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Consumer protection under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002

Assessment of the e-readiness of small and medium sized enterprises in the ICT sector in Botswana, with special reference to information access

  • Authors: Mutula, Stephen M.
  • Date: 2009-01-12T07:22:41Z
  • Subjects: Small business , Electronic information resources , Electronic commerce , Business enterprises , Computer networks , Botswana
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1854
  • Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The purpose of this research was to determine the status of e-readiness of Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access using ICTs for competitiveness in the local and international markets. The population of study consisted of key informants from 114 SMEs in the ICT sector in Gaborone and Francistown, the capital city and the second largest city of Botswana respectively. The official list of ICT companies provided by the government of Botswana was used as the sampling frame. The research used a two-phase design - the preliminary survey and the main survey of the project. The preliminary survey consisted of two stages. During the first stage, a short structured questionnaire was administered to a census of 114 key informants from SMEs in the ICT sector. During the second stage, six focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector who included representatives from: ICT companies, ICT professional body in Botswana, government utility corporations, academia and the business community. The participants in the focus group discussions involved representatives from 55 SMEs who were identified like in the first stage using the government official list of SMEs in Botswana. The quantitative data collected through questionnaire were analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic tables. The results were represented using tables, pie charts, categories and narrations. The results of the preliminary survey of the project were used to characterise the ICT sector in terms of its size, key players, nature of businesses, products and services traded in, distribution of business by location and the issues that affected the sector. This characterisation was important in two main respects. Firstly, it provided a clear roadmap for the design of the main survey of the research since little information existed on the subject of e-readiness on Botswana in general and with respect to SMEs in particular. Similarly, the government had invested a lot of resources in ICT infrastructure development and was focusing on SMEs especially those in the ICT sector to diversify the economy from the dominant diamond mining to service industry. Secondly, the results of the preliminary survey of the project supported the development of a structured interview schedule that was used during the main survey of the project. During the main survey of the research data was collected from companies that participated in the focus group discussions. From the focus group list of participants, an alphabetical name list of 55 SMEs was created. There were 43 Small-Sized and 12 Medium-Sized enterprises that were represented during the focus group discussions. For the purpose of carrying out the structured interviews, SMEs were stratified into two (Small-Sized enterprises and Medium-Sized enterprises). From the Small-Sized enterprises stratum, 20 companies were systematically selected (from the 43) taking every other member on the list. On the other hand, in the Medium-Sized enterprises stratum, all the 12 enterprises were selected for interviews because the number of respondents was small. The data collected was analysed using categories and thematic tables because it was largely qualitative. The results were presented in the form of thematic tables and through narrations. The findings from the SMEs surveyed indicated that most of the SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana were Small-Sized enterprises that were largely not e-ready to participate in the global electronic business environment because of several impediments such as: the lack of awareness, inadequate policy and legislative framework, poor telecommunication and electricity infrastructures, poor e-commerce infrastructure, inadequate government support, the lack of access to credit, investment barriers, the lack of critical ICT skills and more. The major outcomes of the project include an exposition of the e-readiness status of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana, a road map that can assist the government of Botswana to establish a strong export-oriented ICT sector. The weaknesses and strengths of Botswana’s e-readiness status with regard to SMEs are brought to the fore, thus creating awareness upon which the government can design interventions that are tailored to meet Botswana’s SMEs’ specific needs. Similarly, this project provides a framework upon which the government can benchmark against its counterparts in the rest of the world in order to define its investment priorities. The project also provides baseline information which the government could use to implement appropriate policy and legislative decisions in order to enhance the e-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana. Finally, the new integrated e-readiness tool that was developed in this project is the first of its kind to bring the different major components of e-readiness (such as enterprise, ICT, human resources, information and external environment readiness) into a single assessment tool with great attention paid to information access. The tool is also modular in design and thus can allow specific e-readiness assessment of individual segments of society to be modelled independently of each other. The tool also enriches the qualitative aspects of e-readiness that are only minimally addressed in a few of the existing macro e-readiness assessment tools. Among the key recommendations from the research is the need for the government of Botswana to promulgate relevant policies and implement pragmatic programmes that would enable SMEs in the ICT sector in the country to use various information technologies in order to gain access to relevant information regarding access to credit, investment opportunities, partnerships, education and training opportunities so that they can effectively participate in both the local and international markets. The policy changes and programmes to be undertaken by the government should be underpinned by an effective legislative and regulatory framework that would enable the small business firms to identify, acquire, process, organise, disseminate and apply information for competitive advantage through the effective deployment and application of ICTs.
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BCERT: securing electronic commerce using a biometric secured token

