter is the study's objective, as well as the factors that prevent effective communication and solutions to these issues. The primary aim is to pinpoint various barriers to successful communication at Majuba Technical and Vocational Education and Training College and suggest possible solutions for their communication system. Qualitative research methodology was used for this study. Data was collected through interviews using content analysis to organise collected information and to analyse the recorded data from the interviews with participants from Majuba Technical Vocational Education and Training College. The participants who took part in my study are employees employed by the College, which includes Lecturers and Senior Lecturers, and this research took place at Majuba Technical Vocational Education and Training College, which is based at Majuba and UmziNyathi Districts, which provides different programs. Employees at the College received a list of interview questions that had been created. The participants who took part in this study were 10 lecturers. The goal was accomplished using information gathered through interviews, and the study's conclusions can assist management in becoming aware of the difficulties and formulating plans to address them so that both lecturers and management can function in a favorable atmosphere. This study has covered a wide range of significant topics, including the various types of obstacles to effective communication within an organisation, as well as strategies for overcoming communication barriers and addressing psychological, physical, cultural, and linguistic barriers to effective communication.
An evaluation of leadership and management influence on audit outcomes : a case study of uMshwathi Municipality.
(2025) Mathenjwa, Theoreen Thulile.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
The study aimed to examine challenges facing leadership in municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal that negatively impact the audit outcomes, with a specific focus on the uMshwathi Municipality. It further provided a comparison of audit outcomes for the past three financial years, (2018/19; 2019/20 and 2020/21) and a provincial outlook, highlighting the root causes and recommendations to improve the situation. In addition, the study examined whether there is a need to amend legislation to address some of the root causes and outlined the type of leadership needed to change the situation. This study utilised qualitative research since it permits in-depth engagement with municipal leadership to comprehend their concerns and how they may secure favourable audit outcomes. Due to the qualitative nature of the study, appropriate data collection techniques such as interviews, focus groups, and observation were used. The data was gathered through semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach. The study's key findings are structured around leadership skills, audit regression factors, leadership impacts, financial management, governance effects, and improvement strategies. Deficiencies in strategic planning suited to ecological shifts, financial acumen and accountability, and political leadership’s disengagement from fiduciary consciousness emerged. On the other hand, an appetite for participative envisioning emerged. The study recommended that leadership nurture suggested participative planning, control digitisation, communication democratisation policies suiting ecological uncertainty, household mobility yearnings, and social transparency. There is also a willingness to adopt participative planning, fiscal visualisation, specialised skills fusion, and scaled control digitalisation. Thereafter, clean audits manifest co-accountability and require embedding collaborative social contracts fulfilling household aspirations. Tailored competency acceleration also holds potential alongside communication democratisation for turning clean audits into embedded social contracts fulfilling intergenerational mobility aspirations if leaders urgently champion suggested policies. Further research is recommended to investigate participation toolkits, blended administrator-community exchanges, and interface democratisation techniques that dissolve psychological distances.
Tailoring competitive strategies to retail banking in South Africa: A managerial perspective.
(2024) Ganesh, Retesh.; Naidoo, Vannie.
Competitive forces require businesses to modify existing strategies to remain relevant. Retail banking is no exception. While many well-researched strategic tools lead businesses to strategic development, Porter’s five generic strategies remain relevant today. The modern retail banking market has seen a great shift in consumer demands over the last few years, creating gaps in the competitive market. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of implementing Porter’s generic strategies within the retail banking space of South Africa. The research also identified factors that influence the use of generic strategies in retail banking. It was envisaged that the research produced useful information for retail bank managers on the benefits of implementing Porter’s generic strategies to improve the competitiveness of the bank and satisfy the needs of consumers. Design/methodology: The research employs a quantitative study using questionnaires distributed to a sample of 56 people at the MD Singh Heights building to gather the necessary data to satisfy the research questions. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, mean, median, and standard deviation have been employed to identify the relationship between these variables and how they react to one another. The Fisher-Freeman- Halton exact test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (K-S test) were used to test the study hypothesis. Findings: The research has uncovered grounds that satisfy the requirements of strategy implementation to secure a competitive advantage. It was found that the implementation of Porter’s generic strategies provides results that lead to a competitive advantage, however, the choice of strategy or combination of strategies is highly dependent on the goals of the institution. The current retail banking market suggests that broad differentiation and focused strategies produce the highest correlation of +0.22 vis-à-vis consumer selection of a bank. Originality/value: The study has uncovered valuable information surrounding the implementation of Porter’s generic strategies within the retail banking market of South Africa. The study highlighted the changing needs of banking consumers within the market and established factors that directly impact how consumers select a bank. The selection of a bank is critical as it exposes current gaps in strategies as well as highlights areas of Porter’s generic strategies that can be implemented to close current gaps and improve the competitive position of the bank.
