UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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Assessing the asymmetric implications of the common monetary area on the stability of the Namibian money demand function
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in economicsThe anecdote of this study is broadly focused on assessing the asymmetric
implications of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) on the stability of the Namibian
money demand function (MDF) using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag
(NARDL) model covering the period 2001q1 to 2021q3. It is provoked by long extant
literature’s recognition that MDF stability is a prerequisite for effective and successful
monetary policy implementation. Surprisingly antecedent global and Namibian research
results have remained broadly divergent, with the adoption of appropriate models,
particularly nonlinear models found to be sparse. A local study that investigated the
nonlinear drivers of money demand failed to ascertain the stability of the Namibian MDF,
hence, the present research seeks establish the asymmetric impact of the CMA on the
Namibian MDF, and ascertain the stability of the function. The results reveal the existence
of a long-run relationship between money demand and the South African repo rate
(SA_repo), income, three-month TB rate, inflation rate, exchange rate and deposit rate. It
has been further found that long-run asymmetric impacts of most variables on the
Namibian MDF are incomplete. Focusing on the main thrust of the study, positive shocks
in the SA_repo, a CMA proxy, have a significant asymmetric influence on MDF in the
long-run. Short-run results of the model are corroborated by a negative and statistically
significant error correction term indicating that 23% of short-run deviations are corrected
in each quarter over the sample period. The study further show that the short-run effects
of most regressors are asymmetric and that the Namibian MDF is stable. The asymmetric
dynamic multiplier effects of the SA_repo on the Namibian MDF reveals that positive
shocks in the variable dominate their negative counterparts with the impact more
pronounced in the long-run. Therefore, as an antidote, in its monetary policy
implementation, the Bank of Namibia should vigorously observe upward adjustments in
the SA_repo
Evaluating the implementation of free secondary education in Oluno circuit, Oshana region, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Leadership, Management and Policy studies)Namibia implemented several educational reforms following its independence in 1990, intending to provide education for all [EFA]. To meet the EFA objectives, the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture [MoEAC] implemented Free Secondary Education [FSE] in 2016. The goal of this study was to evaluate the implementation of FSE in Namibia using Oluno Circuit in the Oshana Region as a case study. The study employed qualitative research and a case study to address the research questions. To collect data for the study, document analysis and a semi-structured interviews were used as research instruments. Purposeful sampling was employed to select four secondary schools, 16 Grade 12 learners’ Representative Council [LRC] 4 teachers, 4 Heads of Departments [HODs] and 4 chairpersons of school boards based on their leadership abilities. The study used content analysis to analyse the data. The major findings of the study were insufficient and untimely funding, high learners enrolment, school dropout, lack of teaching and learning materials, a lack of parental sensitisation, as well as the government's failure to cover all educational expenses. The study recommended that the MoEAC should employ qualified secondary school teachers to provide quality FSE and adequate and timely funding to schools, purchase teaching and learning materials, and provide enough infrastructure to accommodate all secondary school learners. Lastly, the MoEAC should formulate the free secondary education policy framework to guide the schools on how to use the funds and should sensitise parents on the importance of free secondary education
Analysing the impact of quality of board members on performance of non-commercialised public enterprises in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administrationThe study aimed to analyse the impact of the quality of board members on board performance for
Non-Commercialised Public Enterprises (NCPE) in Windhoek, Namibia to bridge the knowledge
gap. To achieve this, the study applied a quantitative research approach. The primary data were
collected from online structured questionnaires on a sample of 37 board of directors for NCPE and
analysed using factor analysis, structural equation modelling (SEM), and independent samples t test. Findings from factor analysis indicated that only three factors comprising Board_AI,
Large_SH, Board_Comp, EQICG, and Audit_Comm for Factor 1; Board_Comm, CEO_Duality,
CEO_T, and Gender_Div for Factor 2; and NEDs, Board_Size, and Board_M f for Factor 3 were
needed to explain the quality of board members. Moreover, findings from SEM revealed that all
the factors of the quality of board members had positive impacts on the NCPE performance,
although the effects were minimal for factors 1 and 2, while moderate for factor 3. It was concluded
that Factors 1 and 2 need improvement for NCPE to enhance their performance. To add to that,
