Research at SEBS

SEBS is committed to active, relevant and cutting-edge research. In addition to the research activities of staff in all six of our disciplines, the School also houses four research units: the African Microeconomic Research Umbrella (AMERU); the Institutions and Political Economy Group (IPEG); the Corporate Strategy and Industrial Development (CSID) Research Programme; and the Macro-Financial Analysis Group.

AMERU

The African Microeconomic Research Umbrella brings together South African and African researchers to conduct rigorous quantitative research on African microeconomic issues, specifically on firms and labour markets. The programme aims to produce rigorous data-driven research that is relevant for policy makers; build networks between South African, African and international researchers working on Africa; and develop research capacity for the analysis of microeconomic data. Dr Neil Rankin is AMERU’s founding Director. 

CSID

The Corporate Strategy and Industrial Development (CSID) conducts unique research in the areas of industrial development; local and regional economic development; competition policy and regulation; global financialisation and corporate change in the South African Economy; and the macroeconomic environment and economic structure. It has worked with and directly informed policy making in the office of the Presidency, at the Department of Trade and Industry, the South African Competition Commission and a range of corporate organisations. The CSID is also involved in teaching and recently launched both Honours and Masters degrees in Development Theory and Policy. Mr Seeraj Mohammed is the Programme’s director.

Findata@Wits

 A research project for the Faculty run under the auspices of the Finance Discipline,  Findata@Wits is a comprehensive financial database used for research.

Health Informatic Research Cluster

Coordinator: Prof Jason Cohen

This is the newest of our research clusters but has quickly grown in both the number of research students which have been attracted, and the number of projects it has commenced. The program has a particular interest on patient and clinician-readiness for IT enabled health care, and on the impacts of health IT on access, quality and cost containment within health systems.

Information Technology And Education Research Cluster

Coordinator: Prof Judy Backhouse

This research cluster focuses on IT education and training, and the use of IT within teaching and learning. Projects in curriculum issues, competencies required by graduates, continuing development and education, and e-learning are amongst the focus areas.

IPEG

The Institutions and Political Economy Group (IPEG) promotes the study of the relationship among institutions, organisations and markets through the simple principles of economic reasoning. It applies the insights generated by institutional, organisational, political and public economics to issues pertaining to economic performance through time. IPEG is directed by Prof Giampaolo Garzarelli.

IT Adoption and Research Cluster

Coordinator: Jean-Marie Bancilhon

This research program group focuses on the adoption of information technologies at both the individual and organizational levels. The program has developed a particular interest in the use of technologies within the service sector, the adoption of technologies by consumers, and also has a strong interest in carrying out cross-national and cross-sectoral comparisons.

Management of Information Systems Research Cluster

Coordinator: Prof Jason Cohen

This research program focuses on issues arising in the management of the information systems workforce, the management of IS implementation projects, the strategic management of IS, and the contribution of IS to business performance. In the last 10 years, this research group has produced over 25 publications (conferences papers and journals articles), and it has successfully collaborated internationally. A number of Masters students have also completed their required research studies under this program. Work from this research program was for many years a primary input into our Masters by coursework degree.

Strategic Foresight Research Group (SFRG)

This School of Economic and Business Sciences and School of Accountancy research group includes international members (currently German and New Zealand) and combines the expertise of Accountants and Management scientists in research projects that have a generalized strategic focus. The group involves itself in researching topics that are of national and international strategic importance such as: risk and crisis management, education, tax and accounting systems, social responsibility and business sustainability. The SFRG has presented papers at the Southern African Institute for Management Scientists and the British Academy of Management and recently published papers in : The African Journal of Business Management, The Journal of Business Ethics and Critical Perspectives in Accounting.