The supermarket employees preferences on leadership styles required during the COVID-19 crisis in KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
(2024) Bux, Naadirah.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
The coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented crisis that severely impacted the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic caught leaders within the food retail industry off-guard. Supermarkets within the food retail industry were severely impacted by the changes of COVID-19. Leaders needed to quickly identify challenges and evaluate what their organisations needed in order to survive. Hence, effective leadership was required to overcome this crisis situation. Leadership styles play an important role in dealing with crises, as they assist leaders in choosing which type of leadership style to adopt to ensure their employees remain motivated and continue to work towards the goals of the organisation so that it survives and remains successful during a crisis. The aim of the study was to explore supermarket employees’ preferences for leadership styles during the COVID-19 crisis in KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. The study followed a qualitative interpretivism approach to gain an in-depth understanding of which leadership style was most preferred by supermarket employees while working during the COVID-19 crisis. This research study involved conducting interviews with ten participants who were employed in various supermarkets in Pietermaritzburg throughout the COVID-19 crisis. It explored what aspects of a leadership style supermarket employees prefer now compared to those used prior to COVID-19 and to determine which leadership style motivates supermarket employees to work towards their supermarket’s goals. It was found that prior to the pandemic, supermarket leaders used transformational, transactional, democratic and autocratic leadership styles. However, after the COVID-19 crisis, leaders had to change their leadership style to adapt to the changes brought about by the pandemic and include an adaptive leadership style in their approach. It was deduced from the findings of the study that there is no one specific leadership style that can be used to directly address the coronavirus pandemic. That is, each leadership style presents its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Leaders had to engage with their employees to determine which type of leadership style they preferred to motivate them to work towards the goals of their supermarket. The reality is that COVID-19 is not the first crisis that the world has faced, and it will not be the last. If leaders continue to ignore the effects of the pandemic, it could lead to the demise of certain supermarkets within the food retail industry. Therefore, the greater the understanding gained about pandemics, the better equipped leaders will be to confront the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and any other crises that may arise in the future.
Managing remote employees during the coronavirus pandemic : a global review of management practices and policies.
(2025) Baai, Thembile Thobile.; Kubheka, Zamanguni Fortunate.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the global business landscape, forcing organizations to rapidly adapt their management practices and policies. This dissertation investigates the transformative impact of the pandemic on organizations, focusing on the shift towards remote work, the emphasis on employee wellbeing, and the emergence of adaptable leadership styles. This systematic review aims to explore how management practices and organizational policies evolved to manage remote employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing approaches before and after the pandemic. It also examines adaptations of organizational policies to effectively manage virtual employees during the pandemic. This qualitative study draws upon secondary data, including academic literature, industry reports, and expert analyses published between 2020 and 2023, to provide a comprehensive overview of the pandemic's impact on management practices across global organizational contexts. The findings reveal a significant shift towards more flexible, employee-centric, and technology-driven approaches to management. Organizations that successfully adapted demonstrated agility and a deep commitment to supporting their employees through unprecedented disruption. The shift to remote work necessitated a re-evaluation of traditional management practices, leading to the adoption of new communication protocols, collaboration tools, and performance management systems. Furthermore, the pandemic highlighted the importance of employee well-being, prompting organizations to invest in mental health resources, flexible work arrangements, and enhanced communication strategies. Due to its reliance on secondary data, this study may not fully capture the nuanced experiences of individual organizations. The study's findings underscore the need for organizations to cultivate adaptability, invest in employee wellbeing, enhance virtual collaboration, empower remote managers, and consider hybrid work models. These findings have important implications for organizational leadership, human resource policies, and digital transformation strategies. They suggest that sustainable post-pandemic management requires not only investment in remote work infrastructure, but also a shift in leadership culture to support employee wellbeing and resilience.
The role of self-management in postgraduate studies at the University of Kwazulu-Natal.
(2017) Ramlall, Halisha.; Kharsany, Khadija.
Self-management has historically been viewed as a crucial success factor in postgraduate studies. There was a combination of both a positive and negative state in respect of self-management as some students displayed the required self-management skills for academic success, whilst others lacked these fundamental elements. The problem lies in the fact that most students have experienced a lack of self-management during their tertiary studies and there was a need to develop or suggest a theoretical framework or solution to their challenge. In addition to affecting the throughput rates of postgraduate students, a lack of self-management also affected the self-confidence of students, as they may have felt a lack of motivation to achieve their goals. A mixed-methods study was conducted with postgraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to examine the various aspects that contributed towards self-management. Students were required to answer a survey via Survey Monkey to determine their self-management patterns. Twenty-three students completed the surveys, and the findings confirmed that whilst students were self-motivated and had a reasonable degree of self-confidence, there was still a huge reliance on the University and supervisors to provide additional support. Students believed that there would have been a significant increase in the throughput rates had such support been made available. Students were goal orientated and focused; however, they still required assistance from their lecturers, and the University as a whole. It can be deduced that the students had high expectations from both the lecturers and the University in terms of their studies. Therefore, the University needed to introduce extensive support mechanisms for postgraduate students, which included a Master’s tutor as well as a dedicated librarian.
