The effectiveness of health and safety service providers' relative to construction
- Authors: Ayesu-Koranteng, Emma
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa Industrial safety -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15149 , vital:28151
- Description: The construction industry (CI) is well known to be one of the most dangerous industries in South Africa (SA) due to the complex nature of construction activities, advancement in technologies and an aging workforce, emphasising the need for training. Over the past two decades, the industry has come under the spotlight regarding Health and Safety (H&S). The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act 85 of 1993 and Construction Regulations (CR) 2014 as amended are the statutes that govern the H&S in the construction workplace. These statutes aim to provide minimum guidelines by which all operating in the industry should abide by in order to ensure the safety of all persons at work. A fundamental aspect of the OH&S Act and CR is for construction employers to assess occupational hazards and conduct risk assessments with remedies to mitigate or prevent such risks. Furthermore, employers are compelled by law to ensure that employees are made aware of the risks at the induction stage, in addition to preventative measures associated with their work activities. Therefore, training forms the structure by which H&S in the workplace can be improved. Training in itself is not enough if it is not based on the employees’ needs as assessed. Training needs to be relevant and effective if it is to have a significant effect in the prevention and possible reduction in the number of occupational injuries and fatalities in the CI. A question that led to the basis of this research was why there were such poor H&S practices in the CI when the statutes clearly require the importance of training. This research is aimed at establishing the effectiveness of service providers relative to construction. Service providers offer services such as training, auditing, SHEQ management, and other H&S related matters. Of fundamental importance is that training has a direct or indirect influence on the health and safety (H&S) of employees in the workplace. Thus, this research aims to determine the effectiveness of training offered by these service providers relative to construction. The researcher utilised the quantitative data collection method to collect primary data from a sample surveyed through a questionnaire, whilst collecting secondary data from books, the Internet, professional journals, and articles. The sampled population consisted of service providers, health and safety practitioners, construction managers, supervisors, and workers, all from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Area. The data was analysed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), ANOVA and the one-sample t-test. The literature reviewed and findings of this quantitative research amongst construction personal such as top, senior, middle management (TSMM), and general workers and labourers (GWL) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area formed the basis of this study. The study reveals that training offered by service providers was indirectly unrelated to construction. Furthermore, the study also showed that management concurred that there was a strong belief that language did not influence their ability to understand the contents of the training, which is mainly provided in English. The group believed that training from service providers were at the correct level. Alternatively, GWL were of the belief that language influenced their ability to understand the training received. The study also indicated that procurement of these service providers were not based on their skills, knowledge and background in construction. This may be attributed to the fact that management are more advanced in terms of education than GWL. Lastly, the study revealed that a significant number of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officers are in the process of registering with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), the professional body responsible for the registration of Construction Health and Safety (CH&S) professions. This study will conclude with findings, conclusions, and recommendations that will be valuable to construction companies relative to the services of service providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ayesu-Koranteng, Emma
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa Industrial safety -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15149 , vital:28151
- Description: The construction industry (CI) is well known to be one of the most dangerous industries in South Africa (SA) due to the complex nature of construction activities, advancement in technologies and an aging workforce, emphasising the need for training. Over the past two decades, the industry has come under the spotlight regarding Health and Safety (H&S). The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act 85 of 1993 and Construction Regulations (CR) 2014 as amended are the statutes that govern the H&S in the construction workplace. These statutes aim to provide minimum guidelines by which all operating in the industry should abide by in order to ensure the safety of all persons at work. A fundamental aspect of the OH&S Act and CR is for construction employers to assess occupational hazards and conduct risk assessments with remedies to mitigate or prevent such risks. Furthermore, employers are compelled by law to ensure that employees are made aware of the risks at the induction stage, in addition to preventative measures associated with their work activities. Therefore, training forms the structure by which H&S in the workplace can be improved. Training in itself is not enough if it is not based on the employees’ needs as assessed. Training needs to be relevant and effective if it is to have a significant effect in the prevention and possible reduction in the number of occupational injuries and fatalities in the CI. A question that led to the basis of this research was why there were such poor H&S practices in the CI when the statutes clearly require the importance of training. This research is aimed at establishing the effectiveness of service providers relative to construction. Service providers offer services such as training, auditing, SHEQ management, and other H&S related matters. Of fundamental importance is that training has a direct or indirect influence on the health and safety (H&S) of employees in the workplace. Thus, this research aims to determine the effectiveness of training offered by these service providers relative to construction. The researcher utilised the quantitative data collection method to collect primary data from a sample surveyed through a questionnaire, whilst collecting secondary data from books, the Internet, professional journals, and articles. The sampled population consisted of service providers, health and safety practitioners, construction managers, supervisors, and workers, all from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Area. The data was analysed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), ANOVA and the one-sample t-test. The literature reviewed and findings of this quantitative research amongst construction personal such as top, senior, middle management (TSMM), and general workers and labourers (GWL) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area formed the basis of this study. The study reveals that training offered by service providers was indirectly unrelated to construction. Furthermore, the study also showed that management concurred that there was a strong belief that language did not influence their ability to understand the contents of the training, which is mainly provided in English. The group believed that training from service providers were at the correct level. Alternatively, GWL were of the belief that language influenced their ability to understand the training received. The study also indicated that procurement of these service providers were not based on their skills, knowledge and background in construction. This may be attributed to the fact that management are more advanced in terms of education than GWL. Lastly, the study revealed that a significant number of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officers are in the process of registering with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), the professional body responsible for the registration of Construction Health and Safety (CH&S) professions. This study will conclude with findings, conclusions, and recommendations that will be valuable to construction companies relative to the services of service providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
South African public private partnership (PPP) projects
- Nyagwachi, Josiah Nyangaresi
