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A comparison between the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity

  • Authors: Le Roux, Suzette Johanna
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Organizational change , Economic development , Businesspeople , Success in business
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/82617 , uj:18980
  • Description: Abstract:Orientation As an entrepreneur/mentor, I am fascinated by the issue of why some start-up businesses flourish and others struggle to survive. In line with this and in order to increase understanding of entrepreneurial success, there is, as Bakker, Curşeu, and Vermeulen (2007) state, a need for empirical research to be conducted into the thought processes of entrepreneurs during strategic decision-making. In this study I endeavoured to discover why so many businesses fail and, subsequently, find a way to improve the success rate of novice entrepreneurs by exploring the mental models that support their decision-making. Research question The research question that guided the study investigated the differences between the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful businesses and those involved in unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity. Research aim and objectives The aim of the study was to explore and describe the concrete experiences and mental models of a small group of entrepreneurs, of which I was one. The following key objectives were identified for the study:  To identify the critical elements of the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful entrepreneurial activity  To ascertain the way in which the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful entrepreneurial activity differ from those involved in unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity  To suggest interventions that would be appropriate for altering the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in unsuccessful activity so that they resemble the mental models of those involved in successful entrepreneurial activity... , D.Phil.
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'n Makro-ekonomiese inligtingsraamwerk vir ontwikkelingsbeplanning met spesifieke verwysing na ontwikkelingstreek G

  • Authors: Malan, Christo Daniel
  • Date: 2015-03-18
  • Subjects: Economic development , Community development - South Africa , Rural development - South Africa
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:13451 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13488
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Southern Africa, when viewed in the context of a developing region, is an area of extremes. Sophisticated urban development, financial markets, agricultural development and technically-advanced production processes form a direct contrast to the squatting, subsistence agriculture, malnutrition and unemployment found in a single complex Southern Africa socio-economic environment. The most important goal of economic development in Southern Africa is the raising of the standard of living of the entire population. The interests and needs of the individual play a prominent role in this pre-determined goal. The results that are obtained in this process are largely determined by the element of planning. In the planning stage, vision and insight need to be displayed to determine the anticipated end results. The availability of current information is the basis on which any real action, in the attempt to achieve the aforementioned objective, will depend. The purpose of this study was to compile a macro-economic information framework for development planning and to illustrate this framework with an example.
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Desperately seeking FDI: the impact of globalisation on the state and its devolved entities

  • Authors: Weertman, Warren
  • Date: 2009-04-30T09:23:47Z
  • Subjects: Globalization , Foreign investments , The state , Economic development , Economic policy (South Africa)
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:8326 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2453
  • Description: M.A. , Of our age, perhaps the two defining terms have been “the state” and “globalisation”, each of which is constantly changing and adapting as the international community has to deal with an increasing multiplicity of actors in the field of international relations. Witness not only the rise of supra-national state units such as the European Union, but also the increased importance of sub-national state units such as provinces and cities in international relations. At the same time it is possible to distinguish between various types of globalisation such as political and economic globalisation. Each of these types of globalisation influences the state in a variety of ways. For example, political globalisation has led to the rise in importance of supra-national and sub-national state units. As for economic globalisation, this study assesses the influence of one particular feature of economic globalisation namely FDI on the South African state and its sub-national state units, particularly Gauteng and Johannesburg. In order to assess the influence of foreign direct investment on the structure of the South African state, the study provides a theoretical framework of globalisation and the state. This theoretical framework is then built upon by incrementally discussing the structure and economic policies of the central South African state before assessing the structure and economic policies of Gauteng and Johannesburg. Particular attention is paid to the economic responses of the central South African state, Gauteng and Johannesburg to a particular manifestation of economic globalisation, namely foreign direct investment. In this regard the study discusses the precepts of the central state‟s policy known as “Growth, Employment, and Redistribution” as a means of attempting to attract foreign direct investment to South Africa. Within the context of Gauteng and Johannesburg the study assesses how these sub-national state units have adopted local economic development policies as a means to attract foreign direct investment. At the same time it is necessary to consider how these local economic development policies fit into the neo-liberal precepts of central government‟s economic policies. It was noted above that it is possible to distinguish between various types of globalisation such as political and economic globalisation. Each of these types of globalisation influences the state in variety of ways. This study assesses the influence of one particular feature of economic globalisation namely FDI on the South African state and its sub-national state units, particularly Gauteng and Johannesburg. In order to assess the influence of FDI on the South African state, Gauteng and Johannesburg, the study assesses how each of these three spheres of the South African state are attempting to attract FDI through the adoption of economic policies and other policies (such as GEAR and LED programmes). This study will assess the possibility of whether Gauteng and Johannesburg should be given greater autonomy and flexibility to attract FDI. The question which the study thus seeks to answer is: how does FDI (as a feature of globalisation) influence the structure of the South African state and the relationship between the central South African state and its sub-national state units?
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Holisme en ontwikkeling

