A model for privacy-aware presence management in mobile communications
- Authors: Ophoff, Jacobus Albertus
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mobile communications systems , Mobile communication systems -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1354 , Mobile communications systems , Mobile communication systems -- Management
- Description: As humans we find communicating natural and compelling. Over the centuries we have created many innovations which enable and improve communication between people; during the past decade mobile phone networks have brought about a technological revolution in this area. Never before have people been so connected to one another. Today we have the ability to communicate with almost anyone, anytime, anywhere. Our increased connectivity and reachability also leads to new issues and challenges that we need to deal with. When we phone someone we expect an instant connection, and when this does not occur it can be frustrating. On the other hand it is equally disruptive to receive a call when one is busy with an important task or in a situation where communication is inappropriate. Social protocol dictates that we try to minimize such situations for the benefit of others nearby and for ourselves. This management of communications is a constant and difficult task. Using presence – which signals a person’s availability and willingness to communicate – is a solution to this problem. Such information can benefit communication partners by increasing the likelihood of a successful connection and decreasing disruptions. This research addresses the problem of staying connected while keeping control over mobile communications. It adopts a design-science research paradigm, with the primary research artifact being a model for privacy-aware presence management in mobile communications. As part of the model development knowledge contributions are made in several ways. Existing knowledge about the problem area is extended through a quantitative analysis of mobile communications management. This analysis uses a novel survey, collecting useful empirical data for future research. This includes how people currently manage their communications and what features they expect from a potential “call management” system. The examination and use of presence standards, as a foundation for the model, provides a comparison of the main presence technologies available today. A focus on privacy features identifies several shortcomings in standards which, if addressed, can help to improve and make these standards more complete. The model stresses the privacy of potentially sensitive presence information. A unique perspective based on social relationship theories is adopted. The use of relationship groups not only makes logical sense but also assists in the management of presence information and extends existing standards. Finally, the evaluation of the model demonstrates the feasibility of a practical implementation as well the ability to extend the model in next generation mobile networks. Thus the model presents a solid foundation for the development of future services. In these ways the proposed model contributes positively towards balancing efficient mobile communications with the need for privacy-awareness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ophoff, Jacobus Albertus
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mobile communications systems , Mobile communication systems -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1354 , Mobile communications systems , Mobile communication systems -- Management
- Description: As humans we find communicating natural and compelling. Over the centuries we have created many innovations which enable and improve communication between people; during the past decade mobile phone networks have brought about a technological revolution in this area. Never before have people been so connected to one another. Today we have the ability to communicate with almost anyone, anytime, anywhere. Our increased connectivity and reachability also leads to new issues and challenges that we need to deal with. When we phone someone we expect an instant connection, and when this does not occur it can be frustrating. On the other hand it is equally disruptive to receive a call when one is busy with an important task or in a situation where communication is inappropriate. Social protocol dictates that we try to minimize such situations for the benefit of others nearby and for ourselves. This management of communications is a constant and difficult task. Using presence – which signals a person’s availability and willingness to communicate – is a solution to this problem. Such information can benefit communication partners by increasing the likelihood of a successful connection and decreasing disruptions. This research addresses the problem of staying connected while keeping control over mobile communications. It adopts a design-science research paradigm, with the primary research artifact being a model for privacy-aware presence management in mobile communications. As part of the model development knowledge contributions are made in several ways. Existing knowledge about the problem area is extended through a quantitative analysis of mobile communications management. This analysis uses a novel survey, collecting useful empirical data for future research. This includes how people currently manage their communications and what features they expect from a potential “call management” system. The examination and use of presence standards, as a foundation for the model, provides a comparison of the main presence technologies available today. A focus on privacy features identifies several shortcomings in standards which, if addressed, can help to improve and make these standards more complete. The model stresses the privacy of potentially sensitive presence information. A unique perspective based on social relationship theories is adopted. The use of relationship groups not only makes logical sense but also assists in the management of presence information and extends existing standards. Finally, the evaluation of the model demonstrates the feasibility of a practical implementation as well the ability to extend the model in next generation mobile networks. Thus the model presents a solid foundation for the development of future services. In these ways the proposed model contributes positively towards balancing efficient mobile communications with the need for privacy-awareness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Thermal degradation of diamond compacts: a TEM investigation
- Authors: Westraadt, Johan Ewald
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Materials -- Thermal properties Chemical weathering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10829 , vital:26827
- Description: Diamond compacts consist of fine diamond grains bonded together by using high pressure and high temperature. In this study transmission electron microscopy (TEM)was used to study thermal degradation of diamond compacts. Three different types of diamond compacts – namely cobalt polycrystalline diamond (PCD), calcium carbonate PCD, and diamond-SiC composites – were investigated with TEM to understand the processes that occur during synthesis. These compacts were then heated in inert atmospheres and the chemical changes studied with TEM. It was found that PCD, using cobalt as a bonding agent, will degrade after exposure to temperatures above 750ºC. The cobalt pools contain tungsten in solid solution. During heat treatment above 700ºC the solid solution tungsten combines with cobalt and dissolved carbon to form η-phase particles at the cobalt/diamond interface. At higher temperatures or insufficient tungsten levels the rate of dissolved carbon, into the cobalt pool, is too high and the excess carbon will form as graphite in the cobalt pool. Increased levels of solid solution tungsten, in the cobalt, is expected to delay the onset of graphitization in the diamond compact, thereby increasing the thermal stability of the diamond compact. Non-metallic PCD using calcium carbonate as a bonding agent was successfully sintered in this study. TEM revealed similar micro-structural features as in cobalt based PCD. No signs of thermal degradation were found after exposure to 1200ºC in vacuum for this PCD. Contaminants introduced during processing prevented a detailed study of the binder in this system. The effect of substitutional metal atoms and plastic deformation of diamond on the thermal stability of diamond-SiC composites were investigated. A piston cylinder press was developed and used to synthesize diamond-SiC composites with different levels of plastically deformed diamond. It was concluded that substitutional metal atoms and plastic deformation of diamond grains play no role in the thermal degradation of diamond compacts at 750ºC. The thermal degradation of cobalt PCD is therefore completely determined by the cobalt/diamond interaction at 750ºC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Westraadt, Johan Ewald
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Materials -- Thermal properties Chemical weathering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10829 , vital:26827
- Description: Diamond compacts consist of fine diamond grains bonded together by using high pressure and high temperature. In this study transmission electron microscopy (TEM)was used to study thermal degradation of diamond compacts. Three different types of diamond compacts – namely cobalt polycrystalline diamond (PCD), calcium carbonate PCD, and diamond-SiC composites – were investigated with TEM to understand the processes that occur during synthesis. These compacts were then heated in inert atmospheres and the chemical changes studied with TEM. It was found that PCD, using cobalt as a bonding agent, will degrade after exposure to temperatures above 750ºC. The cobalt pools contain tungsten in solid solution. During heat treatment above 700ºC the solid solution tungsten combines with cobalt and dissolved carbon to form η-phase particles at the cobalt/diamond interface. At higher temperatures or insufficient tungsten levels the rate of dissolved carbon, into the cobalt pool, is too high and the excess carbon will form as graphite in the cobalt pool. Increased levels of solid solution tungsten, in the cobalt, is expected to delay the onset of graphitization in the diamond compact, thereby increasing the thermal stability of the diamond compact. Non-metallic PCD using calcium carbonate as a bonding agent was successfully sintered in this study. TEM revealed similar micro-structural features as in cobalt based PCD. No signs of thermal degradation were found after exposure to 1200ºC in vacuum for this PCD. Contaminants introduced during processing prevented a detailed study of the binder in this system. The effect of substitutional metal atoms and plastic deformation of diamond on the thermal stability of diamond-SiC composites were investigated. A piston cylinder press was developed and used to synthesize diamond-SiC composites with different levels of plastically deformed diamond. It was concluded that substitutional metal atoms and plastic deformation of diamond grains play no role in the thermal degradation of diamond compacts at 750ºC. The thermal degradation of cobalt PCD is therefore completely determined by the cobalt/diamond interaction at 750ºC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Preconditioning measurement and control system for a combustion engine in a vehicle
- Authors: Homann, Gregor
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010998 , Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Description: Modern vehicles have to ful ll new CO2 emission and additionally customer comfort requirements to stay competitive. A major impact to the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine (ICE) has the starting period. An ICE equipped with a preconditioning system which heats up the ICE much faster than a common ICE. This procedure of preconditioning is called peak heating. The main benet of preconditioning of an ICE is less fuel consumption. Recently the only way to obtain a fast heating up of an ICE is the injection of a higher amount of fuel during the starting period. This heat up procedure can be changed if a heat reservoir is available to the ICE during the starting period. In this case the additional injection of fuel is redundant and therefore the consumption during the starting period can be reduced. The major advantages of this strategy are achieved in cold ambient conditions. During this project di erent preconditioning strategies and di erent points of interaction in the coolant circuit of an ICE have been investigated. The preconditioning concepts have been evaluated according to their heating up performance and their implementation into the engine compartment. The results obtained by this project highlight that a system layout which enables a preheating of the cylinder block by a heat reservoir located in a bypass-line to the heater core is the most e ective point of interaction. The best results have been achieved with a coolant ow of 10 l/min at a temperature of 90 C. Furthermore, this project points out that the implementation of a preconditioning system into the oil cooler will achieve similar results. This strategy of preconditioning the engine oil reduces the internal frictions of the ICE which leads to a decreasing consumption. This solution is much more energy e cient and technically easier to implement into a modern vehicle with its limited space. An additional side e ect of the preconditioning of the oil is a longer service life of the ICE.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Homann, Gregor
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010998 , Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Description: Modern vehicles have to ful ll new CO2 emission and additionally customer comfort requirements to stay competitive. A major impact to the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine (ICE) has the starting period. An ICE equipped with a preconditioning system which heats up the ICE much faster than a common ICE. This procedure of preconditioning is called peak heating. The main benet of preconditioning of an ICE is less fuel consumption. Recently the only way to obtain a fast heating up of an ICE is the injection of a higher amount of fuel during the starting period. This heat up procedure can be changed if a heat reservoir is available to the ICE during the starting period. In this case the additional injection of fuel is redundant and therefore the consumption during the starting period can be reduced. The major advantages of this strategy are achieved in cold ambient conditions. During this project di erent preconditioning strategies and di erent points of interaction in the coolant circuit of an ICE have been investigated. The preconditioning concepts have been evaluated according to their heating up performance and their implementation into the engine compartment. The results obtained by this project highlight that a system layout which enables a preheating of the cylinder block by a heat reservoir located in a bypass-line to the heater core is the most e ective point of interaction. The best results have been achieved with a coolant ow of 10 l/min at a temperature of 90 C. Furthermore, this project points out that the implementation of a preconditioning system into the oil cooler will achieve similar results. This strategy of preconditioning the engine oil reduces the internal frictions of the ICE which leads to a decreasing consumption. This solution is much more energy e cient and technically easier to implement into a modern vehicle with its limited space. An additional side e ect of the preconditioning of the oil is a longer service life of the ICE.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Evaluation of community participation in a rural development project
