Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Business and Finance)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10566/18636

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Socio-cultural values as determinants of entrepreneurial intentions among university students in Cape Town
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Kalitanyi, Vivence
In many parts of the world and in South Africa in particular, there is a growing body of literature supporting the opinion that intentions play a crucial role in the decision to become an entrepreneur. Models of entrepreneurial intentions around the world have been developed, but in South Africa studies in this regard are still inconclusive, especially among the youth. This research study primarily aimed at investigating how social, cultural and socio-economic factors of entrepreneurship students in the universities of the Western Cape Province shape their entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurial intentions, social factors, cultural values, as well as socioeconomic factors, were reviewed in the literature and are presented in this dissertation. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach through the amalgamation of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. A survey questionnaire was administered to the respondents — entrepreneurship students from the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of Stellenbosch (US), the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Data collected was coded by means of the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22. Six variables out of nine of the instrument had a coefficient Alpha (Cronbach) of more than 0.7, while the remaining three had a coefficient Alpha of between 0.5 and 0.7; this extended its reliability. The study discovered that most of the items of the instrument had a positive relationship with their variables, leading to the variables being considered as having an influence on entrepreneurial intentions. In fact, the study found that social factors, as well as cultural values and socio-economic values, impact on self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions. The result of the research is that the study suggests a model of entrepreneurial intentions among university students, and in the final chapter concludes with recommendations and suggestions for future research.
Determinants of survival and growth of small and medium enterprises in rural KwaZulu – Natal
(University of the Western Cape, 2016) Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele
It has been noticed that many countries around the world have started making the construction and development of industrial SMEs one of the critical driving forces for economic growth of their countries. The SMEs industry has shown growth and good performance in East and Southeast Asia (South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan). Many researchers have undertaken research on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, including the development of rural entrepreneurship. Despite numerous articles and numerous past research surveys conducted on SMEs in South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Ukraine, Tanzania, Botswana, China, Taiwan, UK, Australia, USA including many other developing countries, the understanding of the determinants of survival and growth of rural SMEs in rural areas, with specific reference to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the existence of a growth model remain largely unknown. Since rural businesses operate in different environments from those in urban areas, it is essential to have a broad understanding and knowledge of business characteristics of small and medium enterprises of rural entrepreneurs, including their personal attitudes, rural entrepreneurial orientation growth of business, external/internal environmental dynamics, as well as rural entrepreneurial resources. In recent times, rural entrepreneurship has had a huge impact on many issues, including economic development, employment, food supply and social safety. With more and more people moving from the rural areas to urban areas due to a lack of employment opportunities and the complexity of running their own business, the problem of potential social unrest and many other problems become more and more real. Thus, it is very important that researchers, especially in those countries with large numbers of people living in the rural areas to investigate this problem and provide ways of how to solve it.
Modelling the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial mindset, skill and intentions: empiraical evidence from undergraduates in Nigeria
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Olutuase, Samuel Oladipo
Entrepreneurial firms, entrepreneurial capital, entrepreneurial ecosystem and entrepreneurial economy are a few terminologies that have emerged since the resurgence of entrepreneurship, arising from the 1990's entrepreneurial revolution in the United States of America. Entrepreneurship education, a paradigm shift from the conventional, has been identifies as being critical to fostering entrepreneurship, building entrepreneurial capital, growing entrepreneurial economy and ultimately delivering sustainable economic growth and developmend for any nation - emerging or developed. From America to Africa, entrepreneurship modules with varies objectives and designs have multiplied in the last decade.
Managing stakeholder salience, influence and exposure with sustainable supply chain management practices and triple bottom line measures: the case of Safaricom, Kenya
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Thomas, Ombati Ogoro
As organizations face stiff pressure from various stakeholders, management has had to move beyond the idea of shareholder wealth maximization and incorporate the environmental and social concerns from the various stakeholders. The study identifies how Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) practices enable the firm to manage the social, environmental and economic Triple Bottom Line (TBL) for four key stakeholder groups - customers, suppliers, regulators and the community. The study adopted a case study design, focused on Safaricom, arguably Africa's most innovative cellular firm which has championed the M-pesa money transfer platform. The objectives were, first, to establish key attributes namely; power, legitimacy and urgency of selected stakeholders of Safaricom and the key determinants of their salience, second, to determine stakeholder expectations and how they hold Safaricom accountable; third, to identify the extent of Safaricom's influence and control over the selected stakeholders; and finally, to establish how and to what extent the firm manages stakeholder exposure through their SSCM practices and TBL measures. Data from semi-structured interviews with Safaricom management and the four key selected stakeholder groups, together with company and public documents, were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Stakeholder groups were selected to represent examples of low, moderate or high levels of salience and exposure. While all are considered important, the case reveals how Safaricom management prioritizes and addresses stakeholder needs according to their attributes. As each stakeholder group is heterogeneous, the case reveals how the firm manages each distinctively and adopts diverse SSCM practices, which are aligned with the firm's TBL measures. Moreover, stakeholder exposure has a moderating effect on the relationship between the firm's SSCM practices and the TBL measures.
