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Consumer buying behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in the greater Durban region
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Management Sciences Specialising in Marketing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns significantly impacted consumer behaviour
globally, including in South Africa, particularly in the Durban region. Strict regulations disrupted
economic activities and imposed social isolation, leading to an accelerated adoption of online
shopping, although infrastructure limitations posed challenges in rural areas. Panic buying and
pre-lockdown stockpiling reflected consumer anxiety over supply shortages, prompting
businesses to adapt through digital strategies and e-commerce offerings. The aim of the study
was to determine the COVID-19 lockdown regulations that affected consumer buying
behaviour within the greater Durban region. Utilising a quantitative, descriptive approach, the
study collected data via 400 online questionnaires distributed through Microsoft Forms,
resulting in 384 valid responses and a 96% response rate. Participation was voluntary, with
confidentiality and anonymity assured. Data analysis, conducted using SPSS and Amos
software, included descriptive analysis and reliability testing via Cronbach’s Alpha. Key
findings revealed a shift in consumer priorities, with a preference for locally produced goods
and long-shelf-life items. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online and contactless
shopping methods, driven by fears and external influences, including health and safety
concerns. Customer service also evolved, emphasising digital engagement, store hygiene,
and enhanced delivery processes. Changes in consumer behaviour reflect global patterns and
demonstrate a lasting shift toward digital and contactless commerce. The study recommends
expanding consumer decision-making models to incorporate customer service as a situational
variable, and fear and anxiety as environmental factors. It also highlights the importance of
integrating online purchasing behaviour within these models. Policymakers should consider
region-specific strategies to address infrastructure disparities, promote digital literacy, and
build resilient local supply chains to mitigate future disruptions. Retailers must prioritise
consistent product availability and balance safety measures with customer satisfaction to
foster trust and loyalty.
Qualitative analysis of motivation on employee efficiency and productivity : insight from a selected FMCG organisation in South Africa
Get PDFOrganisations are experiencing significant transformations that necessitate modern strategies to
maintain pace. Motivation has emerged as an essential element of the workplace for organisational
success. Motivated employees are often more effective and productive in achieving corporate goals
and objectives; nonetheless, this concept continues to pose a challenge for contemporary businesses.
The research investigated the impact of motivation on staff efficiency and production inside a specific
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company in South Africa. Data were gathered through
interviews utilising a non-probability quota sampling method from a sample of 11 people in a
qualitative study. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data, facilitating the identification of
patterns and the development of themes. The findings indicate that (i) the motivational strategies
predominantly employed by the FMCG organisation pertain to the workplace environment,
remuneration, well-being, and professional development; (ii) elements such as training and
development, sense of belonging, equity and fairness, and career advancement significantly impact the
efficiency and productivity of the study participants, with training and development being the most
essential. Despite the beneficial effects of motivation, apprehensions arose regarding diverse training
requirements and team management. The report advocates for a requirements assessment to identify
and address skill deficiencies, prioritise good team management, and cultivate a culture of continuous
learning, and improve employee engagement through a sense of belonging, equity, justice, and career
advancement. These proposals synchronise motivational tactics with organisational objectives, hence
enhancing staff productivity and competitive edge. This study provides valuable insights into improving
staff efficiency and productivity through motivation in the dynamic FMCG sector in South Africa, with
extensive implications for managerial practices and employee engagement
Introduction : African higher education and the praxis of research, innovation, and internationalisation
Get PDFAn empirical analysis of corporate ‘derivatives’ effects on the underlying stock price exposure : South African evidence
Get PDFIn order to diversify a portfolio, find prices, and manage risk, derivatives products are now necessary. There is a lack of understanding of the true influence of derivatives on the behavior of the underlying assets, their volatility consequences, and their pricing as complex instruments. There is a dearth of empirical research on how these instruments impact company risk exposures and inconsistent findings. This study examines corporate derivatives’ impact on stock price exposure and systematic risk in South African non-financial firms. Using a dataset of listed firms from 2013 to 2023, we employ Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models to assess the effect of derivatives on return volatility and beta, a measure of systematic risk. Additionally, we apply the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to address potential endogeneity between firm characteristics and derivatives use. Our findings suggest that firms using derivatives experience lower overall volatility and reduced systematic risk compared to non-users. The results are robust to various control factors, including firm size, leverage, and macroeconomic conditions. This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on an underrepresented emerging market and provides insights relevant to global risk management practices
Guidelines to facilitate collaboration between midwives and traditional birth attendants in KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctoral Degree in Nursing at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Introduction: Perinatal deaths are untimely deaths and are a major public health
concern in many developing countries. They have enormous economic, social and
health implications for families and society. Over 300 000 women die annually due
to pregnancy-related and childbirth complications in sub-Saharan African
countries including South Africa, and about 2.6 million babies are stillborn,
particularly during the third trimester, with the majority of these deaths occurring
in low-socioeconomic communities. Midwives, with their training, and traditional
birth attendants (TBAs), with their cultural experience, play a pivotal role in
maternal and newborn health, especially in the rural communities where they both
bring their expertise to the care of women and newborn babies. There is evidence
that in most stettings these two groups coexist but work independently with no
form of formal collaboration. Collaboration between these two groups could bridge
the gap between formal and traditional health systems and ensure that women
and babies receive quality healthcare support throughout pregnancy, labour and
post-delivery. Therefore, strengthening collaboration between midwives and
TBAs is crucial to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates and improve
overall health outcomes especially in the rural settings where the services of both
TBAs and midwives coexist.
AIM: This study aimed to develop practice guidelines to facilitate collaboration
between midwives and TBAs in KwaZulu-Natal.
Method: A qualitative research design using explorative, descriptive, case study
approaches was employed at uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa, guided by the structural functionalism theory of Talcott Parsons
following the adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency process. The
sample comprised 38 midwives and 18 women who were purposively sampled
and 10 TBAs who were sampled using the snowball method. Data were collected
between April and August 2023 following ethics approval (IREC 307/220) from the
Durban University of Techology. Data were collected using interviews and focus
group discussions and thematically analysed guided by the six steps of qualitative
data analysis as described by Creswell and Creswell (2023).
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Findings: The study findings confirmed that midwifery and TBA sevices coexisted
in uThukela District and that women were utilising services from both groups
during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. The study also confirmed
that there was no existing collaboration between the midwives and TBAs in this
district thus resulting in no formal communication between the two groups
regarding the care of women and children. This had negative implications for the
care of women and children, particularly regarding the continuity of care.
However, midwives and TBAs expressed a willingness to collaborate because of
their shared goal of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the district.
The women also expressed their support for collaboration between the midwives
and TBAs which they stated would address a number of challenges that they face
as they sought healthcare from the two groups.
Recommendations: The study makes several recommendations mostly related
to policy formulation/revision to incoperate TBAs, training and inservice education,
midwifery, and TBA practices, as well as further research. Most importantly,
guidelines to facilitate collaboration between the TBAs and midwives were
developed as part of the study.
Conclusion: The findings from the study highlight the negative influences of lack
of collaboration on the management of women and children and several benefits
that could be achieved through collaboration. Benefits include establishing a
shared vision, team work, benchmarking and sharing of good practices, all of
which could have positive outcomes on the care of women and children. This
could also aid in achievement of Sustainable Development Goals of the country
especially goal number number 3 related to ensuring healthy lives and promoting
the well-being of mothers and children. These guidelines are expected to assist
in bridging the gap between midwives and TBAs, fostering a collaborative
environment that leverages the strengths of both groups. Furthermore, the
guidelines aim to foster community unity by involving various stakeholders,
ultimately enhancing maternal and neonatal healthcare outcomes
Systems approach to the influence of human resource management practices on Zimbabwean state-owned enterprises’ survival
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Human resource management systems and practices are essential to organizational
survival. The thesis addresses the appropriate use of Human Resources Management
(HRM) practices as well as internal and external challenges and issues, in the context
of Zimbabwean State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The thesis argues that following
international best practices and putting policies and standard operating procedures in
place is key to survival and sustainability of an enterprise. The research problem is
that these need to be operationalised cognizant of the context of an enterprise and
that of the country, to minimise issues while improving organizational outcomes. The
study examined issues related to the inappropriate application of HRM practices as
well as internal and external challenges arising within state-owned enterprise
environments.
The study followed a Soft Systems Methodology to explore and explain human
resource management practices within state-owned enterprises. Purposeful sampling
was used to source data from participants selected from three chosen state-owned
enterprises. Semi-structured interviews provided the profound data and insights.
Findings showed that inflation, natural disasters, political interferences, leadership
style, recruitment and selection were derailing the efforts of HRM practices in
supporting organizational survival. The study also found that lack of professionalism
within SOEs allows corruption, in different shades. This subsequently leads to
organizational instability, often forcing the organization to close or cease its operations.
