M.A. / The objective of this thesis was to discuss capital account liberalization and banking crises in emerging markets, against the backdrop of the Asian financial crisis in 1997. This was discussed with an underlying objective of evaluating the soundness of the South African banking system. The basis of this thesis was that a sound banking system coupled with good macroeconomic policies would make South Africa less vulnerable to global financial volatility. On the East Asian financial crisis, we found that the main cause of this crisis was the lack of prudent lending practices by most banking institutions. Lending practices were largely shaped by institutionalized corruption. Bad lending practices originated from connected lending as banks were owned and had strong links with big family conglomerates. These conglomerates were highly leveraged with very low profit margins and survived on cross-subsidization. As a result, they could not service their debts, resulting in large bad debts and non-performing loans in the banking systems. These non-performing loans and debt defaults had significant negative effects on banks' profitability and business survival, as they eroded earnings and shot up credit exposure. Furthermore, we also found that governments' political influence in the lending system and weak macroeconomic management (large current account deficits, fixed exchange rates and expansionary fiscal policies) contributed significantly to the East Asian financial fragility. Against this background, we recommend that emerging markets that want to liberalize their capital accounts should ensure that sound banking systems are properly entrenched. When financial systems are not strong, emerging countries would be exposed to imprudent credit risk assessments by banking institutions, resulting in nonperforming loans and collapse of those banking institutions. Secondly, our view is that emerging markets should pursue and adhere to the core banking principles of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The objective of these principles is to ensure that banks operate profitably and have good business frameworks. The Basel Committee requires commercial banks to have solid and efficient supervision departments, with strong intentions of evaluating credit risks associated with loans and advances. Furthermore, central banks or any other custodians of banking institutions should have capital adequacy requirements in order to protect depositors and investors against any unforeseen liquidity pressures. From this thesis, we found that the South African banking system is sound. The low level of non-performing loans in the domestic banking system is indicative of prudent credit risk management. Even with prime interest rates at an all time high of 25% in late 1998, most banks managed to escape large non-performing loans, especially from the corporate sector. The brunt was mostly felt in the small business sector and household debt category. The South African Reserve Bank's Supervision Department sets out stringent guidelines with regard to the lending practices of banks. Banks are not allowed to overexpose themselves to particular clients, as was the case in East Asia. This also extends to deposits. Banks are not allowed to take deposits above 25% from a single source. The objective is to guard against liquidity pressures that could occur when that particular depositor withdraws the funding.

Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing March 2016 / The banking industry is adopting a holistic and customer centric approach in order to match the evolving customer banking preferences; this study has set out to examine Customer Equity as an antecedent of Perceived Brand Authenticity and Purchase Intentions amongst the South African youth in the banking sector using Social Exchange Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. An empirical model was conceptualised to examine the relationships between Customer Equity and Perceived Brand Authenticity on purchase intentions. Four research hypotheses were developed and a data set of 253 was collected from a sample of Witwatersrand students to empirically test these hypotheses using Structural Equation Modelling (Amos 22 and SPSS). The findings indicated that from the relationship between Customer Equity and Perceived Brand Authenticity, Value Equity and Brand Equity had a significant and positive effect, however Relationship Equity had no significant influence. The relationship between Perceived Brand Authenticity and Purchase Intentions had significant positive effects. The findings from this study provide useful contributions to practitioners measuring marketing efforts and maximising Customer Equity in the banking industry and builds on existing literature on the Customer Equity framework in the South African context. Recommendations are outlined and future research direction is suggested. / GR2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Unlvcrslty of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, ill partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Mastel' of Commerce / The aim of this research is to determine and analyse the 1110st important critical issues facing Information Technology (IT) Management at a major financial institution in South Africa, namely. First National Bank of Southern Africa Limited (FNB). Much has previously been written and researched on this subject. However, the information and findings has been based largely on international issues and trends. What is of particular relevance and IS emphasised in this research, are facton. influencing the local IT industry trends and critical issues in South Africa. Not only nrc we faced with the traditionally accepted industry-wide challenges, but there are certain issues and market conditions that could be considered unique to the local IT industry. Conclusions derived Iron' this research will provide factual data detailing what is currently considered as the 1110stimpcrtant critical issues at this particulnr financial institution. These will be ranked in order of importance as rated by a respondent group. The information analysed was obtained by means of questionnaires and interviews with a group of IT professionals from FNB. Although this qualitative information was obtained from one particular institution. the findings arc considered as having relevance and benefit to all participants in the local IT industry.

A Dissertation Report presented to the Witwatersrand Business School Witwatersrand University In fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Management June 2017 / Impact investment is an innovative mechanism developed within the realm of development finance to intentionally create measurable positive impact beyond financial returns. It has become an instrument for South African banks to achieve their Financial Sector Charter goals of making a viable contribution towards economic growth, development, empowerment and reduction of inequalities and poverty in our society. South Africa is the largest market in Southern Africa for impact investment and the management dilemma faced by the South African Banking Sector as the financial intermediaries is how to account and measure the social value created by the impact investments? This study investigated the measurement practices of social value of impact investment and developed theoretical constructs on how the financial intermediaries measure social value. A multiple qualitative case study method utilising purposive sampling was employed. The sample included fourteen interviews that covered the South African Banking as financial intermediary (micro and macro perspective) and its value chain and the competitive landscape perspectives. The study had three sub-questions focusing on the conceptualisation of impact investment, the nature of the South African impact investment ecosystem and the nature of measurement of social value. Data was triangulated by integrating semi-structured interviews, field notes and secondary documents. The data analysis used Attride-Stirling’s thematic networks as an analytical tool to analyse the qualitative data. This consisted of three stages that covered six steps of analysis. The analysis used Excel software to navigate from the interview question, coding, labelling, definition of codes, issues discussed, theme identification, organising and global theme deduction, description of network, and the triangulation of data (respondents quotes, field notes and document text). The findings of the study developed three models, an impact investment conceptual model, impact investment ecosystem model for South African Banking Sector and the financial intermediary social value equation model that depicts the measurement ratios of hybrid returns of impact investment. The study recommends the seven emerging theoretical propositions as the backbone of measuring the innovative social finance. The emergent models’ theoretical propositions will ensure that practitioners use the models to measure and account for the SA Banking Sector’s social value creation and the models will influence the intellectual framing of those in academic and reflective practitioner domain. This study’s overall contribution was to create the foundation of a method and theory for measuring social value in anticipation and seeking to influence the types of managerial knowledge needed to deal with societal and organisational concerns in the fourth industrial revolution. / MT2017

A DISSERTATION Submitted in full fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Marketing) at the UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND 2016 / The financial services sector in South Africa is known for its innovative capability worldwide. Although ‘concentrated’ with few major players, the banking sector remains competitive as each bank continues to broaden its products and services to attract new customers and satisfy its existing client base. Therefore, it is of interest for banks to examine how to motivate consumers to take part in co-creation activities and develop favourable attitudes toward participating in those activities, and ultimately influence adoption intentions. Although significant research has been conducted on consumer motivation, attitudes, perceived characteristics of innovation and innovation adoption, respectively, little is known about the relationships between these constructs in the South African digital banking sector. Thus, the study aims to fill a gap by determining how intrinsic factors influence consumer attitudes toward participating in co-creation activities. Additionally, the study presents the impact of these attitudes on the perceptions consumers have toward innovation and then on adoption intentions. For the purposes of this study, intrinsic motives represent the predictor variable, while adoption intention is the outcome variable. There are four mediators, namely: attitude toward the act, perceived relative advantage, perceived complexity and perceived compatibility. This study undertakes a quantitative research approach in which 339 surveys were distributed online and in person. The findings support all seven hypotheses. Thus, indicating that intrinsic motives have a positive influence on a consumer’s attitudes toward participating in co-creation activities. Additionally, favourable attitudes toward the act have a positive relationship with perceived relative advantage and perceived complexity and a negative relationship with perceived complexity. Lastly, the results indicate that relationships exist between perceived relative advantage, perceived complexity and perceived compatibility, respectively and adoption intention. The contributions of this paper are as follows: this study adds to contextual knowledge of consumer motivation on adoption intention. Additionally, the study contributes to current knowledge by using relevant literature and empirical evidence regarding co-creation, motivation, attitudes and innovation in the South African banking industry. Lastly, the study provides guidance to managers on how to better manage their co-creation activities and investments, particularly in the financial services industry, and how to effectively engage and collaborate with their consumers and turn these co-innovation interactions into tangible profits for the firm. / MT2017

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Finance and Investment Management in the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School at the University of the Witwatersrand / This research project analyzed the relationship between bank risk taking, capital and operating efficiency in South African banks. The relationship between bank risk taking, capital and operating efficiency is one of the central topics in banking studies because of regulators’ and researchers’ quest to understand the determinants of bank risk taking. The research used a panel data set of top 4 South African banks for the period 2004 to 2013. The period under study includes the credit crisis which therefore introduces parameter instability with a known structural break or change point into the regression parameters. The research data was collected from financial statements of the sampled the banks to construct standard accounting measures of bank risk taking, capital adequacy and operating efficiency all of which were regressed using simultaneous equations in EViews. The regression results do not provide evidence of any relationship between risk taking and capital. The only statistically significant relationship is the inverse relationship between risk taking and efficiency. The finding that efficiency is negatively related to bank risk taking supports earlier research findings that bank risk taking is more pronounced in inefficient banks compared to efficient ones. It also supports the moral hazard hypothesis which posits that banks undertake more risk taking when faced with greater inefficiencies; and the “bad management” hypothesis which states declines in efficiency lead to increased risk taking. The regression results also do not provide evidence of a relationship between capital and efficiency: implying that capital and efficiency are not simultaneously determined. The results in this study oblige management and regulators to pay much attention to operating efficiency as a driver of bank risk taking. / MT2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Management (Human Resources). / The research exposes a developing African Management model, within a case study framework, and deals with its management approach, structures and processes. Through the qualitative research methodology employed sufficient evidence was found to suggest that African Management is (I) eclectic in nature, embracing Lessem's (1990a, 1990b, 1993a, 1993b) constructs of 'Western' empiricism, 'Northern' rationalism, 'Eastern' idealism and 'Southern' humanism in a dynamic whole: (2) that the natural lnclination of organisations and/or sections thereof operating within an environment of collective consciousness is toward a 'Southern' humanistic orientation as opposed to a 'Western' primal, 'Nortnern' rational, or 'Eastern' developmental bias; (3) that such 'Southerness' is pre-eminently concerned with themes of voluntary subordination of self-interest to communal Objectives, rights and obligations, relationships built on trust, community ownership, inclusive and transparent arrangements, democratic decision making processes, celebration, humanistic values, primacy of language and African humility; further to which (4) the pathological down side of over developed 'Southern' humanism - at the expense of 'Western' emplrlcism, 'Northern' rationalism and Eastern' idealism - is heightened expectation, prolonged consultation, favouritism, patronage, and nepotism. / Andrew Chakane 2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce. Johannesburg 1996. / This paper addresses concerns surrounding information privacy and the secondary use of information in South African corporations. This study also attempts to assess the level of concern that management and information technology practitioners if! South African retail banks have about privacy issues. The research suggests that privacy is a huge concern internationally and may affect South African corporations if they do not follow certain policies and practices. Eleven in-person structured interviews were conducted at four banks. The research proposes a set of guidelines by which South African management and IT practitioners, who are involved with the identification and solution of some of the problems that may be presented by possible privacy legislation, will be able to assess their policies and practices against international practices and policies. The results inform IS managers and executives about appropriate business policies they can implement voluntarily to address public concerns about specific information practices that may be considered a threat to privacy. The findings suggest that the executives are deliberately avoiding confronting the issue of information privacy for as long as possible. The executives are adopting a wait-and-see attitude and will react 011 whatever legislation requires them to do. At the time of the report senior executives at banks were not accepting responsibility for information privacy policies and practices and were leaving this responsibility; to the middle level managers who implement their own practices based on their own needs. / GR2017

Research report submitted to the School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Information Systems) by coursework and research. Johannesburg, 28 February 2017. / This study is informed by very little empirical research in the field of cybercrime and specifically in the context of South African banks. The study bridges this gap in knowledge by analyzing the cybercrime phenomenon from the perspective of a South African bank. It also provides a sound basis for conducting future studies using a different perspective. In order to achieve this, an interpretive research approach was adopted using a case study in one of the biggest banks in South Africa where cybercrime is currently a topical issue and one that is receiving attention from senior management. Cohen and Felson (1979) Routine Activity Theory was used as a theoretical lens to formulate a conceptual framework which informed the data collection, analysis and synthesis of cybercrime in the selected bank. Primary data was obtained via semistructured interviews. Secondary data was also obtained which allowed for data triangulation. From the perspective of a South African bank, the study concluded that weak security and access controls, poor awareness and user education, prevalent use of the internet, low conviction rates and perceived material gain are the major factors that lead to cybercriminal activity. In order to curb the ever increasing rate of cybercrime, South African banking institutions should consider implementing stronger security and access controls to safeguard customer information, increase user awareness and education, implement effective systems and processes and actively participate in industry wide focus groups. The transnational nature of cybercrime places an onus on all banks in South Africa and other countries to collaborate and define a joint effort to combat the increasing exposure to cybercriminal activity. The use of the Routine Activity Theory provided an avenue to study the cybercrime phenomenon through a different theoretical lens and aided a holistic understanding of the trends and the behavioral attributes contributing to cybercriminal activity that can help South African banks model practical solutions to proactively combat the splurge of cybercrime. Keywords: Cybercrime, internet, crime, computer networks, Routine Activity Theory, South African banks. / GR2018

The aim of the present study was to assess employees' attitudes toward working with computers. A review of previous studies conducted within the area of attitudes toward computers and attitudes toward working with computers revealed that the present study needed to condifer user-task-system characteristics and that an adequate attitude scale which examined specifically attitudes towards working with computers needed to be developed. In order to conduct the present study, a checklist was developed to assess user-task-system characteristics and an attitude toward working with computers scale was developed and validated.[Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / GR 2016