Commerce faculties: the hidden pipeline of entrepreneurs, a model of entrepreneurial intention
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Hoffman, Marlin
Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship have been the focus of economic development for the past 22 years. The aim is to spark economic growth that will be sustainable for the years to come. The current state of entrepreneurship will be better understood when the economic, educational and political past of black entrepreneurship is unpacked. Blacks constitute the majority of the South African population and South Africa requires entrepreneurs to reach its goals stipulated in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. Entrepreneurial education is vital to the development of entrepreneurs to enter the economy, which would alleviate unemployment and ensure economic growth, as many other countries have done in the past. Commerce faculties that offer entrepreneurship education are the focus of this study to determine the effect of four cognitive factors on the entrepreneurial intention of students. These four factors are attitude towards entrepreneurship, role models, entrepreneurial leaders, and resources and opportunities within commerce faculties. This study uses the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a model to determine entrepreneurial intention. This theory has been proven to be a sound instrument to use when determining intention and behaviour. The study took place at the University of the Western Cape’s Economic and Management Science Faculty (School of Business and Finance), the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Commerce, Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and Cape Peninsula’s University of Technology’s Business and Management Faculty. The data was collected by using a self-administered questionnaire which was designed for the purpose of this study which was tested for reliability and validity. The population size was 240 from the various institutions mentioned previously. SPSS 24 was used for the statistical data analysis. There findings were that attitude towards entrepreneurship and resources and opportunities were statistically significant in affecting or influencing entrepreneurial intention. The model explained 57.6% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurship education should be seriously considered as a tool to influence entrepreneurial intention as the study showed that entrepreneurship education can and will influence entrepreneurial intention. This implies that the higher education institutions are the custodians for future entrepreneurs in the education they provide and the manner in which the entrepreneurship education is presented.
Electronic service quality and customer satisfaction in South African online stores: the role of psychographics on perceptions
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Rukuni, Tarisai Fritz
In recent years, the South African online shopping industry has experienced remarkable growth which has attracted multi-national online stores to operate in the South African market thus creating competitive pressure for domestic online stores. Consequently, this presence of competition from well-resourced and recognisable online store brands it is critical that domestic online stores adopt measures to protect their competitive positions and to pursue competitive advantage. An adoption of a customer-centred approach focused on increasing customer satisfaction is one strategy for online stores to consider. This study had as its primary objective to develop a theoretical model of psychographic influences on customer satisfaction with electronic service quality. The associated objectives were to develop a theoretical model to (i) assess online shopping customers’ perceptions of electronic service quality, (ii) illustrate the effect of electronic service quality on customer satisfaction, (iii) measure the effect of customer satisfaction on customer behavioural intentions, and (iv) determine how customers’ perceptions of electronic service quality differ across different customer psychographic profiles. A quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to address the research objectives. Data was collected through a questionnaire from a sample of 344 South African online store customers. Statistical descriptive and inferential analyses were performed including mean values, structural equation modelling and analysis of variance. The findings included that, i) customers have negative perceptions of electronic service quality in South African online stores, ii) the constructs of electronic service quality, efficiency and contact, have a significant positive effect on customer satisfaction, iii) customer satisfaction has a significant positive effect on customer behavioural intentions, and iv) a significant difference in the perceptions of electronic service quality was found to exist among customers with different psychological profiles. Based on the study findings it is recommended that South African online stores should improve electronic service quality and apply market segmentation on the basis of customer psychological profiles in order to gain competitive advantage.