- Authors: Nyagwachi, Josiah Nyangaresi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Public-private sector cooperation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/716 , Public-private sector cooperation -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this thesis is to disseminate research work done towards a higher degree and report on the findings of the research that was conducted relative to South African Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The research investigated perceptions of PPP actors on the performance of operational PPP projects. The aim of the research was to fulfil the requirements for the award of the degree of philosophiae doctor in construction management; contribute to the PPP body of knowledge; contribute further understanding of the performance of PPP projects in South Africa; and develop a systemic model for a sustainable PPP system within the country and beyond. All the aforementioned have been achieved, despite the research limitations as indicated in Chapter 1. A case study approach was adopted to examine various performance aspects of operational South African PPP projects. The research was a multi-case study design. Each individual case study consisted of a ‘whole’ study, in which facts were gathered from the selected PPP projects and conclusions drawn on those facts. A web-based questionnaire was used to capture the experiences and perceptions of various actors involved directly, or indirectly in selected PPP projects. The sample stratum consisted of all operational PPP projects registered in accordance with Treasury Regulations as of December 2005 and other projects that reached financial closure before the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 became effective. PPPs involve highly complex procurement processes, are relatively new in South Africa and to date have attracted limited investigation to refine our understanding of the operational performance of PPP projects. This is notable, as significant financial and other resources are involved, and the perception exists that service delivery in most parts of the country is poor. Key empirical evidence from the research indicates that South Africa has developed a robust policy and regulatory framework for PPPs; has an inadequate level of PPP awareness and training; and lacks the project management capacity to facilitate deal flow. It is suggested that further research be conducted on a yearly basis, preferably every six months, so that trends can be established concerning various aspects of other operational PPPs. Further, it is recommended that the PPP Unit commission sector-specific studies that will conduct further research, to compare research across PPP and non-PPP contracts. The choice to conduct a multi-case study required extensive resources and time beyond the means available to the researcher. Further, the sensitive nature of PPP projects made it difficult to obtain required data at the first attempt. However, the researcher made several follow up calls and reminders before eventually obtaining the required data from the respondents. A systemic PPP model has been developed for PPP implementation and management. This model was tested for appropriateness by conducting a further survey on PPP participants attending an international conference on 'Financing of Infrastructure Development in Africa through Public Private Partnerships’ staged in August 2007, in the St. George Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa. The findings from this research make an invaluable and original contribution to the PPP body of knowledge, provide insight for further research in this important field, refine the understanding of operational PPP projects, and provide direction for policy and decision makers in the public and private sectors, within South Africa and beyond.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Nyagwachi, Josiah Nyangaresi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Public-private sector cooperation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/716 , Public-private sector cooperation -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this thesis is to disseminate research work done towards a higher degree and report on the findings of the research that was conducted relative to South African Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The research investigated perceptions of PPP actors on the performance of operational PPP projects. The aim of the research was to fulfil the requirements for the award of the degree of philosophiae doctor in construction management; contribute to the PPP body of knowledge; contribute further understanding of the performance of PPP projects in South Africa; and develop a systemic model for a sustainable PPP system within the country and beyond. All the aforementioned have been achieved, despite the research limitations as indicated in Chapter 1. A case study approach was adopted to examine various performance aspects of operational South African PPP projects. The research was a multi-case study design. Each individual case study consisted of a ‘whole’ study, in which facts were gathered from the selected PPP projects and conclusions drawn on those facts. A web-based questionnaire was used to capture the experiences and perceptions of various actors involved directly, or indirectly in selected PPP projects. The sample stratum consisted of all operational PPP projects registered in accordance with Treasury Regulations as of December 2005 and other projects that reached financial closure before the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 became effective. PPPs involve highly complex procurement processes, are relatively new in South Africa and to date have attracted limited investigation to refine our understanding of the operational performance of PPP projects. This is notable, as significant financial and other resources are involved, and the perception exists that service delivery in most parts of the country is poor. Key empirical evidence from the research indicates that South Africa has developed a robust policy and regulatory framework for PPPs; has an inadequate level of PPP awareness and training; and lacks the project management capacity to facilitate deal flow. It is suggested that further research be conducted on a yearly basis, preferably every six months, so that trends can be established concerning various aspects of other operational PPPs. Further, it is recommended that the PPP Unit commission sector-specific studies that will conduct further research, to compare research across PPP and non-PPP contracts. The choice to conduct a multi-case study required extensive resources and time beyond the means available to the researcher. Further, the sensitive nature of PPP projects made it difficult to obtain required data at the first attempt. However, the researcher made several follow up calls and reminders before eventually obtaining the required data from the respondents. A systemic PPP model has been developed for PPP implementation and management. This model was tested for appropriateness by conducting a further survey on PPP participants attending an international conference on 'Financing of Infrastructure Development in Africa through Public Private Partnerships’ staged in August 2007, in the St. George Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa. The findings from this research make an invaluable and original contribution to the PPP body of knowledge, provide insight for further research in this important field, refine the understanding of operational PPP projects, and provide direction for policy and decision makers in the public and private sectors, within South Africa and beyond.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Guidelines for cybersecurity education campaigns
- Authors: Reid, Rayne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Computer security Computer networks -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14091 , vital:27416
- Description: In our technology- and information-infused world, cyberspace is an integral part of modern-day society. As the number of active cyberspace users increases, so too does the chances of a cyber threat finding a vulnerable target increase. All cyber users who are exposed to cyber risks need to be educated about cyber security. Human beings play a key role in the implementation and governing of an entire cybersecurity and cybersafety solution. The effectiveness of any cybersecurity and cybersafety solutions in a societal or individual context is dependent on the human beings involved in the process. If these human beings are either unaware or not knowledgeable about their roles in the security solution they become the weak link in these cybersecurity solutions. It is essential that all users be educated to combat any threats. Children are a particularly vulnerable subgroup within society. They are digital natives and make use of ICT, and online services with increasing frequency, but this does not mean they are knowledgeable about or behaving securely in their cyber activities. Children will be exposed to cyberspace throughout their lifetimes. Therefore, cybersecurity and cybersafety should be taught to children as a life-skill. There is a lack of well-known, comprehensive cybersecurity and cybersafety educational campaigns which target school children. Most existing information security and cybersecurity education campaigns limit their scope. Literature reports mainly on education campaigns focused on primary businesses, government agencies and tertiary education institutions. Additionally, most guidance for the design and implementation of security and safety campaigns: are for an organisational context, only target organisational users, and mostly provide high-level design recommendations. This thesis addressed the lack of guidance for designing and implementing cybersecurity and cybersafety educational campaigns suited to school learners as a target audience. The thesis aimed to offer guidance for designing and implementing education campaigns that educate school learners about cybersecurity and cybersafety. This was done through the implementation of an action research process over a five-year period. The action research process involved cybersecurity and cybersafety educational interventions at multiple schools. A total of 18 actionable guidelines were derived from this research to guide the design and implementation of cybersecurity and cybersafety education campaigns which aim to educate school children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Reid, Rayne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Computer security Computer networks -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14091 , vital:27416