  • Authors: Janiszyn, Dariusz
  • Date: 2010-05-25T06:07:26Z
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce , Biometrics
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6827 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3260
  • Description: M.Sc. (Computer Science) , An increasing number of corporate and government institutions are utilising electronic commerce to provide or improve their services. These new online services are becoming increasingly complex, offering diverse functionality and managing high volumes of personal and confidential data. The protection and confidentiality of such data is imperative but the security mechanisms and the policies governing its security are rarely sufficient. Nonetheless electronic commerce service providers market their services as being “secure” and by doing so they are developing a false sense of security within computer users. Average computer users are aware of security threats like hackers, viruses, Trojans and spyware, but their limited computer knowledge doesn’t allow them to understand, identify or respond to such security threats. A lack of computer knowledge, little experience and gullibility render the average computer user incapable of managing computer security. This is even more true when the average computer user is put up against the wit and cunning of a hacker. Electronic commerce has changed, the threats have changed, the users have changed and electronic commerce security solutions remain the same. Hackers are no longer hobbyists: they hack for financial gain and not fame, they work together and they exploit any security weakness to get what they want. More and more often the average computer user falls victim to hacker attacks, not only because of the above mentioned human factors but also because of weak security mechanisms that govern users’ access to critical online services.
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Supply chain integration in the retail sector in South Africa

  • Authors: Rautenbach, Wessel
  • Date: 2010-11-09T06:58:26Z
  • Subjects: Business logistics , Retail trade , Electronic commerce
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:6970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3478
  • Description: M.Comm. , A positive relationship exists between supply chain integration and the creation of customer value. With globalization increasing, companies need to explore this as a way to stay competitive and deliver exceptional value in an environment where the customer is more informed and more demanding. The main objective of this study was to determine the level of supply chain integration in the selected sample of retailers in South Africa. The findings indicated that high levels of supply chain integration were limited in the companies that responded to the questionnaire. Businesses in South Africa need to become acquainted with supply chain integration and the value created from it for both the members in the supply chain and the customer. More research needs to be done in this field to measure supply chain integration in South Africa, to determine which companies would benefit from high levels of supply chain integration and to address the factors inhibiting supply chain integration.
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Determining the extent of the adoption of the internet by commercial retailers in the motor industry in Gauteng

  • Authors: Grimes, William Spencer
  • Date: 2011-12-06
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce , Automobile industry and trade , Internet marketing
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:1772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4138
  • Description: M.Comm. , The introduction of the Internet has had a profound effect on organisations and society and a new way of doing business is unfolding everyday. The Internet is transforming the practice of marketing, creating new ways of delivering value and improving the experience of the consumer. Every aspect of individuals' and organisations' economic lives is effected by the new technology.The purpose of this study was to determine the general extent of Internet adoption amongst commercial retailers in the motor industry in Gauteng. The researcher also aimed to determine the online marketing activities and services that are offered by motor retailers. Special attention was given on how the promotional activities are influenced by the Internet. The research methodology that was followed included the collection of primary and secondary data The sampling frame of this study is the Gauteng members that are registered at the Retail Motor Industry Federation offices in Pretoria A structured questionnaire was send to every third sampling unit from the sampling list. Most of the respondents did make use of the Internet in the running of their organisations. The findings confirm that the sales processes do differ on the Internet. Although the saving of money was identified as the main contributing factor that motivates customers to buy online, the research results indicated that the respondents do not offer discounts to customers that buy online. The results suggest that the respondents do not fully utilise the benefits that the Internet offers and thus have not fully exploited the opportunities that the Internet offers to gain a competitive advantage.
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Security for e-commerce with specific reference to SAP

