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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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Subject: search.filters.subject.Risk management

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    The influence of demographic factors and culture on the risk management practices of SMEs in Zimbabwe
    (2022) Mauchi, Fungai Ngoma; Rawjee, Veena; Ramlutchman, Nisha
    Organisations are confronted with risks that negatively affect their performance. Risk management practices focus on detecting, calculating and evaluating threats to reduce material, reputation, opportunity and other costs. While business frameworks play a significant role in accomplishing impactful and profitable innovations, various studies point to the lack of a comprehensive SME risk management framework. This study sought to identify the level of SME risk management practices; determine their perception of the relevance of risk management in their businesses; and ascertain the influence of demographic factors and culture on Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) risk management practices in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the study aimed to develop a risk management framework that ensures SME survival. The adoption of a risk management framework is hoped to guide effective SME risk management. A mixed-method research design was used, with a target population of 35 700 SMEs from Harare and Mashonaland Central provinces. Cluster and simple random sampling methods were used to select a sample of 276 SMEs. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative Data was analysed using the Spearman rho test, descriptive statistical analysis, frequency analysis as well as correlations, inferential statistical analysis, T-tests and regression analysis whilst qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that risk management practices in SMEs were low, reflecting a negative perception of its relevance in business success. Age, gender, race and marital status, as well as educational and income levels, influenced the adoption of risk management practices by SMEs in Zimbabwe, whilst family size did not. Social complexity, fate control and religiosity were found to also influence SME risk management practices, whilst social cynicism and reward for application had no impact. The study recommended the adoption of a risk management framework for SMEs, SME capacity building through education and access to information, networking, the transformation of SME business principles and SME policy reform
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    An assessment of the impact of supply chain risk management in food-aid distribution in Zimbabwe
    (2020-09) Ngarize, Peter; Ngcamu, Bethuel Sibongiseni
    The present study sought to investigate and interrogate supply chain risks prevalent in the humanitarian sector with reference to food-aid distribution and to also assess the impact of supply chain risk management as a strategy for cost- effective food-aid distribution operations in Zimbabwe. The global increase of disasters and their devastating effects has left communities vulnerable and in need of help from Donors, humanitarian agencies and the host governments. The damage by disasters notably droughts, floods and cyclones have caused various forms of vulnerability on populations living in disaster struck countries, including Zimbabwe. The natural disasters and catastrophes have inadvertently solicited for committed investment by both local and international governments to assist those unfortunate to have been struck by disasters and their impacts. Information on disaster impacts specifically related to food-aid distribution is gathered through an analysis of risks prevalent along the food and humanitarian aid supply chain network. This information will be used by government and various humanitarian stakeholders in the formulation of strategies to mitigate disaster and supply chain risks in humanitarian aid distribution. A mixed-method approach was employed to assess the impact of supply chain risk management in food-aid distribution in Zimbabwe. A sample size of 80 Humanitarian Aid stakeholders from the District Drought Relief Committee completed structured questionnaires. The Cronbach Alpha Test showed high reliability for the scales used in the study. Furthermore, the study used information from key informants, at least fifteen (15) members from the secretariat, namely, the District Administrators, the Social Welfare officers, as well as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) personnel who were readily available at their stations for one-on-one interviews. Five strategies, that include flexibility, collaborative, prepositioning, hedging, and governance were explored and their impact on distribution of food-aid analysed. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA (version 16). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression was used to investigate the nature and magnitude of the relationship between food-aid distribution efficiency and supply chain risk factors, while also controlling for the effect of demographic variables and results were compared with those of the Tobit models as a test for robustness of the results. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis derived from observations and interviews and descriptive statistics presented in tables. This study tested the robustness of the five strategies used in food-aid distribution and noted that the most commonly used strategy is insurance, followed by governance, then collaboration, flexibility, prepositioning, and financing. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY It is expected that the study will assist the Government of Zimbabwe, other governments in Southern Africa, and humanitarian aid stakeholders in the formulation of policies for the humanitarian food and non-food-aid distribution. This will lead to improved efficiency in foodaid distribution. Policy recommendations highlight the need for synergistic relationships between WFP, the Meteorological Department, Department of Social Welfare, and the Civil Protection Department. The Government of Zimbabwe should therefore create an enabling environment for stakeholder partnerships in the Humanitarian Food -Aid supply chain that should cascade to the village and community levels. Disaster interventions should not only come from National Central Government but, where necessary and feasible, should be from local community to National, building a bottom up approach in disaster mitigation strategies.
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    An assessment of crisis communication at selected car manufacturing companies in Gauteng, South Africa
    (2022-04) Khuzwayo, Talent Sinenhlanhla; Hussain, Sameera Banu; Isheloke, Byelongo Elisee
    South Africa has several car manufacturing companies or plants, referred to as open systems. Due to their nature as open systems, crises are inevitable. Crises have the potential of inducing grave consequences for the organisation’s reputation and, ultimately, its survival. Being prone to conflicting situations necessitates that each organisation have an effective crisis management plan that details the crisis management and crisis communication steps in great detail. However, implementation of crisis communication and crisis management always comes with challenges for the crisis management teams. Increasingly, in the car manufacturing industry, car recalls are being made as certain models tend to have potentially fatal defects. This increase in car recalls is the reason behind the development of this qualitative study. Therefore, the researcher undertook a case study approach, utilising semi-structured interviews to obtain the required data. The value of qualitative research lies in its ability to provide answers to the questions ‘why’ and ‘how.’ Thus, broadening the understanding of crisis management as a phenomenon and the experiences and feelings of the crisis management teams at car manufacturing companies. The research participants were four car manufacturing companies (Companies A, B, C and D) with their head offices in Gauteng, South Africa. The crisis management teams were selected as the target population because they actively attempt to remedy the crises and interact with various organisational stakeholders when a crisis situation occurs. The findings identified gaps in crisis communication planning and implementation, given the ever-changing business and public relations environments in which organisations operate. As a result, the researcher made recommendations that will assist public relations and communications practitioners today and in the future to handle various crises effectively in the motor industry. Ultimately, car manufacturing companies will benefit by improving the protection of their organisations and their stakeholders from reputational and livelihood threats and further reducing those threats’ negative impacts.
