Thesis(M.Com. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the use of mobile technology in SMEs for the improvement of the supply chain. The study uses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI) as theories. This study has four objectives: (1) To identify the determinants of the use of mobile technology in supply chains of SMEs, (2) To determine the level of adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain of SMEs, (3)To determine the relationships between determinants of the use of mobile technology and the adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain of SMEs, and (4) To determine the relationship between mobile technology adoption and supply chain performance. The study uses a quantitative approach. Exploratory and correlation research is used to determine the determinants of adoption of mobile technology. The study population are SMEs in Polokwane Local Municipality. A sample of 122 is used and aself administered questionnaire is used to collect primary data. Data analysis is carried out utilising SPSS version 27. A Cronbach alpha test is carried out to measure the internal reliability of the research instrument. The results show that there are positive relationships between determinants of the use of mobile technology and the adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain of SMEs and that there is a positive relationship between mobile technology adoption and supply chain performance. It is recommended to businesses to take into consideration the determinants of mobile technology adoptionin attempting to improve their supply chain performance and to adopt the mobile technology to enhance productivity and the processes of supply chain for those who have not adopted it. The research contributes to the knowledge about the factors influencing the use of mobile technology in SMEs for the improvement of supply chains / Service SETA

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The study presents findings that examined the nature and extent of community participation in the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) processes as a means of improving local governance at the Polokwane Local Municipality. The study argues for a need to empower communities with knowledge on the available mechanism as a way of fulfilling the dream of a culture of participation. This is to increase unified perception about the value of community participation in improving local governance. However, local governance accountability can be gauged by the extent to which they practise community participation in decision-making in facing up to the challenges of the day. This is done by putting or encouraging community participation in the processes that would help face up to the challenges of the day, including the IDP processes. The study applied a mixed-methods design and a combination of thematic data analysis and Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet) to analyse data gathered. Structured questionnaires were distributed to respective community members in the selected communities: two villages of Potse and Mahlohlokwe; two townships Mankweng Unit D and Mankweng Zone 1; two suburbs - Flora Park and Ivy Park. Furthermore, faceto- face interviews were conducted with the Polokwane municipal officials responsible for IDP, municipal manager, IDP manager and councillors of selected communities. Findings of the study showed that community participation in the IDP processes was viewed as one of the ways of enabling interaction between local government and citizens. However, citizens faced challenges in the process of community participation and that impacted on the level of community participation. It should, therefore, be borne in mind that to improve local governance, it is necessary to look at the extent to which communities are engaged in the processes of improving local governance. Participation of communities in the development planning of their communities can thus help improve local governance. Therefore, community participation should be widely applied in the local government field to enable good governance and sustainable development.

Thesis (MDev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / The introduction of privatisation after 1994 has left many people in Polokwane without employment. The majority of the jobs were given to few people who always provide services through tenders. Most of the departments were no longer hiring people because of the tendering process. The process has made many departments and municipalities to absorb labour force in the public sector. Due to lack of employment in different regions in Limpopo, the provincial Department of Public Works has started an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to alleviate poverty in the province. However, the management of these projects became a problem to most of the government officials in the municipalities, provincial departments and municipalities are fraught with challenges such as lack of managerial traits, technical and skills related to project management. Polokwane local municipality is not excluded from the above problems, hence the study on the investigation of the management of EPWP towards job creation in Polokwane local municipality. In order to understand the total context of the managerial flaws faced by Polokwane local municipality in Limpopo an in-depth empirical research and interviews were conducted to collect data from government official and employees in the study area. The finding of the study suggests that lack of managerial traits, technical skills, lack of participation, non-compliance with work ethics, monitoring and evaluation were regarded as the greatest challenges in the management of EPWP in Polokwane local municipality. Due to the above challenges, most of the projects are not completed on time because of the lack of qualified project managers. Lack of qualified personnel also contributed to poor quality of service delivery in the area of the study. The study revealed that the projects can alleviate poverty if can be managed and implemented by qualified managers and employees with relevant skills. Therefore, the study calls for the Department of Public Works to appoint qualified and experienced civil engineers to monitor and evaluate the implementation of EPWP projects in Polokwane local municipality.