M.Com. (Informatics) / This research has the aim of creating a low-cost, contactless, micro-payment framework to support micro-payments for the informal taxi industry in South Africa. The informal taxi industry is a prime example of an industry that needs simple and effective payments for low-cost services where the primary medium of payment is currently cash. Challenges of currently used are the security of cash, the difficulty for the taxi driver to collect cash, and the auditability of cash from the perspective of the taxi owner. Furthermore, the taxi owner does not know the routes the taxi travels or the petrol that is used by the taxi. Micro-payment transaction volumes are rapidly increasing due to consumer need for simple and effective payments for low-cost items and services. Micro-payment technologies are rapidly growing in popularity and demand, prompting the need for financial institutions to consider investment in the technology. Contactless technology, specifically near-field communication (NFC), is contributing to the exponential growth of micro-payments. Increasingly, consumers are not required to enter security information in order to perform transactions. By bringing a compatible card within range of a suitable reader, a transaction takes place with immediate effect, with little or no involvement from payment providers and financial institutions. Complementary wireless technologies such as GPS enable a multitude of applications by offering positional and speed information. Combining GPS technology with NFC enables contactless positional payment information to be accessible, to present a unique micro-payment concept. This dissertation presents M-Thinta, a low-cost contactless micro-payment model. The M-Thinta prototype demonstrates the real-world operation of the M-Thinta model. The prototype demonstrates that it is possible to create a functional low-cost, contactless micro-payment platform by combining a number of standard low-cost components.

M.Tech. (Operations Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis ( MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / This study focuses on the role of the minibus taxi industry in promoting the development of small businesses at Mankweng taxi ranks. This area of study has not been thoroughly researched; therefore, existing literature on the role of the taxi industry in promoting the development of small (especially informal) businesses is limited. This lack thereof does not help in casting a clear sense of how the taxi industry benefits small businesses around their operation centres. Therefore, this study specifically investigated the role of the minibus taxi industry in promoting the development of small businesses at Mankweng Taxi Ranks. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed, with the use of structured questionnaire and focus group interviews as techniques to collect data from Mankweng Taxi Ranks. The study had a target population of 300. Stratified random sampling was chosen for small businesses while random sampling was employed for taxi operators, and purposive sampling was applied for employees at Mankweng main taxi offices. This study had a sample size of 300, sampled differently with 180 participants forming part of stratified random sampling and 110 participants forming part of random sampling. Two different questionnaires were prepared for both small businesses and taxi operators. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to small businesses (30 hawkers, 15 filling stations, 69 street produce sellers, 15 car washers, 15 restaurants, and 36 caterers) and 110 taxi operators at different taxi ranks such as Mankweng, Boyne, Ga-Mothapo, Solomondale and Dikgale. Additionally, the focus group interviews were purposively conducted with 10 employees working at Boyne, as it is the main office of the Mankweng Taxi Association, and they hold more administrative information relating to the taxi business. The findings of the study show that, the taxi industry play a significant role in promoting the development of small businesses. The study further reveals that, poor business plans, inadequate working conditions, taxi violence, reckless driving, and a lack of funding affected the investigated businesses, as well as lack of exposure to new products, confronted the Mankweng Taxi Association. There seems to be a huge gap, both in research and government policy, that, seeks to promote the development of small businesses depending on the environment, and infrastructure, in which these businesses operate. Additionally, this study reveals the nature of the taxi industry and its crucial role in benefiting small businesses. All stakeholders in the taxi industry need to create an environment that, encourages the spirit of harmony, active cooperation and development dedicated to the betterment of the taxi industry.