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    Economic role of derivatives on bank lending, firm value and economic growth : evidence of South Africa
    (2021-11) Chikwira, Collin
    The South African financial system has had substantive growth in the derivative market from 1996 up to the present day. The instruments are growing at an astonishing rate, although the economic growth of South Africa was unstainable. It is growing at a slow rate that cannot be matched to the rate of derivatives growth. However, the causal analysis of derivatives markets and economic growth in developed market economies revealed that the variables tend to move together over time. What remains thorny to researchers is the question as to why such a relationship exists. Is it a pure coincidence, wealth effect, or is the derivative market a mirror or a leading indicator of the economy, or does the derivatives market drive the economy or reverse? The present study wishes to find out the answers to such questions regarding South Africa through examine the impact of derivatives on bank lending and firm's value and consequently economic growth. This study is predominantly quantitative, and it followed financial development-growth nexus studies to establish its methodology. The adoption of the methodology followed that derivatives are regarded as part of financial development instruments among stocks, bonds, bank loans, and other financial instruments. In terms of the estimation technique, the system generalised method of moments (GMM) was deemed appropriate due to its wellacknowledged ability to account for endogeneity prone with panel data set and growth-related models. This study revealed that derivatives, irrespective of type, positively influenced lending in the banking industry. Thus, the evidence shows that loan portfolios of banks that participate in derivative instruments increase. In addition, the analysis shows that derivatives permit banks to lend more to the private sector; there is a positive statistical relationship at 1 percent significance. Listed non-financial firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange use derivatives to manage foreign exchange, market, price, and interest rate risks during their operations. The results obtained suggested that the use of derivatives generates value for non-financial firms. There is a significant hedging premium for South African non-financial firms that use derivatives. Derivatives permit more significant extension of credit to the private and public sectors, which impacts the economic growth of South Africa; that is, if there is a 1% change in the loan portfolio growth, the real GDP of South Africa expanded by 1.52%, as estimated by the research findings. Also, derivatives allow non-financial firms to undertake capital investments, increasing the yearly South African real GDP by 1.15% if there is a 1% change in the firm value. It is observed that economic growth pinned its roots in the efficiency of the banking sector. Banks effectively provide funding through lending to the private sector to secure credit and interest rate risks with derivatives. Thus, it is availing liquidity in an economy that is essential for the firms to capitalise, finance capital projects, and invest in opportunities to derive economic activities. Thus, economic growth increases the production of quality goods and services through the private and public sectors. The research findings documented in this study supported policies to inspire the development of derivative markets as part of financial development. This can help deepen the financial sector in South Africa, which will help stimulate economic growth. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers adopt strategies that reinforce the development of derivative markets in the country through fiscal or monetary interventions.
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    The effectiveness of quality management systems in project management : the case of Transnet Group Capital
    (2021-09) Kumalo, Duduzile Emmah; Ramchander, Manduth
    Transnet’s infrastructure development projects foster economic growth through the country’s ports, pipelines, and rail networks expansion and modernisation. To this end, Transnet has taken up several capital expansion projects across all its operating divisions to develop and expand its infrastructure. However, the reported figures on compensation events in rail project execution, comprising defects and double handling was found to be notably high. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of project quality management systems within the life cycle of projects implemented by Transnet Group Capital. The study was cross sectional in nature and a quantitative research design was adopted involving both primary and secondary research. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data based on a stratified random sampling technique. The data was collected at Transnet Group Capital (TGC). The statistical programme, SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyse data. The secondary data was obtained from TGC management information systems (Primavera databases), wherein a repository of the required documentation is maintained. The secondary data was analysed using quantitative content analysis. It was found that gender parity has not been achieved throughout all the disciplines. Overall, women’s representation remains lower than men. On a positive note, Transnet Group Capital projects are selected in line with business goals. This further confirms that the projects are subjected to an independent Gate Review as specified in the Project Lifecycle Process methodology and as per the project’s classification outcome. Findings indicate that the end users are not consulted throughout the construction processes and project timelines are prolonged. This is coupled by an unclear scope which is not adequately communicated to all stakeholders, incapacitated project managers, as well as lack of quality assurance and control processes. The document analysis presented the impact of compensation events at an average of 4% of the contract value. These findings give Transnet Group Capital a reason to improve their project execution and the monitoring process. The study recommends that gender equity be prioritised. There should be agreements on the expected outcomes of the project to allow each milestone of the project to stay on target. An emphasis of core values is also necessary to transcend differences in culture. There is a need to institutionalise quality awareness and to implement a risk mitigation plan.