Tendani Thabela-Chimboza
ABSTRACT
This paper reports findings on how industry players frame Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) compliance in the South African Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. B-BBEE resembles Affirmative Action (AA) policies which have been implemented globally to redress historical inequalities. However, in South Africa, B-BBEE is not a narrow AA policy, but an instrumental domestic economic growth strategy. In the National Integrated ICT policy, B-BBEE is positioned as a driver for sectoral growth and an imperative for operating a business. Despite this reality, B-BBEE compliance has received little attention from Information Systems (IS) researchers. The study used framing both as an analytical tool and a sensitising theory to analyse 65 news articles to see how industry players frame B-BBEE compliance. The findings revealed that industry players framed B-BBEE compliance as ethical, competitive advantage, anti-economic growth, anti-FDI, minority discrimination and a complexity. The study also reveals interesting theory with regards to new public policy acceptance in technology-driven environment.
- 2016: a turbulent year for ICT | ITWeb: 2016. https://www.itweb.co.za/content/XGxwQD71ZY6MlPVo. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Acemoglu, D. et al. 2007. Black Economic Empowerment and economic performance in South Africa. Journal of Corporate Citizenship. 12 (2007), 93--101.Google Scholar
- AdaptIT mentors Uyandiswa to be independent - BizNis Africa: 2017. https://www.biznisafrica.com/adaptit-mentors-uyandiswa-to-be-independent/. Accessed: 2018-11-09.Google Scholar
- Andrews, A.C. et al. 2017. Finding the Right Value: Framing Effects on Domain Experts. Political Psychology. (2017).Google Scholar
- B-BBEE Advisory Council 2018. Youth Employment Sevice. McKinsey Global Institute. 1 (2018), 1--16.Google Scholar
- Birkland, T.A. 2016. An Introduction to the Public Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy Making. Routledge.Google Scholar
- BITF takes Vodacom to task over transformation | ITWeb: 2017. https://www.itweb.co.za/content/WKBpdgvpNEMLEew1. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Cairney, P. 2012. Complexity Theory in Political Science and Public Policy. Political Studies Review. (2012).Google Scholar
- Calitz, A.P. et al. 2015. South African Alumni Perceptions of the Industry ICT Skills Requirements. (Johannesburg, 2015).Google Scholar
- Delayed shareholder payouts still haunt MTN Zakhele - Moneyweb: 2017. https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/unpaid-shareholder-payouts-still-haunt-mtn-zakhele/. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 2016. Amended Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) ICT Sector Code of 2016. 9, 36928 (2016), 3--107.Google Scholar
- Devitt, C. and O'Neill, E. 2017. The framing of two major flood episodes in the Irish print news media: Implications for societal adaptation to living with flood risk. Public Understanding of Science. 26, 7 (2017), 872--888.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Don't revert to BBEEE fronting to get tenders | IT-Online: 2018. https://it-online.co.za/2018/01/18/dont-revert-to-bbeee-fronting-to-get-tenders/. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Ellyne, M. and Yu, and J. 2017. China's Success Attracting FDI and Lessons for South Africa. 2017.essa.org.za. (2017).Google Scholar
- Elnaggar, A. 2007. The status of Omani women in the ICT sector Ayman Elnaggar Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT),. 3, 3 (2007), 4--15.Google Scholar
- Empowerdex 2017. An Empowerdex Report Impact of Bee Implementation on Profit Margin And Productivity: Impact of BEE on Profit Margin and Productivity.Google Scholar
- Entman, R.M. 2007. Framing bias: Media in the distribution of power. Journal of Communication. 57, 1 (2007), 163--173.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Fillmore, C.J. 1976. Frame Semantics and the Nature of Language. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Gamson, W.A. and Modigliani, A. 1989. Media Discourse and Public Opinion on Nuclear Power: A Constructionist Approach Author (s): William A. Gamson and Andre Modigliani Source: American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 95, No. 1 (Jul., 1989), pp. 1--37 Published by: The University of C. The university of Chicago. 95, 1 (1989), 1--37.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Garrido, M. et al. 2012. Understanding the Links Between ICT Skills Training and Employability: An Analytical Framework. Information Technologies & International Development. 8, 2 (2012), 17--32.Google Scholar
- Goffman, E. 1975. The presentation of self in everyday life.Google Scholar
- Goffman, E. 1959. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Teacher. (1959).Google Scholar
- Göktuğ Morçöl 2012. A Complexity Theory for Public Policy - Göktuğ Morçöl. Routledge.Google Scholar
- Goldber 2018. Mining Charter 3 and B-BBEE. December (2018), 12--13.Google Scholar
- Gordon, F. 2009. An investigation into the extent of economic transformation in the ICT sector in the Western Cape. University of Stellenbosch.Google Scholar
