DSpace Repository

Welcome to the NWU Repository, the open access Institutional Repository of the North-West University (NWU-IR). This is a digital archive that collects, preserves and distributes research material created by members of NWU. The aim of the NWU-IR is to increase the visibility, availability and impact of the research output of the North-West University through Open Access, search engine indexing and harvesting by several initiatives.

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Exploring the barriers faced by South African universities in establishing spin-out companies
(North-West University (South Africa), 2025) Duvenage, M.A; Landsberg, Andreas- 44971877; Landsberg, Andreas- 44971877
This dissertation critically examines the barriers that impede spin-out companies' successful establishment and growth within South African universities. The study's primary objective is to identify and analyse these barriers and propose actionable strategies to enhance the commercialisation outcomes of university-based research. Through a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, including TTO representatives and university staff, to gain deep insights into the challenges faced by spin-out companies. Five key barriers emerged from the analysis: financial constraints and funding limitations, organisational and bureaucratic inefficiencies, inadequate leadership and entrepreneurial culture, limited adoption of technological tools and digital transformation, and misalignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These barriers are critically analysed using theoretical models such as SWOT analysis and the Business Model Canvas, providing a structured understanding of the complexities within the commercialisation ecosystem. The study also examines the impact of leadership styles within TTOs, explores the potential of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance commercialisation processes, and investigates how spinouts can contribute to SDGs. Findings reveal that ineffective leadership and complex regulatory environments exacerbate the challenges faced by spinouts. At the same time, the absence of a robust ecosystem and limited industry partnerships further hinder their success. Based on these findings, the study presents strategic recommendations to address each identified barrier. These include establishing university-linked seed funds, simplifying bureaucratic processes, fostering an entrepreneurial culture through training and mentorship, leveraging digital tools for efficiency, and advocating for policy reforms that support spin-out development. Additionally, aligning spin-out activities with SDGs is proposed to enhance societal impact and attract sustainability-focused investments. The study’s conclusions emphasise the need for a holistic approach that integrates leadership, policy, technology, and sustainability considerations to create a conducive environment for spin-out companies. The recommendations will guide university administrators, policymakers, and TTO leaders in fostering a vibrant and sustainable spin-out ecosystem within the South African higher education sector. Future research directions are suggested to explore external stakeholders' perspectives, conduct comparative studies with international contexts, and quantitatively assess the impact of digital transformation initiatives on spin-out success. This dissertation contributes to the growing body of knowledge on academic entrepreneurship. It provides practical insights for enhancing the commercialisation of university research in South Africa, ultimately supporting national innovation and economic development goals.
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and its legal effect on Regional Trade Agreements in Africa
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2025) Mnika, Siphelele; Klaasen, Abraham; Klaasen, Abraham- 11232536
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will play a crucial role in Africa’s economic future. Apart from being the largest FTA in the world with 55 Member States, AfCFTA is poised to lead a significant shift in the trade landscape on the African continent. Its primary purpose is to form a single market for goods and services by promoting solidarity among African nations. This solidarity is further evidenced in the establishment of regional economic communities (RECs) and regional trade agreements (RTAs) to enhance Africa's unity, integration, and competitiveness. In simple terms, the AfCFTA Agreement looks to achieve its set goals by boosting intra-African trade. The current trade landscape in Africa is best defined as one with vast regional trade regimes. There are eight RECs and many RTAs in Africa. This regional trade regime means that African nations are members of multiple bilateral and multilateral agreements. Despite most RECs taking steps to achieve effective regional integration, these agreements have failed to establish adequate levels of intra-regional trade. Member States still trade more with countries outside their respective regions, and even more with countries outside of the continent than they do with other Member States. The eight RECs are building blocks of the AfCFTA Agreement. As such the AfCFTA Agreement does not seek to nullify all pre-existing RTAs. However, regional agreements contain varying terms and conditions, and the policies entrenched therein will vary between regions and parties. This makes conflict between the AfCFTA and pre-existing RTAs and RECs inevitable. This dissertation analyses how the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement will affect existing RTAs and RECs. The study begins by explaining the motivation for this study, followed by the history and implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. It goes on to define Africa’s current trade landscape and the importance of RTAs. It then analyses the possible conflicts and challenges, such as overlapping memberships and legal harmonisation. The dissertation concludes by providing recommendations to address the possible challenges.
