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Influence of dynamic sensing capabilities on firm competitiveness and mediation role of inside-in innovation
Sennanye, Lebogang Jennifer (University of Pretoria, 2025)
The aim of the study is to determine the influence dynamic sensing capabilities on Firm Competitiveness and the mediation role of Inside-In Innovation. The study is done within the context of the South African energy companies, an industry undergoing profound structural and technological shifts. Hence, the research aims to deliver actionable insights for practitioners to enable robust innovation strategies that enhance Firm Competitiveness amid rapid change in the ecosystem. Furthermore, the research anticipated to close the theoretical divide in the mechanisms underpinning dynamic capabilities. Existing archetypes of open innovation fall short of explaining dynamic capabilities - mechanisms of transforming resource advantage into competitive advantage - because they omit Inside-In Innovation. Hence, the objective is to determine mechanisms underpinning Inside-In Innovation and its integration within dynamic capabilities frameworks. Positivism paradigm deploying deductive or quantitative research approach was deployed. Existing validated survey instruments were adopted for the study targeting a minimum of 150 responses to provide meaningful analysis closer to previous studies. Ethical considerations were adhered to, and the research rigour will be determined. The study is limited by its cross-sectional nature and reliance on self-reported data from participants. The results have shown that direct relationship between Dynamic Sensing Capabilities (DSC) and Firm Competitiveness (FC) is not statistically significant, while direct relationship between Dynamic Sensing Capabilities (DSC) and Inside-In Innovation (III) is statistically supported. Furthermore, the direct relationship between Inside-In Innovation (III) and Firm Competitiveness (FC) is statistically supported; however, the effect sizes are small indicating that complementary elements of open innovation may be required to strengthen the relationship. Lastly, H4 analysis shows that indirect path (DSC → III → FC) was considered statistically supported, while the direct path (DSC → FC) was considered not statistically supported; therefore, this indicates full mediation. Therefore, Inside-In Innovation provides mechanism of transforming resource advantage into competitive advantage and deeper reflections and reconfiguration of internal resources and processes enabling innovation, in so doing, closing the current gap in open innovation archetypes failure to explain dynamic capabilities mechanism.
Role demands, constraints and choices: The impact of context and stakeholder expectations on business incubator managers’ strategic agency
Gwarega, Dambudzo (University of Pretoria, 2024)
Completing this doctorate thesis has been a challenging yet rewarding journey, and it would not have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement of many individuals. First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisors, Prof. Jonathan Marks and Prof. Johan Olivier. Your insightful guidance, constructive criticism, and support have been invaluable. I am also immensely grateful to the GIBS Doctorate Admin office for their support. Dr. Vivienne Spooner, Mamello Ngwenya, and Mpho Alaardt, your regular updates, follow-ups, and advice on administrative matters ensured everything ran smoothly, especially when I needed an extension of time to complete my thesis. Thank you to the participating organisations and individual research respondents for agreeing to participate in this study during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Your willingness to share your experiences was crucial to the success of this research. Special thanks to Dr. Gabi Nudelman, who became my academic friend abroad and encouraged me to push through the most challenging moments of data analysis. Your mantra, ""The only way out is through,"" kept me motivated and determined to go through the maze and complete the journey. I would also like to acknowledge the various doctorate cohorts for the inspiration, critique, and challenges during our work-in-progress sessions. Your intellectual camaraderie and shared experiences have been a source of strength. As the journey became lonely, I held on to the encouragement from those who graduated ahead of me and shared their stories. Your success stories have been a beacon of hope. To my wife, Josie, and our sons, Tino, TG, and Thabo, I cannot thank you enough for your understanding and holding the fort as we navigated life in a foreign land amidst my studies. Your patience, love, and support have been my anchor. To Mashudu, thank you for your invaluable assistance in typing significant portions of this thesis. Finally, to my friends and extended family who felt isolated during the study period and everyone who has been a part of this journey, your support, encouragement, and belief in me have made this achievement possible.