  • Authors: Wentzel, Jan Johannes
  • Date: 2011-12-06
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce , Internet security measures , Internet auditing , SAP e-commerce solutions
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/368604 , uj:1842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4200
  • Description: M.Comm. , Poorly controlled E-Commerce vulnerabilities expose organisations to fraud that can result in major financial losses and embarrassment. Also, fraud can be committed while the perpetrator remains anonymous. It is therefore important that the auditor understand the security relating to SAP's E-Commerce solutions. This short dissertation will focus on the security features relating to E-Commerce with specific reference to SAP. The results of this investigation will be used to develop a model, which may be used to assist auditors to identify and evaluate the security controls in a typical E-Commerce environment as well as those present in a SAP R/3 environment.
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Online business registration at a glance : a study of Congo-Brazzaville entrepreneurs in Cape Town.

  • Authors: Momo, Alain M. , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Online business registration , Congo-Brazzaville entrepreneurs - South Africa - Cape Town , Center for Business and Administrative Procedures (CFBAP) , Electronic commerce
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5890 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8006
  • Description: Even though God has ordained migration which has changed human history, rationalism, capitalism, liberalisation and technological innovation are central driving forces of globalization, and have positively impacted on global migration. Regardless of their entrepreneurial engagement, the presence of immigrants, including those from Congo-Brazzaville in South Africa, is often associated with an increasing unemployment rate; therefore, Congolese immigrants have become easy targets of blame for everything that has gone wrong in Cape Town. Therefore, the current authors believe that technological innovation, namely e-commerce could enable Congo-Brazzaville immigrant entrepreneurs, who are often accused of taking South African jobs, to plan for returning home. The main objective of this study was to analyse the benefits of online business registration for Congo- Brazzaville immigrant entrepreneurs in Cape Town. In order to obtain a clearer idea, the study focused on the junction of two strands, namely online company registration from both inductive and deductive perspectives. This paper utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methods. For research purposes, a self-administered questionnaire was utilised. The research target population included Congo-Brazzaville immigrant entrepreneurs in Cape Town, which is where the study was conducted. The purposeful sampling method was utilised with a sample size N = 116. The samples were sought from the general population of Congolese immigrant entrepreneurs who are also members of the Congolese Association of Cape Town.
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A macro-economic perspective on electronic commerce policy and strategy in government, corporate, small, medium and micro enterprises sectors : an exploratory analysis

  • Authors: Kunene, Sipho
  • Date: 2012-03-05
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4503
  • Description: M.Comm. , This study aims to provide information on the macroeconomic impact of electronic commerce and its effects on business, consumer and government sectors. Electronic commerce as a new phenomenon has the potential to bring substantial benefits to government, businesses and consumers. Developed countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have had an experience of electronic commerce for the last ten years. Electronic commerce is the catchall phrase for many advances in technology centred on the Internet, and heralds fundamental changes for the world economy. The expansion of the Internet globally has made it an ideal means to conduct commercial transactions. The Internet is being used more and more to advertise and sell goods and service globally. Electronic commerce is an instrument that is handy to globalise trade among countries and nations. It has become highly possible to conduct business transactions with all parts of the world that have access to Internet, without being physically there. The transactions take place technologically. The use of Internet and the World Wide Web is creating a revolution in the manner in which business transactions are conducted. The increase in the number of users is taking place at a rapid pace, especially in the developed economies. It is estimated that there are now more than 150 million users, and the figure increases by more than 50 000 on a daily basis (UNCTAD, 1999:55). More than half of the current user population is located in the United States of America, but the geographical spread is fast diversifying. Even developing countries are now having an access to the Internet. Revenue attributed to electronic commerce is still relatively small though it is projected to grow over the years. Empirical evidence about the use of electronic commerce is largely confined to developed countries, though developing countries are now using it. It shows that in several sectors, which include financial services, tourism, books, music and entertainment industry, the digital revolution is spreading rapidly. This also shows that many aspects of governments' dealings with communities, international project management and consultancy work are increasingly being facilitated by electronic operations. The United States has developed the Global Information Infrastructure, which is seen as a global marketplace, to enable it to reach every comer of the globe on trade. This development is based on the following principles:- • Private sector leadership The private sector is leading the development of electronic commerce and the Internet, though the government assisted with bulk financing. Innovation, expanded services, broader participation, and lower prices will arise in a market-driven arena, not in an environment that operates as a regulated industry. The American government is encouraging industry self-regulation whenever appropriate, and supports all initiatives and efforts of the private sector to develop mechanisms to facilitate the successful operation of the Internet and electronic commerce. • Government to avoid undue restrictions on electronic commerce The government has not intervened when business transactions on goods and services are effected across the Internet. The government is of the view that intervention and unnecessary regulation of commercial activities will distort the development of an electronic marketplace by decreasing supply and raising the cost of goods and services for consumers globally. The United States government has further undertaken to refrain from imposing new regulations, bureaucratic procedures, or taxes and tariffs on commercial activities that take place via the Internet. • Minimum government intervention when necessary The government will intervene to support and enforce a predictable, consistent and simple legal environment for commerce. In some areas it will be necessary for government to play a minimal role where consumers have to be protected.
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Information management and globalisation : utilising information management systems in financial systems