- Description: In our technology- and information-infused world, cyberspace is an integral part of modern-day society. As the number of active cyberspace users increases, so too does the chances of a cyber threat finding a vulnerable target increase. All cyber users who are exposed to cyber risks need to be educated about cyber security. Human beings play a key role in the implementation and governing of an entire cybersecurity and cybersafety solution. The effectiveness of any cybersecurity and cybersafety solutions in a societal or individual context is dependent on the human beings involved in the process. If these human beings are either unaware or not knowledgeable about their roles in the security solution they become the weak link in these cybersecurity solutions. It is essential that all users be educated to combat any threats. Children are a particularly vulnerable subgroup within society. They are digital natives and make use of ICT, and online services with increasing frequency, but this does not mean they are knowledgeable about or behaving securely in their cyber activities. Children will be exposed to cyberspace throughout their lifetimes. Therefore, cybersecurity and cybersafety should be taught to children as a life-skill. There is a lack of well-known, comprehensive cybersecurity and cybersafety educational campaigns which target school children. Most existing information security and cybersecurity education campaigns limit their scope. Literature reports mainly on education campaigns focused on primary businesses, government agencies and tertiary education institutions. Additionally, most guidance for the design and implementation of security and safety campaigns: are for an organisational context, only target organisational users, and mostly provide high-level design recommendations. This thesis addressed the lack of guidance for designing and implementing cybersecurity and cybersafety educational campaigns suited to school learners as a target audience. The thesis aimed to offer guidance for designing and implementing education campaigns that educate school learners about cybersecurity and cybersafety. This was done through the implementation of an action research process over a five-year period. The action research process involved cybersecurity and cybersafety educational interventions at multiple schools. A total of 18 actionable guidelines were derived from this research to guide the design and implementation of cybersecurity and cybersafety education campaigns which aim to educate school children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A model for cultivating resistance to social engineering attacks
- Authors: Jansson, Kenny
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Computer security , Data protection , Human-computer interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9744 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1588 , Computer security , Data protection , Human-computer interaction
- Description: The human being is commonly considered as being the weakest link in information security. Subsequently, as information is one of the most critical assets in an organization today, it is essential that the human element is considered in deployments of information security countermeasures. However, the human element is often neglected in this regard. Consequently, many criminals are now targeting the user directly to obtain sensitive information instead of spending days or even months trying to hack through systems. Some criminals are targeting users by utilizing various social engineering techniques to deceive the user into disclosing information. For this reason, the users of the Internet and ICT-related technologies are nowadays very vulnerable to various social engineering attacks. As a contribution to increase users’ social engineering awareness, a model – called SERUM – was devised. SERUM aims to cultivate social engineering resistance within a community through exposing the users of the community to ‘fake’ social engineering attacks. The users that react incorrectly to these attacks are instantly notified and requested to participate in an online social engineering awareness program. Thus, users are educated on-demand. The model was implemented as a software system and was utilized to conduct a phishing exercise on all the students of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The aim of the phishing exercise was to determine whether SERUM is effective in cultivating social engineering resistant behaviour within a community. This phishing exercise proved to be successful and positive results emanated. This indicated that a model like SERUM can indeed be used to educate users regarding phishing attacks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Jansson, Kenny
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Computer security , Data protection , Human-computer interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9744 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1588 , Computer security , Data protection , Human-computer interaction
- Description: The human being is commonly considered as being the weakest link in information security. Subsequently, as information is one of the most critical assets in an organization today, it is essential that the human element is considered in deployments of information security countermeasures. However, the human element is often neglected in this regard. Consequently, many criminals are now targeting the user directly to obtain sensitive information instead of spending days or even months trying to hack through systems. Some criminals are targeting users by utilizing various social engineering techniques to deceive the user into disclosing information. For this reason, the users of the Internet and ICT-related technologies are nowadays very vulnerable to various social engineering attacks. As a contribution to increase users’ social engineering awareness, a model – called SERUM – was devised. SERUM aims to cultivate social engineering resistance within a community through exposing the users of the community to ‘fake’ social engineering attacks. The users that react incorrectly to these attacks are instantly notified and requested to participate in an online social engineering awareness program. Thus, users are educated on-demand. The model was implemented as a software system and was utilized to conduct a phishing exercise on all the students of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The aim of the phishing exercise was to determine whether SERUM is effective in cultivating social engineering resistant behaviour within a community. This phishing exercise proved to be successful and positive results emanated. This indicated that a model like SERUM can indeed be used to educate users regarding phishing attacks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Measuring the competitiveness of small, medium and micro enterprice contractors through the use of the register of contractors
- Gasa, Zanele Bridgette Nompumelelo
- Authors: Gasa, Zanele Bridgette Nompumelelo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa , Construction contracts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014325
- Description: This research focuses on and summarises the methodology followed to demonstrate that the South African construction industry can use the Construction Registers Service, in particular the Register of Contractors, as a tool to measure the competitiveness of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs). The Register of Contractors (RoC) was developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) in terms of the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) Act 38 of 2000. As a tool, it was designed to offer a basis for sustainable constructor development, growth, improved delivery, performance and sustainable empowerment. It was also developed to be used by the construction industry to, inter alia, and provide statistical data which would enable the construction industry to better understand the contracting capacity in South Africa. Beyond providing the statistical data, the register of contractors was meant to be enhanced with functionalities that would measure the growth and performance of contractors as they apply business practices that improve their value offering to the construction industry as a whole. This research looks at how this tool can be used by the construction industry to measure the competitiveness of the contractors within the selected grades, with the intent of demonstrating the overall value of the RoC as a tool. The research undertaken looks at how the use of the RoC can measure the competitiveness of a targeted group of small contractors. The research limits itself to the entry levels of contractors registered with the cidb between grades 2 and 5 with a view to establish a benchmark for contractor competitiveness within those bands. The research further proves the correlation between contractor capability and the ‘ability’ to be competitive in growing their value proposition and businesses. The unit of study for the purposes of this research is at firm level drawing from a reflection on who is an active participant in the South African construction industry particularly as it pertains to the smaller contractors within the targeted group elucidated above. The focus of the research is on the efficacy of the RoC as a tool that identifies the areas needing targeted development to support SMMEs and the subsequent demonstration of improved business processes within that sector. The qualitative research methodology was followed through this study as its nature was such that there was no requirement to rely only entirely on statistics or numbers due to the articulated problem there needed to be a qualitative enquiry into data needed which would adequately land to a significant synthesis on the responses and arrive at suitable solutions to the identified problem. The qualitative research methodology followed by this study was used to gain insight into the construction SMMEs’ attitudes towards the sector within which they trade, their behaviours, their value systems [to the extent where this was possible], their concerns, their motivations and aspirations. All of these, the study concluded that they inform the business decisions which the SMMEs make. How structured information was collected and analysed provided a synthesis of themes and aided in extracting meaning. The main findings of the research were that there is no shared understanding within the local construction industry of what contractor competitiveness is and to what extent it would benefit both the industry and the SMME sector. As a result of this competitiveness could not be measured and there was no clarity as to what tools of measure could be used to forecast the capabilities of the industry. This research was focused on exploring how the RoC can be used to measure improved capability and competitiveness on the part of SMME contractors. The implications of these findings are that there would now be improved and measurable competitiveness allowing the contractors to bid for work both within their provincial regions but also outside of their geographical location and to measure their growth as they achieve higher grading statuses within the register of contractors (RoC). The efficacy of contractor development programmes would also improve as they go beyond enhancing contractor capacity but also include competence improvements, training for business acumen, improved capability and innovation. The conclusion is that South Africa’s