Exploring the effectiveness of the project management system: a case study of the Kwazulu-Natal Department of Public Works.
(2024) Mbeje, Nkosingiphile Zelda.; Kubheka, Zamanguni Fortunate.
Project Management has been widely used in different geographical regions and across different cultures using different methodologies as well as different processes. The KwaZulu Natal Department of Public Works has a challenge of completing projects on time due to funding delays, community interference and unrests, sometimes leading to halting of projects, budget problems, scope creep, and late payments of contractors by client departments, and projects that started late and can’t meet the deadline. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the project management system used in the implementation of projects within the KwaZulu Natal Department of Public Works by looking at the tools and techniques used. The PMBOK was used as a theoretical framework to support this study. The study was conducted through qualitative research methodology and was exploratory in nature. Purposive sampling was used to select the 26 participants. The findings showed that the Department uses Gantt charts, progress meetings, WIMS, IPDMS, IPAC, IPIP, and SOPS. The findings further revealed that some of these tools are not effective as project team members don’t know how to use them, some aren’t aware of them and sometimes there aren’t enough licences to use the Gantt charts leading to no monitoring of project milestones. Furthermore, the Department also takes long in implementing current frameworks causing challenges during project implementation as current tools and guidelines set for project tasks are not implemented for improvement, there is not enough information on WIMS limiting IPDMS, and the manual IPIP makes it difficult to monitor project budget. There is no PMO for IS projects. Weekly progress meetings monitor progress of all projects. The manual IPIP makes it difficult to manage new project changes made and this indicates how important project planning is and how project expenses must be managed in accordance to the Project Cost Management knowledge within PMBOK. The overall analysis of the information shows that the challenges faced consequently affect the project timelines, budget, and the project scope changes. Compliance risk is analysed for mitigation which advocates for progress on policies that control and restrict the usage of land. It is recommended that training and development is provided for all project team members and that the Department formulates the IS PMO for ease of project implementation and monitoring of milestones and that frameworks must be implemented on time for effective project management of projects.
Barriers inhibiting women progression to leadership positions within KwaZulu-Natal municipalities: a case of eThekwini Municipality.
(2024) Mfungula, Sibongile Fortunate.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
Despite these several laws that are enshrined in the Constitution, women are still underrepresented in leadership and senior management positions, and there is still much that needs to be done to address gender inequality in the workplace. Gender equality is a top global priority reflecting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number five which aims to achieve gender equity and empower girls and women equally to their male counterparts. Although women have made unprecedented strides in climbing the ranks of middle management positions in government, they are still less presented in senior leadership positions, particularly in local government which includes municipalities. The study aims to identify and assess barriers that prevent the progression of women in senior leadership positions in municipalities within KwaZulu-Natal, with specific reference to eThekwini Municipality. The study employed a qualitative approach that opts for a phenomenological research design to identify the socio-cultural phenomenon that predominates in municipalities and creates hurdles that hinder women from advancing into top management positions. The data collection used semistructured one-on-one interviews with a purposive sample of 10 managers in various municipal business clusters. With the use of an interpretative paradigm, the researcher was able to elucidate the various realities that women experience in pursuing senior leadership positions within the eThekwini Municipality. The study found that eThekwini Municipality's organisational culture and climate predominantly supported gender prejudices that favoured men. Other factors identified were associated with gender stereotypes that perpetuate traditional roles and functions, which creates unbalanced opportunities and expectations of what women can and cannot do. Similarly, factors that affect them as individuals, such as their lack of confidence, lack of mutual support, and dual responsibility were found to be hindering women’s progression into senior leadership positions. The study also provided a precis of measures that may be taken by the municipality to ensure that gender transformation occurs with greater speed to enable women to advance to top management roles. These include change management programmes, close monitoring of gender policies, empowerment of women, and redress of political interference.
Exploring consumers’ perceptions of using celebrity endorsers to advertise cosmetics in the Chinese beauty industry.
(2020) Govender, Keriscia.; Tooray, Jenasha.