  • Authors: De Beer, Stéfan Johannes
  • Date: 2012-08-14
  • Subjects: Holism , Economic development , Philosophy and civilization
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:9148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5602
  • Description: M.A. , The inability and shortcomings of current scientific models, methods and theories to fully and effectively explain certain phenomena and provide certain solutions to everyday problems, is a great cause for concern. The ruling Newtonian scientific paradigm that serves as the foundation for current scientific methods and theories, provides an insufficient ontological basis for studying and explaining complex and interdependent phenomena and questions. The attempt to explain and address problems and phenomena from this deterministic and fragmented viewpoint, was generally unsuccessful - an instance that is especially prominent in the social sciences. As with most fields of study, Development studies is also affected by the abovementioned reality. Development theories and approaches are still being distinguished by singular and fragmented approaches and views, where only single facets of the development process are being addressed. These theories and approaches also try to find solutions for development problems from a Western, First World perspective. Local communities' meaning-giving context was, and still is, rarely considered as part of the development equation and development as viewed by the West, was consequently "enforced" on these communities. In recent years there has been a shift in emphasis to a search for approaches that are inclusive, non-deterministic and process-driven which would better explain complex behaviour, problematique and phenomena. This tendency is also to be found in all the fields of scientific inquiry, including Development studies. In view of the abovementioned reality, it is subsequently necessary to examine the holistic ontology as it provides a clear and essential, albeit supplementary, alternative to the Newtonian scientific paradigm. The holistic ontology, which manifests concepts like linearity, causation, determinism, objectivity and inductive reasoning, differs from the Newtonian scientific paradigm in that it represents an opposite reality where concepts such as process, context and recursive relationships play a central role. The holistic ontology is also non-linear, non-causal and non-deterministic in nature. This dissertation then focuses on the holistic ontology as applied to development studies. The topics that receive attention in this dissertation are the meaning and goals of the concept of "development", the evolution of development theory, the concept and nature of holism and how the holistic ontology can be applied and operationalised in terms of development. It becomes evident that holism can contribute in a positive manner towards the whole development discourse and that this approach will sensitise developers (on a conscious level) of the importance of communities' recursive relationships and meaning-giving context in the development process. The holistic ontology thus provides, for the first time, a clear and definite alternative to the current fragmented Newtonian-based approaches from where development can be implemented.
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The impact of economic integration on trade growth in Africa: a critical analysis of the East African Community

  • Authors: Otieno, Grace Awuoth
  • Date: 2014-06-11
  • Subjects: East African Community , Africa, East - Economic integration , Africa, East - Commerce , Economic development , Trade growth - East African Community
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:11522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11217
  • Description: M.Com. (Economics) , The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of economic integration on trade growth in the East African Community (EAC). The EAC created in June 2001, is the regional umbrella organisation overseeing a pan-nation, an inter-governmental trade bloc for the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The objectives of the organisation are to create an environment where free movement of people, goods and labour can occur, spurring economic growth and well-being of the region’s citizens. The concept of economic integration emerged post the Second World War (WWII), as an avenue for creating a protected large free-trade area in which gradually capital movements could be liberalised. It has been adopted in different regions with varying degrees of success. It is in this context that the EAC was examined. The study uses two models to analyse the impact of economic integration on trade growth; the institutional integration index and the augmented gravity model. The first model is important in the analysis of economic integration in that it provides evidence of the impact that deeper and wider integration has on trade growth. The second model, the augmented gravity model is an “augmentation” of the traditional gravity model with additional variables that cater for the effects of the second, third and fourth stages of integration. The study applies panel data analysis on a 10 year data set and empirically assesses the impact of economic integration on trade growth. Based on the results of the two models, it is found that economic integration does lead to trade growth, however because the EAC has only attained the first stage of integration i.e. Customs union and is currently pursuing the second stage i.e. Common markets, factors that come into play in the latter stages of integration i.e. monetary union and political federation, have no significant impact on trade.
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Die potensiële groeikoers van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie

Economic growth as a poverty reduction strategy in the Southern African Development Community

  • Authors: Kande, Mutombo Emmanuel
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Economic development , Poverty
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/292305 , uj:31763
  • Description: M.Com. (Development Economics) , Abstract: Economic growth has been at the core of poverty-reduction strategies in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) over the past years. To evaluate the impact of these strategies, the empirical analysis in this dissertation employs two-stage least squares estimation techniques to estimate the effect of economic growth and the distribution of income (proxied by the Gini coefficient) on the headcount index, the poverty gap and the squared poverty gap across 15 SADC countries over the period 1981 to 2013. The empirical results show that a one percentage point increase in mean income growth leads to a reduction in all three poverty measures: the headcount index falls by 1.1 percentage points, the poverty gap by 1.6 percentage points and the squared poverty gap by 1.9 percentage points. An important policy-related insight from these findings is that growth is not only effective in reducing the percentage of the population below the poverty line, as measured by the headcount index, but also the intensity and severity of poverty, as measured by the poverty gap indices. Moreover, income inequality is also found to be a significant determinant of poverty in the SADC. A one percentage point decrease in income inequality leads to a 1.5 percentage points decline in the poverty gap and a 2.5 percentage points decline in the squared poverty gap. These findings have important implications for poverty-reduction strategies in SADC countries. The main policy implication of the results is that SADC governments should, in addition to growth-promoting strategies, also implement specific measures to reduce the income gap between rich and poor people.
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The role of service delivery for local economic development : a case study of Mamelodi township, 1999-2008

  • Authors: Ramafamba, Elvis
  • Date: 2011-08-31T06:47:31Z
  • Subjects: Economic development , Municipal services , Local government , Community development , Mamelodi (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3787
  • Description: M.Comm. , The study aims to give a better understanding of the relationship between service delivery and local economic development through the examination of local economic development theories and by evaluating their historical development and evolution in the world, Africa and South Africa. The study also determines, through assessment of available information, whether or not some of the areas in Mamelodi are receiving services from the municipality or local government to sustain local economic development. The theories underpinning LED were examined in this study, and all indicate that there exists a strong relationship between LED and service delivery. From the early stages of LED, areas with inadequate service delivery failed to attract businesses that are instrumental to LED. Central place theory maintains different growth prospects of central and peripheral regions. Attraction theory indicates that communities initiate policies and strategies that will make their areas more attractive. There is a need for the adequate provision of infrastructure to sustain LED, as indicated by the growth and regional theory. Economic base theory maintains that the success of the local economy is determined by the demand of its produced goods, services and products by areas outside its local economic boundaries. Location theory emphasises the importance of minimum cost due to the state of the industrial site in the local area. LED has been developed in different countries to address various economic problems. After the great depression, there was a high rate of unemployment and LED was used as an instrument to create jobs for the local communities in some countries. The study indicates that in some countries like Latin America where LED was implemented, economic problems such as unemployment in the municipal level were addressed. South Africa also had the objective of addressing unemployment in the municipal areas when LED was introduced. However, municipalities have to draft the integrated development plans to indicate how they can tackle such problems. Mamelodi has a number of projects implemented as a way of promoting LED. Jobs were created and areas improved economically. The CTMM has also provided some funding to ensure that the infrastructure in Mamelodi is adequate to support LED. However, much still needs to be done as the area has a number of challenges in terms of housing, water supply, and other related infrastructure for LED. Service delivery has an important role to play in the sustainability of LED. The history of LED has shown that countries that did not provide services in their municipalities failed to succeed in LED as compared to those with adequate service delivery. Financial incentives are other factors that play a major role in the sustainability of LED. Businesses need to be supported financially to create jobs and retain existing jobs.
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The economic growth impact of commercial casinos in South Africa