- Authors: Msutu, Ntombethemba Lungisa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015736
- Description: Finally, it is necessary to define the version of participation that is relevant to this study. In this study participation means involving all the members of the community and all the stakeholders and structures involved. Mainly the community members regardless of age, gender, disability and education should be involved from the initial stage of the project. These also include participation in meetings, because this is precisely where their needs are going to be established. The good thing about this is that their needs would voluntarily come from them in these community meetings. This therefore would give them a sense of ownership and be proud of their own project. This is something that would contribute to the project’s sustainability. How community members are going to contribute to this project should also be addressed. In this practice communities should try to avoid the tendency of the government imposing on rural communities ideas or what they need and how to achieve it. It should be kept in mind that at the end of the day these projects would be left at these communities, with the community members to look after them. The sustainability of these projects therefore depends on the community members. Community participation plays a very big role in rural development or any form of development. One needs to involve the community members in their own development project. This involvement should begin in the early stages of the rural development project, and continue throughout the project. Government agencies or officials should not impose their ideas in rural communities. It is very important for government agencies to do needs analysis and work with the rural communities. Forced contributions should be avoided by all means even if it involves labour or finances. Rural community members should be part and parcel of the project. According to Narayan (1995), the central argument for a participatory process is that involvement in decision‐making lets people exercise choice and voice more broadly in their lives, as well as in the more immediate context of development programmes that benefit them. Empowerment is thus, about the capacity building of individuals and the organisations that support them (Narayan, 1995:10).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Msutu, Ntombethemba Lungisa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015736
- Description: Finally, it is necessary to define the version of participation that is relevant to this study. In this study participation means involving all the members of the community and all the stakeholders and structures involved. Mainly the community members regardless of age, gender, disability and education should be involved from the initial stage of the project. These also include participation in meetings, because this is precisely where their needs are going to be established. The good thing about this is that their needs would voluntarily come from them in these community meetings. This therefore would give them a sense of ownership and be proud of their own project. This is something that would contribute to the project’s sustainability. How community members are going to contribute to this project should also be addressed. In this practice communities should try to avoid the tendency of the government imposing on rural communities ideas or what they need and how to achieve it. It should be kept in mind that at the end of the day these projects would be left at these communities, with the community members to look after them. The sustainability of these projects therefore depends on the community members. Community participation plays a very big role in rural development or any form of development. One needs to involve the community members in their own development project. This involvement should begin in the early stages of the rural development project, and continue throughout the project. Government agencies or officials should not impose their ideas in rural communities. It is very important for government agencies to do needs analysis and work with the rural communities. Forced contributions should be avoided by all means even if it involves labour or finances. Rural community members should be part and parcel of the project. According to Narayan (1995), the central argument for a participatory process is that involvement in decision‐making lets people exercise choice and voice more broadly in their lives, as well as in the more immediate context of development programmes that benefit them. Empowerment is thus, about the capacity building of individuals and the organisations that support them (Narayan, 1995:10).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The influence of genetic relatedness on sociality and demography of female African elephants
- Authors: Munishi, Linus Kasian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011612 , African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Description: Many elephant populations across Africa were or are being devastated by poaching and habitat loss, making population and range size for the species important issues of conservation concern in elephant ranging areas, including Tarangire National Park (TNP). Poaching and/or overhunting are known to have direct effects on the demography of elephant populations. The current understanding of the indirect effects of poaching on the sociality and demography of elephant populations is relatively poor, both at the group and an individual level. In this thesis the importance of genetic relatedness (as influenced by poaching) on sociality and demography of the female elephants was studied, using a combination of genetic, observation of behaviour and two decades of demography data collected from the northern subpopulation of TNP. I investigated and characterized the relatedness categories within elephant groups. Using a conceptual model for group size analysis in aggregation economies, I hypothesized that elephant populations subject to social disruptions due to poaching would exhibit characteristics of the free entry model, whereas more stable, closed populations would better fit the group-controlled model. I present a rare quantitative analysis of genetic relatedness and group size patterns among groups of adult female elephants in two wild populations: one in Tarangire National Park (TNP), Tanzania, and another in Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), South Africa. I demonstrate that the group size in African elephant populations is governed by genetic relatedness, and that poaching/overhunting has a significant influence upon the apparent group formation and size in elephants. I then focused on the effect of relatedness on agonistic interactions between adult females. I hypothesized that individual-based aggressive interactions among adult female African elephants would vary according to degree of kinship, with closely related dyads showing less aggression towards each other in resource-limited environments, thereby leading to indirect fitness benefits for individuals. As predicted, females did not show agonistic interactions to their close kin most often, and the frequency and intensity of aggressive interactions was inversely related to the degree of relatedness of the interactants. The effect of group relatedness and structure on reproductive success of individual female African elephant in TNP was also investigated. Adult female reproductive success was significantly influenced by within- group relatedness and structure. Higher reproductive success (with higher frequency of calf production and survival and more female calves produced) were more evident in the closely related groups than groups with low relatedness, suggesting that females from genetically disrupted groups are less likely to be reproductive than those in closely related groups. The possibility of negative effects of poaching on the subsequent generation of poached adult females and the alternative of a positive demographic response through reduced density was assessed by analysing the demographic patterns of the first generation (F1) females of prime-aged adult female African elephants in TNP using within- group relatedness and size. I also compared vital rate (age of first birth and interbirth interval) responses of first generation (F1) cows from Tarangire (poached) elephants with other females from poached (Northern Luangwa National Park, Zambia) and unpoached (Amboseli National Park, Kenya and Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa) populations. Group relatedness had no significant effect on sex ratio of the F1 cows‟ calves. There was a significant difference between the mean age of first birth and interbirth interval of F1 cows from the two (poached, Tarangire and unpoached, Amboseli National Park) elephant populations, suggesting that elephant populations reduced by poaching to low levels show an increase vigour through release from density constraints. Based on these results, the broader implications of secondary effects of poaching on elephant populations are critically evaluated. Also the importance of understanding the consequences of these effects is highlighted in light of other elephant conservation and management approaches. This understanding is useful in making conservation and management decisions for elephants and other biodiversity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Munishi, Linus Kasian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011612 , African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Description: Many elephant populations across Africa were or are being devastated by poaching and habitat loss, making population and range size for the species important issues of conservation concern in elephant ranging areas, including Tarangire National Park (TNP). Poaching and/or overhunting are known to have direct effects on the demography of elephant populations. The current understanding of the indirect effects of poaching on the sociality and demography of elephant populations is relatively poor, both at the group and an individual level. In this thesis the importance of genetic relatedness (as influenced by poaching) on sociality and demography of the female elephants was studied, using a combination of genetic, observation of behaviour and two decades of demography data collected from the northern subpopulation of TNP. I investigated and characterized the relatedness categories within elephant groups. Using a conceptual model for group size analysis in aggregation economies, I hypothesized that elephant populations subject to social disruptions due to poaching would exhibit characteristics of the free entry model, whereas more stable, closed populations would better fit the group-controlled model. I present a rare quantitative analysis of genetic relatedness and group size patterns among groups of adult female elephants in two wild populations: one in Tarangire National Park (TNP), Tanzania, and another in Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), South Africa. I demonstrate that the group size in African elephant populations is governed by genetic relatedness, and that poaching/overhunting has a significant influence upon the apparent group formation and size in elephants. I then focused on the effect of relatedness on agonistic interactions between adult females. I hypothesized that individual-based aggressive interactions among adult female African elephants would vary according to degree of kinship, with closely related dyads showing less aggression towards each other in resource-limited environments, thereby leading to indirect fitness benefits for individuals. As predicted, females did not show agonistic interactions to their close kin most often, and the frequency and intensity of aggressive interactions was inversely related to the degree of relatedness of the interactants. The effect of group relatedness and structure on reproductive success of individual female African elephant in TNP was also investigated. Adult female reproductive success was significantly influenced by within- group relatedness and structure. Higher reproductive success (with higher frequency of calf production and survival and more female calves produced) were more evident in the closely related groups than groups with low relatedness, suggesting that females from genetically disrupted groups are less likely to be reproductive than those in closely related groups. The possibility of negative effects of poaching on the subsequent generation of poached adult females and the alternative of a positive demographic response through reduced density was assessed by analysing the demographic patterns of the first generation (F1) females of prime-aged adult female African elephants in TNP using within- group relatedness and size. I also compared vital rate (age of first birth and interbirth interval) responses of first generation (F1) cows from Tarangire (poached) elephants with other females from poached (Northern Luangwa National Park, Zambia) and unpoached (Amboseli National Park, Kenya and Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa) populations. Group relatedness had no significant effect on sex ratio of the F1 cows‟ calves. There was a significant difference between the mean age of first birth and interbirth interval of F1 cows from the two (poached, Tarangire and unpoached, Amboseli National Park) elephant populations, suggesting that elephant populations reduced by poaching to low levels show an increase vigour through release from density constraints. Based on these results, the broader implications of secondary effects of poaching on elephant populations are critically evaluated. Also the importance of understanding the consequences of these effects is highlighted in light of other elephant conservation and management approaches. This understanding is useful in making conservation and management decisions for elephants and other biodiversity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An intelligent multimodal interface for in-car communication systems