construction industry could achieve sustainable development and growth as a result of SMME contractors whose competitiveness would have been measured through the use of the RoC tool. The main recommendation is that there be a clear understanding of competitiveness and what its benefits to the South African construction industry are whilst at the same time the RoC is acknowledged as the tool embedded with functionalities able to measure this competitiveness amongst graded contractors. The RoC would allow construction clients to not only measure contractor competitiveness but also that they may have an improved ability to measure the direct impacts of contractor development interventions. , Lolucubungulo lugxile ekubhekeni izimo ezinqala ngaphakathi komkhakha wezokwakha. Lubuka igalelo losonkontilaka abasebancane kulomkhakha ekuzithuthukiseni kanti futhi nemizamo eyenziwe uHulumeni endimeni edlalwe uhlu olushicilwelwe iBhodi yomkhakha wezokwakha (i-cidb). Umbhali walolucubungulo ukholelwa ekutheni loluhlu lungasetshenziswa hhayi kuphela ekuthuthikiseni ononkontilaka kodwa futhi ekwenzeni ukuthi bakhule kulo lona loluhlu baze bakwazi ukuthola amathuba angcono emisebenzi. Uhlu ekukhulunywa ngalo lapha lwashicilelwa i-cidb ngomgomo womthetho kaHulumeni we-Act 38 of 2000. Luyithuluzi elenzelwe ukuba likhulise umkhakha wezokwakha, lithuthukise osomabhizinisi abasebancane, likhuthaze imigomo efanelekile ekwakheni (improved delivery). Enye injongo yokushicilela lelithuluzi kwakuwukwenzela ukuthi kwaziwe inani labo osonkontilaka, ubulili babo nokuthi bagxile-phi ngokwezindawo zokusebenza. Konke loku kwakufanele ukuze uHulumeni kanye nabanye abaqashi bazi ukuthi uma kusikelwana ngemisebenzi bangaki na ononkontilaka abazokwazi ukufeza izidingo zemiphakathi esiphila kuyo? Lolucubungulo luzobheka ithuluzi elasungulwa umkhakha wokwakha ekutheni lingakwazi na ukudlondlobalisa osonkontilaka abasafufusa phakathi kwalemikhakha (grades) ababekwe kuyo? Kuzobhekwa futhi ubugugu balo lona lelithuluzi. Akuzoqxilwa kubo bonke osonkontilaka, kodwa kulabo abasabancane ngokwamabhizinisi abo ababekwe emazingeni kusukela ku-2 kuya ku-5 ngokoshicilelo le-cidb. Kuzobhekwa amakhono abo labosonkontilaka, kubhekwe futhi izinkomba ezingabadlondlobalisa ngokwamabhizinisi. Okunye okuhloswe yilolucubungulo ukubheka ukuthi umkhakha wezokwakha uyakwazi na ukukhiqiza amathuba anele isikhathi eside kwenzelwa osonkotilaka belu nokuthi uyakwazi na ukuqhubeka wakhe amathuba azokhuthaza ukukhula kwabo. Ekugcineni okufanele kufezwe yilolucubungulo wukuthi uhlu olushicilelwe losonkontilaka lungasiza ekukhuthazeni udlondlobalo losonkontilaka abancane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Gasa, Zanele Bridgette Nompumelelo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa , Construction contracts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014325
- Description: This research focuses on and summarises the methodology followed to demonstrate that the South African construction industry can use the Construction Registers Service, in particular the Register of Contractors, as a tool to measure the competitiveness of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs). The Register of Contractors (RoC) was developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) in terms of the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) Act 38 of 2000. As a tool, it was designed to offer a basis for sustainable constructor development, growth, improved delivery, performance and sustainable empowerment. It was also developed to be used by the construction industry to, inter alia, and provide statistical data which would enable the construction industry to better understand the contracting capacity in South Africa. Beyond providing the statistical data, the register of contractors was meant to be enhanced with functionalities that would measure the growth and performance of contractors as they apply business practices that improve their value offering to the construction industry as a whole. This research looks at how this tool can be used by the construction industry to measure the competitiveness of the contractors within the selected grades, with the intent of demonstrating the overall value of the RoC as a tool. The research undertaken looks at how the use of the RoC can measure the competitiveness of a targeted group of small contractors. The research limits itself to the entry levels of contractors registered with the cidb between grades 2 and 5 with a view to establish a benchmark for contractor competitiveness within those bands. The research further proves the correlation between contractor capability and the ‘ability’ to be competitive in growing their value proposition and businesses. The unit of study for the purposes of this research is at firm level drawing from a reflection on who is an active participant in the South African construction industry particularly as it pertains to the smaller contractors within the targeted group elucidated above. The focus of the research is on the efficacy of the RoC as a tool that identifies the areas needing targeted development to support SMMEs and the subsequent demonstration of improved business processes within that sector. The qualitative research methodology was followed through this study as its nature was such that there was no requirement to rely only entirely on statistics or numbers due to the articulated problem there needed to be a qualitative enquiry into data needed which would adequately land to a significant synthesis on the responses and arrive at suitable solutions to the identified problem. The qualitative research methodology followed by this study was used to gain insight into the construction SMMEs’ attitudes towards the sector within which they trade, their behaviours, their value systems [to the extent where this was possible], their concerns, their motivations and aspirations. All of these, the study concluded that they inform the business decisions which the SMMEs make. How structured information was collected and analysed provided a synthesis of themes and aided in extracting meaning. The main findings of the research were that there is no shared understanding within the local construction industry of what contractor competitiveness is and to what extent it would benefit both the industry and the SMME sector. As a result of this competitiveness could not be measured and there was no clarity as to what tools of measure could be used to forecast the capabilities of the industry. This research was focused on exploring how the RoC can be used to measure improved capability and competitiveness on the part of SMME contractors. The implications of these findings are that there would now be improved and measurable competitiveness allowing the contractors to bid for work both within their provincial regions but also outside of their geographical location and to measure their growth as they achieve higher grading statuses within the register of contractors (RoC). The efficacy of contractor development programmes would also improve as they go beyond enhancing contractor capacity but also include competence improvements, training for business acumen, improved capability and innovation. The conclusion is that South Africa’s construction industry could achieve sustainable development and growth as a result of SMME contractors whose competitiveness would have been measured through the use of the RoC tool. The main recommendation is that there be a clear understanding of competitiveness and what its benefits to the South African construction industry are whilst at the same time the RoC is acknowledged as the tool embedded with functionalities able to measure this competitiveness amongst graded contractors. The RoC would allow construction clients to not only measure contractor competitiveness but also that they may have an improved ability to measure the direct impacts of contractor development interventions. , Lolucubungulo lugxile ekubhekeni izimo ezinqala ngaphakathi komkhakha wezokwakha. Lubuka igalelo losonkontilaka abasebancane kulomkhakha ekuzithuthukiseni kanti futhi nemizamo eyenziwe uHulumeni endimeni edlalwe uhlu olushicilwelwe iBhodi yomkhakha wezokwakha (i-cidb). Umbhali walolucubungulo ukholelwa ekutheni loluhlu lungasetshenziswa hhayi kuphela ekuthuthikiseni ononkontilaka kodwa futhi ekwenzeni ukuthi bakhule kulo lona loluhlu baze bakwazi ukuthola amathuba angcono emisebenzi. Uhlu ekukhulunywa ngalo lapha lwashicilelwa i-cidb ngomgomo womthetho kaHulumeni we-Act 38 of 2000. Luyithuluzi elenzelwe ukuba likhulise umkhakha wezokwakha, lithuthukise osomabhizinisi abasebancane, likhuthaze imigomo efanelekile ekwakheni (improved delivery). Enye injongo yokushicilela lelithuluzi kwakuwukwenzela ukuthi kwaziwe inani labo osonkontilaka, ubulili babo nokuthi bagxile-phi ngokwezindawo zokusebenza. Konke loku kwakufanele ukuze uHulumeni kanye nabanye abaqashi bazi ukuthi uma kusikelwana ngemisebenzi bangaki na ononkontilaka abazokwazi ukufeza izidingo zemiphakathi esiphila kuyo? Lolucubungulo luzobheka ithuluzi elasungulwa umkhakha wokwakha ekutheni lingakwazi na ukudlondlobalisa osonkontilaka abasafufusa phakathi kwalemikhakha (grades) ababekwe kuyo? Kuzobhekwa futhi ubugugu balo lona lelithuluzi. Akuzoqxilwa kubo bonke osonkontilaka, kodwa kulabo abasabancane ngokwamabhizinisi abo ababekwe emazingeni kusukela ku-2 kuya ku-5 ngokoshicilelo le-cidb. Kuzobhekwa amakhono abo labosonkontilaka, kubhekwe futhi izinkomba ezingabadlondlobalisa ngokwamabhizinisi. Okunye okuhloswe yilolucubungulo ukubheka ukuthi umkhakha wezokwakha uyakwazi na ukukhiqiza amathuba anele isikhathi eside kwenzelwa osonkotilaka belu nokuthi uyakwazi na ukuqhubeka wakhe amathuba azokhuthaza ukukhula kwabo. Ekugcineni okufanele kufezwe yilolucubungulo wukuthi uhlu olushicilelwe losonkontilaka lungasiza ekukhuthazeni udlondlobalo losonkontilaka abancane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Influence of increased processing speed on the microstructure evolution and mechanical property relationship in friction stir welding of AA5182-H111 (T500)
- Authors: Bernard, Dreyer
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Friction stir welding , Aluminum alloys -- Welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7322 , vital:21319