The original contribution of the thesis is a theoretical and practical HRM framework,
which may inform the improvement of HRM practices for State-Owned Enterprises’
survival, notably in Zimbabwe. This framework is informed by interpretation of the
study findings and the existing literature. The conceptualised HRM framework may
greatly help managers and legislators by offering insightful information about
organizational culture, employee experiences, and the efficacy of current standard
operating procedures. A contextualised approach to organizational growth, policy
implementation, and personnel management may be informed by this framework. The
effectiveness of human resource management practices may subsequently contribute
to the improvement and support organizational survival, notably in the context of
Zimbabwe State-Owned Enterprises.
Exploring smart manufacturing tools and innovative leadership strategies in small manufacturing enterprises
Get PDFSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in an emerging economy, leveraging their agility and market penetration to foster economic growth (Peter et al., 2023). Understanding the dynamics of their growth and sustainability is paramount, particularly in the context of adopting smart manufacturing processes and innovative leadership (Bello et al., 2024). This study aims to investigate the utilisation of smart manufacturing tools and innovative leadership practices among manufacturing SMEs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilising census sampling of 102 manufacturing SMEs registered in the Msunduzi Municipality database. The findings revealed a stark limitation in the adoption of robotic technology among manufacturing SMEs, with minimal utilisation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence technologies. Thus, it indicates that the integration of smart manufacturing processes in KwaZulu-Natal’s SMEs is still in its nascent stage. However, amidst these challenges, the study unearthed a significant presence of innovative leadership practices within the SMEs operating in the manufacturing sector. This presents a unique opportunity for these enterprises to propel the smart manufacturing agenda forward through effective, innovative leadership strategies
Effects and modifiers of experienced stigma among people living with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a disease of public health concern in Nigeria despite
current efforts to increase notification rates in the country. In 2024, Nigeria recorded its
highest TB notification and a treatment coverage rate of 79%. Despite these efforts, the
country is yet to reach the global elimination targets due to several factors, including the
effect of stigma on TB notification and treatment adherence. Previous studies have
reported a high prevalence of TB-related stigma, mainly because of the close relationship
between TB and HIV. People living with drug-resistant TB (PwDR-TB), however,
experience more stigma compared to drug-sensitive TB patients because of the longer
duration of DR-TB treatment. TB-related stigma is associated with decreased self esteem, poor quality of life, anxiety, feelings of guilt, isolation, loneliness, and depression.
In addition, People with TB (PWTB) experience abuse, neglect, shame and social
seclusion at home, work, community, or healthcare facilities. TB-related stigma
undermines TB screening efforts and negatively impacts the disclosure of status,
healthcare-seeking behaviours, care delivery, treatment adherence, and outcomes.
Despite the importance of TB-related stigma on TB control and the quality of life among
PwDR- TB in Nigeria, there is a paucity of literature on the subject. This study intends to
contribute to the body of knowledge on TB-related stigma in Nigeria to understand the
prevalence, effects, and modifiers of stigma among PwDR-TB in Nigeria
Factors influencing work-related relationships between nurses and their line managers in public hospitals, Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Masters of Health Sciences in Nursing, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Introduction
Work-related relationships are unique interpersonal connections that hold significant
implications for individuals and the organizations in which they exist. Employees often
engage in various types of formal and informal relationships at work, such as those
with peers, managers, subordinates, friends, and advisors. These relationships are
crucial for fostering individual commitment to the organization, promoting positive
attitudes toward work, and enhancing organizational outcomes.
Aim of the study
The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing the work-related
relationships between nurses and their line managers.
Methodology
A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed to investigate
the factors that influence the work-related relationships between nurses and their line
managers. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 406
nurses and managers, who were sampled through simple random sampling. The data
were analyzed using SPSS version 29.
Results
The study achieved a 100% response rate. The majority of nurse respondents showed
significant agreement with 21 out of 27 statements in the questionnaire (78%), with
scores greater than 3 (p < 0.001). The highest levels of agreement were for statements
regarding having individual discussions with managers (mean [SD] = 3.90 [0.45]), the
ability to communicate problems affecting their duties with managers (mean [SD] =
3.83 [0.625]), efforts to establish working relationships with managers (mean [SD] =
3.78 [0.625]), and the perception of an open-door policy from managers (mean [SD] =
3.78 [0.686]). Nurse respondents showed significant disagreement with three (11%)
of the 27 statements. Managers expressed concerns that nurses required additional
training and skills to improve their performance and noted that some nurses exhibited
rude behaviour.
