1,720,996 research outputs found
Exploring the digital divide in underserved communities in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa
No full textA research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Management in the field of Digital Business, In the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, WITS Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024This research report explored the digital divide in underserved communities in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa, focusing on how owning a smartphone can help bridge the gap. Despite the widespread use of digital technology, financial constraints and limited digital literacy continue to create disparities, especially among marginalised populations. The study employed a qualitative research design, primarily through eight in- depth interviews, to explore how smartphones can impact digital inclusion and overall quality of life in these communities. The findings reveal a digital divide, particularly among young Black individuals, due to barriers in smartphone and internet accessibility. While ease of access to technology can enhance social and economic capital, challenges such as pricing and infrastructure limitations exacerbate disparities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalisation.MM202
Implementation of digital transformation in a public entity
No full textA research article submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration Johannesburg, 2023Public entities strive to have digital transformation in their organisations; they strategise and organise themselves; however, they face challenges with implementation. This study aims to investigate the progress that one South African public entity (PE) has made towards digital transformation, the processes followed in implementing, unpack the challenges and recommend strategies that any public entity can use for better future implementations. A qualitative methodology was followed using semi-structured interviews conducted on a sample of fifteen participants within the public entity who are role players or have participated in digital transformation processes from executives, management and project team members. A thematic analysis of the data was made. Conclusions and recommendations were made around the capabilities and challenges of the public entity, integration of processes, performance measurement, IT skills and overall motivation for employee engagement and adoption of digital transformation and how all these phenomena have a close interaction with each other to achieve a better chance of success on future DT implementationsMM202
Digitalisation and gender inclusion in financial services in South Africa
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023Digital transformation and increased digitalisation have been identified as significant opportunities for women’s participation and gender inclusion in the
workforce to support substantial economic growth. This study explores the perceived role of gender inclusion during the rapid digitalisation of the world of work during the pandemic. This study further seeks to understand the experience of women leaders in the formal sector from 2019 to 2021 in South Africa (SA). An interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted for this study, using semi-structured interviews. The snowballing sampling method was used to reach women leaders across the financial services industry. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and a hybrid analytical approach to developing the code book and subsequent themes. The research findings indicated a delicate and complex relationship between digitalisation and gender inclusion influenced by the internal gender inclusion strategy, the digital workplace design, digitalenablers, social implications, culture and well-being of women leaders as they worked virtually. While women leaders experienced the rapid surge of digitalisation during the virtual working phenomenon as positive, there were pros and cons identified for women leaders working almost, ultimately impacting their ability to stay with organisations. While organisations offer world-class digital transformation strategies, invest in the best technologies, or leverage increased digitalisation to change how people work. The key takeaway is that with the complexities of human behaviour and the entrenched gender stereotypes in financial services, digitalisation may not be enough to keep women as active and contributing members of the future workforceMM202
Commercialisation of customised pharmaceutical compounded creams and ointments in a community pharmacy setting
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023This research intended to discover and explore a business opportunity for high-quality, cost-effective creams/ointments and the therapeutic benefits to the end-user in a community pharmacy setting. A mixed research method was utilised in the proposed business venture in the form of primary and secondary data collection, solidifying methods in answering the research questions. A random sample size of 120 adults was used for the quantitative survey questions and 80 adults for the qualitative survey. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was utilised to enter all the data and to make inferences from the primary and secondary data obtained. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 was used to code data and run the statistical analysis. The research results revealed that the
cream combination may be prescribed by either the GP/Specialist and will not depend on gender, age, the frequency of prescribing, and whether the individual is using it for the first time or more. There was a perfect association between price and cream. Pharmaceutical compounded creams/ointments have a critical part in providing patient- centric products and services for individuals who may be underserved. This is a business that can be leveraged.MM202
Organisational, training and operational strategies for the development of digital skills in insurance SMEs in South Africa
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023Many organizations and institutions have been driving the development of digital skills worldwide. This study explored the organizational and training strategies for developing of digital skills in insurance SMEs in South Africa. Despite the call by many organisations and government actions, many small to medium organizations still find it difficult to adopt digital skills. The literature review indicated that, indeed, there are various degrees of relations between digital skills development and organizational strategies. However, the applicability of these studies was limited because most of them were carried out in other industries and, in most cases, outside South Africa. The study used a qualitative research approach to deduce the impact of organisational and training strategies on digital skills development. Data was collected using interviews and a detailed interview guide from 12 interviews. The data was collected from small to medium insurance companies chosen to be part of the study using purposive sampling. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis to group the data into major themes. The findings showed that management strategies are critical for developing digital skills in the insurance sector due to their ability to control all aspects of the organization. In addition, training strategies used impact digital skills development, as do operational strategies used in SMEs. The significant findings point out that costs, management strategies, and compliance requirements influence digital skills in the sector. The study closed off by recommending that the government enact policies that make it less costly for SMEs to equip their employees, in addition, private organizations are advised to invest more in digital skills since they make operations more efficient. Lastly, the study recommends further studies be carried out on the role of digital skills on the performance of SMEs in the insurance sector.MM202
The role of Middle Management in a Digitally Matured Financial services organisation: A focus on the frontline professional advisory environment
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024This research study aimed to understand the role of middle management in a digitally matured financial organisation, particularly within the frontline professional advisory environment. A qualitative research methodology was adopted and conducted through 8 one-on-one interviews, via semi-structured and conversation led questions. A purposive sampling method was used in identifying the interviewees, particularly middle managers within the frontline professional advisory environment. Following this extensive data collection, a thematic analysis was conducted to draw conclusions to the research. The research findings suggest that middle management within the frontline professional advisory environment is a critical function within a digitally matured financial organisation. Albeit, less technical, there is and will always be an inherent need for people coaching, motivating, aligning to business values and guidance through leadership. Middle managers will in effect serve to ensure that frontline professional advisory representatives are entrenched to the organisational mission, vision and objectives in their execution of their rolesMM202
Digital payments adoption of informal small and medium enterprises in South Africa’s township economy
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business Schoo , University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023The use of cash for making and receiving payments in South Africa’s townships continues to grow, despite the proliferation of alternative payment methods.