- Description: Friction stir welding of 5xxx series aluminium is generally carried out at low travel speeds, which limits the commercial applications of this process. This manuscript discusses the dynamic eformation characteristics of AA5182-H111 (T500), which allowed a travel speed of 1500 mm/min to be realised. This was achieved by using a spindle speed of 500 rev/min; the same as that required to make a weld of 200 mm/min. The thermal cycles, microstructural evolution due to tool / work-piece interaction, and the local microstructural and mechanical properties of the completed weld are discussed for a travel speed for 200 mm/min and 1500 mm/min. At a rate of 200 mm/min, heat generated due to contact between the shoulder and work-piece surface was transferred ahead of the tool, driving dynamic recrystallization which lowered the flow stress. Hereafter the material entered the stir zone where it was extruded around the pin during a process of continuous dynamic crystallization. At a travel speed of 1500 mm/min, the rate of heat conduction ahead of the tool was not rapid enough, and the material was deformed at low temperatures. A low weld pitch rotations per unit length travelled) was required to ensure that the material was sufficiently strained, to allow the formation of geometric necessary boundaries, which resulted in grain subdivision. The number of high angle grain boundaries was increased through subdivision, thus, increasing the nucleation sites for dynamically recrystallized necklace grains to form. In the absence of heat conduction from the shoulder, the high plastic strain ahead of the tool provided the energy required to drive dynamic recrystallization. Heat was generated from the high plastic strain and during recrystallization, where the stored plastic energy was adiabatically released. Once the material entered the stir zone, the high strain rates associated with the tool rotation which drove dynamic recrystallization that allowed the material to reach high levels of strain, resulted significant grain refinement. The weld zone of the 200 mm/min displayed weld a slight increase in yield strength, with respect to the parent material, due to grain refinement to 10 μm, while the yield strength of the 1500 mm/min weld was significantly increased due to grain refinement to 5 μm. The high weld speed did, however, generate high tensile residual stresses. This work is not only significant for the field of friction stir welding, but also in terms of material processing. The dynamic deformation characteristics associated with Al-5Mg-Mn, alloys which was observed ahead of the tool, is of high value in processes where plastic deformation is applied to improve the mechanical properties of these alloys.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Bernard, Dreyer
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Friction stir welding , Aluminum alloys -- Welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7322 , vital:21319
- Description: Friction stir welding of 5xxx series aluminium is generally carried out at low travel speeds, which limits the commercial applications of this process. This manuscript discusses the dynamic eformation characteristics of AA5182-H111 (T500), which allowed a travel speed of 1500 mm/min to be realised. This was achieved by using a spindle speed of 500 rev/min; the same as that required to make a weld of 200 mm/min. The thermal cycles, microstructural evolution due to tool / work-piece interaction, and the local microstructural and mechanical properties of the completed weld are discussed for a travel speed for 200 mm/min and 1500 mm/min. At a rate of 200 mm/min, heat generated due to contact between the shoulder and work-piece surface was transferred ahead of the tool, driving dynamic recrystallization which lowered the flow stress. Hereafter the material entered the stir zone where it was extruded around the pin during a process of continuous dynamic crystallization. At a travel speed of 1500 mm/min, the rate of heat conduction ahead of the tool was not rapid enough, and the material was deformed at low temperatures. A low weld pitch rotations per unit length travelled) was required to ensure that the material was sufficiently strained, to allow the formation of geometric necessary boundaries, which resulted in grain subdivision. The number of high angle grain boundaries was increased through subdivision, thus, increasing the nucleation sites for dynamically recrystallized necklace grains to form. In the absence of heat conduction from the shoulder, the high plastic strain ahead of the tool provided the energy required to drive dynamic recrystallization. Heat was generated from the high plastic strain and during recrystallization, where the stored plastic energy was adiabatically released. Once the material entered the stir zone, the high strain rates associated with the tool rotation which drove dynamic recrystallization that allowed the material to reach high levels of strain, resulted significant grain refinement. The weld zone of the 200 mm/min displayed weld a slight increase in yield strength, with respect to the parent material, due to grain refinement to 10 μm, while the yield strength of the 1500 mm/min weld was significantly increased due to grain refinement to 5 μm. The high weld speed did, however, generate high tensile residual stresses. This work is not only significant for the field of friction stir welding, but also in terms of material processing. The dynamic deformation characteristics associated with Al-5Mg-Mn, alloys which was observed ahead of the tool, is of high value in processes where plastic deformation is applied to improve the mechanical properties of these alloys.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The maturity of project management in engineering consulting firms
- Authors: Machite, Kennedy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Project management Consulting engineers -- South Africa , Engineering firms -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18409 , vital:28634
- Description: With a considerable number of built environment projects not being completed successfully, this study was undertaken to investigate how effectively consulting engineering firms are applying project management principles in the way they manage projects. This was achieved by measuring the project management maturity levels of consulting engineering firms. Maturity levels were measured for each of the ten knowledge areas of the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge to determine areas where consulting engineering firms perform below expectation and as a result determine probable causes of project failures. The maturity of the firm was then calculated as the average of the maturity for the knowledge areas. The study found that consulting engineering firms have higher levels of project management maturity than the average for the construction and civil engineering sector. Apart from risk and procurement management, all the other knowledge areas have higher maturity levels than the corresponding construction and civil engineering knowledge areas. Although the overall maturity results indicate that the larger firms are more mature in their project management practices than the smaller firms, the individual knowledge areas are inconsistent. The study reveals that consulting engineering firms are weakest in the risk management, human resources and stakeholder management knowledge areas. There is limited literature available on the status of project management, project management methodologies, and performance of consulting projects in the engineering environment (Labuschagne & Steyn, 2010:70). There is need for future studies to establish a methodology developed specifically for the Consulting Engineering Firms in line with what Labuschagne & Steyn (2010) started and a Project Management Maturity Model specific to the Consulting Engineering Industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Machite, Kennedy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Project management Consulting engineers -- South Africa , Engineering firms -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18409 , vital:28634
- Description: With a considerable number of built environment projects not being completed successfully, this study was undertaken to investigate how effectively consulting engineering firms are applying project management principles in the way they manage projects. This was achieved by measuring the project management maturity levels of consulting engineering firms. Maturity levels were measured for each of the ten knowledge areas of the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge to determine areas where consulting engineering firms perform below expectation and as a result determine probable causes of project failures. The maturity of the firm was then calculated as the average of the maturity for the knowledge areas. The study found that consulting engineering firms have higher levels of project management maturity than the average for the construction and civil engineering sector. Apart from risk and procurement management, all the other knowledge areas have higher maturity levels than the corresponding construction and civil engineering knowledge areas. Although the overall maturity results indicate that the larger firms are more mature in their project management practices than the smaller firms, the individual knowledge areas are inconsistent. The study reveals that consulting engineering firms are weakest in the risk management, human resources and stakeholder management knowledge areas. There is limited literature available on the status of project management, project management methodologies, and performance of consulting projects in the engineering environment (Labuschagne & Steyn, 2010:70). There is need for future studies to establish a methodology developed specifically for the Consulting Engineering Firms in line with what Labuschagne & Steyn (2010) started and a Project Management Maturity Model specific to the Consulting Engineering Industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A model for information security management and regulatory compliance in the South African health sector
- Authors: Tuyikeze, Tite
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Public health -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9740 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/425 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Public health -- South Africa