Comparative analysis of domestic fuel-wood energy consumption between South Africa and Nigeria: a mixed methods approach
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Muazu, Naseer Babangida
South Africa was considered to have attained universal access to modern energy, this meant that the number of households that have access to energy had successfully increased from 30% in 1994 to 87% in 2012. However, the situation in Nigeria is such that electricity generating figures are very poor and they cannot meet half of the demand of Nigerian households, and the majority of the states have challenges in accessing sufficient fossil fuels. However, recent trends in domestic energy consumption for both countries are becoming biased in favor of fuel-wood energy especially among low-income households, “descending the energy ladder”.
South African and non-South African residents in Cape Town: awareness level, purchase intention and buying behaviour towards purchasing halal food products
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Bashir, Abdalla Mohamed
Muslims and non-Muslim consumers regardless of who they are or from where they come, whether natives or foreigners in a particular country are much concerned with consuming food products. However, not any researchers in South Africa (SA) have addressed the consumers who buy food products labelled halal. This doctoral dissertation primarily aims to explore and bring new knowledge towards halal food purchasing behaviour. It specifically focuses on understanding the current purchase intention and behaviour of halal consumers in Cape Town, South Africa. For this purpose, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was utilised as the theoretical framework to measure the purchase intention and subsequently the buying behaviour of halal consumers. An exploratory sequential mixed method was adopted. A qualitative approach formed the first phase of the study, while a quantitative approach formed the second phase of the study. For the qualitative phase, data was collected purposively through 9 intensive semi-structured interviews. Nonetheless, for the quantitative phase, data was collected by means of 516 self-administrated questionnaires using a stratified random sampling. In analysing the qualitative data, thematic analysis was applied. However, for the quantitative phase, data was analysed using multivariate statistical analysis known as the Structured Equation Modelling (SEM).
Investigating consumer perceptions towards halal certified products in Cape Town
(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Djemilou, Mohamed
This study investigates Halal certification from a consumers' perspective. Traditionally, Halal Certified Food Products are associated with the Islamic faith, but they are increasingly becoming popular among non-Muslim consumers. This study focuses on consumers' perceptions and attitudes towards the consumptions of Halal certified food products in Cape Town.
An assessment of the implications of agoa on the South African poultry industry
(University of the Western Cape, 2021) April, Zuko
As a signatory to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) agreement, a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the United States, South Africa derives several benefits. PTAs grant access to certain products from developing countries and, while the tariffs are sometimes not completely removed, the tariffs charged are far less than those imposed on countries that are not included in the trade agreement. There is strong evidence that PTAs increase trade and investment between member countries. South African exports of goods and services to the US under AGOA have increased by 104% since 2000. While PTAs seem to benefit developing countries at the aggregate level, not much is known about the winners and losers from preferential trade liberalisation at the level of the firm. This study assessed the PTA benefits of AGOA at the firm level within the South African poultry sector.
Digital readiness and the adoption of self-service banking technologies in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Matlala, Ntswaki Petunia
Digital technologies are rapidly transforming banking; in turn, this has changing customers’ choices and preferences for interacting with banks. Digital banking channels have somewhat become a double-edged sword for the banking industry in that, on the one hand, they enhance customer convenience and 24/7 accessibility. On the other hand, these innovative technologies create a marketing challenge whereby bank managers need to learn and understand new consumer behaviours and trends for them to keep up with customer needs and to remain competitive. As such, it becomes necessary for marketers to understand consumer decision making processes related to self-service banking technologies. Of particular importance, consumers’ choice behaviour related to adoption and usage patterns of banking channels become critical. Although past studies have looked at consumers’ adoption of self-service technologies, rapid advances in technology dictates the need for research to revisit determinants of consumer adoption of these banking technologies.
The glass ceiling effect in South African companies: An illusion or reality
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Mbuli, Thulisile
Despite the existence of advanced employment equity legislation that addresses inequalities and discrimination in South Africa, the glass ceiling still inhibits the advancement of women to top positions in both the private and public sectors. The glass ceiling entails inherent and assimilated factors that contribute to barriers that limit women’s advancement in executive positions. In South Africa, women are the majority, yet they are under-represented in leadership positions in corporates. A qualitative research approach was followed to explore the challenges experienced by women in their efforts to become leaders in the South African corporate sector. The study captured the real experiences of 17 women in corporate South Africa through unstructured interviews.
