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

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

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