- Authors: Sielinou, Patrick Tchankue
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automotive telematics , Automobiles -- Electronic equipment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1495 , Automotive telematics , Automobiles -- Electronic equipment
- Description: In-car communication systems (ICCS) are becoming more frequently used by drivers. ICCS are used in order to minimise the driving distraction due to using a mobile phone while driving. Several usability studies of ICCS utilising speech user interfaces (SUIs) have identified usability issues that can affect the workload, performance, satisfaction and user experience of the driver. This is due to current speech technologies which can be a source of errors that may frustrate the driver and negatively affect the user experience. The aim of this research was to design a new multimodal interface that will manage the interaction between an ICCS and the driver. Unlike the current ICCS, it should make more voice input available, so as to support tasks (e.g. sending text messages; browsing the phone book, etc), which still require a cognitive workload from the driver. An adaptive multimodal interface was proposed in order to address current ICCS issues. The multimodal interface used both speech and manual input; however only the speech channel is used as output. This was done in order to minimise the visual distraction that graphical user interfaces or haptics devices can cause with current ICCS. The adaptive interface was designed to minimise the cognitive distraction of the driver. The adaptive interface ensures that whenever the distraction level of the driver is high, any information communication is postponed. After the design and the implementation of the first version of the prototype interface, called MIMI, a usability evaluation was conducted in order to identify any possible usability issues. Although voice dialling was found to be problematic, the results were encouraging in terms of performance, workload and user satisfaction. The suggestions received from the participants to improve the system usability were incorporated in the next implementation of MIMI. The adaptive module was then implemented to reduce driver distraction based on the driver‟s current context. The proposed architecture showed encouraging results in terms of usability and safety. The adaptive behaviour of MIMI significantly contributed to the reduction of cognitive distraction, because drivers received less information during difficult driving situations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sielinou, Patrick Tchankue
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automotive telematics , Automobiles -- Electronic equipment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1495 , Automotive telematics , Automobiles -- Electronic equipment
- Description: In-car communication systems (ICCS) are becoming more frequently used by drivers. ICCS are used in order to minimise the driving distraction due to using a mobile phone while driving. Several usability studies of ICCS utilising speech user interfaces (SUIs) have identified usability issues that can affect the workload, performance, satisfaction and user experience of the driver. This is due to current speech technologies which can be a source of errors that may frustrate the driver and negatively affect the user experience. The aim of this research was to design a new multimodal interface that will manage the interaction between an ICCS and the driver. Unlike the current ICCS, it should make more voice input available, so as to support tasks (e.g. sending text messages; browsing the phone book, etc), which still require a cognitive workload from the driver. An adaptive multimodal interface was proposed in order to address current ICCS issues. The multimodal interface used both speech and manual input; however only the speech channel is used as output. This was done in order to minimise the visual distraction that graphical user interfaces or haptics devices can cause with current ICCS. The adaptive interface was designed to minimise the cognitive distraction of the driver. The adaptive interface ensures that whenever the distraction level of the driver is high, any information communication is postponed. After the design and the implementation of the first version of the prototype interface, called MIMI, a usability evaluation was conducted in order to identify any possible usability issues. Although voice dialling was found to be problematic, the results were encouraging in terms of performance, workload and user satisfaction. The suggestions received from the participants to improve the system usability were incorporated in the next implementation of MIMI. The adaptive module was then implemented to reduce driver distraction based on the driver‟s current context. The proposed architecture showed encouraging results in terms of usability and safety. The adaptive behaviour of MIMI significantly contributed to the reduction of cognitive distraction, because drivers received less information during difficult driving situations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An assessment of the role of the procurement committee in the management of school funds with reference to selected schools in Libode District
- Authors: Mtshakaza, Lungile Eric
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Government aid to education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014583
- Description: The South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) stipulates that the State must fund all the public schools from the public revenue on an equitable basis. Each school should elect a School Governing Body (SGB) whose primary function is to manage school finances. The principal of the school, who is also a member of the SGB, is the accounting officer. The SGB has to elect the finance committee which should run the school’s finances and, in turn elects the procurement committee - a sub-committee of the finance committee. In terms of the South African Schools Act, (Act 84 of 1998, as amended) there are two categories of public schools which may be created in South Africa. One category is based on Section 20 of the South Africa Schools Act with stipulated functions applicable to all public schools, while the other category is based on Section 21 of the Act which includes added stipulated functions above those applicable to all public schools. The study investigated the factors affecting the performance of procurement committees in schools. Among others, the study found that more formal training on financial management was necessary in schools in order to empower the procurement committees. Inadequate support with regard to the availability of supporting documentation and logistics was also raised as a matter of concern.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mtshakaza, Lungile Eric
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Government aid to education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014583
- Description: The South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) stipulates that the State must fund all the public schools from the public revenue on an equitable basis. Each school should elect a School Governing Body (SGB) whose primary function is to manage school finances. The principal of the school, who is also a member of the SGB, is the accounting officer. The SGB has to elect the finance committee which should run the school’s finances and, in turn elects the procurement committee - a sub-committee of the finance committee. In terms of the South African Schools Act, (Act 84 of 1998, as amended) there are two categories of public schools which may be created in South Africa. One category is based on Section 20 of the South Africa Schools Act with stipulated functions applicable to all public schools, while the other category is based on Section 21 of the Act which includes added stipulated functions above those applicable to all public schools. The study investigated the factors affecting the performance of procurement committees in schools. Among others, the study found that more formal training on financial management was necessary in schools in order to empower the procurement committees. Inadequate support with regard to the availability of supporting documentation and logistics was also raised as a matter of concern.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Putting the millenium development goal no 3- gender equality and women empowerment into practice: a case study of a semi-urban village in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gqomo, Nomaxabiso
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women's rights , Women -- Social conditions , Equality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9086 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010079 , Women's rights , Women -- Social conditions , Equality
- Description: Gender inequality and women empowerment constitute one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agreed to, by United Nations in 2000. The South African 2010 country report on MDGs shows an increase in the share that women have in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector. It further states that in the Eastern Cape Province, women accounted for more than half of employees in the non-agricultural sector. This study conducted evaluated gender differences in terms of wage employment in a semi-urban village in the Eastern Cape. Findings show that gender differences in wage employment still exist, in favour of males.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Gqomo, Nomaxabiso
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women's rights , Women -- Social conditions , Equality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9086 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010079 , Women's rights , Women -- Social conditions , Equality
- Description: Gender inequality and women empowerment constitute one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agreed to, by United Nations in 2000. The South African 2010 country report on MDGs shows an increase in the share that women have in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector. It further states that in the Eastern Cape Province, women accounted for more than half of employees in the non-agricultural sector. This study conducted evaluated gender differences in terms of wage employment in a semi-urban village in the Eastern Cape. Findings show that gender differences in wage employment still exist, in favour of males.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Enhancing the role of the Kaizen suggestion tool in South African lean automotive companies of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Adedeji, Adeyemi Charles
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008157 , Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Description: The Toyota manufacturing system, aptly referred to as Lean manufacturing, has received a reasonable appreciation and awareness over the past decade in South African industry. This production phenomenon constitutes an organizational culture that encourages world-class production success through the liberation of factory resources, while employees are empowered and encouraged to contribute ideas for the improvement of processes and products. However, despite lean awareness and the crucial role of employee participation in the suggestion of ideas in world-class organizations, the performance level of lean manufacturing in South African industry is largely devoid of the Kaizen suggestion tool, particularly in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The aim of this research was to proffer appropriate recommendations, improved awareness, understanding and practice for the improvement of the Kaizen suggestion principle in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The research primarily focused on the ‘management/employees’ paradigm within the organisational context. The methodology employed in the study included a thorough review of the relevant literature and a questionnaire, which was developed and administered to both the management and employees of the thirty automotive components suppliers in Eastern Cape. The target companies constituted the units of analyses and therefore provided the opportunity for a detailed investigation of the links between management and employees as well as a submission of ideas for operational and organisational processes as established in the literature review. Epistemologically, the research is objectivist and paradigmically, positivist. However, some qualitative aspects of the data were relevant to the study and, therefore, were used in a complementary manner. The case approach utilized mixed methods by applying a range of data collection techniques and evidence from multiple sources while the sampling technique was sequential, involving both purposive and stratified random sampling. The study reveals the apparent lack of a systematic mechanism for the practice and administration of the Kaizen suggestion tools in most Eastern Cape automotive companies. This demerit is found to have negatively affected maximum employee participation and involvement in organizational decision making within the Province. The study has established a basic level of awareness and understanding among employees / employers relations that the Kaizen suggestion scheme is a vital tool for delivering strategic objectives in the management of decision making and organizational growth. The study strongly advocates the inclusion of employee suggestion systems as part of the organizational process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adedeji, Adeyemi Charles
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008157 , Lean manufacturing , Manufacturing processes , Production management -- Mathematical models
