Local economic development as a catalyst for job creation in Amathole District
- Authors: Sikuza, Pumeza
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employment (Economic theory) , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65423 , vital:74139
- Description: This study assessed local economic development (LED) as a catalyst for job creation in Amathole District. LED is a mechanism that could be used to reduce the socio-economic difficulties faced by the district. These socio-economic challenges include high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality. The research study is crucial because its area of focus is situated in the province with the highest official unemployment rate in South Africa. With the rising levels of unemployment, which is rising unabated, there is a likelihood of fundamental challenges being experienced by municipalities inhibiting their ability to fulfil their critical service role effectively. The study seeks to investigate whether the LED strategies implemented by the municipalities in the Amathole District are achieving the objectives of poverty alleviation and job creation. The sample and focus were six local municipalities in the Amathole District and the district municipality. The local municipalities in the district are the Amahlathi Local Municipality, Great Kei Local Municipality, Mbhashe Local Municipality, Mnquma Local Municipality, Ngqushwa Local Municipality and the Amathole District Municipality. Primary data was obtained and assessed through semi-structured questionnaires, and the respondents were asked probing questions. The interviews were typed verbatim, and themes were identified during the analysis and interpretation of the data collected. The relevant secondary data was also assessed and analysed from the annual reports and integrated development plans of the municipalities and were captured into Microsoft Excel for analysis. The study findings conclude that the unemployment rates in the Amathole District municipalities have increased during the period reviewed. It was noted that the upper-bound poverty rates in Amathole District remained unchanged during the reviewed period, but the lower-bound poverty rates increased. It was also noted through the calculation of the coefficient correlation that there is a stronger correlation between unemployment and the lower-bound poverty rate than unemployment and the upper-bound poverty rate. In order to eradicate the challenges of poverty and unemployment increasing despite the LED being implemented, it is recommended that adequate funding be made available, that co-ordination of sector plans be improved, LED be prioritised by municipalities, baseline information be utilised and improved, sustainable employment opportunities be created, and there be robust skills development initiatives in municipalities. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04
Financial deepening and economic performance in South African commercial banks
- Authors: Mpongoshe, Nomthandazo
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Economic development , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Performance -- Measurement , Liquidity (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65829 , vital:74271
- Description: Financial deepening and economic growth have received much attention in the literature. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding the relationship between financial deepening, and bank performance especially within the context of South African commercial banks. This research aims to investigate the empirical relationship between financial deepening and the performance of all South African commercial banks from 1987 to 2019. The research adopts a descriptive research design and utilizes secondary data along with time series analysis techniques. The research empirically investigates the relationship between financial deepening and bank performance, using financial deepening indicators such as Market Capitalisation (MC), Credit to the private sector (CR), Money Stock (MS), and Bank liquidity (BL). Control variables such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Inflation rate (IF), and Lending interest rate (LR) are also considered. The autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing (ARDL) method is employed to test the relationship between financial deepening and bank performance. The autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing (ARDL) method is employed to test the relationship between financial deepening and bank performance of South African commercial banks. The findings indicate that financial deepening has both short-term and long-term impacts on bank performance. Each component of the financial deepening indicators demonstrates a strong and statistically significant relationship with bank performance. This empirical evidence suggests that financial deepening has made a positive contribution to the profitability of South African commercial banks. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a long-run equilibrium relationship between financial deepening and the economic performance of the South African banking sector. This research addresses the gap between theoretical beliefs and empirical evidence by establishing a robust and positive contribution of financial deepening to the profitability of South African commercial banks. The findings highlight the significance of financial deepening in enhancing bank performance in South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
The determinants of manufacturing sector growth among East African Community countries
- Authors: Musiita, Benjamin
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Economic development , Industrial productivity -- East African Community , Supply and demand
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65874 , vital:74280