findings from the independent sample t-test showed that a significant difference existed between
gender and factor 2, unlike between gender and factors 1 and 3. Finally, the study recommends
that NCPE should reallocate the financial and non-financial resources associated with the factors
that are not a good fit for explaining the quality of board members to the components of factors 1
and 2, to enhance the boards’ performance for NCPE. For future studies, this study suggests that
researchers should focus on assessing the phenomenon from the qualitative perspective since this
study was purely quantitativ
An evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the master of business administration financeThis study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of
hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia. The study was promoted by the poor and
uninspiring performance of hotels and lodges following the pronouncement of
successive COVID-19 induced lockdowns. The objectives of the study were to establish
the influence of COVID-19 on occupancy rates, ADR, RevPAR and profitability of
hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia and suggest perceived policy interventions for
sustainable recovery of the hotels and lodges. The study was theoretically guided by the
theory of constraints, resource-based theory and the dynamic capability theory. The
study adopted the positivism philosophy and quantitative approach to enable the
researcher to make use of scientific evidence, including statistics that show how
COVID-19 affected the performance of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia. A
correlational research design was employed to facilitate hypotheses testing and explain
the cause-and-effect relationships between the COVID-19 pandemic and the
performance of the hotels and lodges. A total of 89 structured questionnaires, designed
using google forms, were electronically distributed through a cross-sectional survey that
targeted managers and accounting officers of the participating hotels. The respondents
were selected using stratified random sampling in order to reflect the population
structure in the sample. Data was analysed quantitatively using SPSS version 19. It was
revealed that rising new COVID-19 cases and deaths as well as restrictions on domestic,
regional and international travel led to cancellation of bookings and low occupancy
rates. COVID-19 negatively impacted on Average Daily Rate (ADR), Revenue Per
Available Room (RevPAR) and profitability of hotels and lodges. The study concluded
that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the performance of hotels and lodges
in Windhoek, Namibia. It was recommended that hotels and lodges should develop new
business models; advocate for a rescue / aid package for hotels and lodges and target
domestic tourists with limited travel restrictions to enhance occupancy, ADR and
RevPAR. A further study covering other cities and towns in Namibia and incorporating
qualitative methods was suggeste
The impact of good governance on service delivery in local authorities: A case of Khomasdal North Constituency
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administration: Management strategyGood governance in the public sector aims to encourage better service delivery and
improved accountability. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of good
governance in enhancing the delivery of service within the Khomasdal North
Constituency. The study used a mixed method approach , where questionaires were
distributed to 364 residents of Khomasdal North Constituency who were randomly
selected from a population of 3,693 residents. For the qualitative approach, interviews
were conducted with 15 Khomasdal Regional Council officials and the municipal
authority officials. These were purposively selected. Descriptive statistics were used to
analyse and present quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to analyse the
qualitative data. Results indicated that corporate governance has an impact on service
delivery. The study also established that corporate governance practices are hindered by
several challenges such as lack of decentralisation of decision-making processes. The
study also noted that Khomasdal North Constituency tries to provide other services, but
there is still need for more to be done for the community. It is recommended that the
Government of the Republic of Namibia ought to provide a conducive environment that
encourages stakeholder involvement in policy implementation in order to promote public
participation in governance and service delivery; the Government of Republic of Namibia
ought to provide adequate financial resources to sub-national levels of government in
order to strengthen their financial capacities. Finally, Regional and Local government
institutions in Namibia must be properly equipped with skilled and competent officials in
areas that are fundamental to governance and service deliver
Developing a resource-based approach for strategic planning and implementation in the Namibian public sector
No full textA dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the doctor of business administrationThe purpose of this study was to develop a resource-based approach for strategic planning
and implementation in the Namibian public sector. The constructivist grounded theory
design was adopted to collect data from seven directors purposively sampled from twenty three identified directors from twenty-three institutions in the Namibian public sector.