- Description: The Toyota manufacturing system, aptly referred to as Lean manufacturing, has received a reasonable appreciation and awareness over the past decade in South African industry. This production phenomenon constitutes an organizational culture that encourages world-class production success through the liberation of factory resources, while employees are empowered and encouraged to contribute ideas for the improvement of processes and products. However, despite lean awareness and the crucial role of employee participation in the suggestion of ideas in world-class organizations, the performance level of lean manufacturing in South African industry is largely devoid of the Kaizen suggestion tool, particularly in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The aim of this research was to proffer appropriate recommendations, improved awareness, understanding and practice for the improvement of the Kaizen suggestion principle in the automotive companies of the Eastern Cape. The research primarily focused on the ‘management/employees’ paradigm within the organisational context. The methodology employed in the study included a thorough review of the relevant literature and a questionnaire, which was developed and administered to both the management and employees of the thirty automotive components suppliers in Eastern Cape. The target companies constituted the units of analyses and therefore provided the opportunity for a detailed investigation of the links between management and employees as well as a submission of ideas for operational and organisational processes as established in the literature review. Epistemologically, the research is objectivist and paradigmically, positivist. However, some qualitative aspects of the data were relevant to the study and, therefore, were used in a complementary manner. The case approach utilized mixed methods by applying a range of data collection techniques and evidence from multiple sources while the sampling technique was sequential, involving both purposive and stratified random sampling. The study reveals the apparent lack of a systematic mechanism for the practice and administration of the Kaizen suggestion tools in most Eastern Cape automotive companies. This demerit is found to have negatively affected maximum employee participation and involvement in organizational decision making within the Province. The study has established a basic level of awareness and understanding among employees / employers relations that the Kaizen suggestion scheme is a vital tool for delivering strategic objectives in the management of decision making and organizational growth. The study strongly advocates the inclusion of employee suggestion systems as part of the organizational process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The unattainable "betterlife" : the discourses of the homogenised South African black emerging middle-class lifestyle in Drum magazine
- Authors: Hardy-Berrington, Michelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lifestyles -- South Africa , Blacks in mass media , Journalism -- South Africa , Drum (Magazine)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8448 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1426 , Lifestyles -- South Africa , Blacks in mass media , Journalism -- South Africa , Drum (Magazine)
- Description: Drum and YOU are two general interest magazines which share the same publisher, language (English), format, and are compiled by many of the same journalists and editors. The greatest distinction between the two publications is that Drum is aimed at a specifically black readership while YOU caters for a general, cosmopolitan South African readership. With various commonalities in the production of Drum and YOU, what do the differing commodities, discourses and cultural repertoires presented in Drum in comparison to YOU communicate about the conceived black audience/s by the magazines'producers? In contrast to the dominant body of research on Drum magazine, which has been dedicated to pre-1994 editions, the investigation undertaken in this research focuses on post-apartheid editions of Drum under the commercial ownership of Media24. This also provides a unique opportunity to compare and contrast Drum and YOU which has not been extensively explored in the past. A theoretical study on some of the credible, plausible discourses circulating in Drum drew from Laden's (1997; 2003) research on black South African middle-class magazines and Steyn's (2001) studies on narratives of whiteness including colonial and apartheid policy discourses. Other theory considered to identify types of discourses included those on self-stylisation, excorporation and the historic, cultural influence of Drum in black South African identity formation. Critical discourse analysis is employed to discern the distinction and boundaries between the conceived black middle-class readerships of Drum and YOU. A multifarious content is present in Drum magazine for the diverse post-apartheid black middle-class of South Africa. Discourses of the African traditional and conservative feature side-by-side with contemporary, liberal and Western discourses; while the cultural repertoires of the bourgeois middle-class are presented beside the more modest commodities of the lower-income working class. This communicates an increasingly integrated South African consumer culture and a willing bourgeois solidarity amongst middle-class groups, creating a larger consumer class for advertisers and marketers in South Africa. In comparison to YOU, the discourses of the conservative-African-traditional provide a distinctive feature of Drum. However, this discourse is limited to realms which do not threaten the prevailing magazine culture of consumerism and the dominant global culture of Western science and reason. The other great distinction from YOU is Drum’s prominent educating and didactic function, offering an aspirant lifestyle by marketing a range of Western technologies and commodities. This is in addition to suggesting options for desirable social conduct and socially-responsible behavior.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Hardy-Berrington, Michelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lifestyles -- South Africa , Blacks in mass media , Journalism -- South Africa , Drum (Magazine)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8448 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1426 , Lifestyles -- South Africa , Blacks in mass media , Journalism -- South Africa , Drum (Magazine)
- Description: Drum and YOU are two general interest magazines which share the same publisher, language (English), format, and are compiled by many of the same journalists and editors. The greatest distinction between the two publications is that Drum is aimed at a specifically black readership while YOU caters for a general, cosmopolitan South African readership. With various commonalities in the production of Drum and YOU, what do the differing commodities, discourses and cultural repertoires presented in Drum in comparison to YOU communicate about the conceived black audience/s by the magazines'producers? In contrast to the dominant body of research on Drum magazine, which has been dedicated to pre-1994 editions, the investigation undertaken in this research focuses on post-apartheid editions of Drum under the commercial ownership of Media24. This also provides a unique opportunity to compare and contrast Drum and YOU which has not been extensively explored in the past. A theoretical study on some of the credible, plausible discourses circulating in Drum drew from Laden's (1997; 2003) research on black South African middle-class magazines and Steyn's (2001) studies on narratives of whiteness including colonial and apartheid policy discourses. Other theory considered to identify types of discourses included those on self-stylisation, excorporation and the historic, cultural influence of Drum in black South African identity formation. Critical discourse analysis is employed to discern the distinction and boundaries between the conceived black middle-class readerships of Drum and YOU. A multifarious content is present in Drum magazine for the diverse post-apartheid black middle-class of South Africa. Discourses of the African traditional and conservative feature side-by-side with contemporary, liberal and Western discourses; while the cultural repertoires of the bourgeois middle-class are presented beside the more modest commodities of the lower-income working class. This communicates an increasingly integrated South African consumer culture and a willing bourgeois solidarity amongst middle-class groups, creating a larger consumer class for advertisers and marketers in South Africa. In comparison to YOU, the discourses of the conservative-African-traditional provide a distinctive feature of Drum. However, this discourse is limited to realms which do not threaten the prevailing magazine culture of consumerism and the dominant global culture of Western science and reason. The other great distinction from YOU is Drum’s prominent educating and didactic function, offering an aspirant lifestyle by marketing a range of Western technologies and commodities. This is in addition to suggesting options for desirable social conduct and socially-responsible behavior.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Developing an incubation strategy for Oudtshoorn
- Authors: Petersen, Winifred
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1385 , Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Description: Business incubators, as recognised in their contemporary form, have a history dating back to the 1970s in the United Kingdom and the USA. South Africa is no stranger to this concept of business incubation either: Since the 1980s the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) operated business “hives” as clusters of small enterprises. Business incubators are support facilities that empower and stimulate small-entrepreneurial businesses – from the financially vulnerable start-up period, until the time that the fledgling company is ready to operate more autonomously. Business incubators provide, as part of their services, affordable space, financial-management services, sound business advice and other development services. Incubation stimulates the development of small-entrepreneurial businesses and, to this end, helps stimulate the economy. Thus, for South Africa to invest in the development of small growing businesses, is to invest directly in its larger economy and to address its own development challenges like employment-creation, income-generation and the alleviation of poverty. It is in this context that this study discusses the development challenges of one of the rural areas in South Africa, Oudtshoorn, and aims to provide a viable strategy of business incubation for this area, in anticipation that in future lessons can be drawn from this and applied to other rural areas. Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The strongest sectors in Oudtshoorn’s economy are agriculture and tourism. These two sectors should provide the basis for an empowering business incubator to strengthen and enhance smaller businesses in the town. The study focuses on the development challenges of South Africa and, in particular, a rural town such as Oudtshoorn, the importance of investing in small entrepreneurial businesses so as to strengthen the country’s economy. the nature an significance of a business-incubation strategy for the Oudtshoorn area. Background literature on South Africa’s development challenges was collated as well as information gathered on small-business support and incubation in particular. Literature was retrieved from local institutions as well as national and international sources. Case studies of incubators in South Africa and in other countries were included to enhance the understanding of the importance of business incubation. In addition, the researcher’s close networks with the Oudtshoorn municipality, the local Red Door office and the different role-players in the small-business support sphere allowed for an in-depth assessment of support for such an incubation project and the critical obstacles it may encounter en route.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Petersen, Winifred
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1385 , Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Description: Business incubators, as recognised in their contemporary form, have a history dating back to the 1970s in the United Kingdom and the USA. South Africa is no stranger to this concept of business incubation either: Since the 1980s the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) operated business “hives” as clusters of small enterprises. Business incubators are support facilities that empower and stimulate small-entrepreneurial businesses – from the financially vulnerable start-up period, until the time that the fledgling company is ready to operate more autonomously. Business incubators provide, as part of their services, affordable space, financial-management services, sound business advice and other development services. Incubation stimulates the development of small-entrepreneurial businesses and, to this end, helps stimulate the economy. Thus, for South Africa to invest in the development of small growing businesses, is to invest directly in its larger economy and to address its own development challenges like employment-creation, income-generation and the alleviation of poverty. It is in this context that this study discusses the development challenges of one of the rural areas in South Africa, Oudtshoorn, and aims to provide a viable strategy of business incubation for this area, in anticipation that in future lessons can be drawn from this and applied to other rural areas. Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The strongest sectors in Oudtshoorn’s economy are agriculture and tourism. These two sectors should provide the basis for an empowering business incubator to strengthen and enhance smaller businesses in the town. The study focuses on the development challenges of South Africa and, in particular, a rural town such as Oudtshoorn, the importance of investing in small entrepreneurial businesses so as to strengthen the country’s economy. the nature an significance of a business-incubation strategy for the Oudtshoorn area. Background literature on South Africa’s development challenges was collated as well as information gathered on small-business support and incubation in particular. Literature was retrieved from local institutions as well as national and international sources. Case studies of incubators in South Africa and in other countries were included to enhance the understanding of the importance of business incubation. In addition, the researcher’s close networks with the Oudtshoorn municipality, the local Red Door office and the different role-players in the small-business support sphere allowed for an in-depth assessment of support for such an incubation project and the critical obstacles it may encounter en route.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Internal auditors perceptions of the impact of control elements on internal control systems