- Description: Given the concern of the meagre contribution of the manufacturing sector output in total GDP within the East African Community (EAC) member states, the purpose of this study was to in-vestigate whether growth rates in the manufacturing sector output of the five East African Com-munity member states can be explained by variations in the factors of input, productivity and governance. The study benchmarks the growth frameworks of neoclassical growth and its exten-sions, as well as the institutionalist growth theory, which guided the formulation of empirical growth models. Estimation is achieved by implementing first difference generalised method of moments (D-GMM) on a linear dynamic panel model through the specific-to-general modelling technique. Among the factors motivated by the neoclassical growth paradigm and its extensions, estimates from this study indicate that human capital and the gross capital formation input factors can help in predicting variations in manufacturing sector output growth in EAC member countries. Among the productivity factors, estimates show that higher lending rates and increased openness had a significant negative effect on the growth of the manufacturing sector among EAC member states. The productivity variables of foreign direct investment, inflation, domestic credit and financial deepening showed no ability to influence manufacturing sector growth in the EAC member states. Estimates further indicate that among the governance factors, control of corrupt-ion could help boost manufacturing sector output growth among EAC member states. Results from this study show that the governance variables of voice and accountability, and of regulatory quality, had an insignificant effect on the growth of manufacturing sector output among EAC member states. So the study shows that manufacturing sector output variations in EAC member states can partially be explained by the neoclassical and endogenous growth models, with little efficacy in the institutional growth model, suggesting the incompleteness of the growth frame-works adopted in assessing the sources of growth in manufacturing sector output in EAC mem-ber states. The study results suggest that the EAC member states can boost their manufacturing sector output growth by implementing policies and programmes that create incentives for more additions to capital stocks and improving the quality of human resources while equipping people with skills, establishng financial instituitions which offer access to cheap capital, like the East African Development Bank, and adopting import substitution growth strategies which could re-duce the quantity of imports and limit outflows of foreign exchange. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
High road or common neoliberal trajectory? Collective bargaining, wage share, and varieties of capitalism
- Authors: Mpuku, Mutale Natasha Muchule
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Collective bargaining , Globalization , Labor union members , Wages Statistics , Income distribution , Economic development , Neoliberalism , Capitalism
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357611 , vital:64760
- Description: Wage shares have been falling since the 1980s across developing and developed countries. There has also been a downward trend with labour market institutions in these countries, with a few exceptions. This thesis analyzes these trends using firstly an extended literature review and secondly an econometrics analysis of a panel of 36 countries over 39 years. The extended literature review identified two broad competing narratives surrounding this topic: the mainstream and the alternative growth narratives. They both focus on two different growth regimes, the former, posits that growth is profit-led and the latter that growth is wage-led. Both are not ‘zero sum’ processes and seem to offer the same end result (growth and development). However, profit-led growth seems to have two problems. First, at least in the medium run, there is a trade-off between growth and income distribution. And secondly, profit-led growth is contradictory at the global level. Wage-led growth, which offers a ‘high road’ approach, seems far more appealing. Furthermore, several authors, including in South Africa, have claimed that regime-switching (to wage-led growth), is possible, and it seems that labour market institutions may play an important role in facilitating such a switch. However, the empirical literature, especially regarding middle- and low-income countries, is sparse and inconclusive. The panel data analysis provided by this thesis was not conclusive in establishing whether the wage-led, high road path is still viable for countries like South Africa. However, it did not find strong evidence of the contrary. The thesis concluded that there is scope for further research in this field and makes certain suggestions in this regard. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Local economic development and Re-Industrialisation: A case study of Dimbaza
- Authors: Mbebe, Dumisani Bakhulule Lennox
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Economic development , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58081 , vital:58548
- Description: The Local Economic Development (LED) and reindustrialisation of Dimbaza is viewed as a wellspring of valuable economic growth. Contemporary LED professionals have been at a loggerheads in dealing with challenges in addressing the core concept of LED and a Re-industrialised environment in bringing economic growth. The LED and reindustrialisation agenda is providing a platform for the participation local inhabitants and value creation in the mainstream of economy. It also poses development questions about the seriousness of economic decisions by those given powers to set the economic direction of the area of Dimbaza. Government policies such as the Eastern Cape provincial growth development plan, Buffalo city integrated development plan and LED strategy are attempts to entrench the concept of localism across Dimbaza and meet the challenge of engaging LED participants to creatively deal with their economic problems. While LED scholars have written a length, there have been limitations when LED is used to enhance reindustrialisation in bringing sustainable economic growth. This study seeks to contribute to the current economic conversations on LED and Reindustrialisation by critically reviewing the available literature while challenging those with decision-making authority and their seriousness in bringing about LED and Reindustrialisation in Dimbaza. Furthermore, the study serves as a diagnostic tool to stimulate further engagement around LED and Reindustrialisation process in relation to its policy impact. The study focused on deductive research method, which aimed at testing the existing theory of knowledge with the aim of creating new theoretical thinking. To understand better LED and Reindustrialisation of Dimbaza as a tool, previously, it has yielded results in addressing unemployment and poverty. The study has employed a qualitative research method within which a systematic reviews of both primary and secondary literature to address unemployment and poverty in Dimbaza. As part of the methodology of the study, thematic content analysis to produce findings has been explores, assuming that it will contribute in bringing meaning and results to the study. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