Merchants operating informal businesses are reluctant to accept payments digitally, which further contributes to the socio-economic burdens experienced in townships.
This study investigated merchants’ intention to use digital payment acceptance methods, specifically in the informal sector. The UTAUT2 was employed, extended with the Perceived Risk Theory.
The study adopted a quantitative research approach. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 120 respondents online and face-to-face. The questionnaire was based on previously researched and theorised literature. Factor analysis, particularly Principal Components Analysis, was used to analyse the results. Correlation analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis, followed by multiple regression.
The findings revealed that the independent variables Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Price Value and Perceived Trust all positively influenced the
behavioural intention of informal merchants to use digital payment acceptance methods. Performance Expectancy had the strongest influence, whilst Perceived Risk was not found to have a negative influence on the behavioural intention of informal merchants to adoptMM202
The underrepresentation of women with STEM backgrounds in African TechCos
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024The global phenomenon of digital transformation is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, forcing companies to ramp up their digital skills to avoid being disrupted by new entrants to the market. However, a digital skills crisis looms, particularly regarding women and girls in the workforce. There is a significant underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, disciplines critical to meeting companies' needs in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There has been a call for action from several governments and civil society to address the gender gap in STEM, which is seen as not just a social issue but an economic priority as well. This research explored the barriers to entry and retention of women with STEM backgrounds in African TechCos. The study aimed to identify factors that motivate and enable women to enter STEM fields, particularly in the technology industry, as well as identify barriers to entry and retention for women in these sectors. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews with eight women with STEM backgrounds working in TechCos across several African countries. The findings of the study revealed that the primary motivators for women to enter and persist in STEM fields are societal perceptions and impressive financial prospects. The study discovered that the lack of visible, successful women in STEM that girls and young women can look up to during their school days reduces their willingness or eagerness to enter and stay in STEM careers. The study concludes that bridging the gender gap in STEM requires first addressing the root cause of the issue, i.e. the traditional parenting practices that do not expose girls to STEM-related activities from a young age. The study recommends the adoption of collaborative efforts by relevant stakeholders to implement transformational processes to address the low female representation in STEM.MM202
The barriers to Adoption of a Cashless Economy in South African Informal Markets: consumers’ perspective
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024This study aims to enhance the Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) by integrating security and privacy concerns associated with cashless payments (CLP). The research investigates impediments to adopting cashless payments in the informal sector among South African consumers. Data was collected through an online survey administered to South African informal sector customers using a quantitative approach. Four hundred and seventeen participants contributed, yielding three hundred and twenty-five usable responses for testing the research hypotheses. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) was applied for data analysis. The findings reveal that Perceived Trust (PT) and Perceived Risk (PR) exert the most significant influence on the adoption of cashless payments. Social Influence (SI) also demonstrates a statistically significant impact on this adoption. Conversely, Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Price Value (PV), and Habit (Ht) exhibit statistically insignificant associations with this adoption. To create a more comprehensive model for determining cashless payment adoption in the informal sector, the researchers modified UTAUT2 by incorporating consumers' perceived trust and risk. Notably, there is limited research on adopting cashless payments within the context of the informal sector. The research findings hold implications for policymakers, banks, and fintech companies, offering insights into the factors contributing to the sluggish adoption of CLPs in the informal sector. This understanding can guide the design of appropriate solutions to address consumer concerns regarding using CLPs in the informal sector, facilitating a successful transition towards a cashless economyMM202
The factors influencing the adoption and sustainability of digital technologies by healthcare providers in South Africa
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023Healthcare has become the most rapidly growing sector in developing and developed countries due to it being a constitutional right and its importance in maintaining the lives of citizens in South Africa. Evidence shows that the quality and access to health care in South Africa face several challenges which date back to the history of the country and the increasing burden of disease. Despite several initiatives and interventions that have been implemented, the state of the healthcare system continues to deteriorate.
The effect of rapid technology change has resulted in the emergence of digital health technologies which aim to transform the industry by reducing costs, improving efficiencies, introducing new players in the healthcare value chain and empowering patient and healthcare players with information that enables improved health outcomes. Despite, recognising the benefits of digital health technologies to address the challenges that the sector experience, the successful implementation of these solutions has been limited.
The purpose of this study is to understand the factors influencing the intended adoption and sustainability of digital transformation technologies in the South African Healthcare sector.
The factors influencing the intended adoption and sustainability of digital technologies are uncovered by understanding the critical factors experienced by various stakeholders in the South African healthcare sector value chain which include the implementation, funding, technology partnerships, technology development, governance, research, healthcare provision, and usage of healthcare services when adopting digital health technologies
The findings revealed that several digital health technologies have been implemented across South Africa, however, the focus of technologies has been on the smaller populated private sector. Data also showed that the implementations spanned across the common solutions of mHeatlh, eHealth, and telemedicine and are underpinned by AI, ML, Big Data and predictive analytics. However, the anticipated benefits are not being realised by the greater South Africa to improve health outcomes and improve the access and quality of healthcareMM202
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