Resources are critical to the Namibian public sector strategic planning and implementation
processes. However, Namibia faces resource constraints, which affect the development
and implementation of its strategies. The study concluded that the resources required for
effective strategic planning and implementation in the Namibian public sector are human
resources, financial resources and infrastructure. The quality of these resources falls short
of the desired standards, with the sector struggling to attract and retain qualified and
skilled personnel. The study discovered that the Namibian public sector faces shortages
of resources and is unable to sustain supply of resources for strategic processes. The
resource-based approach to strategic planning and implementation was developed for
application within the Namibian public sector, emphasising consideration of resource
quality, quantity and ability to sustain the supply of resources throughout the strategic
planning and implementation process. The study recommended linking strategic plans to
the resources the institutions have and can create during the strategy cycle. The proposed
resource-based approach emphasise importance of resources in strategic planning and
implementation while prioritising on quality and quantity of resources allocated to
strategic processes. The resource-based approach to strategic planning and
implementation would enhance the development of feasible strategies and their
implementation towards the achievement of strategic objectives, effective public service
delivery and economic development. The limitations of the study were that it relied solely
on qualitative data collected from participants purposively selected. The area for further
study would be to use quantitative methods to test and evaluate the variables identified
statisticall
The role of succession planning in promoting business continuity: A study of family-owned enterprises in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administration management strategyFamily-owned businesses are not exempt from the importance placed on succession
planning in the business world. The study's purpose was to examine the role succession
planning plays in ensuring the survival of family-owned businesses. This qualitative
research study, had ten (10) family-owned business owners serving as the sample size.
Thematic analysis, which involves identifying themes by spotting similarities in meaning
across data, was used to study the data. The findings showed that most participants had a
sufficient understanding of succession planning and itsimportance to family-owned firms.
It was also discovered that they had a sufficient understanding of what it meant to run a
family-owned business, particularly when it came to the purpose of passing it down to the
next generation or instances in which it had previously been given to a family member to
run and manage. Additionally, it was determined that, in FOBs, succession planning
increases competitiveness, which is a trait that results from such planning. The study
recommends that business owners put the understanding and knowledge they have about
succession planning into practice by having a succession plan in place. Further study
across all regions of Namibia is recommended to determine the overall view of the country
at larg
Scaffolding epistemological access in the context of forbidden discourses: A case study of a grade 4 Natural Science class in a Namibian school
No full textQualitative in orientation and using the case study methodology, the research drew upon Margaret Archer’s theory of agency to examine how, at the point of confluence of culture, structure and agency, the teacher’s agency was enabled or constrained in attaining the agential project of scaffolding epistemological access in a Grade 4 Natural Science classroom. The study found that when positioned into a face-to-face relationship, or a direct relationship, with the structural, cultural, and agential causal powers, the teacher’s agential project of scaffolding epistemological access in a Grade 4 Natural Science classroom was constrained than enabled. The teacher was placed into a pedagogical dilemma where on the one hand, structural causal powers (e.g., the curriculum, syllabus, school authorities) demanded the teaching of topics on human sexual reproduction and human excretory systems. At the same time, causal cultural powers exerted by cultural properties, which include values, norms, and taboos, render conversation with young children over sexual reproduction matters and human excretory system forbidden discourses. The study concluded that cultural factors are among the myriad factors that potentially lead to poor performance in Natural Science by Namibian learners and African learners in general. The study recommends that in teacher education programs, it is essential to interrogate the school curriculum regarding its sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural contexts of both teachers and learners. Similarly, such programs should investigate developing appropriate agential powers of aspiring teachers to resist or circumvent causal cultural powers that obstruct or hinder meaningful science learning
Factors influencing student retention at the University of Namibia