  • Authors: Roberts, Ridwaan
  • Date: 2012-08-23
  • Subjects: Management information systems , Financial services industry , Online information services , Globalization , Electronic commerce
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3071 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6491
  • Description: M.Comm. , The Financial Services industry is in the throes of significant changes and challenges. Managers confronted with the metoric of the "information age" may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from excitement to suspicion or even outright scepticism. What has changed is that more and more businesses are defining their strategies in terms of information or knowledge. Today we hear and read much about "the learning organisation", "working knowledge", "knowledge networks", "business ntelligence", "competitor intelligence". These concepts may be popular to all but to executives they need to be clear — they make strategic decisions. Executives must realise these MIS, CIS and Expert Systems, are more than tools, they are a way of life, a way to gain strategic competitive advantage in a new market — called global isation. Managers need to rely on knowledge to make decisions and add value to the financial performance and use their collective experience without becoming bogged down in methodological or technological complexity. Biggest is no longer necessary the best. Today it is often more profitable to focus attraction the best customers than to attempt to reduce cost. Executives should be cautious, even suspicious; of the technological and software solutions being offered and sceptical that one concept can do it all. This is not surprising because we are dealing with knowledge, information and above all people. Add these together and we are to paraphrase the physicist, Freeman Dyoon, "infinite in all direction". Nevertheless companies understand that past experience has shown that common purpose, culture and focus can mobilise people for profitable and personally rewarding creativity and achievement. The future competitive landscape demands no less!
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Encryption technology to address validity in transactions using the GII

  • Authors: Gerber, Anton Hendrik
  • Date: 2012-09-05
  • Subjects: Data encryption (Computer science) , Internet -- Security measures , Electronic commerce , Electronic data interchange , Data protection , Computer security
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:3604 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6984
  • Description: M.Comm. , The development of electronic commerce resulted in the development of EDI and the use of the Internet to transact these data. This led to the question of whether a security technology existed that could ensure the validity and integrity of transactions. The development of the GII which will not only be used for EDI and other financial transactions, but also in the medical and educational fields, has emphasised this concern of business. Encryption is one of the technologies available which can ensure the validity of transaction during transmission and even during storage. Cryptology entails the encoding and decoding of transaction data before and after transmission through the use of secret and public keys. The following questions should be addressed: The most cost effective solution to business' security concerns; The legal and regulatory issues concerning privacy; Transmission of keys through digital and electronic media resulting in the possible breach of security in the keys themselves; Standards and infrastructures which must be agreed upon and implemented to secure the development of the Gll; and Existing internal and external audit methodologies can cater for the audit of the completeness, accuracy, validity and continuity of transactions but the methods and tests to substantiate these objectives will have to change. All of the above points are addressed in the research, except those on the legal and regulatory issues. Each of these points can, however, still be the topic for detailed future research. The objective of this dissertation is to research encryption technology to provide a questionnaire to the auditor ensuring the validity of transactions on the GII. A questionnaire or checklist is presented that could be serve a guideline for auditors when addressing risks in a GII environment.
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The impact of e-commerce on customer relationship management in the financial services industry