  • Authors: Kirsten, Johann Petrus Frederich
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Economic development , Casinos
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124217 , uj:20889
  • Description: Abstract: The controversial subject of casinos as an economic growth tool has received extensive supportive and opposing research over the last decade or so, becoming more and more popular as an economic growth tool. However, the extensive literature on the economic impact of casinos has not always been backed up by empirical support to justify its means as an economic growth mechanism. Research conducted by Walker and Jackson (1998) noted this shortcoming and applied econometric analysis to provide more information on the relationship between casino growth and economic growth in the USA. However, no similar study could be found in South Africa, a country where casinos has long been used as an economic growth tool. The aim of this minor dissertation is to shed some light on the relationship between casino growth and economic growth in South Africa by using the Granger causality statistical test. The results found that casino growth causes economic growth supports the use of casinos as an economic growth tool in South Africa. Finding causality from casino growth to economic growth creates the incentives to also test the degree of causality and analyse the structure behind casino growth causing economic growth. Both these incentives were also analysed in this minor dissertation. A weak causal relationship was found from casino growth to economic growth and supplying vital information by segment analysis of the various channels by which casinos effect economic growth. , M.Com.
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The role of the Industrial Development Corporation in regional development in Southern Africa.

Economic development as a function of construction project performance

  • Authors: Oke, Ayodeji , Ogungbile, Adedayo , Oyewobi, Luqman , Tengan, Callistus
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction projects , Economic development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/223620 , uj:22491 , Citation: Oke, A. et al. 2016. Economic development as a function of construction project performance. Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation, 6(2):1447-1459. , ISSN: 2223-7852
  • Description: Abstract: Poor performance of construction projects is one of the major cause for concern in the construction industry. Many of the construction projects executed in Nigeria experienced several challenges ranging from simple to complex issues. This paper therefore, examines factors affecting the performance of construction projects, their effects on the economic development and the impact of the factors on the economic development of the nation. The study identified a set of factors believed to affect project performance through extensive review of literature which form the basis for questionnaire survey. A total of 200 questionnaires were self-administered to professionals in the Nigerian construction industry, out of which 148 were retrieved and considered fit for analysis. The survey findings indicate that the most important factors affecting project performance are: project design cost, project complexity, unavailability of resources, quality of equipment and raw materials, while ontime completion, client satisfaction and productivity were considered to be the main measures of construction project performances. Improvement in technology and extension of infrastructures, were the most important indices of economic development. It is recommended that project owners must work collaboratively with all the professionals involved in carrying out construction project in order to facilitate good performance. More so, stakeholders in the construction industry including professionals and regulatory bodies should be proactive in discharging their responsibilities bearing in mind the effect of construction project performance on economic development of the country.
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Long-run relationship between government expenditure and economic growth : evidence from SADC countries

  • Authors: Mulamba, Kabeya Clement
  • Date: 2010-10-04T07:57:57Z
  • Subjects: Economic development , Public expenditures , Southern Africa's economic conditions
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3422
  • Description: M.Comm. , This study attempts to investigate the validity of Wagner’s law and the Keynesian perspective of a long-run relationship and causality between government expenditure and economic growth in SADC countries from 1988 to 2004. In order to determine the existence of the long-run relationship and causality, a univariate analysis is carried out to assess whether panel series are integrated at the same order. Subsequently, this study finds that all panel series under investigation are indeed integrated of the same order. Therefore, the second stage consists of assessing whether there is cointegration between government expenditure and economic growth. This study applies two procedures of panel cointegration, namely, the Pedroni panel cointegration test and the Kao panel cointegration test. Both procedures find that certainly a long-run relationship exists between government expenditure and economic growth in the SADC. Moreover, since two equations are estimated in this study, there is unidirectional causality. In both equation 1 and 2, the study finds that economic growth Granger causes government expenditure in both the long and the short-run which is consistent with the Wagner’s law than the Keynesian stance.
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Technical skills for technoeconomic development

