Research Publications (Management Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217
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Item Can commercialisation address consumer debt in local government : a case of South African metropolitan municipalities(Taylor and Francis Group, 2023-05-30) Murwirapachena, Genius; Kabange, Martin M.Consumer debt continues to challenge local government financial sustainability. There is a debate in the literature on whether developing countries should consider commercialising local service delivery. Using data from South African metropolitan municipalities, this study examines the impact of commercialising service delivery on consumer debt. Fixed effects modelling is adopted, and results show that commercialising sanitation increased consumer debt by 22.5 per cent, commercialising solid waste collection reduced consumer debt by 11.9 per cent, while commercialising electricity had no significant impact on consumer debt. These results imply that policymakers should consider the type and nature of public service when deciding its commercialisation.Item Non-payment culture and the financial performance of urban electricity utilities in South Africa(Informa UK Limited, 2023-05-04) Murwirapachena, Genius; Kabange, Martin M.; Ifeacho, Christopher I.Non-payment for services continues to challenge sustainability in municipal service delivery across South Africa. Literature provides that the culture of non-payment stems from the apartheid era where mass civil disobedience manifested through boycotting the payment of rates. This study examines the impact of the non-payment culture on municipal financial performance in South Africa. Panel data for 28 municipalities for the years 2005–19 is used, and the random-effects model is employed to estimate the relationship between municipal financial performance and non-payment. Results confirm that non-payment has a negative impact on financial performance. For every R1000 increase in bad debts written off, financial performance is reduced by R291. Further, grants from the national government, the number of consumers, and the number of household units receiving free basic electricity positively affect financial performance. These revelations warrant the need for more innovative approaches that transform non-payment into a culture of payment.Item Water consumption behaviour and the use of technology among households in Durban, South Africa(IWA Publishing, 2023-04-21) Ngcobo, Mbuso; Murwirapachena, Genius; Reddy, MaligaFreshwater resources remain under constant pressure due to population growth, economic development, and changing weather patterns. Water supply utilities generally struggle to keep up with the growing demand for freshwater resources and consequently adopt demand management policies to address supply challenges. As water consumers, households can play a major role in water conservation. This paper examines the impact of biographic characteristics on water consumption behaviour and the adoption of water-efficient technologies in the city of Durban, South Africa. Probit regression models are estimated using survey data collected from 300 household heads sampled across the city. Among other results, the study finds income as the most consistent determinant of water consumption behaviours and the adoption of water-efficient technologies. Furthermore, the level of education was also found to be a consistent determinant of the adoption and installation of water-efficient technologies. These results are significant and serve to guide water utilities when implementing demand management water policies.Item Capital expenditure, population growth and access to water services in South Africa(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2022-10) Murwirapachena, GeniusAccess to sustainable and improved water services is a global concern. In South Africa, households should by law access water services within 200 m of their homes. However, many households still access water from sources more than 200 m away. This study examines the impact of capital expenditure and population growth on access to water services in South Africa. The study highlights access to water services in the country and how it is affected by capital expenditure and population growth. The fixed and random effects estimators are used to analyze panel data for 52 big municipalities during the period 2009 to 2018. Among other findings, the study reports that while capital expenditure improves access to water services, population growth is undoing municipal efforts. Thus, evidence-based planning backed by reliable population growth forecasts is essential for improved access to water services. Studies that quantify the impact of capital expenditure and population growth on access to water services are important as they aid policy formulation and implementation.Item Understanding household water-use behaviour in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa(IWA Publishing, 2021-10) Murwirapachena, GeniusClimate change, population growth and industrial activities continue to threaten water security, especially in the semi-arid regions. Demand management policies are essential in minimising the effects of acute water shortages. Such policies require information on household water consumption patterns and their behavioural practices. This study examines household water consumption behaviour and the adoption of water-efficient appliances in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study uses probit regression models to analyse survey data collected from 889 households during the period November 2017 to February 2018. Results show that while most households do not have water-efficient appliances installed in their homes, they do practise water-efficient behaviour. Older respondents as well as males and lower-income respondents are found to be more likely to practise efficient water-use behaviour. However, biographical variables do not generally influence the adoption of water-efficient appliances. These results are essential for policy-makers when formulating targeted water demand management policies. Thus, policy-makers should focus more on younger people, women and higher-income households when developing campaigns on efficient water-use