This thesis focuses on the labour process within the minibus taxi industry in East London, South Africa. This industry is structurally situated within the informal sector or economy but is marked by contradictory processes of formalisation and in-formalisation. Though the taxi industry seems to straddle the formal and informal economies in South Africa, the study is conceptually framed in terms of the informal sector but in a critically-engaged fashion. The very distinction between formal and informal economies, whether in South Africa or elsewhere, is open to dispute; and, even if accepted, there are differing conceptualisations of the relationship between the ‘two’ economies. Also, the conceptual clarity of the term ‘informal economy’ has been subject to scrutiny, given the vast range of activities it is said to incorporate. While the distinction between formal and informal economies may be a useful conceptual starting-point, this thesis demonstrates that it is analytically useful to speak of degrees and forms of formalisation and in-formalisation along a continuum, rather than to dichotomize economies. The thesis therefore analyses in depth the competing and tension-riddled processes of formalisation and in-formalisation in the minibus taxi industry, and with a specific focus on the labour process.

A thesis is submitted for the fulfilment of a Masters degree in Development Studies in the School of Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, March 2016 / The minibus taxi industry plays an important role in helping thousands of commuters daily in reaching their desired destinations. The minibus taxi industry emerged in South Africa under the apartheid era in the wake of the country’s economic deregulation initiated in 1977. This industry has grown rapidly since then overtaking both buses and trains with an estimated 14 million passengers using taxi services each day (Minibus Taxis and Road Safety, internet, 2015: 10:00am). The latter is due to its accessibility, affordability as well as convenience. The minibus taxi industry has also been stereotypically identified as an industry dominated by violence amongst various taxi associations over access to various routes while being heavily dominated by patriarchal male figures. Nevertheless, the minibus taxi industry and particularly queue marshals have however, not received the much needed attention as key players in the public transportation sector. Limited literature has been written on the taxi industry in general and on queue marshals specifically and yet, 14 million commuters use taxis daily to get around (Minibus Taxi and Road Safety, internet, 2015: 10:00am). It is as a result of this limitation that this 2 research study aims to contribute to the existing body of literature on the minibus taxi industry by analyzing the socio-economic lives of queue marshals focusing specifically on the form and function of queue marshals in Bree Street taxi rank, Johannesburg as well as the observable presence of patriarchy that is found in these ranks and whether the same influence is found within their households. In doing so, this research study hopes to examine whether or not the spirit of ubuntu exists within the industry that has been stereotypically perceived by society as violent and dominated by taxi drivers with ‘bad attitude’ and reckless driving skills. The hope is that, through understanding the socio dynamics of the lived experiences of queue marshals within the minibus taxi industry, queue marshals will no longer be ‘invisible’ while helping to reveal a different perception (two different worldviews to one coin) of an industry solely believed to be dominated by violence, ‘unruly’ and ‘rude’ individuals (Sauti 2006). / GR2017

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / The operation and management of privately-owned public transport (the taxi industry to be precise) in many countries, South Africa included; is increasingly challenging. Over the years, the taxi industry in South Africa has been characterized by many challenges such as violence, resulting from maladministration and lack of regulations. In addition, this could be attributed to irregularities and lack of formal approach within which the privately-owned public transport (taxi) operates. Another problem with the irregularities in the industry is handling physical cash by taxi drivers. This creates room for funds spillage and financial management challenges, resulting in conflict between taxi drivers and their employers. There is also an issue of taxation, which is a challenge to the Government. Due to the irregularities, the way in which the industry is operated, the operators have failed to comply. The goal of this research is to develop an ICT seamless Model for handling electronic payment for privately-owned public transportation in Gauteng.

