Local media reporting on nuclear energy in South Africa: an analysis of articles from selected state and news publications, 2011-2015
- Authors: Swart, Debbie-Lynn
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nuclear industry -- Press coverage , Reporters and reporting , Journalistic ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9218 , vital:26480
- Description: South Africa saw a rapid growth in energy needs after 1996 which was driven by the states newly established socio-economic development agenda. At the same time, there was insufficient investment in new energy infrastructure and maintenance of existing infrastructure. This opposing combination led to an energy crisis which nuclear power has been proposed to alleviate. The following paper critically examines the articles published between 2011 and 2015 pertaining to nuclear energy from five media publications. The articles were sourced online and include those from respected state, public, science and economic publications: Government websites, The Mail & Guardian, The Sowetan, The Mining & Engineering Weekly and The Business Day. This examination was done to assess the representation of nuclear energy and the new build programme in South Africa. In order to accurately analyze the state and news media coverage, both a quantitative and qualitative content analysis was done. The trends evident from this analysis are triangulated against four media theories in order to identify specific trends related to the reporting of nuclear energy. The theories of Agenda Setting and Framing are used to interpret Models of Good Governance and themes of Social Responsibility. The evident trends indicate a change in representation of the nuclear new build programme over the sample period. The media coverage reflected environmental, economic and political interest as well as associated fears.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Successes and challenges of women's income generating projects in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Hamunakwadi, Purity
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Women in development -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Employment -- Zimbabwe , Economic development projects -- Zimbabwe , Women in rural development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6810 , vital:21145
- Description: Women’s income-generating projects are regarded as a critical area in promoting sustainable livelihoods in the lives of the poor. This study centres on a cattle project in Sadomba village in Nyanga District, Zimbabwe. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role and contributions of income-generating projects with regard to women; the necessary conditions for a successful cattle production project; the major challenges in women’s income-generating projects, and how income-generating projects can be strengthened, all in relation to this cattle project.The study is underpinned by the sustainable livelihood approach and literature on micro-financing of women’s projects in various countries. The study is based on qualitative methodology using a case study design and methods of data collection included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and sub-themes that arose in the study and thereafter all the data was grouped by a process of coding. The results indicated that the Sadomba cattle project has benefited the project members in terms of income generation by the selling of cattle and milk, for agricultural purposes (draught power) and also income they obtained from hiring their cattle to other community members in rainy seasons. The income generated has assisted them to send their children to school and attain higher education.In addition, it promotes community engagement when they share paddocks and dip tanks. However, despite these benefits, they face a number of challenges such as long distances to the market, a lack of microcredit and the unavailability of exotic breeds. Therefore, there is need to integrate the conditions that are necessary for successful income generating projects to the Sadomba cattle project.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Determining the critical success factors for implementing lean manufacturing in South Africa: a case study
- Authors: Pitout, Callum John
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Production management -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021082
- Description: The lean manufacturing system that evolved in Japan since World War II has leapt across the globe to North America and Europe. The secret success of Japan’s manufacturing machine has been shared. In Europe and America, lean has been identified as a manufacturing best practice that should be adopted to ensure competitive manufacturing efficiency. Many success stories have been told of American companies adopting the Japanese lean tools and techniques. Now, South African manufacturers are implementing the lean manufacturing philosophy, some with more success than others. This research paper explores lean manufacturing implementations at two South African automotive component manufacturers and identifies the critical success factors that have driven the implementation process forward. Commitment from top company executives, extensive training, worker empowerment and other critical success factors for implementing lean manufacturing into a South African environment are identified as a result of the research conducted.
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- Date Issued: 2006
Towards a better understanding of information systems strategy options and its link with business strategy
- Authors: Buchanan, Darryl Vaughn
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Management information systems , Strategic planning -- Data processing , Information technology -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/267 , Management information systems , Strategic planning -- Data processing , Information technology -- Management
- Description: There is considerable evidence that the strategic use of Information Systems can lead to a competitive advantage. There is however, a marked lack of understanding of the options available, as well as the smooth coordination of Information Systems strategy with Business strategy. This paper provides insight into the role of Information Systems and its link with business strategy. It focuses on Information Systems strategy options, and explores the criteria needed for successful Information Systems strategy and Business strategy alignment. The paper presents and examines the results of a study of strategic alignment at Volkswagen of South Africa. Data was obtained from business and Information Technology executives. The result of the study enables Volkswagen not only to benchmark themselves, but also provides direction to enable successful business/IT alignment. It identifies specific actions necessary to ensure that IT is being used to appropriately enable or drive the business strategy.
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- Date Issued: 2004