Lines of defence for combined assurance models: a structured literature review
Mamotheti, Sethopo (University of Pretoria, 2025)
This structured literature review (SLR) evaluates the current state of knowledge on Combined Assurance (CA) by examining and integrating findings from peer-reviewed academic journals. Its objectives are to identify topics covered in CA research, and conceptual inconsistencies or ambiguities, revealing gaps that could enhance understanding, and assessing the maturity level of CA. Topics that emerged were identification of core components of CA and the main stakeholders involved, classifications of the stakeholders within the lines of defence framework, incorporation of lines of defence into various CA models, tools used to strengthen CA, the level of CA adoption in organizations, and the advantages CA provides. The continued use of the outdated Three Lines of Defence (TLoD) model, mixed opinions on the updated Three Lines Model (TLM) of whether it is an improvement or regression, and contradicting evidence of its effectiveness in the banking sector create ambiguity and inconsistencies around CA. Slow adoption of TLM, lack of consensus on board roles as line of defence, and resistance to internal audit leading CA efforts add to ongoing uncertainties. Research gaps include limited exploration beyond TLoD/TLM, a focus mainly on South Africa, lack of study focused on failure of CA to detect corporate scandals timely, and insufficient evaluation of CA’s role in providing assurance on unethical leadership risks. Most studies focus on outward-facing aspects, such as assurance on integrated reporting (IR), while giving little attention to inward-facing or internal perspectives. Although publications are increasing, CA remains underdeveloped. The SLR provides a thorough overview, identifies key trends, highlights gaps, and suggests directions for future research on CA.
The influence of AI-enabled tool adoption, digital footprints, and SME credibility on loan approvals: a quantitative study of South African SMEs
Motsatsi, Thabitha (University of Pretoria, 2025)
Information asymmetry remains a critical barrier to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) financing in South Africa, with traditional credit assessment mechanisms failing to recognise the creditworthiness of viable enterprises. Digital transformation and AI-enabled technologies present potential new signalling mechanisms that could bridge this gap. This quantitative study examined whether AI-enabled tool adoption, digital footprints, and SME credibility influence loan approval outcomes for South African SMEs that applied for loans within a 12-month period. Data were collected through structured surveys and analysed using Bayesian logistic regression to test four hypotheses grounded in signalling theory and information asymmetry theory. Results revealed that AI adoption demonstrated strong model-level evidence and moderate interaction effects with credibility, both receiving partial support/association. However, digital footprints and credibility independently showed insufficient evidence to reliably predict loan approval. Credibility functions as a complementary signal that gains relevance when combined with AI adoption or hard financial metrics. Traditional financial indicators such as firm size, operational maturity, and cash flow capacity remain primarily associated with lending decisions. The study concludes that while digital signals are acknowledged by lenders, they function as transitional indicators requiring institutional maturation before becoming decisive factors in South Africa's conservative banking environment.
Benefits realisation management: a structured quantitative literature review
Ashipala, Nangolo (University of Pretoria, 2025)
The relationship between benefits realisation management (BRM) and project success has been widely established in literature. BRM ensures that project value is created, serving as the critical link between project execution and strategic implementation. Research on BRM has been steadily growing over the years. Various themes, theories, contexts, and methodologies have been explored in the literature. This study builds on previous reviews in the field by providing a comprehensive review of the academic literature on BRM. I adopt a structured quantitative literature review approach to identify the prevailing context in which BRM has been studied, the dominant methodological approaches, themes, and theories applied over the past decade. My analysis found that BRM research has gradually expanded and become more diverse in terms of study contexts, research methodologies, thematic scope, and the application of theories. However, despite this progress, BRM research remains unevenly distributed. Most studies in the field still focus on the meso-level of the IT/IS sector in developed economies. Methodologically, the literature remains dominated by qualitative research. The application and development of independent theories in BRM research also remain sparse and fragmented. Future research should thus focus on expanding the contextual and methodological diversity. There is also a need for more theory development and integration in BRM research.