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Determinants of inclusive growth in South Africa: a macroeconomic approach
Get PDFAvailable literature substantiates that economic growth is imperative but not sufficient to improve the living standards of a substantial percentage of South Africa’s population. The benefits of growth are also barely equitably distributed among the different groups of society in South Africa. Based on this background, the study empirically examines the factors that determine inclusive growth in South Africa. The study utilised annual data from 1991 to 2020, employing the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) bounds testing approach to cointegration to evaluate the long-run and short-run linkage among the variables of interest. Based on the Social Opportunity Function, a model linking inclusive growth and its determinants was specified. The empirical results suggest a positive relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and inclusive growth (LGDPPPE), in both the short run and the long run, implying that, FDI inflows significantly drive inclusive growth. Therefore, there is a need for South Africa to open economic borders to benefit from the opportunities for inclusive growth through external capital. In contrast, Inflation (INFL) portrays a negative influence on LGDPPPE, both in the short and long run alike, suggesting that the rate of inclusive growth is higher when inflation rate is lower, leading to the implication that, to significantly help accelerate inclusive growth in South Africa, the control of inflation must be a major object of economic policy. In the short run, the Level of Income (LGDPPC), Government Consumption (GGFCE), Population Growth (POPG), Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), and Trade Openness (TOP) indicate no noticeable influence on LGDPPPE. However, in the long run, LGDPPC, POPG and TOP turned out positive and statistically significant. This finding suggests that policies that make the South African economy open to trade with the rest of the world are essential for inclusive economic growth. Furthermore, the finding implies that population growth is not detrimental to growth inclusiveness in South Africa and policy measures that enhance the population’s productivity to reap demographic dividends should be encouraged.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 202
Methods for assessing the quality of AM fungal bio-fertilizer: Retrospect and future directions
No full textIn the recent past, the mass production of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has bloomed into a large biofertilizer industry. Due to their obligate symbiotic nature, these fungi are propagated on living roots in substrate-based pot cultures and RiTDNA in in vitro or root organ culture systems. The quality assessment of AM inocula remains critical for the production and efficacy evaluation of AM fungi. The vigour of AM inocula are assessed through microscopic methods such as inoculum potential, infectivity potential/infection units, most probable number (MPN) and spore density. These methods marginally depend on the researcher’s skill. The signature lipids specific to AM fungi, e.g. 16:1ω5cis ester-linked, phospholipid, and neutral lipid fatty acids provide more robustness and reproducibility. The quantitative real-time PCR of AM fungal taxa specific primers and probes analyzing gene copy number is also increasingly used. This article intends to sensitize AM fungal researchers and inoculum manufacturers to various methods of assessing the quality of AM inocula addressing their merits and demerits. This will help AM producers to fulfil the regulatory requirements ensuring the supply of high-quality AM inocula to end-users, and tap a new dimension of AM research in the commercial production of AM fungi and its application in sustainable plant production systems
A structural model for sustainable growth of the south African business process outsourcing sector
Get PDFhe total size of the South African Business Process Outsourcing sector is not growing as quickly as other global BPO locations like the Philippines and India. The sector has been identified by the South African government as a key sector for economic growth and for reducing unemployment. Reviewed frameworks are not exhaustive in providing a framework that is suitable for countries with an apartheid history like South Africa, so, the main aim of this study has been, therefore, to develop a structural model for sustainable growth of the South African BPO sector. The research was two phased: Firstly, it interrogated existing theories and models on BPO growth to identify variables for BPO growth. The variables were identified as talent pool, infrastructure, accessibility, lower costs, and legislative framework. The relationships between variables were hypothesised. The reviewed literature discussed the global economy and traced the origins of outsourcing as rooted in the advent of Information Technology and computer-enabled production which enabled fragmented processes which could be in any part of the world. The literature showed that competition for markets, coupled with a glut of products on the market, forced creativity which resulted in companies seeking operations in low-cost locations. The first popular locations for BPO operations were India and the Philippines, with emerging locations, like South Africa, positioning themselves to tap into this global development. Secondly, a quantitative study was performed using a web-based questionnaire which was sent to a sample of BPO executives in the BPO value chain in South Africa to test relationships among between variables. The results of the study showed statistically significant relationships between talent pool, infrastructure, lower costs, accessibility and legislative framework with BPO growth, albeit with varying degrees of strength. Contrary to popular belief, lower costs are no longer the most important driver of BPO location choice. Accessibility and legislative framework have also been confirmed by data as variables affecting BPO growth. After the computation of the relationships, the research concluded that the model developed is a good fit for BPO growth.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 202
The finance linked individual subsidy programme: A housing policy assessment
No full textSince 1994, the democratic government has put various legislative measures in place to address the spatial legacies of apartheid and manifest the right to access adequate housing, which was denied to many South Africans. Twenty-seven years post-democracy, South Africa is still faced with glaring spatial inequalities, with many South Africans condemned to squalid and inadequate residential conditions. The need for housing continued outweigh what government can supply, thus making the right to access adequate housing an impossible dream for many. Some of the factors that have contributed to increased housing demand are urbanisation, migration and population growth. While democracy has introduced economic opportunities that have improved the lives of many South Africans who were once side-lined and discriminated against, South Africa remains racially polarised, with a widening gap between rich and poor. An increasing majority of South Africa falls in a low-middle income category, which is sometimes considered the middle class. In the context of housing, the middle class is characterised by people who are too rich to qualify for free government subsidised housing yet too poor to access housing finance from mainstream mortgage lendersThesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 202
The moderating role of decent work on the relationship between employee motivation and job peformance within the public sector
