SDG17 Partnerships for the goals

Permanent URI for this collection

https://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30873

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 13
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Framework for good governance in South African state-owned enterprises
    (2024-07) Molaoa, Olebile; Moraka, Nthabiseng Violet; Moraka, Nthabiseng Violet
    South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been plagued by corruption, mismanagement and political interference in recent years, through what is called state-capture. State capture is a form of systemic corruption in which private actors influence the state's decision-making processes to their own advantage, often at the expense of public interest and democratic principles. This study adopts a quantitative method approach, using an analysis of annual report documents of SOEs for the period 2011 to 2022 and a review of the literature to examine the manifestations, causes and effects of state capture in South Africa and the existing challenges and measures taken to combat it. The study establishes that state capture in South Africa is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon involving various actors, sectors and levels of government. It has resulted in significant financial losses, poor service delivery, erosion of public trust, and weakening of democratic institutions. The study also identifies several factors that enable state capture, such as weak governance, lack of accountability, political patronage and regulatory capture. Moreover, it reveals that current anti-state capture measures in South Africa are inadequate, ineffective, or poorly implemented owing to various legal, institutional and political constraints. Based on these findings, the study proposes a comprehensive and holistic anti-state capture framework, which comprises board characteristics, financial performance, audits and board assessments to provide an environment for good governance and a possible prevention of state capture. This is the study’s contribution to the body of knowledge. The framework draws from the research results of the SOEs that are under study. It also considers the specific context and challenges facing South Africa and suggests some concrete actions and reforms. It concludes that the framework can serve as a useful tool and guideline for policymakers, practitioners, researchers and stakeholders who are committed to fighting state capture and restoring good governance in South Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Risk management framework for microfinance institutions in Ethiopia: a methodological triangulation approach
    (2023) Elias Tadesse Mamo; Mpofu, R. T. (Raphael T.)
    The primary challenge of microfinance is that it offers unsecured financial services, primarily in order to assist low-income households. In the twenty-first century, the focus on expansion and outreach by microfinance institutions has been accompanied by crises and failures, mainly due to risk. Risk management is therefore a crucial concern for microfinance institutions. Currently, only a limited number of studies have been done on risk management in Ethiopia, the majority of which are master's theses that focus primarily on selected microfinance institutions and operational-level risk categories. Too far, few or no studies have explored the function of risk management foundations in risk management framework. By using a methodological triangulation approach, this study examines the risk management strategies and frameworks of Ethiopian microfinance institutions. Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design, 610 respondents from 20 microfinance institutions and 15 interviewees who are senior officials and experts in the microfinance industry were surveyed. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS version 23 and SPSS Statistics 26 were employed as the analytical models. AMOS was used for confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis, while SPSS was used for descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilised to assess the reliability and validity of the conceptual model; SEM, in conjunction with multi-group analysis, was used to test the model’s hypotheses. All variables, including risk culture, board effectiveness, internal controls, and internal audit, have a positive and significant effect on risk management performance. In addition, the study uncovered the moderating effect of microfinance institution ownership structure on the connection between exogenous dimensions (risk culture, board effectiveness, internal control, and internal audit) and endogenous dimensions (risk management performance). The result demonstrated that ownership structure has a moderating effect on the association between exogenous constructs (risk culture and board) and endogenous construct (risk management performance). The study further uncovered a significant indirect effect of internal audit on risk management performance through the partial mediation of internal control The findings suggest that foundational aspects like risk culture, board effectiveness, internal control, and internal audit are crucial to consider in MFI’s risk management. The study contributes to existing literature by providing empirical data on the model under consideration, as well as providing a number of significant theoretical and practical implications of the research.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Managing environmental education curriculum through distributed leadership strategies in the KwaZulu-Natal secondary schools
    (2022-09-04) Shabalala, Nonkanyiso Pamella; Hebe, Headman; Mnguni, Lindelani
    Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem-solving and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions through environmental education. Therefore, environmental education is an important aspect of the school curriculum as it is embedded in the school’s curriculum of other subjects. In South Africa, subjects such as natural sciences (NS), mathematics, geography and so on are tracked and managed by those designated to do so, both at the school level and by the subject advisors of the department of education. However, the case is different from the environmental education content. This research explores strategies that are available to manage environmental education through distributed leadership by subject advisors, principals, school management teams (deputy principals and/or head of departments) and teachers. This research adopted a constructivism research paradigm, and employed a qualitative research approach, descriptive case study research design, non-probability sampling which is purposive in nature, individual interviews, observation, and document analysis as data collection tools. The population that contributed to the understanding of distributed leadership in schools in this research are three principals, three SMT members, three teachers, in three schools and two subject advisors in one district. The findings of this research point out that there are no strategies in place to manage environmental education as it is giving less attention as compared to other subject’s content due to the context of its content, lack of motivation from superiors as there is no empowerment through decision making taken collectively and roles are not distributed to all stakeholders. There is a lack of communication between stakeholders as there is no transparency and staff members are told what to do instead of having effective discussions. The curriculum is theoretical instead of practical which promotes participation.Distributed leadership seems to not be understood as the principals and the SMTs seem to practice delegation and confuse delegation with distributed leadership. Environmental education is also not tracked at a school level or at a departmental level. I can conclude by saying that environmental education is viewed as unimportant as it is not comprehended as something which adds value to a learner’s knowledge. Again, distributed leadership is not met in terms of environmental education management in schools. The findings of this research also involve a developing an environmental education model in the educational sector which made use of the strategies that might help in managing environmental education curriculum. Therefore, it is recommended that the content of environmental education is restructured to cater for practicality to best suit the current lifestyles. It is also recommended that all stakeholders are involved rather than thinking the management of environmental education is a sole responsibility of a teacher and be involved in the development and decision making in terms of the management of environmental education. Especially, since the world is experiencing a global crisis, it is recommended that we do not only aspire to a just community, but a society that is able to combat all global crises at an early stage to live in a sustainable community.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Framework model for financing sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure in Zimbabwe