Customer loyalty programmes in South Africa: past, present and future trajectories
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Morrison, Nicole Bronwin
The thesis examines customer attitudes towards Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) retail outlets. Customer attitudes are examined based on customer engagement, loyalty programmes, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty towards customer repurchasing decisions. FMCGs include most household items such as food, toiletries, and cleaning items at supermarkets in South Africa. More specifically, this study investigates the past, present and future trajectories of loyalty programmes in South Africa. This thesis followed a descriptive research design and a quantitative research approach. A non-probability sampling method was implemented using quota sampling. The study included a sample of 272 FMCG members that participated in the study. An adapted questionnaire used in previous research was used as the data collection instrument in the study.
The nexus between knowledge management and enterprise resource planning in the National Youth Development Agency
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Zuma, Nompumelelo
Organisations are investing significant capital in information systems that facilitate remote work and cloud networking. The preferred system is one that provides an organisation with all the tools required for information resource management. Of the available systems, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is the most commonly implemented system due to its advanced features that surpass those of other systems in the market. An organisation must leverage its rich tapestry of knowledge to better implement the ERP. Knowledge management (KM) is the backbone of modern technology adoption, providing managers with the information necessary to customise the ERP to meet organisational needs. Public sector organisations in South Africa are striving to implement ERP to provide a comprehensive solution to information management problems. Despite its advantages, the ERP system takes an average of four years to implement, depending on an organisation’s size, and requires millions of Rands for customisation and add-ons.
A qualitative inquiry on the role of microfinance on smallholder farmers’ sustainability in rural Zimbabwe
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Machingambi, Jeremiah
Smallholder farmers are generally excluded from formal financial systems and tend to have limited financial intermediation options. Furthermore, from banks' perspectives, smallholder farmers’ lack of collateral makes them risky customers in that they are viewed as not being able to repay loans. Against this background, many smallholder farmers are resorting to microfinance to secure capital. This, therefore, raises the question as to whether microfinance is a panacea to smallholder farmers’ access to capital woes. In the extant literature there are mixed results in terms of explaining the role of microfinance in terms of stimulating the growth and sustainability of the smallholder farming sector. This naturally constitute the research gap that this thesis sought to address.
Employing developmental mentorship to enhance the livelihoods and entrepreneurial capabilities of waste pickers
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Sambo, Mogamat Adeel
Waste pickers are individuals who collect waste from household and commercial bins as well as at landfills. The vast majority are unskilled with a low-level of education. Waste pickers find themselves in poverty for various reasons associated with the South African economy and their life trajectories, including a lack of skills. The consequence of this is that these individuals are unable to find secure employment in the formal economy. The income they obtain is from the recyclable items that they collect, which are then sold to buy back centres or parties who are interested in buying their valorised items.
Stakeholder perceptions on the factors influencing corporate governance at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Ramatsoma, Phetole Emanuel
Municipalities are mandated by the South African Constitution, enabling Acts of Parliament and legislated structures to deliver public services. Research highlights under-performance in service delivery at local and municipal governance levels. The qualitative study examines the stakeholder perceptions of the factors influencing corporate governance at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo Province. Semi-structured interviews and self-completion questionnaires were used to obtain data from a purposive sample of 120 respondents. Findings numerous factors that compromise corporate governance processes and underlie the poor and non-delivery of public services in the Municipality. Municipal-level factors include delays in the appointment of key executives which paralyse municipal operations and harm non-accountability organisational cultures. Non-existent managerial skills and poor organisational communication with key stakeholders, corruption, and malpractices in procurement and tender procedures. The study conclusions are that political interference and lack of consequence management by legally mandated structures have eroded corporate governance at the Municipality level. The study recommendations include the need for the national government and relevant bodies to enforce the governing Acts of Parliament such as the Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act, Municipal Structures Acts, and Municipal Systems Act the recommendations of the Kings Report.
A critical investigation of factors influencing Ugandan family owned manufacturing businesses’ performance
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Kwoba, Tadeo Bwire
This study investigated the role of resources and capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation, and stewardship on the performance of family-owned manufacturing businesses in Uganda. Despite the availability of literature on the role of entrepreneurial orientation and stewardship on the performance of business firms, scholarly literature on the role of resources and capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation, and stewardship on the performance of family-owned businesses, especially in the manufacturing sector of Uganda, is lacking.

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