- Authors: Ackerman, Christo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008158 , Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Description: The objective of this research report was to determine which internal controls are perceived, by internal auditors, to be contributing to the effectiveness of an internal control structure. The Committee for Sponsoring Organisations (COSO) integrated internal control framework was used as a basis for the questionnaire construction and respondents were asked to rate the perceived control effectiveness of each of the components of internal control. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the basic meaning of the data. The questionnaire was completed by following a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which was sent to two internal auditors in audit firms. Thirty one responses were obtained; all the respondents have experience in the evaluation and assessment of internal control systems. This research showed that control elements as outlined in COSOs integrated internal control framework, if implemented, could contribute to the effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ackerman, Christo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008158 , Auditing, Internal , Financial statements , Controllership
- Description: The objective of this research report was to determine which internal controls are perceived, by internal auditors, to be contributing to the effectiveness of an internal control structure. The Committee for Sponsoring Organisations (COSO) integrated internal control framework was used as a basis for the questionnaire construction and respondents were asked to rate the perceived control effectiveness of each of the components of internal control. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the basic meaning of the data. The questionnaire was completed by following a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which was sent to two internal auditors in audit firms. Thirty one responses were obtained; all the respondents have experience in the evaluation and assessment of internal control systems. This research showed that control elements as outlined in COSOs integrated internal control framework, if implemented, could contribute to the effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The design of a visitor education and research centre for Sutherland, Western Cape
- Du Toit, David Jacob Johannes
- Authors: Du Toit, David Jacob Johannes
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Visitors' centers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Designs and plans Visitors' centers -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38934 , vital:35014
- Description: The modern visitor centre evolved rapidly with the world wide growth in tourism and its significant contribution to local economies. This new building type has provided many new opportunities for architects to work on small to medium size building with a greater meaning attached to them. However, architects would now have to deal with the problems that tourists bring! How must architects incorporate local history, culture and memory? The visitor centre is the combination of the local tourism office and museum. This new type of building is a combination of those formerly distinct building types which had two separate and different functions. “gateway building” The contemporary visitor centre combines the distribution of tourist/visitor information with the interpretation of particular regions. This interpretation of cultural and natural history links the visitor centre to the local history museum, however whereas local history museums often struggle with expanding collections, limited resources and low visitation levels, visitor centres have been able to attract greater government funding. The media of interpretation also differs dramatically, with visitor’s centres often using multimedia technology to enliven cultural history or educational displays. However they can also suffer from static displays which having been viewed once, discourage repeat visits. What is a contemporary visitor centre? Figure 1: Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao. Showing centre as “icon” building. This interpretation role of visitor centres has resulted in them becoming a major focus for visitation. The must-see status of these buildings is often pursued through dramatic form. Briefs for visitor centres often demand an “icon” envisaging that the building will itself, become a marketable destination. Buildings that try and become destinations in themself often run the risk of not promoting the area or location but rather them self. Visitor centres can therefor contribute to the transformation of destinations in both positive and negative ways. They can either help with economic, environmental and cultural revival of regions or they can be involved in changing places and overshadowing the very features they are meant to enhance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Du Toit, David Jacob Johannes
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Visitors' centers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Designs and plans Visitors' centers -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38934 , vital:35014
- Description: The modern visitor centre evolved rapidly with the world wide growth in tourism and its significant contribution to local economies. This new building type has provided many new opportunities for architects to work on small to medium size building with a greater meaning attached to them. However, architects would now have to deal with the problems that tourists bring! How must architects incorporate local history, culture and memory? The visitor centre is the combination of the local tourism office and museum. This new type of building is a combination of those formerly distinct building types which had two separate and different functions. “gateway building” The contemporary visitor centre combines the distribution of tourist/visitor information with the interpretation of particular regions. This interpretation of cultural and natural history links the visitor centre to the local history museum, however whereas local history museums often struggle with expanding collections, limited resources and low visitation levels, visitor centres have been able to attract greater government funding. The media of interpretation also differs dramatically, with visitor’s centres often using multimedia technology to enliven cultural history or educational displays. However they can also suffer from static displays which having been viewed once, discourage repeat visits. What is a contemporary visitor centre? Figure 1: Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao. Showing centre as “icon” building. This interpretation role of visitor centres has resulted in them becoming a major focus for visitation. The must-see status of these buildings is often pursued through dramatic form. Briefs for visitor centres often demand an “icon” envisaging that the building will itself, become a marketable destination. Buildings that try and become destinations in themself often run the risk of not promoting the area or location but rather them self. Visitor centres can therefor contribute to the transformation of destinations in both positive and negative ways. They can either help with economic, environmental and cultural revival of regions or they can be involved in changing places and overshadowing the very features they are meant to enhance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Community development workers' perceptions of wellness at an HIV / AIDS organisation in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Ndlela, Joshua Bongani
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organisational behavior , Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9837 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1657 , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organisational behavior , Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The general aim of the study was to explore and describe community development workers` perceptions of wellness at an HIV/AIDS organisation in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. The population of 36 community development workers at the Nelson Mandela Bay office of this organisation participated in this study. The sampling technique employed can be described as a census as it involved sampling an entire finite population that included all community development workers in the organisation. These workers are predominantly Xhosa-speaking adults between the ages of 21 and 60 years, and include both males and females. Qualitative data were gathered by means of audio-recorded focus groups, utilising semi-structured interviews. Tesch`s method was used to analyse the data, while Guba`s guidelines were used to enhance the trustworthiness of the research. Focus group interviews with community development workers revealed seven common themes in the experience of working in the HIV/AIDS organisation: (a) participants’ understanding of wellness; (b) organisational factors that impact on wellness; (c) personal factors that impact on wellness; (d) family and community factors that impact on wellness; (e) participants’ wellness; (f) personal coping strategies; and (g) suggestions regarding organisational strategies to enhance employee wellness. It is envisaged that the research findings of this study will be used in future to direct interventions that will be beneficial for the short and long term planning for the wellness of the community development workers of the HIV/AIDS organisation and those around them. It was recommended that the organisation was to develop a workplace wellness programme, increase management support towards the staff wellness and to increase the staff capacity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ndlela, Joshua Bongani
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organisational behavior , Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9837 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1657 , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organisational behavior , Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The general aim of the study was to explore and describe community development workers` perceptions of wellness at an HIV/AIDS organisation in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. The population of 36 community development workers at the Nelson Mandela Bay office of this organisation participated in this study. The sampling technique employed can be described as a census as it involved sampling an entire finite population that included all community development workers in the organisation. These workers are predominantly Xhosa-speaking adults between the ages of 21 and 60 years, and include both males and females. Qualitative data were gathered by means of audio-recorded focus groups, utilising semi-structured interviews. Tesch`s method was used to analyse the data, while Guba`s guidelines were used to enhance the trustworthiness of the research. Focus group interviews with community development workers revealed seven common themes in the experience of working in the HIV/AIDS organisation: (a) participants’ understanding of wellness; (b) organisational factors that impact on wellness; (c) personal factors that impact on wellness; (d) family and community factors that impact on wellness; (e) participants’ wellness; (f) personal coping strategies; and (g) suggestions regarding organisational strategies to enhance employee wellness. It is envisaged that the research findings of this study will be used in future to direct interventions that will be beneficial for the short and long term planning for the wellness of the community development workers of the HIV/AIDS organisation and those around them. It was recommended that the organisation was to develop a workplace wellness programme, increase management support towards the staff wellness and to increase the staff capacity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of the understanding of flexible manufacturing in the automotive component industry and selection of best implementation strategy
- Authors: Mostert, Clive
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Motor industry , Mass production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1395 , Motor industry , Mass production
- Description: In a competitive manufacturing environment a firm must be able to simultaneously produce multiple and diverse products, upgrade and redesign its products in short life cycles, and execute efficient production changeovers. This implies that the firm's manufacturing facilities should be capable of efficiently responding to the changes associated with the above abilities. These capabilities are a key requirement for building an agile manufacturing enterprise. To successfully attain these capabilities a firm must evaluate and build flexibility in its manufacturing operations. Success in manufacturing requires the adoption of methods in customer acquisition and order fulfilment processes that can manage anticipated change with precision while providing a fast and flexible response to unanticipated changes. A review of the related literature reveals that though there has been considerable research on the subject of flexible manufacturing, insufficient attention has been devoted to the development of a comprehensive method for designing and building flexible manufacturing (FM) solutions. A significant portion of the FM research and the ensuing industrial applications have focused on highly automated metal working facilities, commonly referred to as flexible manufacturing system or FMS. The objective of this research was to understand what the general understanding of FMS is in the automotive component supplying industry as well as to develop a strategy based on world class principles on how to implement such a strategy. The established strategy will then be used to implement a FMS at Shatterprufe a division of the PFG group. A comprehensive literature study was conducted on Flexible Manufacturing to get a good idea on what it is all about. A questionnaire was designed based on the guidelines in the literature study in order to establish the understanding of FMS within companies in the automotive component supplying industries. Twenty five companies were selected, based on their employee numbers and potential high complexity in the parts that they manufacture. Participating companies must also be part of National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) and supplying directly to all of the local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Eighteen out of the twenty five companies selected did participate and return the questionnaires. Three companies replied stating that they do not have a FMS in place and thus do not want to participate in the research. The completed questionnaires were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003, running on the Windows XP suite of computer packages. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey, in order to identify how to answer the main questions the author wanted to use as part of selecting an appropriate implementation approach for FMS at Shatterprufe. The following were the main recommendations and conclusions: • It is essential that the executive team at Shatterprufe realises the need of a FM programme. Based on the analysis from the theoretical research as well as from the questionnaire it should not be difficult for them to realise this; • It is recommended that the knowledge gained from the research theory and that of the research questionnaire be used as a guideline for introduction and implementation; • It is recommended that the employees that will be required to implement the FMS are properly trained in the basics of WCM and FMS and that they receive the necessary tools to perform their tasks; • It is essential that everyone throughout the entire organisation is involved from the start in the development, improvement and maintenance of the system; • It is critical that the barriers to implementation be taken seriously at the start of the whole implementation process and plans be put in place to overcome them. Make sure that there is: • proper understanding of the total effort required; • complete management support; • union buy-in; • enough training carried out; • change of priorities; • full commitment and persistence; • development of a good installation strategy; and • insurance of choosing the right approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mostert, Clive