    (2022-10-24) Mundonde, Justice; Makoni, Patricia Lindelwa
    The specific objectives of this study were three-fold: to analyse global public-private partnerships (PPP) models commonly used in providing water and sanitation services in urban settlements, and assess their applicability to the Zimbabwean context; to identify and confirm determinant factors to financing of water and sanitation PPPs in Zimbabwe; and to develop a framework for financing of water and sanitation PPPs in Zimbabwe. It was observed that diverse PPP models such as build-operate-transfer (BOT), build-operate-own (BOO), build-operate-own-transfer (BOOT), and rehabilitate-operate-transfer (ROT) concession contracts as well as management and lease contracts have been used in countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Namibia. Of these models, the most frequently used PPP models are the management and lease contracts especially when the physical infrastructure asset exist. Countries such as South Africa have adopted a situational approach to aligning water infrastructure projects with suitable PPP models. Using principal components analysis (PCA), the study developed a governance index (GIX) and a financial market development index (FDX). Through literature survey, determinants of water and sanitation PPP financing were identified. A blend of Poisson and Tobit regression techniques were used to empirically confirm determinants that influence water and sanitation PPP financing in Zimbabwe. In the main, financing of water and sanitation PPPs in Zimbabwe is influenced by GDP per capita, FDI, Stock market capitalisation to GDP ratio, Domestic bank credit to GDP, the ratio of bank credit to bank deposits, Non-performing loans as well as the governance variables of the control of corruption, voice and accountability and the rule of law. The PCA-developed financial development index insignificantly influence water and sanitation PPP financing. Contrastingly, the institutional governance index is confirmed to have significant influence on water and sanitation PPPs in Zimbabwe. Over and above presenting a framework to unlock financing of water and sanitation infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe, the study recommended, in view of the findings, that through the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), structural reforms must be implemented to enhance the capacity of domestic capital markets to assimilate large public share issuance. Reforms that entail revising the stock market listing requirements to accommodate infrastructure project companies that have short operating history to facilitate their access to short and long-term financing are critical for water infrastructure development in Zimbabwe. Financial governing authorities are further advised to work on developing liquid domestic government bond market with a long-term yield curve. A long-term yield curve provides a benchmark for risk pricing in infrastructure projects. The government can work with multilateral institutions such as the AfDB in order to generate a positive signalling effect to investors that they can issue bonds on the ZSE. Furthermore, in order to diversify the portfolio of PPP sponsors, the government of Zimbabwe is advised to enforce the current legal frame works in order to improve the country’s ranking with respect to institutional quality. Relative to Chinese sponsors, European and American investors are sensitive to institutional quality prior to committing investment funds. With regard to further research, the study recognises that the scope of partnerships for water infrastructure development has metamorphosed to include other structures such as multi-stake holder partnerships (MSPs) and water operator partnerships (WOPs). Further studies can examine these forms of partnerships in detail either singularly or collectively. Source of finance discussed in this study can be disaggregated and examined to build frameworks for financing water and sanitation infrastructure in Zimbabwe or other parts of the world.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Agri-environmental literacy and psychological capital model for agritourism
    (2024-02) Nduna, Lesedi Tomana; Van Zyl, C.
    Agritourism has been recognised as a niche tourism sector that has the potential to reshape, reinvent, rekindle and revitalise domestic tourism in South Africa. Domestic tourism in South Africa faces various challenges, such as a lack of marketing, promotion and product development, as well as the low availability and distribution of information. To develop, the agritourism industry needs to identify the important attributes that would motivate potential agritourists based in Gauteng to visit an agritourism farm. The study examined the agri-environmental literacy of potential agritourists that would enable the agritourism establishment to attract the appropriate pro-environmental market, while also investigating psychological capital (PsyCap) to identify any connections between potential agritourists’ agri-environmental literacy and the recognised agritourism attributes. The primary objective of the study was to develop an agri-environmental literacy and PsyCap model for agritourism. Panel data from the Bureau of Market Research (Unisa) collected primary data by sending an online link inviting panel members to participate in the study from 24 August 2020 to 18 January 2021. The data were obtained from 526 potential agritourists residing in Gauteng. Descriptive statistics provided insight into the agrienvironmental literacy, PsyCap and important agritourism attributes of potential agritourists. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, structural equation modelling (SEM) and mediation were employed to test the two developed conceptual models. The study made a threefold contribution: theoretically, it developed two conceptual agri-environmental literacy and PsyCap models for agritourism, integrating components from environmental education and positive psychology, thereby expanding the knowledge of tourism management. Empirically, the study tested and confirmed these models through SEM, identifying critical paths that enhance product development and marketing for agritourism. It revealed the significant role of agrienvironmental literacy in influencing attitudes and behaviours in agritourism. Practically, the insights led to a proposed agri-environmental literacy and PsyCap model for agritourism, for product development and marketing aligned with agritourists' needs. The study provided insights and recommendations to improve domestic tourism development and the effective marketing of agritourism in South Africa. Future research is recommended to diversify the sample by focusing on other provinces in South Africa, allowing for regional comparisons and a broader understanding of the dynamics of agritourism.