Conclusion
Nurses enter the workplace with the intent to perform, earn, learn, and grow
professionally. When these objectives are not met, frustration may arise. It is
recommended that, upon assuming duties, managers should communicate their
expectations clearly, including processes, procedures, and performance standards.
Managers should also identify appropriate skills for the job, mentor nurses for
professional growth, and address deviations from expected behavior to achieve the
institution's goals. Ultimately, the relationships between nurses and their managers
significantly impact patient outcomes
Healthcare practitioners within the milieu of the COVID-19 pandemic : a holistic response to enable wellness
Get PDFA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The COVID-19 pandemic crippled healthcare systems globally, whilst exposing and
exacerbating the weaknesses within the South African healthcare system. The virus
overwhelmed the local healthcare system, reflecting that Africa has one of the weakest
health systems globally. Within this milieu there was limited scholarly evidence at the onset
of the pandemic related to how prepared South Africa was, for the onslaught of the virus.
Undoubtedly the spread of the novel corona virus and the associated morbidity and mortality
placed healthcare workers at increased risk because of their exposure to COVID-19
patients. There were several under recognized and unaddressed areas were the mental
health sequelae linked to clinical and non-clinical stressors, such as the shortage of personal
protective gear, deep fears of infecting loved ones, losing colleagues to the disease,
personal struggles with COVID-19 infection and limited resources to address their recovery
and wellness developed.
This provided the impetus for the current study which sought to understand how the COVID 19 pandemic affected healthcare workers at a physical, psychological, social, and spiritual
level and to develop recommendations that would enable their well-being. Guided by a
qualitative case study research design, data was gathered from five samples. The first four
samples included doctors, professional nurses, enrolled nurses and paramedics who all
worked at the forefront of the pandemic. In total these four samples were made up of sixty five healthcare professionals, who were recruited from the uMgungundlovu health district in
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The latter reflected the boundaries of the case of this study.
All four samples were recruited using purposive non-probability sampling strategies, from a
variety of healthcare settings within the district, namely a tertiary hospital, a district hospital,
a field hospital, two ambulance bases, and tracer teams. Data was collected using semi structured interviews for all four samples. The fifth sample was a group of wellness experts,
who participated in a focus group discussion and contributed to the design of a wellness
program. The latter was linked to a set of strategies that emerged to support the psycho social wellness of the health care practitioners.
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The data collected from the first four samples revealed huge deficiencies in the
preparedness of healthcare institutions to manage the rapid onslaught of COVID-19.
The study found significant shortages in essential resources, including hospital beds,
adequately trained personnel, and adequate supplies of personal protective equipment
(PPE). Moreover, the healthcare workers interviewed were found to have had little
preparation to cope with a pandemic of this magnitude which contributed to increased
psychological distress. Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 commonly referred to as long
COVID-19, were reported amongst the participants, together with mental health
complications such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition,
healthcare workers were found to be at increased risk of being long COVID-19 haulers,
leading to deep levels of exhaustion amongst this cohort.
The sheer volume of suffering and death witnessed by healthcare workers during the
pandemic accentuated their psychological distress with many navigating personal and
professional grief which emerged from the loss of loved ones, colleagues and their patients
who rapidly succumbed to COVID-19. Of significance is several participants grappled with
the virus themselves and spent time within the intensive care units in hospitals. Collectively
these experiences underscored the complex toll of the pandemic on the healthcare
workforce at a biopsychosocial and spiritual level.
One of the salient threads within the data was the huge chasm within the healthcare sector
with regards to psycho-social support or other wellness related mechanisms that would
enable the health and well-being of these healthcare workers. Leaders seemed to have
adopted a reactive management style during the pandemic, rather than a proactive approach
focused on anticipating and mitigating psychological distress. Many healthcare
professionals began relying on religious and spiritual practices and other holistic wellness
activities linked to music, gardening, mindfulness, and yoga, to cope. These wellness
strategies coupled with those derived from sample five, which was a group of wellness
experts, coalesced into a multifaceted wellness program. The newly designed wellness
program embodied a range of holistic wellness strategies that was intended to help
healthcare workers transcend the huge levels of post-traumatic stress encountered during
the pandemic, whilst supporting their overall biopsychosocial and spiritual wellness.