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Motor industry , Mass production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1395 , Motor industry , Mass production
- Description: In a competitive manufacturing environment a firm must be able to simultaneously produce multiple and diverse products, upgrade and redesign its products in short life cycles, and execute efficient production changeovers. This implies that the firm's manufacturing facilities should be capable of efficiently responding to the changes associated with the above abilities. These capabilities are a key requirement for building an agile manufacturing enterprise. To successfully attain these capabilities a firm must evaluate and build flexibility in its manufacturing operations. Success in manufacturing requires the adoption of methods in customer acquisition and order fulfilment processes that can manage anticipated change with precision while providing a fast and flexible response to unanticipated changes. A review of the related literature reveals that though there has been considerable research on the subject of flexible manufacturing, insufficient attention has been devoted to the development of a comprehensive method for designing and building flexible manufacturing (FM) solutions. A significant portion of the FM research and the ensuing industrial applications have focused on highly automated metal working facilities, commonly referred to as flexible manufacturing system or FMS. The objective of this research was to understand what the general understanding of FMS is in the automotive component supplying industry as well as to develop a strategy based on world class principles on how to implement such a strategy. The established strategy will then be used to implement a FMS at Shatterprufe a division of the PFG group. A comprehensive literature study was conducted on Flexible Manufacturing to get a good idea on what it is all about. A questionnaire was designed based on the guidelines in the literature study in order to establish the understanding of FMS within companies in the automotive component supplying industries. Twenty five companies were selected, based on their employee numbers and potential high complexity in the parts that they manufacture. Participating companies must also be part of National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) and supplying directly to all of the local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Eighteen out of the twenty five companies selected did participate and return the questionnaires. Three companies replied stating that they do not have a FMS in place and thus do not want to participate in the research. The completed questionnaires were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003, running on the Windows XP suite of computer packages. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey, in order to identify how to answer the main questions the author wanted to use as part of selecting an appropriate implementation approach for FMS at Shatterprufe. The following were the main recommendations and conclusions: • It is essential that the executive team at Shatterprufe realises the need of a FM programme. Based on the analysis from the theoretical research as well as from the questionnaire it should not be difficult for them to realise this; • It is recommended that the knowledge gained from the research theory and that of the research questionnaire be used as a guideline for introduction and implementation; • It is recommended that the employees that will be required to implement the FMS are properly trained in the basics of WCM and FMS and that they receive the necessary tools to perform their tasks; • It is essential that everyone throughout the entire organisation is involved from the start in the development, improvement and maintenance of the system; • It is critical that the barriers to implementation be taken seriously at the start of the whole implementation process and plans be put in place to overcome them. Make sure that there is: • proper understanding of the total effort required; • complete management support; • union buy-in; • enough training carried out; • change of priorities; • full commitment and persistence; • development of a good installation strategy; and • insurance of choosing the right approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Nursing strategies to facilitate self-management in persons living with diabetes mellitus type 2
- Authors: O'Brien Coleen Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1627 , Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Description: The growing pandemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is continuing to spread around the world with developing countries being most vulnerable. Diabetes mellitus is the direct cause of 5 percent of deaths worldwide at present, with an expected increase of 50percent in the next 10 years. Diabetes mellitus was virtually unknown in Africa at the start of the 20th century but the incidence is expected to increase by 80 percent by 2025. South African estimates indicate that at present there are up to four million people living with DM in South Africa, with an expected rise of 25 percent by 2020. If DM is not adequately controlled, life-threatening complications ensue, resulting in financial, physical and emotional costs both for people living with the condition and for their families. There is also a great financial burden on the state, both directly due to the cost of providing health care and indirectly due to loss of productivity and a reduced tax base. Global initiatives against DM include the Diabetes Strategy for Africa compiled by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization. There are several forms of DM with Type 2 being the most common with an estimated 95% of cases. Optimal glycaemic control is essential for the management of DM, potentially allowing the course of the disease to be slowed or halted. The previous medical model of management of chronic disease has changed to an empowerment approach where the person living with the condition is a partner in the management process. This is particularly true of DM where all aspects of life are affected by the condition. During Phase One of this study, a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual approach was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of persons living with DM and of diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. During Phase Two, a conceptual framework was created and utilized to develop strategies which professional nurses may use in facilitating self-management by persons living with DM. Persons living with DM experience a definite initial experience on diagnosis of DM but gradually gain an acceptance and acknowledgment of their condition. They have definite views on the concept of self-management and experience both positive and negative factors influencing self-management. They also have definite ideas on how professional nurses may assist them in achieving self-management. These findings were confirmed ii by the experiences of the diabetes nurse educators who formed the second group of participants in this study. The ACE approach to self-management of DM consists of an Action Strategy, a Coordination Strategy and an Education Strategy. The ACE approach makes use of grand and functional strategies implemented on the macro (national), meso (provincial) and micro (local) levels to enable the professional nurse to assist persons living with DM to achieve self-management of their condition. Grand strategies need to be implemented on a macro or meso level to enable the professional nurse to function effectively on a micro level. Assisting the patient has to go beyond merely improving knowledge about the condition but has to include individual goal setting as well as problem solving skills and coping strategies as part of a therapeutic relationship between the professional nurse and the person living with DM. The level of personal responsibility achieved by persons living with DM is affected by the memes which they hold regarding their level of health and their ability to address any barriers to self-management which they may experience. Making use of the process of the therapeutic relationship, the professional nurse is able to positively influence the memes held by persons living with DM and assist them in achieving a greater level of personal responsibility. The therapeutic relationship is potentially influenced by all three of the strategies described above. This study provides insight into the experiences of persons living with DM and of the diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. Recommendations regarding the implementation of a National Diabetes Policy on a macro level are made, as well as recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. The strategies which were evaluated by an Expert Panel provide a tool for the professional nurse to use while assisting persons living with DM by facilitating the growth of personal responsibility leading to self-management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: O'Brien Coleen Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1627 , Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Description: The growing pandemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is continuing to spread around the world with developing countries being most vulnerable. Diabetes mellitus is the direct cause of 5 percent of deaths worldwide at present, with an expected increase of 50percent in the next 10 years. Diabetes mellitus was virtually unknown in Africa at the start of the 20th century but the incidence is expected to increase by 80 percent by 2025. South African estimates indicate that at present there are up to four million people living with DM in South Africa, with an expected rise of 25 percent by 2020. If DM is not adequately controlled, life-threatening complications ensue, resulting in financial, physical and emotional costs both for people living with the condition and for their families. There is also a great financial burden on the state, both directly due to the cost of providing health care and indirectly due to loss of productivity and a reduced tax base. Global initiatives against DM include the Diabetes Strategy for Africa compiled by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization. There are several forms of DM with Type 2 being the most common with an estimated 95% of cases. Optimal glycaemic control is essential for the management of DM, potentially allowing the course of the disease to be slowed or halted. The previous medical model of management of chronic disease has changed to an empowerment approach where the person living with the condition is a partner in the management process. This is particularly true of DM where all aspects of life are affected by the condition. During Phase One of this study, a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual approach was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of persons living with DM and of diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. During Phase Two, a conceptual framework was created and utilized to develop strategies which professional nurses may use in facilitating self-management by persons living with DM. Persons living with DM experience a definite initial experience on diagnosis of DM but gradually gain an acceptance and acknowledgment of their condition. They have definite views on the concept of self-management and experience both positive and negative factors influencing self-management. They also have definite ideas on how professional nurses may assist them in achieving self-management. These findings were confirmed ii by the experiences of the diabetes nurse educators who formed the second group of participants in this study. The ACE approach to self-management of DM consists of an Action Strategy, a Coordination Strategy and an Education Strategy. The ACE approach makes use of grand and functional strategies implemented on the macro (national), meso (provincial) and micro (local) levels to enable the professional nurse to assist persons living with DM to achieve self-management of their condition. Grand strategies need to be implemented on a macro or meso level to enable the professional nurse to function effectively on a micro level. Assisting the patient has to go beyond merely improving knowledge about the condition but has to include individual goal setting as well as problem solving skills and coping strategies as part of a therapeutic relationship between the professional nurse and the person living with DM. The level of personal responsibility achieved by persons living with DM is affected by the memes which they hold regarding their level of health and their ability to address any barriers to self-management which they may experience. Making use of the process of the therapeutic relationship, the professional nurse is able to positively influence the memes held by persons living with DM and assist them in achieving a greater level of personal responsibility. The therapeutic relationship is potentially influenced by all three of the strategies described above. This study provides insight into the experiences of persons living with DM and of the diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. Recommendations regarding the implementation of a National Diabetes Policy on a macro level are made, as well as recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. The strategies which were evaluated by an Expert Panel provide a tool for the professional nurse to use while assisting persons living with DM by facilitating the growth of personal responsibility leading to self-management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The role of the press in political conflicts in Kenya : a case study of the performance of the nation and the East African Standard Newspapers