This study aims to explore consumers’ perceptions of using celebrity endorsers to advertise cosmetics within China’s beauty industry. A plethora of research has established that a favourable celebrity endorser has the power to persuade consumers into making a purchase of a cosmetic product, by enhancing an organisations’ brand image, brand loyalty and brand awareness. Seeing as China’s female consumers represent a lucrative market segment for marketing teams to infiltrate within the beauty industry, a questionnaire was administered for the purpose of uncovering whether a relationship exists between the use of celebrity endorsers as an advertising strategy and consumers’ perceptions of celebrity endorsers; and to determine the impact that this relationship has regarding an organisation’s brand image, brand loyalty, brand awareness and Chinese media platforms and coverage on consumers’ purchase intentions and perceptions. A sample of 217 consumers from a popular cosmetic franchise named Sephora located at six shopping malls in Dalian, North of China, was extracted for data collection using the convenience sampling technique. The data collected was evaluated in order to test the hypotheses of the study and the researcher employed both descriptive and inferential statistics. The empirical findings indicate that a significant difference exists among consumers’ perceptions of celebrity endorsers, Chinese media platforms and coverage within the beauty industry, celebrity endorsers’ influence on brand image, brand loyalty and brand awareness. It was also discovered that Chinese consumers are inclined to purchase a cosmetic product if the celebrity endorser is famous, white-skinned and from a western country. The results generated from this study created a framework which elucidates the recommendations for enhancing the understanding of consumers’ perceptions of celebrity endorsement. This framework is beneficial to marketing teams who aspire to improve advertising strategies, brand image, brand loyalty, brand awareness, and achieve an inordinate amount of media coverage using popular social media platforms in China.
The perception and attitude of generation Z consumers on e-cigarette marketing: a University of KwaZulu-Natal perspective.
(2022) Zungu, Lindeliwe.; Oodith, Devina.
E-cigarette awareness over the past few years, has experienced a notable increase especially among the youth. E-cigarettes have been promoted heavily on the internet and on social media websites which reach millions of young people (Payne, Orellana-Barrios, Medrano Juarez, Buscemi and Nugent, 2016). E-cigarette marketers also use eye-catching, colourful and innovative packaging to attract the youth. Therefore, this study aims to quantitatively examine the perception and attitude of Generation Z consumers on e-cigarette marketing. The study focuses on the perception and attitude of Generation Z (UKZN) students on e cigarette marketing. In particular the perception and attitude of students towards e-cigarette use, smoking cessation, health risks/benefits, packaging as a marketing tool and regulation of e-cigarettes will be examined. A sample of 375 students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Westville campus was drawn using a non-probability convenience sampling technique to generate the results. Participants completed the online questionnaire compromising of four sections. Section A was based on the biographical information of participants. Sections B, C and D were related to questions pertaining to the sub-dimensions of the study. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed using factor analysis and Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to initiate the results of the study. The empirical results of this study indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between the marketing influence of e-cigarettes and the influence of packaging regulation in South Africa respectively, at a 1% level of significance. There is a significant difference in the perceptions of students, varying in biographical profiles (gender, age, race, study programme and level of study) regarding each dimension of the study. Recommendations from the results of the study provide insight to policymakers and provide them with the power to counter these marketing strategies appropriately.
Use of wellness programs at a university in South Africa.
(2017) Kisten, Vadhashnee.; Hoque, Muhammad.
Abstract Over the past decade Universities in South Africa have moved from a purely academic environment to provide a sustainable and healthy working environment taking into account work life balance and the well-being of their core assets, their employees. In recent years, workplace wellness has become a new focus area for improvement to enable higher performance, increased productivity and it also provides organisations with a competitive advantage. Wellness programs are being used to drive human resources strategies and employee engagement. The aim of this study is to investigate the Use of Wellness Programs at a University in South Africa and its impact thereof. The University that was chosen for this study was the Durban University of Technology. A quantitative research approach was used to provide the different perspectives and impact from respondents on the subject matter. Data was collected using a web based questionnaire. The population size was one thousand three hundred and forty four employees. Simple random sampling design was used. The sample of two hundred and sixty was drawn. The sample composed of all three categories of employees, i.e.: management, academic and administrative and support sector employees, with different genders and spanning across all the university’s campus locations. The survey was sent electronically to the selected sample of employees. Statistical analysis revealed that whilst there was awareness and utilisation of the programs offered by the university, it was limited and therefore more could be done to increase awareness and utilisation. The study revealed that incentives were seen as a motivating factor. The findings aligned to majority of the literature as per findings from previous scholars. It is recommended that the university reviews the alignment of the current workplace programs and aligns to the needs as seen from the results of this study. It is further recommended that the university has in place monitoring and assessment tools for the impact of the workplace wellness programs. This study can benefit the Durban University of Technology and other South African Universities in understanding of the impact of the current program and offerings and the alignment to vision, mission and strategies; whilst taking into account the drivers for increasing staff morale, employee performance and productivity which will also aid in reducing stress and absenteeism levels. Thereby, improving workplace wellness at the university. The study can benefit the university.

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