  • Authors: Viljoen, Michelle
  • Date: 2012-09-06
  • Subjects: Customer relations - Management , Electronic commerce
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:9665 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7080
  • Description: M.Comm. , The inclusion of e-commerce in an organisation's business strategies entails much more than just digitalising old business processes. Organisations need to rethink all of their business process and apply innovation, or else they will just become another industry player. In order for them to do this, organisations need to consider the impact of e-commerce on business approaches. The extent of this impact lies at the heart of this study. A study of customer relationship management activities and e-commerce developments were made, in order to identify the main CRM components and areas in implementation methodologies which will be impact on by e-commerce. South African financial institutions are facing increased competition from international and local organisations that have entered the market. Financial institutions are losing market share because of this, therefore they must become more focussed on attracting new and retaining existing customers. In today's world customers have more knowledge available to them to help them in product or service selection, causing them to become more demanding in their expectations and requirements from organisations. A CRM strategy will help organisations to understand customers, finding and keeping the right customers, building a relationship with customers and channeling the important tangible and intangible aspects to customers. One of the most important implications for organisations that implement CRM strategies is that it aids the organisation to achieve customer profitability. Organisations usually treat their customers the same, regardless of their individual profitability. But not all customers are profitable. Thus, some customers might actually cost the organisation more than their individual profit. Traditional segmentation of the customer base can aid in keeping track of the current as well as future costs and profits. The second important implication for implementing CRM strategies is the focus on customer retention. The impact of retention on the organisation's bottom line should be noted. Organisations can increase their profit with up to 100 percent if they increase their retention rate by 5 percent. Organisations need to understand the current and past behaviours of customers so that the organisation can identify those customers that are likely to switch. The third important implication is customer acquisition. This is one of the most costly activities in an organisation. The cost of attracting a new customer is estimated to be five times the cost of keeping a current customer happy. Implementing CRM strategies will help organisations to focus on the relationships resulting from customer acquisition building it into profitable relationships.
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The effectiveness of traditional taxation methods on e-commerce

  • Authors: Coertse, Cornelius Johannes
  • Date: 2013-05-01
  • Subjects: Taxation , Electronic commerce
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:7488 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8347
  • Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Traditional taxation methods do not cope effectively in collecting government revenue from e-commerce, and governments face the possibility of suffering further significant monetary losses if such methods are not modified (Kobrin, 2002). The characteristics of e-commerce are as follows: it is boderless; transmissions have insensitivity to physical distance; the taxation methods that may be applied to e-commerce are inconsistent; the nature of some product/service offerings available in e-commerce is distinct; and it can fall under multiple tax jurisdictions. All challenge the traditional territorial or 'brick-and-mortar' boundaries of taxation methods currently in use internationally.
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The EWEB framework : guideline to an enterprise-wide electronic business solution

  • Authors: Rossudowska, Agata
  • Date: 2014-02-10
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce , Enterprise-wide electronic business solution
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9090
  • Description: M.Sc. (Computer Science) , As the world enters the new millennium, we are experiencing one of the most important changes since the industrial revolution - the move to an Internet-based society. Traditional business channels are moving to a new platform of interaction that is called Electronic Business (EB). Electronic Business is becoming a significant business tool, provided that businesses understand the benefits, the application areas and impacts of EB, and can apply these concepts optimally. The problem with many businesses, especially SMMEs (Small Medium and Micro Enterprises), is that they are ignorant to many EB-related concepts, how EB can assist their business needs, and how to apply EB into their business components. Various solutions for EB exist in the industry, which are very comprehensive and complex. However, with the constant wave of mergers, acquisitions and new IT-companies forming, as well as the myriad of new solutions being developed, many businesses are not sure which solution would suit their business best, and which solution provider would be the best to approach. What businesses need is an understanding of EB and guidelines on how to start becoming EB focused. The principle aim of the Enterprise-Wide Electronic Business (EWEB) Framework developed is to form the bridge between a traditional business and an electronic business. This is achieved by defining many EB-related concepts and providing guidelines on how to streamline business processes with technology in moving to an EB platform. The EWEB Framework targets this from three perspectives. Firstly, the EWEB Framework follows a top-down approach to EB, targeting business processes across the enterprise as well as business issues from strategic, architectural and infrastructural levels. This allows EWEB to be applicable to all types of business processes and businesses needs. Secondly, the EWEB Framework also consists of business processes that are common across all industries. This allows EWEB to be applicable to all types of businesses...
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The strategic implications of electronic commerce on business management