The contribution of international financial institutions to economic development in SADC countries
- Authors: Galaga, Unathi
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Economic development , Financial institutions, International , Southern African Development Community
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57665 , vital:58193
- Description: Although African governments have a significant role to perform in developing the continent, International financial institutions (IFIs) also perform a dominant role in economic development but their role in African development is often viewed as controversial and contradictory. In the 20th century, the World Bank and the IMF were vital IFIs that characterised global policies that regulated global economies, subjecting weaker economies to SAP. This necessitated African states to borrow money to ensure stabilisation, liberalisation, deregulation and the privatisation of most sectors. This study econometrically examined the impact of foreign aid on economic development in SADC countries. Panel regression techniques were employed to analyse the contribution of international financial institutions to economic development in SADC countries. The results indicated that there is an insignificant relationship between foreign aid and economic development, which implies that foreign aid does not contribute to economic development in SADC countries. Based on this finding, the study recommends that Southern African Governments find ways of financing development that guarantee economic growth. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science , 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
The effects of external shocks on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Mzayidume, Lonwabo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Economic development , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58024 , vital:58499
- Description: External shocks are defined as unexpected changes in an economic variable which can influence economies either positively or negatively. Examples of such shocks can include oil price and terms of trade shocks. Globalisation has increased the susceptibility of economies worldwide to economic shocks emanating from developed countries, due to the existing trade and financial links between various countries around the world. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of external shocks on economic growth in South Africa and to develop policies which could be used to prevent or soften the negative effects of external shocks in South Africa. Since the beginning of democracy in 1994, the South African economy has been opened to the world market. However, there have not been substantial gains in terms of economic growth. A possible explanation for this is that the dynamics of large economies influence the average demand, average supply, economic activities, and price changes in small open economies. South Africa’s dependence on foreign trade and attracting foreign savings to drive domestic investment increases the country’s vulnerability to the effects of external shocks. In this study, the South African economy is proxied by one key measure of economic performance, economic growth rate. The purpose of the study is to advance the understanding of the effects of external shocks on economic growth in South Africa. The study uses the structural VAR model. As South Africa is a relatively small open economy, the structural VAR model is theoretically consistent with countries of similar ilk. This study concludes that South Africa’s economic growth is significantly affected by commodity price index, U.S. GDP, and oil rents. In addition, this study concludes that South Africa is contemporaneously and positively affected by oil rents shocks and terms of trade shocks. Furthermore, it shows that economic growth in South Africa is contemporaneously and negatively affected by capital inflow shocks, nominal vi exchange rate shocks, and CPI shocks. Further SVAR estimates support the finding that capital inflows adversely affect South African economic growth. A possible reason for this outcome is that the number of domestic producers is reduced as a result of domestic producers being negatively affected by the capital inflow shocks. To combat the adverse effects of capital inflows, the study recommends that South Africa enforces more measures to protect domestic producers. The implementation of protectionist policies is one way in which this could be accomplished. These policies would promote domestic producers and ensure the production of domestic goods and services is increased. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
The Impact of Institutional Quality on the Effectiveness of Fiscal Policy in Stimulating Economic Growth: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa
- Authors: Moyo, Cecily
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Fiscal policy , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57947 , vital:58433