  • Authors: Renecke, Sean Godfrey
  • Date: 2012-08-28
  • Subjects: Economic development , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Labor supply -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa , Technical education -- South Africa , Engineering -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6693
  • Description: M.Ing. , The low level of living standard of South Africa's black population is a characteristic of its history. The economic growth and development of any country rely on its factors of production. The main factor of production that can not be neglected is its labour force. The labour force of South Africa is plagued by its history, where the strategy of the past government of that era was to ensure that the black population remains uneducated. South Africa has however moved beyond its past and is looking into the future where its people can live in harmony. The majority of the population fall between the ages of 15-35 classified as youth. Unfortunately the highest unemployment rate occurs amongst the black youth of South Africa. The challenge South Africa faces is to alleviate poverty and the high rate of unemployment. The focus is to boost the work force by changing the skills profile of the people, which is currently enforced by the government through the Skills Development Act. The study undertaken indicated that to achieve a better life for all a paradigm shift in the educational system of the country must be initiated. A much needed technical skills development is required. However the long term remedy could be to ensure that the schools provide quality learners who will be able to be utilised in the work place. Another important factor of production is technology innovation, the only set-back is that there is a small community of engineers in the country and the enrolment figures for this field of study are not promising. One of the root causes of this is the low percentage of mathematics and physical science learners completing school. As a result there are a low percentage of learners moving into a technical field of study especially engineering. One of ways to unlock South Africa's economic growth is an investment in its people and engineers are the most suitable custodians. The engineer can drive technology which is one of the portals to techno-economic growth. While humanity shares one planet, it is the planet on which there are two worlds, the world of the rich and the world of the poor. Raanan Weitz, 1986. We cannot rebuild our society at the expense and standard of living of ordinary men and women. We cannot develop at the expense of social justice. We cannot compete without a floor of basic human standards. Nelson Mandela The school in many underdeveloped countries is a reflection and a fruit of the surrounding underdevelopment, from which arises its deficiency, its quantitative and qualitative poverty. But little by little, and there lies the really serious risk, the school in these underdeveloped countries risks becoming in turn a factor of underdevelopment. Joseph Kizerbo, former Minister of Education, Burkino Faso
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Economic assessment of the Riversands Incubation as an entrepreneurship development programme

Anaerobic digestion for sustainable energy : a brief review

Identifying barriers to urban residential infrastructure development : a literature review

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma Sylvia , Musonda, Innocent
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Agumba, Justus , Economic development , Infrastructure delivery , Social infrastructure
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/94019 , uj:20420 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J. 2016. Identifying barriers to urban residential infrastructure development : a literature review.
  • Description: Abstract: Residential developments should be fully functional and serviced with basic infrastructural facilities in order to be habitable. Despite the importance of housing and basic services, they are a difficult problem for any country. With ever-growing global population and urbanization, existing urban housing infrastructure is insufficient in addressing housing needs in many economies. This paper examines the problem of housing and basic infrastructure delivery and identifies factors which hinder development and eradication of urban residential infrastructure backlogs. A review of literature related to housing and urban development was conducted from published and unpublished literature, based on international and South African context. The study found that barriers to the eradication of the massive housing and basic services backlogs include issues related to governance, incapacity/incompetence, corruption, contradictory policies and systems, stakeholder dynamics, difficult and often cumbersome processes of acquiring critical resources such as land, finance, and political consent/support. By identifying these factors as they relate to urban housing and related infrastructure provision, relevant policies could be designed to help improve housing and basic services delivery.
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Local economic development in a globalised world economy : a South African perspective

  • Authors: Vosloo, Lizet
  • Date: 2012-09-12
  • Subjects: Economic development , South Africa -- Economic conditions
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:10219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7592
  • Description: M.Comm. , Cities around the world face, to different degrees, the same problems of inequality, poverty, unemployment and other shortcomings regarding basic human needs. These realities are compounded by international trends and new realities like rapid urbanisation, technological revolution and the rise of a new economic order that is linked to phenomena like globalisation and a changing competitive environment, that directly impact on the economies of cities. A combination of these factors form the new external framework in which cities must address their economic destiny. South African cities face the same problems as cities around the globe, but most of these problems have been worsened for a section of the population by the country's history of racial segregation. However, South Africa's new found political freedom provides the opportunity to rebuild the economy in a way where even the poorest communities are free to play a part in, and be able to share in the advantages. Even though the opportunity is there, a process is necessary that will make it possible to take on economic strategies and projects that alleviate poverty, create employment opportunities, promote growth, mobilise existing resources and make the most of new investment potential for the upliftment of the wider community. This process is not simple, and necessitates a wide range of initiatives on different levels and in different contexts. It is generally accepted that 'top-down' initiatives on their own are not sufficient, and require complementary 'bottom-up' initiatives. In the international arena the notion has already gained acceptance that a community's economic and employment-creating future are increasingly dependant on the initiatives that its own citizens take - or the failure to take on the challenge. In line with this argument, Local Economic Development (LED) is being promoted internationally as a local approach that addresses the problems listed earlier, filling the gaps that national policy directives have left, and putting the responsibility for economic development of the locality in the hands of the new local role players. LED could be just what South Africa needs: a local approach to local problems that compliment national policy initiatives.
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The effects of financial liberalisation on the sustainable growth rate of dual listed companies on the JSE Limited

