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Masters Degrees (Graduate School of Business and Leadership)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/7378

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Graduate School of Business and Leadership) by SDG "SDG9"

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    Evaluation of the intrapreneurship orientation in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in KwaZulu-Natal.
    (2022) Chetty, Rangini.; Ngwenya, Tony Charles Simphiwe.
    The pharmaceutical industry in South Africa is considered a knowledge-intensive sector, with sophisticated consumers, world-class clinical skills, excellent infrastructure, and an established policy and regulatory environment. However, recent global business disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with its ensuing socio-economic sequelae, have highlighted the importance of an innovation or intrapreneurship orientation in pharmaceutical companies, where agility and responsiveness is pivotal - not just for surviving, but also thriving and creating value. It is in this context that intrapreneurship can be leveraged to spur innovation, augment business renewal, enhance organisational performance and ensure sustainability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the nature and extent of the intrapreneurship orientation of the company’s managerial employees, to identify the strengths and weaknesses that influence intrapreneurship orientation at the company, to investigate the relationship between the company’s intrapreneurship orientation and organisational culture, and finally to explore strategies to augment the intrapreneurship orientation of the company’s managers. This sequential mixed methods explanatory study evaluated the nature and extent of intrapreneurship orientation of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company located in KwaZulu-Natal, using a sample of 55 managers, employing a self-administered online questionnaire for the quantitative research phase, and a focus group discussion of 10 managers for the qualitative research phase. The findings revealed a suboptimal intrapreneurship orientation, with weaknesses revolving around the management support, organisational structure and culture, as well as the availability and orchestration of resources. The organisation’s strengths were underpinned by the proactiveness and learning orientation of its managerial employees. Recommendations to the organisation include the development of a structure for innovation and intrapreneurship, the performance of a cultural survey as a first step in establishing a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning, and the development and implementation of an innovation balanced scorecard to manage innovation-related performance.
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    Examining container handling equipment to reduce port congestion at Durban Container Terminal.
    (2022) Naicker, Rowen.; Chasomeris, Mihalis Georgiou.
    Port congestion has become a major problem around the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) precinct and investors and key stakeholders have raised concerns and expressed their frustration over the poor productivity and capacity limitations. The aim of this study was to examine container handling equipment that should reduce port congestion at the DCT. The objectives are: 1) to examine the productivity of the DCT in comparison to other ports nationally and internationally; 2) to examine the performance of current container handling equipment used at the DCT and 3) to examine and compare the costs and productivity of using a Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) system versus Straddle Carrier (SC) system at the DCT. This desktop study collected and analysed secondary data on container handling productivity and costs of the container handling equipment used at the DCT. Cost effective analysis was applied to the available equipment data and associated costs were retrieved and studied. A compound interest formulae and inflation calculator were used to convert all costs to their 2021 approximate values. The performance results between 2015 to 2020 showed that the DCT was performing poorly. The DCT, Pier 1 and Pier 2 use RTG and SC respectively. RTGs performed exceptionally well compared to SCs. Examining the advantages and disadvantages of the RTG and SC showed that the RTG was the preferred option. Although RTGs were more expensive to purchase and operate, the SCs were costlier to maintain. Analysis of the equipment used by leading container ports shows that top ports have adopted the RTG system and that 2018 and 2019, more RTGs were purchased than Rail Mounted Gantrys (RMGs) and SCs combined by major ports globally. The results indicate the most viable option would be for the DCT to adopt a RTG system of operation due to its high efficiency levels and cost effectiveness.
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    Exploring personnel differentiation at KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform to create a competitive advantage.
    (2022) Mkhize, Gugulethu Cynthia.; Pelser, Theunis Gert.
    KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing platform (KRISP) is the health sciences Research Center of the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN). The platform offers cutting-edge genomics services. It started operating in 2017 and since its inception, KRISP has focused on establishing a professional genomic services laboratory through acquiring state of-the-art equipment, and implementing industrial scale processes and systems. Managers at KRISP also place emphasis on recruiting highly-qualified personnel. At the time of this research, the selected market for KRISP encompassed users from public research organisations, industry R&D and other commercial users. The need for cutting edge-genomics is fast-growing in South Africa and globally, given an impact of its application in many fields of science. Because of the expertise in health sciences research, KRISP is well positioned to offer genomics for infectious diseases’ research and diagnostics. In the marketplace, KRISP faces a strong competition from large domestic and international genomic laboratories. To penetrate the market, KRISP adopted a cost leadership strategy. While the approach helped KRISP build customer base, it is not sustainable because established rival laboratories operate at scale and are able to offer much lower prices. Therefore, KRISP’s survival and growth depend on devising a better suited approach to attain sustainable competitive advantage. The main aim of this study was to explore personnel differentiation as a strategy to create competitive advantage at KRISP. The focus was on understanding whether KRISP’s personnel demonstrate unique qualities that enhance the value of the services the platform offers. The research employed an exploratory case study strategy and qualitative research method underpinned by two qualitative research tools: an in-depth interview and document collection. The findings showed that the elements differentiating KRISP services were its high technical competence, knowledge, diverse skillset and the positive attitude of personnel. Service delivery outcomes resulting from these qualities included high-quality and comprehensive services offering, reliability and customisation. The KRISP environment and work practices were enabling for personnel learning and continuous capacity development. This was key to sustain personnel commitment and creativity.
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    Investigation of poor service delivery of road infrastructure in uMshwathi local municipality.
    (2023) Gwala, Phumulani Mpilwenhle.; Yalezo, Bhasela.
    This study examines the poor service delivery of road infrastructure development in uMshwathi local municipality, in the Kwa Zulu Natal province. The study seeks fundamental evidence that points out the prolonged poor road infrastructure development and verification of the challenges that beget the status quo. The extant literature notes that inadequate road infrastructure is more prominent in municipal wards falling under traditional authority (Ingonyama Trust) while the municipal wards enjoy adequate road infrastructure. This study adopted a qualitative exploratory research approach. Document analysis was conducted to gain their insight and understanding of the challenges and impact of poor road infrastructure on the livelihood of the people. The qualitative analysis allowed for an in-depth analysis of both institutional and structural challenges of road infrastructure and its impact on the livelihoods of residents thereof. Umshwathi municipality is a land dominated by agricultural landscapes and derives its economy from mainly farming, while the residents practice large-scale subsistence and commercial farming. Road infrastructure development becomes a critical component and the only solution to assist residents to diversify their economy and ease travel. However, the majority of its rural dwellers still live in abject poverty and are very much excluded from participating in some commercial activities and enjoying all the liberties accorded to them in the South African Constitution. Poor road infrastructure development in the municipality especially in the rural sectors causes this exclusion. Poor road infrastructure development is caused by a lack of synergy between national and local governance structures and dilemmas brought about by institutional and structural challenges. The poor road infrastructure development affects negatively the residents, as well as their livelihood and welfare, is hampered; thus, creating secondary challenges for the community.