- Description: Information Security is becoming a part of the core business processes in every organization. Companies are faced with contradictory requirements to ensure open systems and accessible information while maintaining high protection standards. In addition, the contemporary management of Information Security requires a variety of approaches in different areas, ranging from technological to organizational issues and legislation. These approaches are often isolated while Security Management requires an integrated approach. Information Technology promises many benefits to healthcare organizations. It helps to make accurate information more readily available to healthcare providers and workers, researchers and patients and advanced computing and communication technology can improve the quality and lower the costs of healthcare. However, the prospect of storing health information in an electronic form raises concerns about patient privacy and security. Healthcare organizations are required to establish formal Information Security program, for example through the adoption of the ISO 17799 standard, to ensure an appropriate and consistent level of information security for computer-based patient records, both within individual healthcare organizations and throughout the entire healthcare delivery system. However, proper Information Security Management practices, alone, do not necessarily ensure regulatory compliance. South African healthcare organizations must comply with the South African National Health Act (SANHA) and the Electronic Communication Transaction Act (ECTA). It is necessary to consider compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to meet healthcare international industry standards. The main purpose of this project is to propose a compliance strategy, which ensures full compliance with regulatory requirements and at the same time assures customers that international industry standards are being used. This is preceded by a comparative analysis of the requirements posed by the ISO 17799 standard and the HIPAA, SANHA and ECTA regulations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Tuyikeze, Tite
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Public health -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9740 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/425 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Public health -- South Africa
- Description: Information Security is becoming a part of the core business processes in every organization. Companies are faced with contradictory requirements to ensure open systems and accessible information while maintaining high protection standards. In addition, the contemporary management of Information Security requires a variety of approaches in different areas, ranging from technological to organizational issues and legislation. These approaches are often isolated while Security Management requires an integrated approach. Information Technology promises many benefits to healthcare organizations. It helps to make accurate information more readily available to healthcare providers and workers, researchers and patients and advanced computing and communication technology can improve the quality and lower the costs of healthcare. However, the prospect of storing health information in an electronic form raises concerns about patient privacy and security. Healthcare organizations are required to establish formal Information Security program, for example through the adoption of the ISO 17799 standard, to ensure an appropriate and consistent level of information security for computer-based patient records, both within individual healthcare organizations and throughout the entire healthcare delivery system. However, proper Information Security Management practices, alone, do not necessarily ensure regulatory compliance. South African healthcare organizations must comply with the South African National Health Act (SANHA) and the Electronic Communication Transaction Act (ECTA). It is necessary to consider compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to meet healthcare international industry standards. The main purpose of this project is to propose a compliance strategy, which ensures full compliance with regulatory requirements and at the same time assures customers that international industry standards are being used. This is preceded by a comparative analysis of the requirements posed by the ISO 17799 standard and the HIPAA, SANHA and ECTA regulations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Wireless industrial intelligent controller for a non-linear system
- Authors: Fernandes, John Manuel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science) , Linear systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9021 , vital:26457
- Description: Modern neural network (NN) based control schemes have surmounted many of the limitations found in the traditional control approaches. Nevertheless, these modern control techniques have only recently been introduced for use on high-specification Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and usually at a very high cost in terms of the required software and hardware. This ‗intelligent‘ control in the sector of industrial automation, specifically on standard PLCs thus remains an area of study that is open to further research and development. The research documented in this thesis examined the effectiveness of linear traditional control schemes such as Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), Lead and Lead-Lag control, in comparison to non-linear NN based control schemes when applied on a strongly non-linear platform. To this end, a mechatronic-type balancing system, namely, the Ball-on-Wheel (BOW) system was designed, constructed and modelled. Thereafter various traditional and intelligent controllers were implemented in order to control the system. The BOW platform may be taken to represent any single-input, single-output (SISO) non-linear system in use in the real world. The system makes use of current industrial technology including a standard PLC as the digital computational platform, a servo drive and wireless access for remote control. The results gathered from the research revealed that NN based control schemes (i.e. Pure NN and NN-PID), although comparatively slower in response, have greater advantages over traditional controllers in that they are able to adapt to external system changes as well as system non-linearity through a process of learning. These controllers also reduce the guess work that is usually involved with the traditional control approaches where cumbersome modelling, linearization or manual tuning is required. Furthermore, the research showed that online-learning adaptive traditional controllers such as the NN-PID controller which maintains the best of both the intelligent and traditional controllers may be implemented easily and with minimum expense on standard PLCs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Fernandes, John Manuel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science) , Linear systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9021 , vital:26457
- Description: Modern neural network (NN) based control schemes have surmounted many of the limitations found in the traditional control approaches. Nevertheless, these modern control techniques have only recently been introduced for use on high-specification Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and usually at a very high cost in terms of the required software and hardware. This ‗intelligent‘ control in the sector of industrial automation, specifically on standard PLCs thus remains an area of study that is open to further research and development. The research documented in this thesis examined the effectiveness of linear traditional control schemes such as Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), Lead and Lead-Lag control, in comparison to non-linear NN based control schemes when applied on a strongly non-linear platform. To this end, a mechatronic-type balancing system, namely, the Ball-on-Wheel (BOW) system was designed, constructed and modelled. Thereafter various traditional and intelligent controllers were implemented in order to control the system. The BOW platform may be taken to represent any single-input, single-output (SISO) non-linear system in use in the real world. The system makes use of current industrial technology including a standard PLC as the digital computational platform, a servo drive and wireless access for remote control. The results gathered from the research revealed that NN based control schemes (i.e. Pure NN and NN-PID), although comparatively slower in response, have greater advantages over traditional controllers in that they are able to adapt to external system changes as well as system non-linearity through a process of learning. These controllers also reduce the guess work that is usually involved with the traditional control approaches where cumbersome modelling, linearization or manual tuning is required. Furthermore, the research showed that online-learning adaptive traditional controllers such as the NN-PID controller which maintains the best of both the intelligent and traditional controllers may be implemented easily and with minimum expense on standard PLCs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Fostering information security culture through intergrating theory and technology
- Van Niekerk, Johannes Frederick
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Johannes Frederick
