Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Design in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape
Peninsula University of Technology
2013 / As healthcare is such a widespread issue in South Africa, this research focuses on non-profit
organisations in the health sector. Non-profit organisations take on much of the work that the
government cannot deliver with respect to the overall wellbeing of patients at hospitals, in specialised
care, in basic healthcare, and most significantly, in areas where private healthcare is unaffordable.
This study investigates online marketing, fundraising activities and strategies of non-profit
organisations in Cape Town’s health sector. It illustrates the growing popularity of these channels, and
argues that many non-profit organisations are not using online marketing tools effectively to raise the
funds and support they need. Two longstanding non-profit organisations based at the Red Cross War
Memorial Children’s Hospital, are the subject of the study, as this hospital is a prime example of how a
government-run institution relies on the support of effective non-profit organisations.
The conceptual framework required extensive reviews of the existing literature on the South African
non-profit sector, the health sector and the role of non-profit organisations in these sectors.
Furthermore, it reviewed successful marketing practices for non-profit organisations, including
appropriate online marketing and fundraising strategies.
A qualitative and quantitative research approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews and
an online survey of twenty-seven health sector non-profit organisations. Key people in the non-profit
health sector, the non-profit communication design sector and the corporate online marketing sector
were interviewed. The online survey was conducted to gain a clear insight into the current online
marketing practices and activities of Cape Town based health sector non-profit organisations.
Grounded theory was used as an analytical tool in this research where themes emerge and theory is
constructed based on insights and knowledge gained during the research.
The results reveal that many non-profit organisations in the Cape Town health sector do not seem
aware of the benefits of implementing an online marketing and fundraising strategy. This study
concludes that online marketing and fundraising is vital for a non-profit organisation’s success. It is
recommended that all members of non-profit organisations learn as much as they can about the
importance of online marketing, as well as the importance of having a solid strategy. A unique
framework for branding, strategy, online marketing and fundraising is proposed as a solution to the
research problem, and further recommendations include the design of a textbook or eBook and an
online platform connecting non-profit organisations in the health sector in South Africa.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/1311 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Booth, Emily Anne |
| Publisher | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/ |
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