  • Authors: Serithi, Legoabe Tumelo
  • Date: 2014-06-10
  • Subjects: Capital market , Economic development , Sustainable development , JSE Limited , Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Dual listed companies
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:11438 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11134
  • Description: M.Com. (Financial Management) , In 1995, the South African government needed to address the widening poverty gap. The manner in which they would do so was through the process of financial market liberalisation of the JSE. The intention behind the process of financial liberalisation on the JSE was to increase the liquidity of the JSE. The significance of this study is that it would provide regulators of financial markets, policy makers and academics information on the effectiveness of the liberalisation of the JSE on dual listed companies’ ability to grow in a sustainable manner. Previous literature has found the risk sharing benefit associated with financial market liberalisation. With the increased number of participants in market would increase the chance of successful trades. Previous studies have found that there is a positive correlation with financial market liberalisation and market liquidity. Exchange controls have been put in place to prevent capital flight in sudden economic down turns. Certain studies have found that financial market liberalisation on has had minimal impact on the market capitalisation This study investigates the effects the financial liberalisation on the JSE had on dual listed companies’ sustainable growth rates. A purposive sampling technique was used in this study and a sample of 28 dual listed companies was selected. The approach to this study was an explanatory approach and the research paradigm was archival. The statistical tools which were utilised in the study were broken into two components, namely, the descriptive statistics and the inferential statistics. The data that were used in the study were secondary data collected from I-Net Bridge. The results of this study indicated that the financial liberalisation of the JSE did have an impact on the sustainable growth rates of dual listed companies on the JSE. Recommendations were made in this study for the dual listed companies to improve their net profit margins. The methods in which the dual listed companies are able to improve their net profit margins are by finding competitive sustainable advantages. It was further recommended that the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 needs to be amended to create a conducive economic environment for the dual listed companies to grow sustainably. It was further recommended that the dual listed companies on the JSE invest in human capital in order to improve their sustainable growth rate.
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The macroeconomic imperatives of growth, employment and redistribution [GEAR] : an analysis of investment and policy choice

  • Authors: Kavese, Kambale
  • Date: 2012-08-15
  • Subjects: Reconstruction and Development Programme (South Africa) , South Africa - Economic policy , Economic development , Macroeconomics - South Africa
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:9294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5737
  • Description: M.Comm. , International studies have indicated that a high ratio of investment relative to Gross Domestic Product (GOP) is one of the most important preconditions for achieving sustainable high economic growth. For the South African economy to achieve a high employment and economic growth rate, it requires two further important factors, namely a sustained increase in productivity and an expansion of production capacity. Poor levels of investment performance, coupled with a lack of skilled labour, are the main reasons for restricted expansion in the country's growth potential and declining job opportunities. Keynes, (1936:30) argued that employment cannot increase without investment increasing, and strongly declared that the level of investment determines the level of employment. In his analysis, Keynes (1936:30) concluded that investment is a driving force for economic growth. Investment expenditure can be divided into four categories: - infrastructural investment in the public sector;- infrastructural investment in residential construction; - business fixed investment; and - the net change in the business inventories. This study examines Gross Domestic Fixed Investment and focuses mainly on private fixed investment as a driving force for economic growth for many years, GOP growth has been declining; unemployment has increased...
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Effective knowledge sharing within communities of practice in a financial institution

  • Authors: Nkuna, Shyless
  • Date: 2013-07-18
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Information technology , Economic development , Business education
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8495
  • Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , This research paper is a study of the effectiveness of knowledge sharing within the communities of practice (CoPs) in a financial institution in South Africa. Specifically, the focus is on investigating the requirements for establishing CoPs that share knowledge effectively within this organisation. This was achieved through understanding the current state of knowledge sharing within the CoPs, identifying critical factors for effectively sharing knowledge and thereafter determining reasons for a CoP not being effective in sharing knowledge. The results showed that there is still a long way to go to ensure the effectiveness of knowledge sharing through CoPs. The CoPs within this financial institution are informal in nature, and therefore not necessarily given the attention that they deserve. Time used for CoPs is not maximised effectively, which reduces the chances of their effectiveness and improvement of productivity. Lack of effective system infrastructure to support knowledge sharing is also a massive challenge for the CoPs, as is not having virtual Cops to reduce challenges faced in the use of face-to-face CoPs. The literature review in chapter 2 of this paper covers the importance of the role of technology in supporting knowledge sharing, which is supportive to this finding.
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