Research needs in the retail industry
The first research project on the research needs in the wholesale and retail sector has been completed and categorised under various headings. Click here to access.
Sector skill plan of the W&RSETA
The W&R seta plays a critical role in the development of skills in the Wholesale and Retail sector. The core and principal mandate of the Seta is to develop a credible and professional researched sector skills plan. Skills plans are updated annually. Further information on the W&R Seta can be obtained on the following website: www.wrseta.org.za.
W&RSETA Sector Skills Plan 2014-2015 – WRSETA Sector Skills Plan Update 2014-15_Final Report_30092014
Current research
The Retail Leadership Chair has launched its first major research programme focusing on the research needs of the retail industry. The results will form the basis of the research programme to be launched within the next two months.
Call for Topics – 2017 Projects
Click here to see the full Call and submission date.
Completed research
Completed Research Reports
Project 2013/01 : Priority research needs in the Wholesale and Retail sector. – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/02: Informal and SMME Retailers in South Africa – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/03: Retail’s Contribution and Strategies for Job Creation and Retention – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/04: E-Business Developments and Skills Requirements in the Retail Sector – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/05: Expansion of South African Retailer’s activities into Africa – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/06 : Strategic alignment of the South African Wholesale & Retail Business Sector with the National Development Plan : Vision 2030 – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/07: Interventions to achieve employment equity objectives in the Wholesale & Retail Sector – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/08/A: A model for Assessment Centres for the W&RSETA as AQP for related QCTO national occupational qualifications – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/08/B: Development of W&RSETA management system and procedures for AQP for QCTO retail qualifications – Click here to access the report.
Project 2014/09: The nature of existing and emerging cooperatives in the wholesale and retail sector – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/12: Transformation: Evaluation of the role of the W&RSETA in the last 10 years and the way forward – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/13: E-Retail in South Africa and the Impact on Skills Development in the South African Retail Sector – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/14: Financing for SMME start-ups, and expansion for established SMME’s, in the Retail Sector – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/15: A model to operate and use a retail store for workplace experience and research – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/15: A model to operate and use a retail store for workplace experience and research – Annexures – Click here to access the annexures
Project 2015/16: Towards Effective Work-Integrated Learning in the South African Retail SMME Sector – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/17: Brand orientation of South African retailers and it’s impact on business success – Click here to access the report.
Project 2015/18: The unique role of the survivalist retail entrepreneur in job creation and poverty reduction – Click here to access the report.
Project 2016/19: Socio-economic developmental strategies as retail performance indicators: A balanced scorecard approach – Click here to access the report.
Project 2016/22: Evaluation of the shortage of retail management skills & employment equity strategies with regard to attracting women for permanent careers, especially in rural areas – Click here to access the report.
Project 2016/23: An e-learning strategy for the W&R Sector: A framework for collaboration and implementation within the South African Retail Sector – Click here to access the report
Report Summary’s on Completed Research
Project 2014/02: Informal and SMME Retailers in South Africa
Project 2014/03: Retail’s Contribution and Strategies for Job Creation and Retention
Project 2014/04: E-Business Developments and Skills Requirements in the Retail Sector
Project 2014/05: Expansion of SA retailer’s activities into Africa
Project 2014/09: The nature of existing and emerging cooperatives in the Wholesale and Retail Sector
Project 2015/14: Financing for SMME start-ups, and expansion for established SMME’s, in the Retail Sector
Project 2015/17: Brand orientation of South African retailers and it’s
Press Releases’s on Completed Research
Project 2014/02: Informal and SMME Retailers in South Africa
Project 2014/03: Retail Contribution and Strategies for Job Creation and Retention
Project 2014/04: E-Business Developments and Skills Requirements in the Retail Sector
Project 2014/05: Expansion of SA retailer’s activities into Africa
Project 2014/09: The nature of existing and emerging cooperatives in the Wholesale and Retail Sector
Project 2015/14: Financing for SMME start-ups, and expansion for established SMME’s, in the Retail Sector
Project 2015/17: Brand orientation of South African retailers and it’s impact on business success
Publications
Publication of research undertaken in the Retail industry The publications of research undertaken in the retail industry are available in the following databases and they cover all the theses / dissertations that have been completed for Master’s and Doctoral programmes throughput South Africa: These databases include:
- Sabinet ( only accessible through library) – go to CPUT library page
- NRF Nexus (Only Accessible through library) – go to CPUT library page
- ETD portal. An open portal presently under construction – – go to National ETD site
- Library repositories containing details of theses and publications generated by CPUT. These repositories are only accessible through the library – go to CPUT library page
- W&RSETA ILDP research reports – http://www.wrseta.org.za/ILDP_2013/index.html
Post graduate studies in retail
One of the key functions of the Retail Leadership Chair is to develop a corps of highly qualified retail professionals. As a result the Chair is instrumental in the development of a capacity building programme which will benefit masters and doctoral students all over South Africa. The chair has set the following objectives in this regard:
- To create an enabling environment for post graduate studies by:
- the adoption of efficient research management systems
- the implementation of peer review processes
- the establishment of research collaborations and partnerships
- the facilitation, support and co-ordination of post graduate students
- capacity building amongst staff members through training in research supervision
- the appointment of qualified research staff.
- Facilitating international staff and student exchange
- Creating a cost effective and efficient supporting infrastructure
- Assisting the Seta with the allocation of bursaries on a national basis
- Selecting good students to get involved in research programmes.
Research by undergraduate students
Training in research methodology during undergraduate programmes provide the basis for the development of future generations of researchers. Undergraduates are required to undertake research projects of a limited extent and present the results. Students are encouraged to publish their papers in in house publications. The best papers are submitted to peer reviews for pub lication in academic journals.
Researchers
Apart from in-house research conducted by the Chair and his staff, some of the larger research projects are conducted by contract researchers. Some of these contract researchers are retired academics . Others are still in full time employment. These contracts can also be awarded to visiting international researchers wishing to spend a few months in South Africa. The Chair would like to use this opportunity to invite interested parties from other countries to submit their names and CV’s for consideration for such contractual appointments.
E-Journal on B Tech research
Publications, arranged chronologically are available here