- Description: Over the last few decades since the independence of most African countries, which coincided with that of Asia, the economic growth between the two continents has not been the same. As an example, in the year 1965, exports and incomes per capita were much higher in Ghana compared to Korea and it was anticipated that this trend would continue into the future. But these projections were shown to be way off the mark as Koreas’ exports per capita overtook Ghana’s in 1972, and its income level surpassed Ghana’s four years later. Between 1965 and 1995 Korea’s exports increased by 400 times in current dollars. Meanwhile, Ghana’s increased only by 4 times, and real earnings per capita fell to a fraction of their earlier value (World Bank, 2000). This raises questions regarding the tools available for use in the pursuit of economic growth. This study then attempts to examine the role of institutional quality in moderating the impacts of fiscal policy on economic growth in sub-Saharan African economies. Objectives of the study firstly included the investigation of the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth, it then explored the effect of institutional quality on economic growth which was then followed by the analysis of whether the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth is dependent on institutional quality. This dissertation employs the Generalised Method of Moments to analyse the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth given institutional quality for sub-Saharan African countries for the period from 1996 to 2018. The findings show that the conduct of fiscal policy under improved institutional quality positively and significantly improve sub-Saharan African countries output. SSA countries should strengthen independent institutional bodies that prosecute economic crimes through employing participatory and transparent decision-making processes. Citizens should have freedom of association, expression and a free media. Also, African countries should support African agendas that are aligning with global development agenda. Sub-Saharan African countries should strengthen institutions that widen democratic space, civil liberty and the participation of citizen in the development agenda of a country. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
Trade openness, economic growth, income inequality and poverty nexus in SADC countries: 1980-2019
- Authors: Gonese, Dorcas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0774-024X
- Date: 2022-01
- Subjects: Economic development , Income distribution
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23370 , vital:57618
- Description: Trade openness (TO) has been identified as a critical component for sustainable economic growth, income inequality reduction, and poverty reduction in the 2030 Agenda as per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional indicative strategic development plan (RISDP). Despite the opening up to the global world, developing countries such as the SADC continue to face exclusive and unstable economic growth, massive income disparity, and poverty. Considering the previous empirical work, many controversies are related to methodologies and measurement issues. The study attempted to examine the impact of trade openness on economic growth of the SADC countries as well as its effect on income inequality and poverty reduction from 1980 to 2019. The study builds on existing studies in the region that have mainly analysed this kind of relationship, assuming that it is only TO and economic growth (EGR) that matters. The study sought to address three analytical objectives. The first objective focused on examining the effects of trade openness on economic growth in the SADC countries. In addressing this objective, the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) was utilised, given the nature of the relationship between the variables of interest. The empirical results revealed that all measures of trade openness (real trade openness, economic globalisation, exports and imports of goods and services) used in the study have a positive effect on economic growth in SADC countries. This implies that the foreign factors account for a share of SADC's economic growth. The PMG indicates that the mediating variables of all measures of trade openness with human capital development have a positive effect on economic growth. This implies that the beneficial impact of the said measures of trade openness, are more effective when investment in human capital increases. The second objective focused on analysing trade openness's direct and indirect impact on income inequality using the PMG model again. The empirical results indicate that trade openness via exports has a negative effect on income inequality. In contrast, real trade openness and imports positively affect income inequality. This implies that the exports of goods and services in SADC are drivers of income inequality reduction while real trade openness and imports worsen it. Therefore, the SADC countries must be wary of real trade openness and import policies addressing income inequality. As for the interaction effects, the empirical results indicate that greater openness via real trade openness, economic globalisation, exports and imports reduce income inequality when economic growth increases and when the financial sector is more developed. The final analytical objective focused on analysing the effects of TO on poverty in the SADC region. The PMG model was utilised for trade openness-non-income poverty (NPOV) relationship. However, because there is a scarcity of income-poverty (IPOV) data, the time dimensions for the income poverty-trade openness model are smaller than the cross sections. Therefore, the current study employed the system generalised method of moments (SGMM) estimation technique which is a more effective and efficient estimation technique for controlling for endogeneity when the time dimension is smaller than the cross sections. The findings indicate that real trade openness has a positive effect on NPOV, whereas economic globalisation, exports, and imports negatively affect NPOV. This implies that real trade openness increases poverty reduction while economic globalisation, exports and imports exacerbate non-income poverty in SADC countries. On testing whether trade openness- NPOV relationship changes with economic growth, income inequality, human capital development, financial development and institutional quality, the complementary variable with EGR is positive and significant for real trade openness and exports, implying that real trade openness and exports reduce NPOV when economic growth increases. The SGMM indicates that only economic globalisation and imports have negative impact on income poverty in SADC countries. This implies that economic globalisation and imports are determinants of income poverty reduction in the SADC countries. The SADC governments and policymakers should be mindful about what ways they should globalise, what goods they export or imports to minimise income poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-01
The impact of export commodity prices on emerging markets economic growth: a case of South Africa’s mineral exports.