  • Authors: Van Aardt, Albert Hibbert
  • Date: 2014-02-10
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9120
  • Description: D.Com. (Business Management) , In this study the impact of Electronic Commerce (EC) on the management of an organisation is researched, with the emphasis on Strategic Management. EC is the process whereby the exchange of business data is moved from the paper environment to the use of electronic media, and in particular, communications networks. EC is analysed, and special attention is given to one of its major components, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The impact of EDI on the organisation is researched, and the possible benefits and dangers are discussed. As EC is such a new field, and one that depends very much on electronics, the danger does exist that management may look upon EC as a purely technical issue. In this study emphasis is therefore placed on the wide impact that EC has on the management function, and it is shown that the technical aspects are relatively of minor importance. The main argument of the thesis is that EC is not a technical issue, but a strategic business one.
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Corporate strategies for implementing internet technologies to facilitate business-to-consumer commerce of large companies in South Africa

  • Authors: Sciacca, Jeanine Rosemarie
  • Date: 2014-07-22
  • Subjects: Internet marketing , Electronic commerce , Business enterprises - Computer networks
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:11729 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11457
  • Description: M.B.A. , As e-commerce becomes a more accepted and important way of doing business, the strategist's stock-and-status will rise accordingly. With more of a company's communications and revenue moving through the Internet, Web work will be seen less as a separate project and more as a core business process. Web business strategy will become of such fundamental importance that it will fall under the CEO's purview (Cutler, 1996:3). The Internet is an area of high seismographic activity, increasing the danger that strategies will be built along a fault line. The technology advances so rapidly, and the numbers change so often, that time scales have to be compressed, and planners must learn to make decisions in an environment filled with ambiguity (Cutler, 1996:3). Learning, comparing and evaluating how companies devise their e-commerce strategies could explore common factors, which could be summarised into key steps aimed at assisting management in the future, who plan to embark on a project of implementing Internet technologies...
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Export readiness of enterprises supported by government’s incentive scheme

  • Authors: April, Zuko
  • Date: 2014-10-20
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce , International trade , Exports - Management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12624 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12444
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , This study set out to explore the factors that facilitate the export readiness of emerging exporters who benefit from the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme at the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). I hypothesised that management commitment, management skills, financial resources; technical knowledge, capacity to manufacture and international marketing intelligence have a positive relationship with export readiness. I used a questionnaire based on the work of Van Elden (2003) to collect data from emerging exporters. I tested the reliability of each scale showing Cronbach alpha values ranging from 072 to 0.86. A regression analysis confirmed that all six factors were significantly correlated to export readiness. I recommend that the dti view more carefully whether the beneficiaries of EMIA have the capacity indicated by the six factors before spending resources on such beneficiaries. EMIA staff should recommend interventions based on these six factors to those applicants who are unsuccessful.
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Documentary collections as a method of payment in international sale transactions

The value of adopting e-business systems for a steel manufacturing wholesaler

  • Authors: Sieberhagen, Marushca
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Electronic commerce , Steel
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/83355 , uj:19083
  • Description: Abstract: Technology innovations over the past decade have transformed the business environment and changed the way organisations offer their products and services to their customers. Organisations are looking for innovative ways to make customers’ shopping experiences more convenient. Organisations are changing their business models by providing an alternative channel (e-commerce) through which customers choose and purchase their products to ensure value is created for the organisation. The research study focuses on a steel manufacturer that wants to target small project customers (house builders), as currently the markets being targeted are experiencing pressure due to the economic decline in the country and intense rivalry between steel manufacturers. The feasibility of implementing an e-commerce system to target the small project customers is examined, as there is significant potential for the steel manufacturer to increase its earnings due to the increase of residential development in South Africa. The research method utilised during the research process was an exploratory study, as little was known about the e-commerce strategy or activities of the steel manufacturer. A qualitative survey was used to interview employees of the steel manufacturer and the house builders to ascertain the buying process currently in operation and the feasibility of introducing an e-commerce strategy. This study is based on grounded theory and data collected via the interviews was transcribed and analysed to determine the common themes. It was evident throughout the study that before the steel manufacturer could implement an e-commerce system it needs to improve its internal production capacity and feedback processes to create a positive customer experience. Marketing strategies should be implemented targeting the house builders, thus capitalising on the current growth in residential development... , M.Com. (Business Management)
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An income tax proposal for inbound electronic services