The South African taxi industry is a fast-growing industry and greatly contributes to the GDP growth of the country. While it also contributes to the decrease of unemployment problem in the country, it does very little to compensate its employees, the taxi drivers. A large body of research has been done on the taxi industry regarding its growth and future development such as recapitalization, and SANTACOs initiatives at introducing a much affordable Airline. However, little research has been done concerning the financial challenges facing taxi drivers in South Africa, especially in Umbumbulu, South of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This is the gap this dissertation is attempting to fill in. The purpose of this dissertation is to enhance understanding of how taxi drivers fare in this fast growing informal economy, namely, the taxi industry, by investigating their financial management practices. Through the utilization of, questionnaires, indepth interviews and ethnographic approach, a model will be developed to describe, firstly, how financial management practices are carried out to facilitate the fulfillment of specific life goals of these taxi drivers and secondly, discuss how these practices translate to financial management. For the purpose of this study a questionnaire was used to investigate the financial management practices of taxi drivers in Umbumbulu. 27 owners and drivers were interviewed during their loading intervals when they were not busy. The study revealed that the Umbumbulu Taxi Rank drivers face huge financial difficulties which are due to different reasons. The challenges have been found to not only affect them but also their families. The conclusion drawn from the results was that even though taxi drivers face these problems they are able to deal with them through different strategies, such as, saving money through Stokvel and savings accounts. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The implementation of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme was articulated by the South African government since 1999, with its estimated time implementation to start in 2005. As at the time of completion of this study the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme was still not absolutely completed. While 2010 was earmarked to be a year to remove all unroadworthy vehicles on the South African public roads, and that has not been completely achieved, especially in the rural areas where roads are not well tarred and constructed. This study investigated the impact that the implementation of the TRP has on taxi queue marshals, taxi rank- street vendors, taxi drivers and taxi-owners as well as their perceptions of the government’s Recapitalisation programme. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from the Greater Mankweng Taxi Association in Limpopo Province, Capricorn district and the Limpopo Department of Roads and Transport. The findings of the study, however differs in terms of the participants categories, but the general perception from the respondents is that the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme is not bringing substantial benefit to those it intends to benefit such as taxi operators, taxi drivers and the government revenue system. The street vendors who are indirect beneficiaries also do not see the impact of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme on their business.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / This study explored humanistic management philosophy in governance with specific reference to Port Shepstone minibus taxi industry, KwaZulu-Natal. The study arose from a concern that there is no governance model which addresses the challenges of small businesses. Informal businesses like minibus taxi industry are facing a phletora of challenges, namely fatal accidents, corruption and fraud, disregard of stakeholders, taxi wars, poor service delivery and failure by the government to formalise the sector. The study discusses humanistic management philosophy in governance using Ubuntu theory as the theoretical framework. The researcher adopted the mixed method methodology which is embedded in the post- positivist research paradigm. The post-positivist research paradigm explains the way things are and views objectivity as an ideal that can never be achieved, however research should be conducted with greater awareness of subjectivity. By combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies (Triangulation mixed method approach), it assisted the study to strike a balance and avoid being subjective on issues of humanistic management leadership, humanistic management strategy, humanistic management culture and humanistic management ethics. The research methods used in this study include questionnaires, interviews and observations. The findings from qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to come up with a generalisation. The findings of the study showed that there are limitations in the implementation of humanistic management philosophy for minibus taxi industry governance. Although the minibus taxi leaders were aware of their humanistic management leadership role and responsibilities, they were not applying them. The Minibus taxi industry leadership were applying non humanistic management leadership styles. Moreover, humanistic management strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation were not being done. Humanistic management ethics were found to be a challenge within the minibus taxi industry when governing their businesses. The study revealed that the minibus taxi industry was adopting a different culture from their community which affected their humanistic management culture and the reputation of the minibus taxi industry governance. This was not inline with the Ubuntu principles practised by the society in which the minibus taxi industry operated. Possible areas for future research were highlighted and recommendations were made, for example the researcher recommends minibus taxi operators should be educated on humanistic management philosophy in governance which makes their businesses legitimate in society’s view. Minibus taxi operators should be encouraged to use stakeholder approach in the humanistic management strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Support and monitoring systems should be in place for proper implementation of code of conducts. Whistleblowers should be protected by the taxi associations and the police force. A humanistic management culture should be developed and implemented with the incorporation of community inputs. The taxi association should develop and enforce a human resource policy to safeguard the interests of the minibus taxi industry employees. The study identified a possible alternative model for the implementation of humanistic management philosophy in governance. The model can be applied to all informal and formal sectors. / D