- Authors: Moodley, Shiven
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/ theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20462 , vital:45668
- Description: Despite South Africa being a mineral resource-rich country, it has experienced low economic growth post-democracy era. The available literature suggests that fluctuations in global demand for commodities have harmed the production process of tradeable and non-tradable goods. Based on this, this dissertation examines the impact of export commodity price on GDP per capita in South Africa using quarterly data beginning from Q2 (April-June) 1990 to Q4 (Oct-Dec) 2018. The Johansen co-integration technique and the Vector Error Correction Method (VECM) were utilised to examine both the long and short-run relationships between the variables of interest. The outcome of the examination has revealed that export commodity price and government expenditure have a positive relationship with GDP per capita in the long run. However, net capital flows have a negative effect on GDP per capita in South Africa. In the short run, the empirical results also reveal that both net capital flows and government expenditure are negatively related to GDP per capita. Furthermore, policy action should be directed towards structural investment for the development of sustainable infrastructure projects within the commodity export sector based on the long-run relationship between commodity export prices and GDP per capita. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-09
The role of cooperatives in local economic development in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality: A participatory monitoring and evaluation approach
- Authors: Gxabuza, Fundiswa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2654-7365
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Cooperative societies , Economic development , Participatory monitoring and evaluation (Project management)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20273 , vital:45645
- Description: The goal to halve unemployment in South Africa by 2014 has remained, to date, elusive. In the particular case of the Eastern Cape Province, the challenge of combating unemployment is even more daunting, as it currently faces high unemployment rates. However, while there is evidence that initiatives to promote employment generation could be reinforced through Local Economic Development (LED) and, in particular, cooperatives, not much has been reported on how cooperatives contribute in minimising unemployment in the Province. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) points to the inadequacy of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of cooperatives as a critical challenge that has largely remained unaddressed. The inadequacy of M&E in respect to the role of cooperatives in employment and LED has affected cooperatives, generally, and those operating in the Eastern Cape, particularly. This study argues for a participatory approach to relevant M&E frameworks and, thus, presents a participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) framework for evaluating cooperatives’ impact on LED. The testable framework for PM&E is partially derived from participatory action research (PAR) methodologies, where the researcher and cooperatives identify and define the problem to be solved. The thesis then develops the framework by integrating PM&E and PAR approaches in the evaluation of cooperatives’ role in employment creation and LED. By reviewing relevant literature, this study identified, assessed, and synthesized important elements for its suggested framework. Research on cooperatives has tended to focus on their role as agents of development, and much has already focussed on sharing relevant lessons learnt. Fewer studies have, by contrast, focussed on an engaged methodology for the evaluation of cooperatives’ efforts in development. The findings of this current study show that a PM&E/PAR framework must be a joint effort of all affected parties; where the researcher and/or facilitator assumes the role of a change agent, and where participants are leaders of the movement in the course for action. This study was based in East London, and the target population consisted of primary cooperatives. Primary cooperatives are defined by the Buffalo City Integrated Cooperative Development Strategy (BCMM ICDS, 2016) are cooperative that have at least five members, and whose aim is providing employment to said members. The research design for this study was exploratory and inductive. As noted previously, this study adopted a qualitative research approach that combined PAR and PM&E. Two sets of data collection were utilised, namely focus group interviews (FGIs) and an emailed questionnaire (EQ). The FGIs were conducted with the overall study population, namely 14 cooperatives. The EQ was given to specific individual participants, namely senior government and municipal officials who are responsible for the noted cooperatives. The underlying theoretical framework for this research was empowerment, agency, and the theory of community development. A qualitative data analysis was utilised based on the translation of meaning not frequency. The search for meaning elicited rich insights pertaining to participants’ views and interpretations. In all, this study established that the participating Eastern Cape cooperatives have not yet achieved their desired contributory role of promoting LED; specifically, in terms of job creation. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
The effects of foreign direct investment on economic growth and human capital in vista countries
- Authors: Matitiba, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign , Economic development , Economics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51989 , vital:43410
- Description: The study examines the effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth and human capital in VISTA countries using time series and panel data analysis for the period 1990 to 2017. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound approach was applied in this study to examine the long-term relationships. The findings posited that there is a long-run relationship between economic growth, FDI, trade openness, capital formation, primary school enrolment, inflation over the period 1990 to 2017. The investigation of the long run and short run estimates results between FDI and economic growth indicated that FDI exhibited a positive effect on economic growth in Indonesia, while in Vietnam, South Africa, Turkey, and Argentina a negative relationship was established. Moreover, the findings of the panel data analysis showed that VISTA countries have been actively promoting policies and strategies that attract FDI to enhance economic growth. The study further incorporated the human capital results which indicated that FDI has a positive long-run relationship on human capital except for South Africa and Turkey. In the long run the results suggest that FDI has a negative effect on human capital only in Vietnam and Indonesia. Whereas, in the short run the results suggest that FDI has a negative effect on human capital only in Vietnam. The findings of the panel regression model carried out demonstrated that FDI exerts a positive and significant effect on human capital. It is evident that VISTA countries have made efforts to reform over the years, however, the spill over benefits of FDI are different from one country to another. Based on the empirical results acquired, even though it is advised that policy makers should intensify policies aimed at attracting FDI, policy makers must also give attention to other growth-enhancing factors such as human capital. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
