A sustainable industrialisation model for the ocean economy of South Africa
- Authors: Williams, Mark
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Marine resources , Shipping -- Economic aspects Marine terminals -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44401 , vital:37164
- Description: South African role players recognise that when truly exploited and well-managed, the South African ocean economy can constitute a source of wealth and significantly increase South Africa’s fortunes and, by doing so, contribute towards the increased economic growth, employment growth and ultimately the development of South Africa. However, as a result of the multi-dimensional and complex nature of ocean economic systems, role players in South Africa faced the problem of identifying the factors that influence the success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa. The aim of this research was to contribute to the promotion and sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa, in an effort to address the challenge mentioned above. In order to achieve this aim, the objective was to develop and test a conceptual theoretical model which will assist industrialists and other role players in South Africa to increase their economic activities sustainably in the ocean economy. Evidence from this research indicated that if the factors influencing the industrialisation of the ocean economy could be identified, assessed and recommendations could be made which may contribute to the promotion and sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa. The focus of the literature study was firstly on the global perspective of the marine industry, particularly how nations around the world are involved in the various components of the ocean economy and the challenges, as well as issues, the world confronts in respect of the marine industry and secondly, to give consideration to global solutions that are relevant for South Africa. The research effort, furthermore, explored South Africa’s legislative, policy and other consideration that has a direct impact on the ocean economy. The literature study on both global and South African perspectives of ocean economies found ten major variables that influence the sustainability of the industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa. These variables include one intervening variable, infrastructure development as well as nine independent variables namely demand planning, strategic partnering, knowledge management, access to finance, institutional environment, value-chain integration, resource management, regulatory environment, and innovation. All variables were hypothesised as they were perceived to positively influence the dependent variable namely: the perceived success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa The influencing factors, defined and operationalised, were then structured in a questionnaire which was sent randomly to specialists in the ocean economies around the world. Data was collected from 246 respondents and subjected to various statistical analysis techniques. Firstly, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to assess the discriminant validity of the research instrument. Secondly, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated for each of the identified factors to confirm the reliability of the research instrument. The significance of the hypothesised relationships in the revised model was then tested by using the statistical technique known as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The key contribution of this research to the South Africa’s ocean economy body of knowledge is as follows: The research into the contributing factors which influence the success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa, The development of a theoretical model for the industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa that can be used by role players in South Africa to promote economic activities sustainably in the ocean economy, The research investigated the ocean economy ecosystem, the global economic exploitation of the ocean and issues and challenges surrounding such exploitation, Consider South Africa’s own efforts at economic exploitation of the ocean and the issues and challenges surrounding such exploitation. Findings and recommendations on empirically accessed factors which significantly affect the likelihood of the sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa. In conclusion, the theoretical model and operational recommendations that are offered in this research do serve as a useful guideline as to what the key success factors are that will influence the sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Improving the performance intent of school-based educators in the Uitenhage district
- Authors: Williams, Mark
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Performance contracts in education , Teachers -- Self-rating of , Self-evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4034 , vital:20506
- Description: Results from recent international assessments showed that the performance of South African learners in these international benchmarking assessments remained at rock bottom of the study rankings. These results not only paint a dim picture of the ability, work ethic and attitude of learners in the South African schooling system, but it also calls into question the performance intent of educators. This study becomes very important against the background that learners being taught in South African classrooms are increasingly facing stiffer competition in the market place due to the phenomenon of globalisation. The perception of the international community pertaining to the quality of teaching and learning in South African schools is bound to impact significantly on the keenness of foreign countries to engage with South Africa on a meaningful scale. The primary objective of the study is to improve the performance intent of school-based educators in the Uitenhage Education District. More specifically, the study investigates the relationship between the performance intent of educators (the dependent variable) and motivation, commitment to profession, commitment to the leader, community engagement and professional development (the independent variables). Given the constraint of distance, the sample was limited to schools in the Uitenhage Education District, and for this reason, convenience sampling was used for purposes of this study. Three hundred and sixty questionnaires were issued, of which 316 were returned (a response rate of 88%). The empirical results revealed all the independent variables impact significantly on the performance intent of educators at public schools in the Uitenhage Education District. The research findings cannot be generalised to all schools in the province because the sampled schools compose only a relatively small portion of all schools in the Eastern Cape Province. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
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- Date Issued: 2015