Get PDFOrientation: Organisational success is influenced by its ability to employ, develop, sustain and retain skilled employees. Retaining a strongly committed workforce has become a top priority for most organisations. Uncovering and addressing components which influence job insecurity helps retain employees. This is key to improving employee job performance. Research purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the moderating effects of decent work on the relationship between employee motivation and job performance using a sample of public service employees in the Eastern Cape Administration. The study aimed at determining the importance of individual-level performance when diagnosing performance issues in the public sector by focusing on the moderating role of decent work on the relationship between employee motivation and job performance. Motivation for the study: The South African public service is noted to undergoing challenges. Notably, affected are aspects related not only to employee motivation but also job performance. Needed are strategies that address these important organisational realities. Calls in the literature advocate the need to pay attention to the potential role of decent work. Research approach/design and method: A quantitative survey was employed using self-administered questionnaires. A total of 250 surveys were distributed. After data cleaning, a total of 188 surveys were deemed usable. Main findings: The overall findings highlighted in this study are that decent work and employee motivation have a positive relationship with job performance. They also have a significant positive influence on job performance. Additionally the research concludes that the three constructs of decent work that include free time and rest, access to health care and safe working conditions have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between employee motivation and job performance. Practical/managerial implications: This implies that there is need to find ways to keep employees motivated so that their job performance can also improve. Policy makers v should come up with effective work place policies which insure that conditions for employee motivation are ensured at work place as well as decent working conditions. This is important because it results in increased productivity and performance by public service employees. Contribution/value add: The findings provide preliminary insights that contribute to the body of knowledge concerned with decent work and employee job performance in the field of human resource in the South African context.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 202
The assessment of socio – economic policy affecting Makana municipality development
Get PDFThe aim was to assess the development policies affecting the development of Makana Municipality. Development policies exist to foster and improve the lives of the people, for example through job creation, poverty alleviation, improvement of infrastructure. Therefore, the neglect of Makana Municipality to deliver such services is a denial of basic human development and opportunities for people to lead a long healthy life and get to enjoy a decent level of dignity, freedom, self-esteem, respect inter alia. The municipality has played a role in how development has been delayed. The recent court ruling is the evidence of that. The high court in Grahamstown dissolved the municipality in January and the judgement was perceived as a historical verdict in the history of local government. Makana municipality has deteriorating service levels and it has been like that for few years now. The livelihoods of the people of Makana have been affected as the dissatisfaction with services continues. This study highlighted the importance of good governance and appropriate policies to respond to issues are for development and to address different challenges. Moreover, one of the strong bases for successful local government is good leadership, that responds to people’s needs strategically and technically. The research has found the slow pace in development has a negative impact in the fight against poverty and unemployment in the municipality. Therefore, serious interventions strategies to improve the pace of service delivery in the local municipality needs to enforce responsibility and accountability. Local Government is the sphere that is the closest to the people and responsible for delivering services as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996). Thus, when a municipality fails to provide services, the citizens are the ones who should hold the government accountable and demand services. Municipalities have a developmental role that they need to play and fulfil, and this is stated in the Constitution as follows. “Developmental local government is local government committed to working with citizens and groups within the community to find sustainable ways to meet their social, vi economic and material needs and improve the quality of their lives” (Republic of South Africa, 1996, section 153).Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 202
The Impact of Direct Marketing on Consumer Buying Decisions in Mthatha’s Cosmetic Industry
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate the impact of direct marketing on consumer buying decisions in Mthatha’s cosmetic industry. Direct marketing was measured by four dimensions, namely telemarketing, magazine advertisement, door-to-door selling and television home shopping. To achieve the aim, the research study adopted a positivist paradigm which was motivated by the quantitative approach using the explanatory research design. A self-administered questionnaire was issued to 300 respondents using the snowball sampling technique. The respondents were consumers that purchase cosmetic products sold through direct marketing channels in Mthatha. The key findings of the study, under the simple linear regression, revealed that telemarketing, magazine advertisements, and television home shopping influence consumer buying decisions in Mthatha’s cosmetic industry respectively. However, door-to-door selling does not influence consumer buying decisions in Mthatha’s cosmetic industry. Under the hierarchal regression analysis, the findings revealed that direct marketing influences consumer buying decisions after controlling for the respondents’ demographic variables (educational level, age, gender, marital status, and income level) in Mthatha’s cosmetic industry respectively. Based on the findings, policymakers should assist cosmetic organisations to progress from the manufacturing stage to the commercialisation stage. They should also provide capital and resources to small businesses to up-scale the size of the organisation. Based on the findings, this study will assist direct marketers to gain more understanding of how consumers think and the stages they undergo before making a purchase of a cosmetic product. Key words: Telemarketing, door-to-door selling, consumer buying decisions, television home shopping, magazine advertisements and direct marketing.Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Commerce and Administration, 202
Effect of adding a probiotic to an aquaponic system on plant and fish growth, water quality, and microbial diversity
No full textThesis embargoed. Release date April 2023.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 202
Brown wooden carved statue of a women, with earrings, decorative neck and head jewelry
No full textBrown wooden carved statue of a women, with earrings, decorative neck and head jewelry.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
White crocheted circular doily
No full textWhite crocheted circular doily, made by Mrs. Bam Senior.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio