M.Com. (Business Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Com. (Economics) / The objective of this dissertation was to examine the desirability or not of the local processing of South Africa's gold into jewellery as an instrument for the extension of the life of the gold mining industry. The South African gold mining industry derives its significance not only from its importance as the source of 52 per cent of the country's foreign exchange receipts and a major consumer of labour, agricultural and industrial products, water and electricity, but also from the fact that it is the only long- term future source of gold for the world's jewellery manufacturing industry. The rapidly rising working costs since the early seventies was only neutralised for a few 'years by the increase in the gold price. The decline in profitability since the early eighties as a result of the continuation of the cost escalation and the falling gold price, forced the industry into a prolonged consolidation phase. Measures taken to address its rapidly declining economic position include severe cutbacks in its labour force, the closing down of marginal sections and curtailing expenditure on exploration activities.

PhD. (Economics) / This thesis studies population, the causes of population growth and changes and consequences of high population growth for communities and the environment. The study is divided into 9 chapters. Chapter 1 comprises a general introduction to population issues, the research problems, objectives and the deployment of the study. Chapter 2 analyses various theories of population growth. Chapter 3 compares population growth rates and the composition and structure of developed and developing countries. Comparisons of population migration in developed and developing countries and the impact of migration on the population composition and structure on the sending and receiving areas are analysed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 discusses the consequences of population growth on the economic development of developing countries. Chapter 6 and 7 outline the impact of demographic trends on a population and also the population growth in South Africa. Population policies in the developed and developing countries are discussed in Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 gives the summary of the main findings and some tentative conclusions of the study. The important link that exists between population growth and the environment are investigated on both the macro and micro levels in this thesis. On the macro level the worldwide historical population growth and trends in developed and developing countries are compared and analysed. On the micro level an analyses is done on specific communities and regions. South Africa represents a microcosm of the whole world as far as its demographic composition and trends are concerned. The population growth rate, fertility levels and socio-economic factors of the black population resemble those of developing countries, while the non-black populations resemble that of the developed countries. The level of development among black people is also much lower than that of the other three populations. This lower level of development among particularly black women is an important factor in their lower level of contraceptive use and relatively high fertility rate. Much of the debate about the global relationship between population and environment remains polarised between two extreme positions. A comprehensive analysis of global demographic trends indicates that the world population problems are predominantly a concern of the developing countries and of the black population in South Africa. The high population growth in these countries has a negative effect on economic growth and development. Increases in population cancel out increases in aggregate output, keep average incomes low and stagnant. It also puts significant pressure on agricultural land, employment creation, urban housing and other infrastructure, as well as on access to quality education and health facilities. HIV/Aids is currently the leading cause of mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa and has a significantly negative impact on economic growth and development, as it decreases the standard of living. The study has found that high levels of unemployment and a low standard of living among black people increase their risk and vulnerability to HIV/Aids. Population policies that include factors that are commonly associated with fertility decline, such as education, urbanisation, improved status of women, employment opportunities for women and increased practice of family planning all contribute to fertility differentials within developed and developing countries and within communities. These factors are also effective even in those areas where prevailing cultures give a disposition to high fertility.

M.Com. / The discovery of natural gas and condensate during the past 10 years off the South African south coast coincided with increased calls for sanctions and isolation of South Africa by the international community. The question was raised if the natural gas could not be used to diminish our dependancy on imported oil. After several studies to determine the feasibility of converting natural gas to fuel it was decided to proceed with the conversion project referred to as the Mossgas project. The purpose would be to produce offshore natural gas with the aid of fixed offshore platforms, linked to an onshore facility via pipelines, where it would be transformed into fuel using a process similar to the Sasol Synthol process. The purpose of the thesis is to determine the influence of factors assumed to have the greatest affect on the project, i.e. tax, loans, cost overruns and the production of by-products. To quantify these subjective criteria of the influence of the above factors, financial spreadsheets were designed utilizing the Lotus 123 software programme to evaluate the impact of the variables. A series approach to sensitivity analysis was followed, calculating most likely, highest and lowest outcomes for the different variables. A base case utilizing modified Mossgas cost figures was designed and subsequent spreadsheets to evaluate specific scenarios were developed. A base case was developed evaluating the land and offshore facilities as two separate projects, linked by a transfer price for gas. The price is determined to benefit both the land and offshore projects and designed to lead to equal profitability. Equity capital is assumed to be the only source of financing for the base case. Internal rate of return (IRR) was used as a decision-making criterion throughout the analysis...

M.Com. (Business Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This research had an objective of exploring the role of MSEs in LED through analysis of wood-work MSE value chain. The basic research questions underscore what the domestic wood-work value chain looks like; what major weaknesses and challenges confront the operation of MSEs; what major areas of upgrading and inter-firm relations are evident in the sector; and what MSE value chains contribute to LED. The research exercise was based on review of related literature and a field survey, involving MSE operators drawn from the study area (Addis Ababa). Mixed method of analysis (quantitative and qualitative) was employed to deal with the data collected through questionnaires and interviews. Porter’s model of VC (1985) and UNIDO’s description of wood-work VC (2005) were used to provide conceptual framework. The wood-work sub-sector in Ethiopia has a domestic value chain since main inputs are from local sources, designs are by local producers, and products are for domestic markets. Domestic actors govern the allocation of resources and the distribution of benefits. Public enterprises control plantations hence primary inputs. Wholesalers in turn control inputs, which finally reach MSEs through retailers. Design, production and marketing decisions are made by MSE operators. Middlemen are minor as most of the products reach consumers directly. The value-chain’s downstream is thus described by a short distribution-channel. Horizontal, non-market, linkages characterize inter-firm relations; whereas, arm’s length market linkages dominate the supplier-MSE-buyer relations. In the absence of “lead firms”, wood-work MSE value chains fail to qualify for the mainstream “buyer-driven” model. Without buyer-dominated quasi-hierarchical relationship, MSEs exercise “incremental upgrading” through learning-by-doing. Measures taken to upgrade the production process are considerably inclined to the physical (hardware) aspects of the firm. The MSE value-chain is restrained by internal and external problems. The current state of design marks underdeveloped links in the chain and delays entry into competitive markets. Despite the drawbacks, MSEs enable localities mobilize fragmented resources and create employment. MSEs contribute to LED through the value chain, right from input-sourcing to production and marketing. Inter-firm relations and upgrading efforts uphold the contributions. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2017 / The South African economy is built on the richness of mineral resources found in most parts of the country. In 2013, Chamber of Mines reported that the country earned about R 2.4 trillion from the export market over the past 10 years. However, the industry has also shown signs of financial ill health in recent years. This study examines the factors affecting the financial performance (return on capital invested, return on asset and stock price return) of mining companies in South Africa with a particular focus on employee related factors (number of employees, wage bill and safest statistics). The study examines 24 publicly listed companies over a 6 year period using panel data analysis. The results show that lost time injury rate, number of fatalities are significant variables in explaining the changes in financial performance. Labour indicators such as number of employees, lost time injury rate and wages have a negative relationship with all financial indicators. / GR2018

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering. University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. D.tT~.awart •• w1t~4i.tinotion on , Dec ••ber I,e7 Johannesburg. ItN7 / Accurate forecastinu of system Maximum Demand (MDl is vital ~o Esk011l. Under-estimating the MD could re-ul: in a generation capacity shortage. with devastating consequences for the economy. Similarly. a high MD forecast would result in overcapacity. with expensive generating plant standing idle The traditional method of MD forecasting in Eskorn has become unreliable due to a changing relationship between forecast energy sales and expected maximum demand. The reasons for the changing system demand profile were isolated and analysed. Alternative MD forecasting techniques are evaluated and end-use hourly aggregation modets were ;d'~ntifieJ as a method suitable for Eskorn, An experimental demand profile forecasting moue! was developed, using data from a previous project. The model was tested and proved able to cope with the structural changes in the system demand profile. This resulted in the adoption of this technique by Eskorn and approval for the devclopn-ent of a f\.JJ1 scale de manu profile forecasting model.

A research report submitted to the faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation (MMENVC) Wits Business School, 2016 / In order for developing countries like South Africa to not only compete in business at an international level, but to also establish a sustained competitive advantage in this increasingly integrated global business economy, a radical change in thinking is required. Technological innovation, knowledge and its application, which holistically explains an enterprise‟s technological innovation capability, are absolutely essential for modern firms looking to develop strategic and operational prowess on a global scale. Research in this field has largely highlighted the lack of technological innovation capabilities in developing regions around the world, and more recently the need for nations and firms to increasingly invest heavily in fostering technological innovation as a means for national economic growth. The same notion goes for the practice of corporate entrepreneurship, which has been internationally recognised as an integral aspect of firm survival, growth and relevance in all sectors and industries around the world. However, while several researchers agree that the relationship between technological innovation capabilities and corporate entrepreneurship is not clear, it is also vague as to the effect this relationship consequently has on organisational performance. Therefore, this research aims to delineate these relationships, specifically between technological innovation capabilities and corporate entrepreneurship, between technological innovation capabilities and organisational performance, between corporate entrepreneurship and organisational performance and through these constructs, shed some light on the investment capability of firms in these concepts in the context of the South African Media and Entertainment Industry. The research looks at the seven dimensions of technological innovation capabilities, the four dimensions of corporate entrepreneurship and a minor dimension on investment capability, all in relation to firm performance. This research employs both a regression and multi-correlation analysis to demonstrate the relationships between the two constructs and their individual relationships to firm performance. / GR2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (International Relations), 2017 / Through a close reading of the changes that have occurred within African agriculture using Food Regime Theory, this study will attempt to further understand the impact that has been felt by small-scale farmers who are a dominant feature of African agriculture. This paper will seek to understand the influence that the increased corporatization of agriculture through globalization has had on the small-scale farmer in Africa. As agriculture has become more and more corporatized and commodi:ied, it becomes important to consider the changes that have occurred for those actors within the industry and how these changes will impact them. This paper is attempting to do that through a close reading of the changes that have taken place within an integral part of the agricultural process: the seed. / GR2018