An appraisal of the East London Industrial Development Zone’s role in local innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial development
- Authors: Masiwa, George Bonginkosi
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Industrialization , Economic development , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21213 , vital:47406
- Description: This study focuses on the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) in South Africa. The ELIDZ strategy came as a response to the need for a robust catalyst for sustainable regional economic development, industrial diversification and to create meaningful employment opportunities in the country. It was supposed to provide customised solutions for various industries including automotive, agro-processing and aqua-culture. However, an Industrial Development Zone should promote innovati on and entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth and global competitiveness. Economic stagnation, joblessness and inequality continue to be a reality for the previously marginalised groups after 16 years of the ELIDZ despite significant investments in the automotive sector, the growth of companies that supply Mercedes Benz with parts and the establishment and growth of innovative start-up companies at the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park (STP). Massive joblessness, poverty and economic stagnation had followed the collapse of the old industrial parks. The ELIDZ strategy of industrial development came as a response to the demise of the old parks and was meant to become the main vehicle for job creation, local innovation and global competitiveness. This study therefore investigated the extent to which innovation and entrepreneurship have fared in driving sustainable local economic development and how they have impacted jobs at the ELIDZ and within the East London community. The study was qualitative in nature and employed the non-probability sampling technique. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants that included Industrialists, Business Executives that were tenants at the ELIDZ, the Buffalo City Municipal Metro and community members with knowledge of and association with the ELIDZ. This was augmented by desktop and observational data. It was found that innovation and entrepreneurship was still a fairly new phenomenon at the ELIDZ and their flagships had the vision but were not yet driving sustainable local economic development to a large extent. The model lacks adequate diversification as most of the innovation projects are in the renewable energy and information communication spaces. Very few have made it to mass production with downstream industry employment creation for plumbers, artisans and marketers involved in the supply, distribution, instalment and maintenance of the Hotspot and Thin-film solar panels. New industrialists like YEKANI Technologies and Manufacturing and KGI Holdings, already employ some people and have the vision to employ thousands more of young people. The main innovation and entrepreneurship projects of the ELIDZ have had some impact at the grassroots level even though it is still limited. Too few jobs have been created compared to the old industrial parks model. The ELIDZ is therefore playing an important (albeit limited) role as a local employment creator, even though it has not revitalised the Eastern Cape manufacturing landscape. Due to its highly technology driven and specialised skills nature, the ELIDZ model is benefiting the few and therefore has not yet been an effective instrument to resolve the disturbing levels of inequality, poverty and unemployment, that underlie racial, class and gender dynamics in East London. The study concluded that innovation and entrepreneurship projects at the ELIDZ were contributing towards driving sustainable local economic development to some degree. However, due to its narrow industrial focus and highly technical and specialised skills driven business model, it excludes most historically disadvantaged communities and the local academic institutions need to do more to produce the skills relevant to support local innovation and local industrial development in a time when economies rely more on intellectual capabilities rather than natural resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-02
The effects of liberalisation and regulation of cellphone companies from 2007 - 2018: a study of Buffalo city municipality
- Authors: Malobola, Nomvuyo Ursula Vuyokazi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Communications)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18153 , vital:42237
- Description: This study focuses on the effects of liberalisation and regulation of the telecommunications sector in South Africa. A qualitative research method was adopted and the researcher conducted focus group interviews with participants that were purposely selected to collect data from different suburbs around the Buffalo City Metropolitan area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The areas were Mdantsane, Selborne and Southernwood, which have large populations and obviously enjoy high cell phone usage. In addition, an in-depth interview was conducted with an official of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), which is the monitoring body for telecommunications in South Africa. The findings of this study have shown that despite the airtime and data being expensive, the telecoms sector is critical to the people of South Africa, and the failure by the government to regulate and liberalise the telecoms sector has led to expensive cell phone charges on the public. As such, it can be noted that the majority of the urban poor, especially in the Buffalo City Metropolitan, endure expensive charges. More so, the study found that there has been frustrating slow progress of transformation of the telecommunications industry and associated key national policy objectives. In addition, the study also recognises that as a member of WTO South Africa had to adopt policies of globalisation or risk isolation should it operate outside it. In addition, this study revealed that in spite of the challenges that are related to regulation and liberalisation, progress can still be made in reducing price hikes, especially when strategic investments are made in the telecommunication sector in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2020
The role of foreign aid in poverty alleviation and economic development in Malawi
- Authors: Amanda, Amerley Armah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40220 , vital:35988