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in educationStudent retention is one of major challenges confronting universities worldwide
because some students leave university before completing their studies. This
continues to be a concern for higher education institutions. If unaddressed, this could
negatively impact student retention rates. The purpose of this study was to identify
factors influencing student retention at the University of Namibia. The study used a
mixed methods approach and a convergent parallel design. The research was guided
by the theoretical framework of Tinto's (1975) model of student departure. Data were
collected during the 2018 to 2020 academic years. The pragmatist paradigm was
suitable for this study in using quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect and
analyse data. The target population was all first- and second-year students from all
Faculties of the University of Namibia’s Main Campus enrolled in the 2017-2018 and
2018-2019 academic years and those who dropped out in the preceding years. The
population also included academic and administrative staff, sampled from
departments related to the students and their study programmes. The data were
collected using interview guides with thirty persister students who were grouped into
six focus groups for discussions which had five to six students in each group. Fourteen
non-persister students completed survey questionnaires. Academic and administrative
staff members completed a staff survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were
analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas the qualitative data were analysed using
the thematic analysis approach. The study revealed that the most important factors
that influence student drop out at the University of Namibia include difficulty in
getting assistance from staff and negative staff attitude, difficulty in selecting the
desired major, difficulty in making the transition from high school to university,
students’ timetabling and workload, the lecturing style, and financial problems.
Another issue which emerged during the time of this study was the outbreak of Covid-19. Based on the findings, this study proposes a framework to inform researchers
undertaking future research in this area to help with improvements on student
retention rates as a way to contribute to the reduction of dropout rates at institution
Examination of the effects of macroeconomic shocks on the Namibian economy
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in economicThis Dissertation is structured on three stand-alone objectives which investigated the
effects of macroeconomic shocks on the Namibian economy between 1980 and 2018.
Firstly, the study estimated the dynamic effects of fiscal policy shocks through the
SVAR approach. IRFs results reveal that a positive spending shock immediately
increases output and interest rates while decreasing inflation. A positive tax revenue
shock increases inflation two years after impact while decreasing interest rates at
impact.
Secondly, the effects of external shocks were examined through the VAR technique.
IRFs show that global output shock positively affects domestic output growth and
interest rate, whereas the impact on inflation is negative immediately. A positive US
monetary policy shock raises domestic interest rates and inflation while
simultaneously exerting a negative influence on domestic economic growth. A positive
oil price shock in the first period yields a decline in domestic GDP growth while raising
the interest rate, albeit marginally. The impact on inflation is muted in the first year
though it is negative beyond the second period. FEVDs reflect that domestic real GDP
growth is significantly influenced by global output shocks whereas variations on both
interest rate and inflation are explained largely by US monetary policy shock.
Thirdly, it investigated the impacts of mineral commodity (copper and uranium) price
shocks (positive and negative changes) on Namibia’s business cycles (real GDP). To
determine cointegration and presence of asymmetric effects, a new stepwise-least squares NARDL model was adopted. Outcomes reveal a long-run cointegration among
real GDP, commodity prices, investment and exports shares of GDP. Moreover, the
study unveiled that both copper and uranium prices have asymmetric impacts on
Namibia’s business cycle. Positive changes for both commodity prices have the
greatest impact on real GDP than negative variations.
ii
The study recommends the following: first, to spur sustainable economic growth,
thereby significantly contributing towards the achievement of the country’s socio economic development, expansionary fiscal policy especially increasing public
(productive) spending is recommended. Pursuance of counter-cyclical fiscal policy is
commended specifically during low-growth periods to smoothen the business cycle.
Second, increased integration with the global economy and
industrialisation/diversification are recommended to ensure output growth while
simultaneously cushioning the economy from external shocks and serving as a buffer
against volatile commodity prices. Third, to mitigate fluctuations from external
shocks, robust macroeconomic policy intervention is strongly recommende