- Hallahan, K. 1999. Seven Models of Framin: Implications for Public Relations Seven Models of Framing: Implications for Public Relations. Journal of Public Relations Research. 11, 3 (1999), 205--242.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Hammer, J. 2016. Finding the facts: south africa's future leaders. Jack Hammer Report. 3, (2016), 1--36.Google Scholar
- Harris, K.L. 2017. BEE-ing Chinese in South Africa: a legal historic perspective. Fundamina. 23, 2 (2017), 1--20.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Hitachi Data Systems achieves Level 3 B-BBEE rating |IT News Africa - Up to date technology news, IT news, Digital news, Telecom news, Mobile news, Gadgets news, Analysis and Reports | Africa's Technology News Leader: 2015. http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2015/05/hitachi-data-systems-achieves-level-3-b-bbee-rating/. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- Horne, R. 2017. Patterns of empowerment and disempowerment in the South African mining sector. 9, 1 (2017), 3--32.Google Scholar
- Howlett, M. 2017. The criteria for effective policy design: character and context in policy instrument choice. Journal of Asian Public Policy. 11, 3 (2017), 1--22.Google Scholar
- ICT codes bring new challenges for SA firms | IT-Online: 2016. https://it-online.co.za/2016/11/23/ict-codes-bring-new-challenges-for-sa-firms/. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- ICT Sector performing poorly in transformation | SAnews: 2016. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/ict-sector-performing-poorly-transformation. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Kassnerf, A. 2016. Diggin Deep Into Gold Fields: South Africa's Unrealized Black Economic Empowerment in the Shadows of Executive Discretion. 101, 2015 (2016), 667--697.Google Scholar
- Keith, B. 2004. Disciplinary culture and organizational dissonance: The regional association in American sociology. Sociological Focus. 37, 2 (2004), 83--105.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Kirlidog, M. et al. 2018. Unfulfilled need: reasons for insufficient ICT skills In South Africa. Information Development. 34, 1 (2018), 5--19.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Krüger, L.P. 2016. Black economic empowerment in post-1994 South Africa: ANC curse and/or socialist/communist covenant? Problems and Perspectives in Management. 14, 3 (2016), 162--178.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Lee, B. 2009. Foreign Correspondents and Their News Frames: A Study of News Contents on North Korea. 1, 1 (2009), 147--175.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Lindsay, D.M. 2015. BEE Informed: A Diagnosis of Black Economic Empowerment and its Role in the Political Economy of South Africa. University of the Witwatersrand.Google Scholar
- Linstrom, M. and Marais, W. 2012. Qualitative News Frame Analysis: A Methodology. Communitas. 17, (2012), 21--38.Google Scholar
- Manyuchi, A.E. 2017. African Structures for Governing Foreign Direct Investment: a Critique. Strategic Review for Southern Africa. 39, 1 (2017), 139--159.Google Scholar
- Mersham, G.M. and Skinner, C. Society and Business Review South Africa's bold and unique experiment in CSR practice Article information. Society and Business Review. 11, 2, 110--129.Google Scholar
- Mersham, G.M. and Skinner, C. 2016. South Africa's bold and unique experiment in CSR practice. Society and Business Review. 11, 2 (Jul. 2016), 110--129.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Mersham, G.M. and Skinner, C. 2016. South Africa's bold and unique experiment in CSR practice. Society and Business Review. 11, 2 (2016), 110--129.Google ScholarCross Ref
- MICT SETA 2018. Media, Information and Communication Technology (MICT) SETA Annual Report 2017/2018 | ITA.Google Scholar
- Mohapi, M. and Njenga, K. 2012. Conceptualising the effect of the black economic empowerment score-card on IT governance. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. 54, 1 (2012), 1--44.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Myers, M. and Cand, E. 2000. Qualitative Research and the Generalizability Question: Standing Firm with Proteus by. The Qualitative Report. 4, 3/4 (2000), 1--6.Google Scholar
- New, tougher BEE rules are hitting SA companies hard: 2016. https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/133648/new-tougher-bee-rules-are-hitting-sa-companies-hard/. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- New BEE regulations in South Africa "unworkable": 2017. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/business/205864-new-bee-regulations-in-south-africa-unworkable.html. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- Ngcobo, R. and Ladzani, W. 2016. Analysis of economic transformation intervention in South Africa - the CA charter. Environmental Economics. 7, 3 (2016), 17--24.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Nisbet, M. 2009. Communicating climate change: Why frames matter for public engagement. Environment. 51, 2 (2009), 12--25.Google Scholar
- Paul D'Angelo and Jim A. Kuypers 2010. Doing News Framing Analysis.Google Scholar