- Authors: Nyambuga, Charles Ongadi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1449 , Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Description: This study focuses on the role of the press in violent political conflicts in Kenya in the period that preceded the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. Based on media reports, six major thematic areas of concern emerged during constitution making. These were: land tenure, devolution of power, the executive, the legislature, the Bill of Rights, and the provincial administration. These sections of the draft constitution caused a remarkable divergence of opinion. The citizens either supported or opposed the draft constitution on the basis of how the draft had treated those sections in the draft constitution. Besides the major thematic areas, newspapers regularly focused and reported on ethnicity, violence, political leaders‟ utterances, the process of constitution making, and political conflicts. Three main objectives guided the study. The first objective focused on the relationship between media content and different levels of political conflict. The influence of media content and how these may have led to high political conflict, medium political conflict, low political conflict and no political conflict, are tested in this study. The second objective highlighted the kind of coverage that the draft constitution got during the period that preceded the referendum in November, 2005. This objective facilitated interrogation of media content and whether media content focused on aspects of the draft constitution such as land ownership, the executive, devolution, the legislature and religion, as highlighted in the draft constitution of Kenya 2005. The third objective examined the thematic emphasis that the media undertook in the period that preceded the referendum. The themes that were dominant in the period before the referendum could have impacted on readers' perceptions of the critical issues that could have informed the voters' decisions. Three primary questions were addressed in the study: Firstly, was there a link between media content and different levels of political conflict in weak democracies such as Kenya? Secondly, did media content influence ethnicity and did it encourage ethnic conflict in diverse societies? Finally, what were the key thematic areas of coverage by the press, and how were they used during the referendum? In order to study these research objectives, I used a combination of theories to enhance understanding of the interplay between media content and audience in the society. The theories are: agenda setting, two-step flow, priming, framing, and the public sphere. The study adopts a triangulation convergence design in mixed- methods research that involves both qualitative and quantitative methods. A structured questionnaire and content analysis were used to seek responses to the research questions of the study and to meet the stated objectives. The research revealed that the two newspapers under investigation, namely the East African Standard and the Nation, provided more coverage to issues that were not central to the content of the draft constitution, such as political leaders' utterances, violence, ethnicity, and the process of constitution making. This showed that the newspapers tended to sensationalise issues instead of providing objective coverage of political matters. These newspapers used their opinion pages to educate their readers on how the referendum was turning violent. The theme of political leaders' utterances is closely linked to that of violence. This suggests that the violence was influenced by some of the leaders' statements. These utterances, and more so those that touched on ethnicity, could therefore have been a potential cause of the ensuing political conflicts during the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. The findings reveal that newspaper editors tended to focus on political conflict at the expense of the actual content of the draft constitution. This would have provided insight and knowledge on the document and avoided sensational reporting, which could have contributed to violent political conflicts during the period that preceded the referendum on the draft constitution of Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Nyambuga, Charles Ongadi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1449 , Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Description: This study focuses on the role of the press in violent political conflicts in Kenya in the period that preceded the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. Based on media reports, six major thematic areas of concern emerged during constitution making. These were: land tenure, devolution of power, the executive, the legislature, the Bill of Rights, and the provincial administration. These sections of the draft constitution caused a remarkable divergence of opinion. The citizens either supported or opposed the draft constitution on the basis of how the draft had treated those sections in the draft constitution. Besides the major thematic areas, newspapers regularly focused and reported on ethnicity, violence, political leaders‟ utterances, the process of constitution making, and political conflicts. Three main objectives guided the study. The first objective focused on the relationship between media content and different levels of political conflict. The influence of media content and how these may have led to high political conflict, medium political conflict, low political conflict and no political conflict, are tested in this study. The second objective highlighted the kind of coverage that the draft constitution got during the period that preceded the referendum in November, 2005. This objective facilitated interrogation of media content and whether media content focused on aspects of the draft constitution such as land ownership, the executive, devolution, the legislature and religion, as highlighted in the draft constitution of Kenya 2005. The third objective examined the thematic emphasis that the media undertook in the period that preceded the referendum. The themes that were dominant in the period before the referendum could have impacted on readers' perceptions of the critical issues that could have informed the voters' decisions. Three primary questions were addressed in the study: Firstly, was there a link between media content and different levels of political conflict in weak democracies such as Kenya? Secondly, did media content influence ethnicity and did it encourage ethnic conflict in diverse societies? Finally, what were the key thematic areas of coverage by the press, and how were they used during the referendum? In order to study these research objectives, I used a combination of theories to enhance understanding of the interplay between media content and audience in the society. The theories are: agenda setting, two-step flow, priming, framing, and the public sphere. The study adopts a triangulation convergence design in mixed- methods research that involves both qualitative and quantitative methods. A structured questionnaire and content analysis were used to seek responses to the research questions of the study and to meet the stated objectives. The research revealed that the two newspapers under investigation, namely the East African Standard and the Nation, provided more coverage to issues that were not central to the content of the draft constitution, such as political leaders' utterances, violence, ethnicity, and the process of constitution making. This showed that the newspapers tended to sensationalise issues instead of providing objective coverage of political matters. These newspapers used their opinion pages to educate their readers on how the referendum was turning violent. The theme of political leaders' utterances is closely linked to that of violence. This suggests that the violence was influenced by some of the leaders' statements. These utterances, and more so those that touched on ethnicity, could therefore have been a potential cause of the ensuing political conflicts during the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. The findings reveal that newspaper editors tended to focus on political conflict at the expense of the actual content of the draft constitution. This would have provided insight and knowledge on the document and avoided sensational reporting, which could have contributed to violent political conflicts during the period that preceded the referendum on the draft constitution of Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The simulation of vehicle engine cooling in a climatic chamber
- Authors: Badenhorst, Kenneth Merwin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Air conditioning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9615 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1454 , Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Air conditioning
- Description: The simulation of vehicle engine cooling validation in a Climatic chamber will benefit all vehicle manufacturers that are responsible for the design or the localization of parts used in a vehicle's engine cooling system. The ability to test the vehicle in-house allows testing at any time of the year; it provides repeatable and comparative data, and accelerates component level approval, which in itself reduces program timing and cost. For this dissertation road level testing was conducted in Upington using a TD1200 Superflow towing dynamometer, while the in-house testing was performed on a ROTOTEST chassis dynamometer in a Climatic chamber. All tests were conducted according to GENERAL MOTORS SOUTH AFRICA global testing standards. Statistical analyses of the test data were used to determine the relationship between parameters measured and results obtained. The major contributors to the simulation process was identified and implemented to improve measurement quality and test results. The result was an accurate simulation between road and chamber testing, hence the possibility of moving away from road testing and conduct simulated chamber testing. The presented dissertation is useful for the understanding of basic vehicle cooling testing and the methodology of simulated testing in an environmentally controlled chamber.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Badenhorst, Kenneth Merwin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Air conditioning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9615 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1454 , Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Air conditioning
- Description: The simulation of vehicle engine cooling validation in a Climatic chamber will benefit all vehicle manufacturers that are responsible for the design or the localization of parts used in a vehicle's engine cooling system. The ability to test the vehicle in-house allows testing at any time of the year; it provides repeatable and comparative data, and accelerates component level approval, which in itself reduces program timing and cost. For this dissertation road level testing was conducted in Upington using a TD1200 Superflow towing dynamometer, while the in-house testing was performed on a ROTOTEST chassis dynamometer in a Climatic chamber. All tests were conducted according to GENERAL MOTORS SOUTH AFRICA global testing standards. Statistical analyses of the test data were used to determine the relationship between parameters measured and results obtained. The major contributors to the simulation process was identified and implemented to improve measurement quality and test results. The result was an accurate simulation between road and chamber testing, hence the possibility of moving away from road testing and conduct simulated chamber testing. The presented dissertation is useful for the understanding of basic vehicle cooling testing and the methodology of simulated testing in an environmentally controlled chamber.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Motivations of international trophy hunters choosing to hunt in South Africa
- Authors: Mulder, Attilia Cesira
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Hunting -- South Africa , Travelers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1328 , Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Hunting -- South Africa , Travelers
- Description: In travel research, it is generally accepted that push factors are the motivations that prompt an individual to travel, and pull factors are those by which the individual is enticed by the attractiveness of the destination, once the decision to travel has been made. Having this been said, this research examined the motivations of international trophy hunters and why they chose to hunt in South Africa. The empirical data were collected by means of a postal survey. Two thousand self-administered questionnaires were distributed to overseas hunters who had previously visited South Africa to participate in a hunting safari. One hundred and ninety one questionnaires were suitable for the data analysis. Results of the principal component factor analysis yielded six push motivational dimensions that influenced an individual to participate in trophy hunting, and three pull motivational dimensions that encouraged hunters to hunt in South Africa. Multivariate analyses (MANOVA) were conducted to examine differences between the push and pull factors across various socio-demographic characteristics. Where differences in the MANOVA were found, additional analyses were conducted to examine differences between push and pull factors on the socio-demographic subgroups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure the degree of interrelationships among push and pull factors for socio-demographic factors. To address the objectives of the current study, five postulations were formulated. The first postulation revealed that personal, psychological needs and values, such as status, family, social interaction, exercise and challenge, were the main factors that push individuals to participate in trophy hunting. Postulation 2 indicated that a number of factors pull overseas hunters to hunt in South Africa namely, nature/scenery, fantasy and information sources - particularly recommendations by other hunters. The third postulation was confirmed namely that country of residence, age, gender, occupation and income have an influence on push and pull factors of motivation. Postulation 4 partly confirmed that a positive relationship exists between a number of push and pull factors of motivation. Lastly, postulation 5 verified that socio-demographics do have an influence on the relationship between push and pull factors of motivation. Results of the study thus provide destination/tourism/marketing managers and/or professionals within the hunting industry with a better understanding of hunters' travel motivation and behavior.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mulder, Attilia Cesira
