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Theses and dissertations (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/14

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    The use of Instagram as a communication tool in the Durban fashion industry
    (2023) Ngcobo, Thandeka; Madondo, Elvis
    Over the years, social media has become an imperative platform in the fashion industry for testing new marketing strategies and monitoring trends. There are thousands of luxury and high street fashion brands around the world that are present online. Despite the fact that fashion brands have unilaterally set their polished brand images through traditional media such as television channels and magazines, social media serves as a very powerful tool for promoting and sharing fashion information to both industry and people (Ha, Kwon, Cha and Joo 2017:418). Undeniably, Instagram is not only used as any other social media platform, but also as a marketing tool for local fashion brands. There are numerous phenomena of Instagram marketing. However, there is still a lack of clarification as to why these phenomena occurred. The aim of this study was to determine the use of Instagram as a communication tool in the Durban Fashion industry. The primary objective of the research was to examine the influence of Instagram as a communication tool in the Durban Fashion industry. The study followed a quantitative research method in order to accomplish the set objectives. Non-probability sampling was used in recruiting participants. Purposive sampling technique was utilised to generate the sample population. Fashion brand owners in Durban who use Instagram as a communication tool were the population targeted by this study. The researcher was able to get a 91.5% response rate as 119 questionnaires out of 130 were collected. The study used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 for Windows to analyse the data. The study revealed that Instagram is an effective communication tool that fashion business owners can benefit from, if used strategically. Furthermore, the findings revealed that Instagram is giving fashion business owners a platform to showcase their best offerings; communicate with their target audience; and increase brand awareness. One of the recommendations was that fashion businesses who are not using Instagram as a communication tool to start using this social media platform. Communication through the use of pictures and videos seems to be a new strategy for marketing. The study also recommended that it is important for fashion owners to prioritise engagement with their target audience on Instagram in order to build friendly relationships and increase the number of followers.
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    The use of social media as a relationship enhancement communication tool between medical practitioners and patients at Hlabisa Hospital
    (2022-11) Sikhakhane, Jacqueline T.; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele
    Communication is a broad concept it is essential in both human and patient care relation and includes all possibilities in which people can exchange information with each other. Good medical practitioner and patient communication have the potential to help facilitate comprehension of medical information and allow for better identification of patient's needs, perceptions, and expectations. Poor communication by healthcare medical practitioners contributes to physical and psychological suffering in patients living a serious disease. Communication breakdowns are global in medicine and lead to a variety of medical errors and patient harm. This study explores the use of social media as a relationship enhancement communication between medical practitioners and patients. It intends to connecting/link positively and constructively the medical practitioner and patients via social media by considering medical ethics. The research will collect data from focus-groups and will include academic journals, books, newspapers, and Reports. The data will be analyzed using the computerized NVivo Software (version 12. Pro) and thematic analysis. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the research methods and population study used with intention of investigating the use of social media as a relationship enhancement communication between medical practitioners and patients. Qualitative approach was used in this study to attain its objectives, 8 participants were used for the sample study of which 4 were patients and 2 were medical practitioners. For the main study 12 participants were used which included 8 patients and 4 medical practitioners. Participants from the sample study were not included in the main study. To conduct this research study non probability sampling will be used mainly because of convenience and cost effective. this study found that WhatsApp and Facebook are the most suitable or used social media platforms to be used at Hlabisa hospital to facilitate communication between medical practitioners and patients as well as an important medium to advertise significant wellness events. whoever will be responsible for the Hlabisa hospital social media platform must be strategic, be well informed, authentic and strategic. use listening skills to check understanding, understand cultural differences and how they might impact communication. Be empathetic toward the patients.
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    Exploration of traditional leaders’ roles in the provision of public services :a case of Nhlangwini Traditional Council
    (2022) Nzimande, Michael Thembelani; Mutero, Innocent Tinashe
    The lack of collaboration between South Africa’s government departments and traditional institutions impacts negatively on key decision-making. There is a growing lack of community consultation in rural communities due to detached leadership. Communities are receiving government services which are inappropriate to their immediate needs. Consequently, the quality of life of rural based citizens is compromised. Using the social systems theory, this study explored the role played by traditional leaders during provision of service delivery in rural communities, under the Nhlangwini Traditional Council. The social systems theory is also used to frame an investigation into the relationships that exists between traditional leaders, and government organs as well as other stakeholders. The study followed a qualitative approach and purposive sampling was used to select 26 traditionals who participated in this research. Data was collected through in-depth interviews which were all held at the Nhlangwini Traditional Council premises. The study found that the role of traditional leaders is still confused with the role of ward councillors. However, that does not prevent traditional leaders in addressing community issues. Moreover, the relationship between traditional leaders and government organs is very poor. The government still needs to foster a good working relationship with traditional leaders as they are living in deep rural areas which gives them a good position to better understand the needs of rural communities. Ultimately, working together to uplift and improve the community must be the focal point. There is still a need for government to engage with traditional leaders and provide strategies on how to promote participation. The government must also consider creating a manual that will clarify the roles of traditional leaders, possibly this will create a deeper understanding and reduce confusion of roles between the ward councillors and traditional leaders as they both serve the local community
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    Towards an energy saving culture : an analysis of the Eskom energy efficiency communication campaign
    (2021) Khoza, Eric; Rawjee, Veena; Ngubane, Zwakele Baldwin
    This study presents an evaluation of how a sample of Eskom’s residential customers decoded the communication campaign that was meant to encourage them to adopt a culture of energy saving in order to avert the total collapse of the national electricity grid. The study was conducted in three district municipalities across Mpumalanga province. The data collection process, including the research instrument, was informed by the overall objectives of the study. This qualitative study consisted of a multi-stage approach in which one-on-one interviews and focus group interviews were the primary data collection methods. The findings revealed that the campaign was generally a success, as the messages were understood by the participants who, in turn, implemented certain measures to ensure that the national power grid was stable. It was also established by means of the study that Eskom and government need to bring down the cost of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and ensure that proper consultations are prioritised at the beginning of campaigns.