- Ponge, A. 2016. Bridging the Gender Digital Divide: Challenges in Access and Utilization of ICTs for Development at the Devolved Level in Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development. 5, 7 (2016).Google Scholar
- Quigley, J. 2018. Digital Commons @ Montana Tech A Video Guide to Navigating the Challenges of a High-Tech Business in Montana A Video Guide to Navigating the Challenges of a High Tech Business in Montana.Google Scholar
- Radical Economic Transformation will hurt South Africa's ICT industry: 2017. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/business/207206-radical-economic-transformation-will-hurt-south-africas-ict-industry.html. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- Riaz Gardee: MTN swaps 'Zakhele' for "Futhi" - a disappointing BEE deal -BizNews.com: 2016. https://www.biznews.com/sa-investing/2016/08/23/riaz-gardee-mtn-swaps-zakhele-for-futhi-a-disappointing-bee-deal. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Richardson, J.D. and Lancendorfer, K.M. 2004. Framing Affirmative Action. Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics. 9, 4 (2004), 74--94.Google Scholar
- Roberson, L. et al. 2017. Hiring for Diversity: The Challenges Faced by American and European Companies in Employee Selection. Springer, Cham. 151--171.Google Scholar
- Robert Geyer and Paul Cairney 2015. Handbook on Complexity and Public Policy - Google Books. Edward Elgar.Google Scholar
- RSPH strikes strategic partnership to become B-BBEE compliant: 2018. https://www.consultancy.co.za/news/435/rsph-strikes-strategic-partnership-to-become-b-bbee-compliant. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- SA Government 2011. Full National development Plan Our future - make it work.Google Scholar
- Schofield, A. 2018. 2018 JCSE-IITPSA ICT Skills Survey.Google Scholar
- Shah, H.B. 2018. Radical Reconstruction: (Re) Embracing Affirmative Action in Private Employment. 1, 1 (2018), 8--23.Google Scholar
- South Africa: MTN launches new R9.9 billion BEE transaction |IT News Africa - Up to date technology news, IT news, Digital news, Telecom news, Mobile news, Gadgets news, Analysis and Reports | Africa's Technology News Leader: 2016. http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2016/08/south-africa-mtn-launches-new-r9-9-billion-bee-transaction/. Accessed: 2018-11-15.Google Scholar
- Telkom explains 'no white-owned businesses' tenders: 2012. https://businesstech.co.za/news/telecommunications/8007/telkom-explains-no-white-owned-businesses-tenders/. Accessed: 2018-11-14.Google Scholar
- Tendani Thabela-Chimboza 2017. A diagnosis of complexities inherent in the B-BBEE ICT sector code which hinder organisational compliance - Research Portal - Converis Standard Config. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE AFRICAN NETWORKED SOCIETY (Cape Town, 2017), 1--12.Google Scholar
- Thompson, S. 2017. Defining and measuring "inclusion" within an organisation.Google Scholar
- Umbricht, A. and Esser, F. 2016. The Push to Popularize Politics: Understanding the audience-friendly packaging of political news in six media systems since the 1960s. Journalism Studies. 17, 1 (2016), 100--121.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Wallace, C. 2017. Empowerment and Apartheid's Lingering Legacy: Evaluating the Effectiveness of B-BBEE Policy. (2017).Google Scholar
- Why BEE deals fail and is there a better way? - Pula Capital Partners: 2017. http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/713/159791.html. Accessed: 2018-11-13.Google Scholar
- Why tech companies like IBM and Intel support affirmative action at colleges: 2015. https://money.cnn.com/2015/12/09/pf/college/ibm-intel-dupont-affirmative-action/index.html. Accessed: 2019-04-16.Google Scholar
- Zhongdang Pan; Gerald M. Kosicki 1993. Framing analysis: An approach to news discourse. 4, 4 (1993), 14--27.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- How does the South African ICT sector frame B-BBEE?
Recommendations
ICT-enabled public sector innovation: trends and prospects
ICEGOV '13: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic GovernanceThis experience paper is a personal thinkpiece which outlines many of the main issues and discussions taking place in Europe and elsewhere about the future of the public sector and how it can respond positively to some of the acute challenges it faces ...
ICT learning experience and research orientation as predictors of ICT skills and the ICT use of university students
Since our first studies of information and communications technology (ICT) skills and ICT use at universities in 2004, ICT and its use by students has changed greatly. In order to obtain a more detailed picture of ICT skills, we first construct a new ...
ICT Diffusion, Foreign Direct Investment and Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa
Highlights- This study examines the effects of ICT diffusion and FDI on inclusive growth.
- ...
AbstractThis study examines the joint effects of ICT diffusion (composed of access, usage and skills), and foreign direct investment (FDI) on inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study draws on data from the World Bank’s World ...
Comments