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Information technology -- Security measures , Data protection , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1404 , Information technology -- Security measures , Data protection , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Description: Today information can be seen as a basic commodity that is crucial to the continuous well-being of modern organizations. Many modern organizations will be unable to do business without access to their information resources. It is therefor of vital importance for organizations to ensure that their infor- mation resources are adequately protected against both internal and external threats. This protection of information resources is known as information security and is, to a large extent, dependent on the behavior of humans in the organization. Humans, at various levels in the organization, play vital roles in the pro- cesses that secure organizational information resources. Many of the prob- lems experienced in information security can be directly contributed to the humans involved in the process. Employees, either intentionally or through negligence, often due to a lack of knowledge, can be seen as the greatest threat to information security. Addressing this human factor in information security is the primary focus of this thesis. The majority of current approaches to dealing with the human factors in information security acknowledge the need to foster an information security culture in the organization. However, very few current approaches attempt to adjust the "generic" model(s) used to define organizational culture to be specific to the needs of information security. This thesis firstly proposes, and argues, such an adapted conceptual model which aims to improve the understanding of what an information security culture is. The thesis secondly focuses on the underlying role that information security educational programs play in the fostering of an organizational information security culture. It is argued that many current information security edu- cational programs are not based on sound pedagogical theory. The use of learning taxonomies during the design of information security educational programs is proposed as a possible way to improve the pedagogical rigor of such programs. The thesis also argues in favor of the use of blended and/or e-learning approaches for the delivery of information security educational content. Finally, this thesis provides a detailed overview demonstrating how the various elements contributed by the thesis integrates into existing trans- formative change management processes for the fostering of an organizational information security culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Johannes Frederick
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Information technology -- Security measures , Data protection , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1404 , Information technology -- Security measures , Data protection , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Description: Today information can be seen as a basic commodity that is crucial to the continuous well-being of modern organizations. Many modern organizations will be unable to do business without access to their information resources. It is therefor of vital importance for organizations to ensure that their infor- mation resources are adequately protected against both internal and external threats. This protection of information resources is known as information security and is, to a large extent, dependent on the behavior of humans in the organization. Humans, at various levels in the organization, play vital roles in the pro- cesses that secure organizational information resources. Many of the prob- lems experienced in information security can be directly contributed to the humans involved in the process. Employees, either intentionally or through negligence, often due to a lack of knowledge, can be seen as the greatest threat to information security. Addressing this human factor in information security is the primary focus of this thesis. The majority of current approaches to dealing with the human factors in information security acknowledge the need to foster an information security culture in the organization. However, very few current approaches attempt to adjust the "generic" model(s) used to define organizational culture to be specific to the needs of information security. This thesis firstly proposes, and argues, such an adapted conceptual model which aims to improve the understanding of what an information security culture is. The thesis secondly focuses on the underlying role that information security educational programs play in the fostering of an organizational information security culture. It is argued that many current information security edu- cational programs are not based on sound pedagogical theory. The use of learning taxonomies during the design of information security educational programs is proposed as a possible way to improve the pedagogical rigor of such programs. The thesis also argues in favor of the use of blended and/or e-learning approaches for the delivery of information security educational content. Finally, this thesis provides a detailed overview demonstrating how the various elements contributed by the thesis integrates into existing trans- formative change management processes for the fostering of an organizational information security culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Post occupancy evaluation of an office building : the case of country club estate, Johannesburg
- Matshili, Humbulani Emmanuel
- Authors: Matshili, Humbulani Emmanuel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Architectural design -- Evaluation , Offices -- Design , Office buildings -- South Africa -- Johannesburg -- Evaluation , Real property -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018554
- Description: Most organisations nowadays want to build offices that are cost effective, but at the same time they forget to consider the impact of IEQ on the occupants’ wellbeing and performance. These offices are equipped with air-conditioners, which may impact negatively on performances if not monitored, controlled and maintained. An occupant’s performance may be accelerated or reduced, based on the effectiveness of IEQ in the office buildings. It is imperative that the employer or management create a work environment that is conducive to the occupants’ needs, so that the occupants may be able to improve their work performance that often yields increased productivity. The main aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of a building’s Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and how it affects workers with regard to productivity. The objectives of the study were: to determine the level of satisfaction of the occupants in terms of the IEQ, evaluate the effects that the current IEQ of the building has on the productivity of the occupants, and proffer solutions to identified problems so that the building performance can be improved, and similar future buildings can be improved upon in terms of IEQ. Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was utilised to conduct the evaluation. This will help stakeholders and managements to ensure that past mistakes committed are not repeated in the future buildings. POE analyses IEQ related to Indoor Air Quality (IEQ), thermal comfort, occupant’s satisfaction and occupant performance and productivity. There is a correlation between different indoor parameters of the occupants’ satisfaction, health and productivity at the workplace. For these correlations to complement each other successfully, IEQ factors must be conducive to human wellbeing. Workplace environments are perceived as unsafe and unhygienic. This situation is caused by poor planning of workstations, low indoor air quality, inappropriate lighting in the office, lack of ventilation and insufficient safety measures. In particular, findings of this study demonstrate the low level of occupants’ satisfaction with regard to office buildings in the Country Club Estate, Johannesburg. The results from this study show that POE is perceived to be completely new to occupants of the Country Club Estate. Management or stakeholders have a huge task ahead to address the benefits of implementing POE and to face the consequences if POE is not implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Matshili, Humbulani Emmanuel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Architectural design -- Evaluation , Offices -- Design , Office buildings -- South Africa -- Johannesburg -- Evaluation , Real property -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018554
- Description: Most organisations nowadays want to build offices that are cost effective, but at the same time they forget to consider the impact of IEQ on the occupants’ wellbeing and performance. These offices are equipped with air-conditioners, which may impact negatively on performances if not monitored, controlled and maintained. An occupant’s performance may be accelerated or reduced, based on the effectiveness of IEQ in the office buildings. It is imperative that the employer or management create a work environment that is conducive to the occupants’ needs, so that the occupants may be able to improve their work performance that often yields increased productivity. The main aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of a building’s Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and how it affects workers with regard to productivity. The objectives of the study were: to determine the level of satisfaction of the occupants in terms of the IEQ, evaluate the effects that the current IEQ of the building has on the productivity of the occupants, and proffer solutions to identified problems so that the building performance can be improved, and similar future buildings can be improved upon in terms of IEQ. Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was utilised to conduct the evaluation. This will help stakeholders and managements to ensure that past mistakes committed are not repeated in the future buildings. POE analyses IEQ related to Indoor Air Quality (IEQ), thermal comfort, occupant’s satisfaction and occupant performance and productivity. There is a correlation between different indoor parameters of the occupants’ satisfaction, health and productivity at the workplace. For these correlations to complement each other successfully, IEQ factors must be conducive to human wellbeing. Workplace environments are perceived as unsafe and unhygienic. This situation is caused by poor planning of workstations, low indoor air quality, inappropriate lighting in the office, lack of ventilation and insufficient safety measures. In particular, findings of this study demonstrate the low level of occupants’ satisfaction with regard to office buildings in the Country Club Estate, Johannesburg. The results from this study show that POE is perceived to be completely new to occupants of the Country Club Estate. Management or stakeholders have a huge task ahead to address the benefits of implementing POE and to face the consequences if POE is not implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An ICT strategy to support a patient-centred approach to diabetes care