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    Effective communication as a catalyst for employee performance within selected Municipalities at KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
    (2021-11-12) Sineke, Ntombizandile Victoria; Potwana, Nobubele
    Communication is the adhesive that binds people irrespective of their backgrounds. It is the skill of passing information from one person to another. However, effective communication deals with understating emotions and intentions behind the information. Therefore, managers in leadership positions need to understand the manner in which the best effort can be obtained from the workforce, following which communication systems management should be reviewed to ensure it is effective. The aim of the study is to establish whether communicating effectively with employees could improve employee performance in a municipality. In this regard, the study ascertained the extent to which the sharing of ideas creates openness among municipal employees, in addition to whether regular feedback contributes to improved municipal employee performance. Furthermore, the study also investigated whether open channels of communication mitigate misunderstandings and whether the recognition of employee opinions increases employee performance. To establish the stated objectives, the study used a mixed method research approach, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected from the uBuhlebezwe Municipality, where a sample size of 80 respondents was obtained by using a simple random sampling technique. For the qualitative research, 10 employees were gathered by means of convenience sampling, through a focus group at the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality. The results from both methods showed that effective communication was the best tool to change employee performance in municipalities, acting as a catalyst. However, this is largely dependent on the effectiveness and availability of channels of communication. The main recommendations to municipal managers and heads of departments are that they should use effective communication as a strategic tool and appreciate all employee opinions, regardless of their positions in an organisation. Managers in a municipal setting should also involve employees in decision-making, most importantly during policy formulation. It is further important that municipal employees are provided with sufficient resources to be able to perform their day-to-day duties, as inadequate resources lead to poor performance and lack of communication. The provision of regular and honest feedback to employees with regard to their strengths and weakness could additionally improve employee performance and increase productivity. Conversely, lack of communication could lead to misunderstandings and incorrect interpretation of information messages by employees.
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    Assessing the impact of language diversity on communication : a narrative inquiry conducted at a South African stevedoring company
    (2021-11-14) Naidoo, Ashegan; Adam, Jamila Khatoon
    Prior to 1994, South Africa was a country that had segregation among race groups due to apartheid legislation. Post 1994 South Africans had to deal with the combining of culture and races. The merging of communities required businesses to employ previously disadvantaged groups for a more diverse organisation. Although this produces superior results over uniformity, since development and creativity are more reliant on diversity working together and capitalising on their individuality than on high-intelligence sole thinkers (Herring, 2009). It also has its own set of unique challenges, according to Herring (2009) diversity can present conflict, separating a nation and other issues that diminishes an organisations effectiveness and productivity. There is a rising pressure placed on employers and employees for accountability in the workplace and an increasing importance for evaluation of performance (Denzin and Lincoln, 2003). Twenty-three years post-democracy South Africa faces many challenges in various sectors of society. Living in a rainbow nation means living amongst people of different nationalities, beliefs and customs. At the organisation which this research is based upon, there are people of varying races and culture. The problem with this is that in a predominantly English medium of instruction, the employees who communicate via other languages are finding it difficult to understand and follow instruction. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of language diversity on communication at a South African stevedoring company. This study was driven by three research questions, namely: What are the identities of the participants of the study? Secondly, what are the employee experiences of the effects of language diversity on communication? And lastly, how does communication style between the participants affect the rate of productivity at the workplace? This research study was supported by using the principles of the Social Identity Theory and the Communication Accommodation Theory. The paradigmatic approach used viewed this research study through the lens of the interpretivist paradigm in order to understand and learn from the narratives of casual employees at a South African stevedoring company. This research study was performed within the boundaries of the qualitative design. The narrative inquiry methodology was applied to this study in order for the researcher to narratively explore the lived experiences of the participants. Five participants were selected for this study by putting into effect the principles of the purposeful sampling method. Field texts (data) were generated by employing the unstructured interviews and the collage inquiry method. The generated data was then analysed through two methods of analysis. These methods are the narrative analysis and analysis of narratives. The findings of this study show that one of the key components of high productivity is effective communication. Due to many employees including all five participants being second language (Isizulu) speaking, a barrier to language could be considered as a communication barrier. Communication barriers arise when the individuals involved speak in completely different languages from one another (van Rosse et al., 2016). Language barrier or linguistics barrier can be defined as miscommunication (Harzing and Feely, 2008). In any company or organisation, communication is the pillar of strength for any organisation, and poor communication has severe repercussion to productivity. The success of an organisation depends heavily on the flexibility and the effectiveness of the internal organisational communications between all levels of employees. For this reason, it is the job of managers to lead employees with effective communication.