- Description: For over fifty years, the majority of the Western nations have provided foreign aid to underdeveloped countries, particularly on the African continent, claiming they wanted to bring about development and alleviate the so-called poverty trap. However, the effect of such financial transfer has not been significant in most of these countries, as many recipient countries still suffer from extreme poverty and underdevelopment. Malawi is a landlocked country found in south-eastern Africa. This small country, despite being a major recipient of foreign aid since the 1960s until the present day, continues to experience extreme poverty. Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries, ranking 174 out of 187 as at 2013, with over 50.7% of its population living below the poverty line. Thus, this study sought to assess the role of foreign aid in poverty alleviation in Malawi over the years and particularly in the 2000-2015 period. Literature related to this study on foreign aid was reviewed to gain insight into the views of other writers on the topic under study. The study used secondary sources of data to examine the effect of foreign aid on poverty alleviation in Malawi. The study found out that, even though foreign aid to Malawi might have been provided to address poverty and economic challenges to some extent, these objectives have not been met because of donor conditionalities, poor coordination, corruption and mismanagement of donor funding. The study equally found that donors to Malawi over the years have laid much emphasis on good governance rather than poverty alleviation, hence no significant contribution of foreign aid assistance in poverty alleviation, particularly among the rural population which makes up the majority of the poor. This study recommends that to enhance aid effectiveness in poverty alleviation, there is a need for donors to revise their conditions based on the recipient country’s needs and not on donor motives. Secondly, the government of Malawi should consider establishing a legal and legislative framework that guides the use of donor funding and donor activities to ensure accountability and sustainability.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The role of local economic development in the empowerment of women in rural areas : the case of Makana Municipality
- Authors: Hani, Nomkita Octavia
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development , Women in development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19772 , vital:43237
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore the role of Local economic development (LED) in empowering rural women in Makana Municipally. The researcher intended to achieve the following objectives (i) to assess the role of LED among the rural women of Makana Municipality in strengthening economic development ii) to explore the LED challenges confronted by the community and the municipality in the implementation of economic empowerment programs that will create economic opportunities for rural women iii) to identify the way forward in enhancing the LED strategy to empower rural women to enable them participate in economic programs of the local Municipality that will benefit them and the community. The study adopted a qualitative approach and purposive sampling methods which were used to select samples for the study. Open ended questions were used in face to face interviews and focus groups to collect data in Makana Municipality. The study findings indicated that while women are part LED activities in the Makana municipality, the benefits that accrue to them are still minimal and trickling down to very few of them because of egoism and nepotism, corruption and crime, favouritism and poor communication. There is a great need for interventions requiring regular visits from LED officials and provision of educational programs in the local language, to enable the women to have a clear understanding of the benefits that accrue to them from LED projects, notwithstanding the opportunities open to them for participation. The study then proposed recommendations to empower women which include making resources available for their empowerment, such as, the provision of skill development programs, knowledge and information distribution, reviewing of the LED policy, infrastructure development and access to markets. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2019
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- Date Issued: 2019
Toward universal sustainability: strategies and guidelines
- Authors: Robertson, Struan Ross
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sustainability , Sustainable development , Economic development , Social planning
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71591 , vital:29922
- Description: This research considers the notion of universal sustainability, which involves the three well-known pillars of sustainable development, namely, economic development, social development, and environmental sustainability. Critical to achieving this unity of purpose in the aligning of economic and social aspirations with the limits of the natural environment is the enhancing of human capability and the development of political institutions capable of representing the interests of all people by leveraging resources responsibly. Universal sustainability differs from the concept of sustainable development in that the emphasis is cast not on merely achieving economic development despite the challenges presented by social and environmental concerns, but on seeking to understand what a better society might look like that integrates outcomes in-line with these three factors. Universal sustainability is about re-thinking the purpose of material progress to realign this with the need for social cohesion and to reposition human values and expectations safely within ecological boundaries. In other words, strategies and guidelines that promote the realisation of universal sustainability would recommend a society that values economic and technological progress with equal measure to social development and environmental sustainability, as well as all the other factors that promote human wellbeing. Consequently, this research also considers the inter-linkages that are found between economic development (i.e. technological advancement) and social (i.e. normative progress) and societal (i.e. long-term institutional differentiation) development with respect to labour markets, the formation of skills, the scope of welfare regimes and hence, the trajectory of the social reproduction of society. The prospects of environmental sustainability, like that of societal development, are found to be influenced by the values that a society holds and the ability of economic and social factors to adapt in response to the environmental challenges that face societies in socially workable ways. This research concerns the great quest for meaning and purpose that humans have undertaken throughout history, and asks how human wellbeing – in its best, most expansive sense, can be improved and how societies can advance and prosper going forward while keeping the avenue of individual self-actualisation open as a possibility in the everyday lives of citizens? In achieving this end, this research looks at what economic development strategies suggest as tenable against these aspirations. Furthermore, this research looks at the experience of advanced democratic societies to better conceive of how material progress, social cohesion via education and welfare, and environmental sustainability can be attained. The selection of these countries ensures understanding for the kind of political arrangements that safeguard human wellbeing and give voice to freedom, material opportunities, and