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Hunting -- South Africa , Travelers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1328 , Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Hunting -- South Africa , Travelers
- Description: In travel research, it is generally accepted that push factors are the motivations that prompt an individual to travel, and pull factors are those by which the individual is enticed by the attractiveness of the destination, once the decision to travel has been made. Having this been said, this research examined the motivations of international trophy hunters and why they chose to hunt in South Africa. The empirical data were collected by means of a postal survey. Two thousand self-administered questionnaires were distributed to overseas hunters who had previously visited South Africa to participate in a hunting safari. One hundred and ninety one questionnaires were suitable for the data analysis. Results of the principal component factor analysis yielded six push motivational dimensions that influenced an individual to participate in trophy hunting, and three pull motivational dimensions that encouraged hunters to hunt in South Africa. Multivariate analyses (MANOVA) were conducted to examine differences between the push and pull factors across various socio-demographic characteristics. Where differences in the MANOVA were found, additional analyses were conducted to examine differences between push and pull factors on the socio-demographic subgroups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure the degree of interrelationships among push and pull factors for socio-demographic factors. To address the objectives of the current study, five postulations were formulated. The first postulation revealed that personal, psychological needs and values, such as status, family, social interaction, exercise and challenge, were the main factors that push individuals to participate in trophy hunting. Postulation 2 indicated that a number of factors pull overseas hunters to hunt in South Africa namely, nature/scenery, fantasy and information sources - particularly recommendations by other hunters. The third postulation was confirmed namely that country of residence, age, gender, occupation and income have an influence on push and pull factors of motivation. Postulation 4 partly confirmed that a positive relationship exists between a number of push and pull factors of motivation. Lastly, postulation 5 verified that socio-demographics do have an influence on the relationship between push and pull factors of motivation. Results of the study thus provide destination/tourism/marketing managers and/or professionals within the hunting industry with a better understanding of hunters' travel motivation and behavior.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Perceptions of Chinese students on the quality of the academic programmes and services offered at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Authors: Song, Junli
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Curricula -- Chinese students , Chinese students -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Strategic planning , Service industries -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1368 , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Curricula -- Chinese students , Chinese students -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Strategic planning , Service industries -- Marketing
- Description: With English as the medium of academic exchange, Chinese students are the largest single overseas student group in the English speaking countries (2010). Relative to the outbound education market of other countries, the Chinese education market is large, and it is currently receiving much attention globally. Not only is South Africa one of countries where English is spoken, it has relatively speaking, low study fees and easily-accessed visas compared with countries in Europe and the United States. Therefore, South African universities have a virtually unlimited potential for receiving Chinese students. For South African education providers, particularly NMMU as the host university for the research in question, in order to render the expected education quality and to cater for the Chinese education market effectively, it is of utmost importance that the institutions have a clear understanding of Chinese students’ expectations as well as their actual academic experiences (in the broadest context) when studying at this university. The above is closely linked to the expected educational quality, the actual educational delivery as experienced by Chinese students, as well as the levels of satisfaction they experience as students at NMMU. The purpose of this research project is twofold. Firstly, it aims to construct a theoretical model showing the variables and relationships pertaining to expected and actual educational delivery as experienced by Chinese students. Having assessed the perceptions of the respondents based on the findings, another purpose is to design appropriate educational marketing strategies suitable to address the academic needs and expectations of Chinese students in the broadest context. By designing appropriate education strategies, the potential to develop the Chinese education market in South Africa will be enhanced. Given the purpose and nature of the research in question, methodological triangulation strategies were used. A Likert seven-point scale research instrument was developed and administered. Due to the limited number of respondents (n=61), the Likert scale instrument was further subjected to enrich the data by means of face-to-face interviews with 61 Chinese students (respondents), who shared their perceptions on the expectations and actual experiences of NMMU academic programme quality encounters. By following the methodological triangulation strategies, the validity of the findings is enhanced. The phenomenological dimension of the research was conducted according to guidelines as documented in secondary sources. The findings of the matched pair t-tests indicated that significant statistical differences do exist between the ‘expectations’ and ‘actual experiences’ of Chinese students’ perceived academic programme quality. Sufficient evidence is available at the 95 percent level of significance to support the hypothesis H1, namely: “There are differences between Chinese students’ ‘expected’ and ‘perceived’ academic programme quality (actual experience) of NMMU”. Besides the matched pair t-tests, further statistical analyses were performed by means of calculating Cohen’s ‘d’ values and relative percentage ratings to assess the magnitude of the “gap” between expectations and actual experiences of Chinese students studying at NMMU. The findings revealed that the Chinese students were not completely satisfied with their actual experiences when studying at NMMU. The above statistical findings were endorsed by the qualitative findings. Three sets of conclusions and recommendations were identified for this research. Firstly, conclusions emanating from secondary sources on service quality and students’ satisfaction literature were provided, such that students satisfaction is seen more as a psychological state which reveals an overall feeling of the students’ purchase and consumption experience. Secondly, the conclusions linked to the empirical findings revealed significant statistical differences between the expectations and perceptions (actual experiences) of Chinese students’ perceived academic programme quality. Finally, recommendations on relevant NMMU educational marketing objectives/ strategies can be grouped into four domains: - To build a customer-led education business which adheres to the principles of true marketing orientation with the focus on Chinese students. To achieve this objective a high level of understanding of Chinese students’ specific needs and wants when studying at NMMU is of utmost importance. The effective marketing positioning of NMMU can render leverage benefits to themselves and their clientele. - Findings from the biographic data analyses are significant to the positioning strategies and market segmentation strategies of NMMU. - The decision on a proper positioning strategy entails the choice of target market segments, which will determine where and how the education business competes and its choice of differential advantages. - The South African education providers should have appropriate educational brands to entice the Chinese students’ support.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Song, Junli
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Curricula -- Chinese students , Chinese students -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Strategic planning , Service industries -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1368 , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Curricula -- Chinese students , Chinese students -- Education (Higher) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Strategic planning , Service industries -- Marketing
- Description: With English as the medium of academic exchange, Chinese students are the largest single overseas student group in the English speaking countries (2010). Relative to the outbound education market of other countries, the Chinese education market is large, and it is currently receiving much attention globally. Not only is South Africa one of countries where English is spoken, it has relatively speaking, low study fees and easily-accessed visas compared with countries in Europe and the United States. Therefore, South African universities have a virtually unlimited potential for receiving Chinese students. For South African education providers, particularly NMMU as the host university for the research in question, in order to render the expected education quality and to cater for the Chinese education market effectively, it is of utmost importance that the institutions have a clear understanding of Chinese students’ expectations as well as their actual academic experiences (in the broadest context) when studying at this university. The above is closely linked to the expected educational quality, the actual educational delivery as experienced by Chinese students, as well as the levels of satisfaction they experience as students at NMMU. The purpose of this research project is twofold. Firstly, it aims to construct a theoretical model showing the variables and relationships pertaining to expected and actual educational delivery as experienced by Chinese students. Having assessed the perceptions of the respondents based on the findings, another purpose is to design appropriate educational marketing strategies suitable to address the academic needs and expectations of Chinese students in the broadest context. By designing appropriate education strategies, the potential to develop the Chinese education market in South Africa will be enhanced. Given the purpose and nature of the research in question, methodological triangulation strategies were used. A Likert seven-point scale research instrument was developed and administered. Due to the limited number of respondents (n=61), the Likert scale instrument was further subjected to enrich the data by means of face-to-face interviews with 61 Chinese students (respondents), who shared their perceptions on the expectations and actual experiences of NMMU academic programme quality encounters. By following the methodological triangulation strategies, the validity of the findings is enhanced. The phenomenological dimension of the research was conducted according to guidelines as documented in secondary sources. The findings of the matched pair t-tests indicated that significant statistical differences do exist between the ‘expectations’ and ‘actual experiences’ of Chinese students’ perceived academic programme quality. Sufficient evidence is available at the 95 percent level of significance to support the hypothesis H1, namely: “There are differences between Chinese students’ ‘expected’ and ‘perceived’ academic programme quality (actual experience) of NMMU”. Besides the matched pair t-tests, further statistical analyses were performed by means of calculating Cohen’s ‘d’ values and relative percentage ratings to assess the magnitude of the “gap” between expectations and actual experiences of Chinese students studying at NMMU. The findings revealed that the Chinese students were not completely satisfied with their actual experiences when studying at NMMU. The above statistical findings were endorsed by the qualitative findings. Three sets of conclusions and recommendations were identified for this research. Firstly, conclusions emanating from secondary sources on service quality and students’ satisfaction literature were provided, such that students satisfaction is seen more as a psychological state which reveals an overall feeling of the students’ purchase and consumption experience. Secondly, the conclusions linked to the empirical findings revealed significant statistical differences between the expectations and perceptions (actual experiences) of Chinese students’ perceived academic programme quality. Finally, recommendations on relevant NMMU educational marketing objectives/ strategies can be grouped into four domains: - To build a customer-led education business which adheres to the principles of true marketing orientation with the focus on Chinese students. To achieve this objective a high level of understanding of Chinese students’ specific needs and wants when studying at NMMU is of utmost importance. The effective marketing positioning of NMMU can render leverage benefits to themselves and their clientele. - Findings from the biographic data analyses are significant to the positioning strategies and market segmentation strategies of NMMU. - The decision on a proper positioning strategy entails the choice of target market segments, which will determine where and how the education business competes and its choice of differential advantages. - The South African education providers should have appropriate educational brands to entice the Chinese students’ support.
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- Date Issued: 2011