  • Authors: Mckinon, Michael J.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Taxation - South Africa , Cloud computing , Electronic commerce , Income tax - South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237264 , uj:24308
  • Description: M.Com. , Abstract: Without a doubt the digital economy has revolutionised traditional ways of conducting business around the world. The advent of mobile telephony, mobile internet access, the smart device and other cutting edge technologies have brought about a rebirth of certain existing industries and have ushered in the emergence of entirely new types of business bringing customers, products and services together in a global virtual space. This has enabled billions of consumers across the globe to connect and interface seamlessly in a rapidly expanding cyber marketplace, without actually ever physically meeting each other. Ageing global tax systems originally designed for application in a less sophisticated non-digitised business world have not kept up to date with technological advances and have as a result become ineffective in taxing the profits of business, which is transacted through the internet and in the cloud. International organisations like the G20 and the OECD as well as many governments are presently investigating ways to tax the profits from cloud and digital content in the most efficient and effective manner. The challenge is to improve tax policy and appropriateness, without impeding economic growth at a micro and macro level and without giving certain jurisdictions disproportionate taxing rights to the detriment of others. This minor dissertation considers the appropriateness of current South African tax legislation for taxing inbound (transactions where profits leave South African shores) electronic services in South Africa. Focusing on online sales and purchase transactions, this minor dissertation briefly outlines the development of digital technology and the emergence of the developing digitised economy. The minor dissertation highlights the challenges in taxing profits in the digital economy and views these challenges from a South African perspective. This minor dissertation analyses the relevant current South African legislation, exploring possible alternative solutions to the identified challenges. The research confirms that current South African tax legislation is not adequate, highlights the deficiencies and proposes a feasible solution for South Africa.
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Challenges faced in last mile e-grocery Delivery : a consumer perspective

  • Authors: Brink, Beatrix Sarette
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Business logistics - South Africa - Management , Retail trade - Customer services , Electronic commerce
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295733 , uj:32211
  • Description: Abstract: Last mile distribution has become one of the most important tasks within the supply chain, which can enable organisations to obtain a competitive advantage within the online retail market. Online grocery shopping is a new method of buying grocery products for household consumption over the Internet and is not yet a fully developed sector in this country, thus creating an opportunity for investigating this phenomenon from a South African context. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced in last mile e-commerce grocery delivery from a consumer perspective to determine appropriate improvement strategies that can be recommended for online grocery retailers. The study specifically focussed on: evaluating the most preferred last mile delivery option for consumers’ of online grocery purchases; the factors that determine last mile delivery choices for South African consumers’ of online grocery purchases; the service level expectations of South African consumers’; and whether there is a relationship between last mile logistics alternatives and the decision of consumers’ to purchase groceries online. The population of this study comprised Gauteng grocery shoppers, and data was collected by means of an online questionnaire. The results of the research indicated that the most preferred method of last mile delivery was attended home / work delivery. Consumers’ further indicated that the most important factor when selecting an online delivery service was the cost of delivery. The research revealed that consumers’ have high service level expectations that, in turn, increase the challenges faced by online grocery retailers to fulfil customer demand successfully. Most respondents indicated that the delivery / collection mode available will affect their final decision to purchase groceries online, which consequently indicated that there was a definite relationship between last mile logistics alternatives and the decision of the consumer to purchase groceries online. The objectives of this study have been realised and the results add value to the body of knowledge in the challenges faced in last mile grocery delivery from a consumer perspective. This study was concluded with recommendations for future research. , M.Com. (Logistics Management)
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