civic responsibilities. Critical to both these assessments is defining the mechanics that underlie the processes that achieve material and moral progress in human societies. The main goal of this research is to recommend strategies and guidelines for developing countries like South Africa that wish to develop and thrive. Therefore, this research presents an assessment framework for understanding both universal sustainability and how to achieve it. This research concludes that mindfulness about the natural environment and the services it supplies, as well as mindfulness about what drives economic development and what supports the conditions for human flourishing, are necessary for universal sustainability strategies and guidelines to work. Indeed, the ideologies that societies subscribe to and the values they hold are important 84 to creating the right conditions for economic tools to work to advance economic development, material improvement, socio-environmental justice, and ultimately for achieving universal sustainability. But central to both economic and environmental futures is an understanding that at the heart of the matter is a concern for apprehending what drives human behaviour and aspiration, and what creates social cohesion.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The fourth industrial revolution and human capital development
- Authors: Goldschmidt, Kyle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Technological innovations -- Economic aspects , Human capital , Intellectual capital , Economic development , Economic development -- Effect of education on , Fourth industrial revolution
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62483 , vital:28197
- Description: The focus of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has been on its implications on Human Capital and its need to develop “21st-Century Skills" through education to ensure future labour and capital complementarity. Human Capital combined with 21st-Century Skills, it is claimed, can together generate economic growth, jobs and propel an economy into the next Industrial Revolution. However, Schwab’s (2016) concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, make no distinction between the Average Worker and the Knowledge Elite and their relationship to each other and successful economic growth. The different nature of these skills is absent in the literature to date. A critical analysis of literature will be used to examine Schwab’s (2016) claim of a Fourth Industrial Revolution and assess how the Average Worker and the Knowledge Elite relate to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and 21st-Century Skills. The evidence is provided on how both the Average Worker and the Knowledge Elite are key contributors to economic growth and will be important in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An exploration of the role of community Public Private Partnerships (CPPP) in local economic development in KeiskamamHoek dairy enterprise in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Bungu, B
- Date: 2016-06
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24387 , vital:62723
- Description: When government partners with communities, and the private sector, deliberating on matters that are aimed at advancing the local social-economic conditions, that is defined as Local Economic Development (Gqezengele, 2014). The municipalities are obligated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) to manage the process of Local Economic Development (LED) in order to stimulate social and economic development. Enriched capacity of municipalities to exploit economic prospects for sustainable employment and enterprise growth will lead to the successful and improved welfare of communities around South Africa (SALGA, (2011). In trying to define the concept of Community Public Private Partnerships (CPPP), the researcher will first define the Private Public Partnerships (PPP) as the model that has been researched by many. PPP is defined as the medium to long-term arrangement entered into by the Public and the Private sector wherein some of the services responsibilities of the Public sector are offered by the private sector, with a clear contract on common goals for provision of public infrastructure or Public service. In a PPP, the private party carries out the major commercial, practical and operating threats in the enterprise, funding, structure and activities of a project, (ppp, 2015) The PPPs can happen in two forms: where the private party executes the municipal role, or where the private party obtains the usage of municipal property for its own money-making purpose, (ppp, 2015). The PPPs can comprise many different size range of enterprises and bring solid Local Economic Development spin-offs to the targeted people. On defining the Community, it is important to note that in the local government sector, the word community is sometimes used interchangeably with the word citizen. Citizens are described as the residents of a ward (SALGA, 2011). Through the Integrated Development Plans (IDP), the government is compelled to involve the communities, by giving them opportunities to voice their needs and also through other Public participation programmes. Largely, literature has a lot of information on PPP; however, there is a new approach to PPP which focuses on organized communities as members/shareholders of CPPP rather than them being made labourers only (Kula Group, 2010). This helps municipalities to move away from executing small scale projects that are not sustainable, thus driving them to focus on large scale programmes that are sustainable and have multiple effects, skills transfer, wealth creation and sustainable job creation. In the context of the explanations given above, Community Public Private Partnerships (CPPP) can, therefore, be defined as the enterprise between government, private sector or business, communities (cooperatives) and the municipality. The different role players that are mentioned above contribute meaningfully in their areas of expertise, and LED initiatives advance the lives of the local communities. Partnering with the communities is very crucial in local government in the sense that development occurs in the communities; therefore, local people need to be involved for ownership and community buy-in. This will also serve as a clear indication that communities are given an opportunity to participate in the business of their government. The study is aimed at exploring the Community Public Private Partnerships (CPPP) as a feasible method of implementing sustainable local economic development programmes that will have a substantial bearing on community livelihoods. An exploratory study, as explained by Bless and Higson-Smith (1995), this research was conducted to gain insight into CPPP phenomena as well as how communities and local municipalities can leverage it as an option in local economic development. The case study of Keiskammahoek Dairy Enterprise in Amahlathi was used. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2016
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- Date Issued: 2016-06
A critical assessment of responsible tourism practices: a case study of Stormsriver adventures
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
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- Date Issued: 2015