Across the globe, Affirmative Action broadly understood as a preferential redistributive policy intended to redress socio-economic inequalities created by past discriminatory labour policies, has been fraught with controversy and immense opposition from those who do not benefit from it. South Africa’s version has faced similar challenges to the extent that it is generally believed that non-beneficiaries’ reluctance to support it is based on their need to protect their long-standing economic advantage. The purpose of this study was to explore issues underlying the enduring stakeholder conflict over Affirmative Action in the South African context. In doing this, it focused exclusively on non-beneficiaries, investigating their perceptions of the policy. Additionally, the study sought to establish whether non-beneficiaries think Affirmative Action had any implications for the creation of a workplace environment in which all employees feel valued. The study was conducted following an exploratory approach and a qualitative design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 non-beneficiaries ranging from business practitioners to public representatives in parliament. Purposive sampling techniques were used to sample participants from organisations that had publically declared their views in opposing Affirmative Action. Findings showed that non-beneficiaries viewed Affirmative Action as a racist policy with a strict focus on numerically-representative outcomes. The study found that non-beneficiaries view Affirmative Action as a policy whose impact extends beyond workplace recruitment processes. It also showed that the policy is considered to have created negative externalities for the society and hampered business efficiency. The study revealed a belief that the policy has failed to correct socio-economic disparities. It also established that non-beneficiaries were unlikely to support Affirmative Action as they considered it an extractive economic policy. Furthermore, the study revealed that lack of good-quality economy-relevant education and skills were critical binding constraints to effective implementation of any measures to eradicate persistent socio-economic inequalities. An alternative input-based, socio-economic focused framework is proposed to address the fissures identified in the existing policy. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

The research problem that was investigated in this study was to identify, explore and confirm the problems and management obstacles encountered with the change process in the South African Police Service (SAPS) from the time when South Africa became a democracy in 1994. Although national legislation and SAPS policies and directives that encourage change in the SAPS indicated the movement towards change to implement transformation, it is questionable in what way these principles of transformation are successfully implemented, what the significance and implications of these legislation and directives are, and also the effect they have on transformation in the SAPS. Data was collected from questionnaires, a literature study, focus group interviews and interviews. Structured questionnaires concerning transformation in the SAPS were designed and distributed to 39 station commissioners in the Pretoria and Soweto policing areas. Furthermore, a literature study including material such as official SAPS documents, media and newspaper reports, library sources and national legislation regarding change has been presented. Data was also collected from non-commissioned officials who participated in four focus groups interviews, and four semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with four station commissioners in the Pretoria and Soweto policing areas. International best practices have also been consulted. The research conducted indicated that although progress has been made with transformation in the SAPS a breach exists between national legislation, SAPS policies and directives and the implementation thereof, which have an impeding influence on the transformation process in the SAPS. It is clear that internal communication is an essential and dynamic instrument in the SAPS, however, communication of the transformation process does not have the impact at ground level that it is supposed to have. It is also clear that members at ground level lack knowledge of the transformation process in the SAPS and the implementation thereof. In addition, conveying the sense of urgency to members at ground level need attention and must be communicated clearly and timeously. Training and development at the lower hierarchical levels of the SAPS also need priority to enhance service delivery, public relations, the morale and conduct of members. A high number of members also need to be motivated during transformation and their readiness towards the process has to be addressed to adapt to the changes. Reasons for resisting transformation in the SAPS need urgent attention as well because this has a negative effect on the daily functioning of members. The recommendations drawn from the conclusions made in this study may provide a number of solutions that can be implemented in the SAPS to reduce the obstacles impeding the transformation process in the SAPS to enhance and improve transformation in this organisation. / Criminal Justice / M. Tech. (Criminal Justice)

Affirmative action represents a major goal for South African organisations since the process of democratisation in 1994. Evaluating the success of affirmative action programmes is therefore considered a priority. The research objective was to investigate the association between affirmative action effectiveness and the job satisfaction of affirmative action beneficiaries. A literature survey concerning affirmative action, affirmative action success, and job satisfaction was done. A structured interview, gauging the congruency of organisations' affirmative action efforts with affirmative action effectiveness theory, and a job satisfaction questionnaire, measuring the job satisfaction experienced by affirmative action beneficiaries, were utilised. The study was conducted among 121 affirmative action beneficiaries employed by five organisations. ')( The result of the empirical study proved that a significant direct relationship exists between the level of effectiveness of the target organisations' affirmative action endeavours and the level of job satisfaction experienced by their affirmative action beneficiaries. / Economics and Management Sciences / M.Com. (Industrial Psychology)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, selection from a diverse population poses a formidable challenge. The challenge lies in subgroup difference in the performance criterion. Protected group members perform systematically lower on the criterion due to systematic, group-related differences in learning and job competency potential latent variables required to succeed in learning and on the job. These subgroup differences are attributable to the unequal development and distribution of intellectual capital across racial-ethnic subgroups due to systemic historical disadvantagement. This scenario has made it difficult for organisations in South Africa to meet equity targets when selecting applicants from a diverse group representative of the South African population, while at the same time maintaining production and efficiency targets. Therefore there is an urgent need for affirmative development. Ensuring that those admitted to affirmative development interventions successfully develop the job competency potential and job competencies required to succeed on the job requires that the appropriate people are selected into these interventions. Selection into affirmative development opportunities represents an attempt to improve the level of Learning performance during evaluation of learners admitted to affirmative development opportunities. A valid understanding of the identity of the determinants of learning performance in conjunction with a valid understanding of how they combine to determine the level of learning performance achieved should allow the valid prediction of Learning performance during evaluation. The primary objective of the present study was to integrate and elaborate the De Goede (2007) and the Burger (2012) learning potential models in a manner that circumvents the problems and shortcomings of these models by developing an extended explanatory learning performance structural model that explicates additional cognitive and non-cognitive learning competency potential latent variables that affect learning performance and that describes the manner in which these latent variables combine to affect learning performance. A total of 213 participants took part in the study. The sample was predominantly made up of students from previously disadvantaged groups on the extended degree programme of a university in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The proposed De Goede – Burger – Mahembe Learning Potential Structural Model was tested via structural equation modeling after performing item and dimensional analyses. Item and dimensional analyses were performed to identify poor items and ensure uni-dimensionality. Uni-dimensionality is a requirement for item parcel creation. Item parcels were used due to sample size restrictions. The fit of the measurement and structural models can generally be regarded as reasonable and both models showed close fit. Significant relationships were found between: Information processing capacity and Learning Performance during evaluation; Self-leadership and Motivation to learn; Motivation to learn and Time-engaged-on-task; Self efficacy and Self-leadership; Knowledge about cognition and Regulation of cognition; Regulation of cognition and Time-cognitively-engaged; Learning goal orientation and Motivation to learn; Openness to experience and Learning goal orientation. Support was not found for the relationships between Conscientiousness and Time-cognitively-engaged, as well as between Time-cognitively-engaged and Learning performance. The hypothesised moderating effect of Prior learning on the relationship between Abstract reasoning capacity and Learning performance during evaluation was not supported. The statistical power of the test of close fit for the comprehensive LISREL model was examined. The discriminant validity of the item parcels were ascertained. The limitations of the research and suggestions for future studies have been highlighted. The results of the present study provide some important insights for educators and training and development specialists on how to identify potential students and talent for affirmative development in organisations in South Africa.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The end of the apartheid era in South Africa presented the new government with a myriad of challenges. This involved massive transformation, whilst ushering in a regulatory framework of enabling legislation to give effect to the country's fledgling Constitution. One of the transformational priorities was to address gender equality. Despite legislative imperatives having been instituted, gender equity targets are not being met, nor are affirmative action programmes being implemented to their fullest to facilitate and support gender equality. This research investigates the barriers that inhibit women from breaking the glass ceiling in the South African public service. The research paradigm was exploratory, using qualitative techniques and the results are largely descriptive. Secondary information was obtained from literature and information available. Multiple case studies were conducted using five subjects who were representative of the target population. The overarching purpose of this study was to investigate and understand the barriers that inhibit women from breaking the glass ceiling in the South African public service. The concept of the glass ceiling is defined as the invisible barrier that blocks women from advancing to senior management positions. The study proposes and considers various issues that may have an impact on upward mobility for women. A review of literature reveals that barriers exist as a worldwide occurrence and these prevent women from upward mobility. Justification for this research is twofold: there has been no such study to date; and gender equality is not being achieved and affirmative action programmes have not been fully implemented. The findings of the study provide a deeper understanding of the barriers that prevent women from career progression in the South African public service. Recommendations are made to address this issue / M

Thesis (M.M. (Business Executive Coaching))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2017 / The body of knowledge on transformation is growing and previous researchers have set a foundation by focusing on different aspects of B-BBEE and legislative redress. Scientific research on coaching as a tool to facilitate legislative redress is emerging. The objective of the research was to add to the emerging body of knowledge and uncover how South African businesses approach transformation, what processes and resources they use and what best practices are applied and if opportunities existed to introduce new concepts and frameworks, such as Coaching. The study used qualitative research methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two employees in four different organisations, four technical signatories in two verification agencies and four B-BBEE consultants. The organisations who participated in the research qualified as level, one, two and three contributors to B-BBEE. It was assumed that the B-BBEE level would indicate the extent of transformation in the organisations. Transformation in South Africa remains a contentious issue for business and employee responses to redress range from positive to negative. Organisations have been slow to respond to the people aspects of transformation. From the research, it was evident that organisations, verification agencies and consultants interchanged B-BBEE and transformation, implying that in South Africa, the concepts were similar, if not the same. Organisations’ responses to B-BBEE were still very reactive and at the time of the interviews, the respondents all expressed varying levels of concern to the gazetting of the amended B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice. The view held, was that the amended codes would require organisations to take a more strategic view of transformation. Only one of the four organisations interviewed confirmed that they had a transformation strategy. As for the other organisations, the strategies could be described as emerging Best practice is beginning to emerge and on some elements of the scorecard, improvements can be seen as organisations adapt approaches to yield a return on investment. Coaching as a resource to facilitate transformation was approached with caution even though the respondents recognised that third party interventions were necessary. The research builds a case for coaching as a tool to embed learning and development as organisations shift from a tactical response to B-BBEE to a more progressive or authentic goal. / MT2017

This study investigates the defensibility of affirmative action in education. The struggle against apartheid society and apartheid education has also been a struggle to build a democratic society and a democratic way of learning. For South Africa, the children's education should be compatible with the ideals of democratic society. In order to rectify the racist discrimination and insensitivity of the apartheid regime we need to promote the ideal of complex equality. This report argues that affirmative action is not a defensible strategy for the pursuit in education as part of the process of consolidating democracy in South Africa. The notion of equality is best understood in terms of Michael Walzer’s concept of complex equality (as against simple equality). The concept of complex equality can be used to explicate the inadequacies of affirmative action. An account of education is developed which emphasizes complex equality. The application of affirmative action in education presupposes a shallow understanding of education. The pursuit of democracy through education is best promoted through a notion of complex equality because it takes into consideration the plurality of South African society.

A Research Report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Commerce in Accounting in the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management at The University of the Witwatersrand September 2016 / Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) or Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) is an important means by which the South African government aims to address the social injustices of the past as well as eliminating inequalities between white capital and the black majority (Fauconnier and Mathur-Helm, 2008). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been tasked with overall responsibility for instituting and monitoring the laws that govern BEE. Since the introduction of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act no. 53 of 2003 (Ferreira and Villiers, 2011) and the codes of good practice of 2007, a number of amendments were made in response to deficiencies identified, the most material being the Amended Codes of Good Practice of 2013, which were effective from 1 May 2015. This research paper sought to investigate the impact and cost implications of the 2013 amendments to the BBBEE Codes of Good Practice (new codes) on companies within the industrial goods and services sector of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). This was done relative to the 2007 BEE Codes of Good Practice (old codes). The main purpose of the study was to explore the impact and related costs of implementing the changes in the BBBEE codes on a sample of JSE listed companies obtained from the Empowerdex Top 100 2015 survey. The sample selected was those companies in the industrial goods and services sector. The methodology used was an exploratory study using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with the executives responsible for BBBEE or transformation, as it sometimes called, in each company. While an interview questionnaire was used, the questions asked were fairly open-ended which allowed the subject to be explored fully in each setting. This enabled the researcher to also understand the practicalities of implementing the BBBEE codes within each company and each industry. The results of the study indicated that most companies found it difficult to maintain their BBBEE ratings, with indicative ratings showing a likely overall average drop of three levels. In addition, further discounting in the rating may result from not meeting the sub-minimum levels of the three priority elements. These elements are; ownership, skills development as well as enterprise and supplier development (ESD). Overall, in terms of the impact and challenges in implementing the new codes, companies found that the new codes were onerous, complex in some instances, vague in others, with a potential for misinterpretation and possible manipulation. ESD was found to be the most challenging of the new elements to implement and likely to have the most impact on companies, whereas skills development, which has been doubled from 3% to 6% of the payroll leviable amount, had the biggest impact in terms of cost as assessed on the new codes. Notwithstanding the perceived challenges, companies acknowledged that BBBEE was not only a moral imperative (Fauconnier and Mathur-Helm, 2008), but also a business imperative (Arya and Bassi, 2009) and a licence to trade in South Africa. The study had four main limitations. Firstly, that companies investigated were selected from the Empowerdex Top 100 most empowered companies 2015 survey, completed in May 2015. Within those, only the ones in the industrial and services sector were included in the study. Secondly, that all companies interviewed, regardless of sector, responded to the questions with respect to the generic scorecard, as no sector charters were enacted at the date of writing the research report. Thirdly, the ability to secure the appropriate number of interviews was key, which may affect the quality of the responses and conclusions reached. Finally, because the new codes were implemented on 1 May 2015, which is less than a year from the date of this research report, there is a limitation that limited information is available on the new codes. The effective implementation date of the new codes, means that very little research is likely to have been conducted on the new codes; or the likely impact they could have on companies; or the critical changes between the old codes (2007) and new codes (2013). The researcher hopes this study will enable greater understanding of the codes and assist listed and other companies in strategic decision-making (Horwitz and Jain, 2011) and implementation of transformation initiatives. Furthermore, issues raised as contentious, confusing or due for improvement can be further researched and possibly used by policy-makers as input to future changes in the codes. Further research can also be conducted three to five years from now when the amended codes have been in place for a period that allows implementation by companies. This can either be conducted using a case study that tracks the BBBEE strategies, initiatives and ratings over that period within one company. Alternatively, the researcher can select any one of the five elements and investigate how it has been implemented in different companies over a specific period. / MT2017

In fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Management in Finance and Investment at the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management at the University of Witwatersrand Graduate School of Business, 2016 / The increasing number of BB-BEE policies and strategies aimed at supporting SMEs in South Africa is evidence that Black-owned SMEs are important for development of the country. Between 2007 and 2010, the number of SMEs grew by almost 60%, contributing approximately 61% of the country's GDP. In spite of the widespread financial support put in place by government agencies to support them, findings reported that SMEs in South Africa score a relatively high failure rate. Moreover, little is known about the causes of these high failure rates. This thesis aimed at filling the gap in the literature by identifying the risks that South African Black-owned SMEs face. In doing so, Black-owned SME owners/managers were interviewed across various industry sectors. This revealed that although these owners/managers were well educated and skilled, they did not believe that their staff were trained enough. The findings revealed financial risks were still the most prominent risks these SMEs face, which seemingly gave rise to other risk factors such as the lack of access to technological improvements or skilled labour, and their inability to set up or run effective marketing strategic plans. The gap between the supply of and the demand for financial support for Black-owned SMEs could be attributed to a number of factors, including red tape, bureaucracy, corruption, politics and an unstable economy. A number of implications followed from this. For the financial support to reach its target effectively, independent and transparent micro-finance institutions have to be in place. This needs to be coupled with the establishment of a platform for Blackowned SMEs that could be used to market Black-owned SME products and services. Another solution could be the design of SME-aligned skills transfer incubation programmes. Applying the results from this research, one should be careful to consider its limitations because of the small sample size and selection criteria, which imply that these results cannot be generalised beyond the scope of this study. / XL2018

The research problem that was investigated in this study was to identify, explore and confirm the problems and management obstacles encountered with the change process in the South African Police Service (SAPS) from the time when South Africa became a democracy in 1994. Although national legislation and SAPS policies and directives that encourage change in the SAPS indicated the movement towards change to implement transformation, it is questionable in what way these principles of transformation are successfully implemented, what the significance and implications of these legislation and directives are, and also the effect they have on transformation in the SAPS. Data was collected from questionnaires, a literature study, focus group interviews and interviews. Structured questionnaires concerning transformation in the SAPS were designed and distributed to 39 station commissioners in the Pretoria and Soweto policing areas. Furthermore, a literature study including material such as official SAPS documents, media and newspaper reports, library sources and national legislation regarding change has been presented. Data was also collected from non-commissioned officials who participated in four focus groups interviews, and four semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with four station commissioners in the Pretoria and Soweto policing areas. International best practices have also been consulted. The research conducted indicated that although progress has been made with transformation in the SAPS a breach exists between national legislation, SAPS policies and directives and the implementation thereof, which have an impeding influence on the transformation process in the SAPS. It is clear that internal communication is an essential and dynamic instrument in the SAPS, however, communication of the transformation process does not have the impact at ground level that it is supposed to have. It is also clear that members at ground level lack knowledge of the transformation process in the SAPS and the implementation thereof. In addition, conveying the sense of urgency to members at ground level need attention and must be communicated clearly and timeously. Training and development at the lower hierarchical levels of the SAPS also need priority to enhance service delivery, public relations, the morale and conduct of members. A high number of members also need to be motivated during transformation and their readiness towards the process has to be addressed to adapt to the changes. Reasons for resisting transformation in the SAPS need urgent attention as well because this has a negative effect on the daily functioning of members. The recommendations drawn from the conclusions made in this study may provide a number of solutions that can be implemented in the SAPS to reduce the obstacles impeding the transformation process in the SAPS to enhance and improve transformation in this organisation. / Criminal Justice / M. Tech. (Criminal Justice)