Doctor of Philosophy with specialisation in Business Management

CHABATA, Tatenda Tawandaa

Tatenda Tawandaa Chabata was born on 27 June 1991 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He matriculated at Kyle College in 2009 and obtained a Presidential scholarship to pursue a BCom double major in Business Science (Economics & Marketing) at Monash University. He later obtained a BCom Honors in Marketing Management (Cum Laude) and M. Com Marketing Management (Cum Laude) at the University of Johannesburg. In 2017 Chabata was awarded the prestigious Chancellor Medal at the University of Johannesburg, with the Most Meritorious Master’s study in the Faculty of Management. His passion for academics has led to different opportunities at public and private higher education institutions. With his thesis, titled: The Continuance Use Intention Of Mobile Shopping Applications: The Role Of Experiential Value, the candidate contributes to scholarship on the growth of mobile commerce. Despite the proliferation of smartphone adoption globally, little was known about the factors that influence the continued use of mobile shopping (m-shopping) app(s). Experiential value is a critical factor that influences consumer behaviour. However, research lacked on experiential value as a mediator of the confirmation-satisfaction relationship in the Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM). Data were collected from 410 m-shopping app users using an online, self-administered questionnaire. The results of the statistical testing showed that customer return on investment and service excellence mediated the confirmation-satisfaction relationship in the ECM. The data did not support the hypothesised moderation effects that the influence of experiential value dimensions on the user’s satisfaction with using the m-shopping app to purchase products was a conditional effect of age or gender.

Promoter: Prof J Nel

Co-promoter: Dr ET Maziriri

Doctor of Philosophy with specialisation in Business Management

MOTSOMOTSO, Maletlatso Francisca

Maletlatso Francisca Motsomotso was born on 10 January 1989 in Ha Mabote, Berea Lesotho. She matriculated at Holy Family High School in 2006.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Information Technology in 2013, An Honours Degree in Business Management in 2014 and a master’s degree in Business Management in 2017 from the University of the Free State in 2017. She is currently a part-time lecturer at the Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management (LIPAM). With her thesis, titled:  The Experiences Of Work Family Issues Amongst Women Entrepreneurs In Lesotho, she examined the experiences of work-family issues (work-family conflict, work-family enrichment and family support) and how they affect the success of women entrepreneurs in Lesotho, using the phenomenological approach. The candidate contributed to limited knowledge about how family and work domains interact to foster success among women entrepreneurs in Lesotho.  Several cross-domain and within-domain factors that contribute to work-family conflict (e.g. trust issues, fatigue, long working hours and household work) or foster work-family enrichment (e.g. patience, decision making abilities, creativity, humility and happiness) were identified. The study also highlights how women entrepreneurs leverage their family resources to support their business operations.  A framework that integrates the family and work domains was developed to guide policymakers to establish sound policies that will help to foster the success of women entrepreneurs.

Promotor: Prof BN Neneh

Also remember to change the part where the links create a new tab.  I would the like the user to go back instead of clicking on a tab. 

Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management

SURTIE, Sunaida Sumaya

Dissertation title: Factors Influencing The Acceptance Of Mobile Marketing Among Generation Z Students In South Africa

Promoter: Dr HA Koloba

Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management

VAN WYK, Marike Charlotte*

Dissertation title: Factors Influencing The Useintention Of Branded Mobile Application

Promoter: Prof BN Neneh
 

Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management

PIENAAR, Jacobus Johannes Dissertation

Title: Factors Influencing Customers' Intention To Complain Directly To A Firm, Using Facebook

Promoter: Prof J Nel

Co-Promoter: Dr W Vermeulen

Doctor of Philosophy with specialisation in Business Management

BENEDICT, Ekaete Elsie

Ekaete Elsie Benedict was born in Enugu, Nigeria, on 15 December 1976. She received her secondary education in Ikot Abasi, Nigeria, where she matriculated at the Federal Government Girls’ College in 1994. She obtained a BCom degree in Marketing from the National University of Lesotho in 2001, and a BComHons in Business Management from the University of the Free State in 2002. In 2009, she obtained a Master of Business Administration at MANCOSA, Durban. She has co-founded various entrepreneurial ventures and NPOs, and currently lectures in the Department of Business Management at the University of the Free State. With her thesis, The Influence Of Environmental And Individual Factors On The Growth Intentions Of Smmes In The Free State, the candidate makes a contribution to the knowledge base of entrepreneurship on the development and growth of SMMEs. The study investigates two main forces – individual factors and environmental factors that could facilitate or hinder an entrepreneur’s intention to grow his business. Findings from the empirical research reveal specific environmental (no market demand, subjective norms) and individual factors (locus of control, excitement, not my strategic choice, attitude, and perceived behavioural control) which influence the growth intentions of SMME entrepreneurs in the Free State. The results and recommendations should benefit current entrepreneurs, policy makers, educational institutions, and relevant government agencies seeking to decrease the failure rate of SMMEs in the province.

Promoter: Dr J van Zyl

Co-promoter: Dr J Nel

Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management

BOTMA, Loucile

Dissertation Title:  Competitive Strategies Applied By South African Retail And Fast Food Companies

Promoter: Dr W Vermeulen

Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management

NCUBE, Buhleni Njabulo

Dissertation Title:  Factors Influencing The Acceptance Of Branded Mobile Applications Among Generation Y Students In South Africa

Promoter: Dr HA Koloba

Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management

STRAMPE, Stefan Anton

Dissertation Title:  Key Success Factors For Real Estate Agencies In The Free State

Promoter: Dr W Vermeulen