Addressing copyright in the digital age: a proposal for measures and legislative solutions in South Africa
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2025) Tlomatsana, Kanyane Randy; Mutubi, Kabelo; Mutubi, Kabelo- 37047426
N/A
The protection of the rights of child offenders in pursuit of juvenile justice in selected African countries
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2025) Tombo, Karen; Stoffels, Myrone Christopher; Koraan, Rene Hilary Cheryl-Anne; Stoffels, Myrone Christopher- 21424446; Koraan, Rene Hilary Cheryl-Anne- 11994509
Children are among the most vulnerable populations in the world. Their vulnerability worsens when they are exposed to the law. Children in conflict with the law face numerous challenges and violation of their fundamental rights. The protection of their rights is a cause for concern and requires urgent attention from states, policymaker and social and civil organisations. In their quest to ensure that the rights of children are protected, the United Nations and African Union enacted several legal instruments. These legal instruments were enacted as a measure to preserve the rights of children. International standards provide a critical framework guiding national practices. These laws are binding to member states who are signatories to the legal instruments and who have ratified the legal instruments in their distinct jurisdictions. Previous studies that have been conducted have revealed that, although member states are signatory to the United Nations and African Union legislations and have made attempts to ratify these legal instruments, to date some of these member states are not effectively implementing these legal instruments. Consequently, the purpose of signing and ratifying these international law instruments is not being fully realised. Research has also proven that in some selected African countries, children in conflict with the law are ill-informed about their rights and end up being exploited. This study was therefore an attempt to bring to light a few of international laws that deal with the rights of child offenders, their purposes and aims. Findings of a comparative analysis of four selected African countries namely: South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe are a confirmation of the gap that exists between enactment of legislation and implementation thereof. While these countries should be applauded for enacting legislation to protect the rights of children, there is evidence that they fall short of implementing the legislation thus failing to realise the purpose of the legislation. As a result, there is need to adopt best practice that resonates with the needs of children in conflict with the law.
The Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 regulation of crypto assets and its impact on South Africa’s international trade
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2025) Ikpechukwu, Ugonma Gugulethu; Preston, Margaretha Johanna; Preston, Margaretha Johanna- 22998632
In October 2022, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) published a General Notice wherein crypto assets were declared as financial products in terms of section 1 of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 (FAIS Act ). This study examines how the regulation of crypto assets as financial products under the FAIS Act impacts international trade in South Africa. It commences by exploring the nature of crypto assets and distinguishing them from fiat currency as some crypto assets can be currencies. It establishes their classification as decentralised convertible virtual currencies. This means that crypto assets have no centralised authority, like a central bank, which issues them. Instead, they operate on a decentralised network, blockchain. The study further examines the development of international trade and the factors that influence it, focusing, especially on, the theory of comparative advantage. This theory claims that benefit from trading with each other by specialising in the production of a certain good or service at a lower cost. This leads to the examination of the role currency plays in international trade transactions. It establishes that the US Dollar is the dominant currency used in international trade transactions and that there is a global call for the use of an alternative currency for international trade transactions. This study contends that certain crypto assets in the form of cryptocurrencies are a viable alternative to the US Dollar that could be used as the dominant currency in international trade transactions. It further asserts that crypto assets offer potential solutions to the many challenges of international trade such as high transaction costs. The use of crypto assets as a medium of exchange in international trade transactions eliminates the need for intermediaries thereby making the transaction cheaper and faster. Finally, this study analyses the FAIS Act as a regulatory framework for crypto assets in South Africa. It contends that this regulation classifies crypto assets as derivative financial products. It further explores how this regulation impacts international trade. It concludes that the regulation of crypto assets as financial products positively impacts international trade in South Africa. Crypto assets offer a much cheaper and faster alternative to fiat currency in international trade transactions. This regulation balances risk management and innovation thereby fostering an environment in which crypto assets can positively contribute to the development and modernization of international trade in South Africa.