- Authors: Petratos, Anastasia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medical care -- Technological innovations -- Developing countries Health services administration -- Developing countries -- Data processing , Telecommunication in medicine Diabetes -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14466 , vital:27650
- Description: Factors such as poverty, ethnicity, socio-economic status, poor infrastructure and governance, etc., are some of the reasons that effective and proven prevention and treatment interventions for most of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in the developing world continue to fail. Chronic diseases require complex interventions that these countries simply cannot maintain. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that is on the rise worldwide. This disease is a lifestyle disease, which means, that it is brought on by poor health habits. Statistics show that 285 million (6.4%) people aged between 20 and 79 years will be affected by Diabetes in 2010 and a staggering 439 million (7.7%) by 2030. This is a projected growth of 69% in developing countries and 20% in developed countries. The findings from studies conducted from 1993 to 2003 in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa, around the health care services for diabetes highlights many challenges. Sadly, the challenges 10 years after that study, are very similar. The conditions of people with Diabetes can be improved through regular monitoring of patients, improvement and monitoring of health care provided, education on healthy lifestyle, as well as education on the importance of adherence to treatment plans for the successful management of the condition. The diabetes endemic in South Africa is exacerbated by the manual functions that are performed in all aspects of monitoring and management of the disease. With the advancements that have been made in ICT and the many apps that already exist for healthcare, it is sensible to state that ICT can assist in the monitoring and management of diabetes. Another factor that is considered is that of patient-centred care. The huge number of people who need acute care and treatment in hospitals and clinics have forced a previously caring environment, to turn into a cold, almost production line affair. The sick wait in long queues and are ushered in and out of the consulting rooms as fast as possible without even as much as a “hallo”. This has left a void in the healthcare delivery to South Africans which should never have been removed in the first place, namely patient-centred care. This means that the patient is at the centre of the treatment and fully involved in the decisions about his/her health. Every patient deserves to be recognised as a human-being and treated with dignity and respect. Treatment plans for long term chronic care patients such as diabetics, should be thoroughly discussed with the patient and they should believe and comit themselves to the treatment plan. These plans are life-long and require dedication and as it is vital that patients are part of decision making and understand fully what they are expected to do. Bearing this in mind, this study has investigated the needs and care plans for people with diabetes. Specialist in the field of diabetes were interviewed and recognised care plans for diabetes such as those from WHO, IDF and SEMSDA were studied. This study also established, that by practising a patient-centred approach the adherence to a treatment plan is likely to be higher. The strategy developed involves the person with diabetes, the healthcare worker and the support structure in the care plan of the diabetic. The use of ICT as part of the solution must consider the patient-centred requirements for using IT so that the people using the strategy are comfortable and not intimidated by the technology. The need to incorporate e-health into governments’ healthcare plans has been growing over the last decade. The GSMA conducted research into mobile health opportunities in South Africa and found that SA now has a penetration of 98% and that this is the ideal medium to address the inaccessibility and inequality of healthcare in SA. The causes identified as playing a major role in the rise in diabetes were identified and it was determined that through the implementation of an ICT strategy for diabetes care, many of these can be addressed. These include the use of technology for, improved monitoring and management, increased diabetes awareness and education, and promotion of healthy lifestyle. The study focuses on the self-management aspect of diabetes and produces a strategy that incorporates various ICT solutions that would assist in the daily aspects of diabetes care, as well as follow a patient-centred approach to diabetes care. This strategy developed in this study does not need any intervention from government as it is driven by the people who have diabetes and their healthcare workers, with the aid of the technology that they currently have on hand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Petratos, Anastasia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medical care -- Technological innovations -- Developing countries Health services administration -- Developing countries -- Data processing , Telecommunication in medicine Diabetes -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14466 , vital:27650
- Description: Factors such as poverty, ethnicity, socio-economic status, poor infrastructure and governance, etc., are some of the reasons that effective and proven prevention and treatment interventions for most of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in the developing world continue to fail. Chronic diseases require complex interventions that these countries simply cannot maintain. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that is on the rise worldwide. This disease is a lifestyle disease, which means, that it is brought on by poor health habits. Statistics show that 285 million (6.4%) people aged between 20 and 79 years will be affected by Diabetes in 2010 and a staggering 439 million (7.7%) by 2030. This is a projected growth of 69% in developing countries and 20% in developed countries. The findings from studies conducted from 1993 to 2003 in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa, around the health care services for diabetes highlights many challenges. Sadly, the challenges 10 years after that study, are very similar. The conditions of people with Diabetes can be improved through regular monitoring of patients, improvement and monitoring of health care provided, education on healthy lifestyle, as well as education on the importance of adherence to treatment plans for the successful management of the condition. The diabetes endemic in South Africa is exacerbated by the manual functions that are performed in all aspects of monitoring and management of the disease. With the advancements that have been made in ICT and the many apps that already exist for healthcare, it is sensible to state that ICT can assist in the monitoring and management of diabetes. Another factor that is considered is that of patient-centred care. The huge number of people who need acute care and treatment in hospitals and clinics have forced a previously caring environment, to turn into a cold, almost production line affair. The sick wait in long queues and are ushered in and out of the consulting rooms as fast as possible without even as much as a “hallo”. This has left a void in the healthcare delivery to South Africans which should never have been removed in the first place, namely patient-centred care. This means that the patient is at the centre of the treatment and fully involved in the decisions about his/her health. Every patient deserves to be recognised as a human-being and treated with dignity and respect. Treatment plans for long term chronic care patients such as diabetics, should be thoroughly discussed with the patient and they should believe and comit themselves to the treatment plan. These plans are life-long and require dedication and as it is vital that patients are part of decision making and understand fully what they are expected to do. Bearing this in mind, this study has investigated the needs and care plans for people with diabetes. Specialist in the field of diabetes were interviewed and recognised care plans for diabetes such as those from WHO, IDF and SEMSDA were studied. This study also established, that by practising a patient-centred approach the adherence to a treatment plan is likely to be higher. The strategy developed involves the person with diabetes, the healthcare worker and the support structure in the care plan of the diabetic. The use of ICT as part of the solution must consider the patient-centred requirements for using IT so that the people using the strategy are comfortable and not intimidated by the technology. The need to incorporate e-health into governments’ healthcare plans has been growing over the last decade. The GSMA conducted research into mobile health opportunities in South Africa and found that SA now has a penetration of 98% and that this is the ideal medium to address the inaccessibility and inequality of healthcare in SA. The causes identified as playing a major role in the rise in diabetes were identified and it was determined that through the implementation of an ICT strategy for diabetes care, many of these can be addressed. These include the use of technology for, improved monitoring and management, increased diabetes awareness and education, and promotion of healthy lifestyle. The study focuses on the self-management aspect of diabetes and produces a strategy that incorporates various ICT solutions that would assist in the daily aspects of diabetes care, as well as follow a patient-centred approach to diabetes care. This strategy developed in this study does not need any intervention from government as it is driven by the people who have diabetes and their healthcare workers, with the aid of the technology that they currently have on hand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Health information technologies for improved continuity of care: a South African perspective
- Authors: Mostert-Phipps, Nicolette
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1619 , Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Description: The fragmented nature of modern health care provision makes it increasingly difficult to achieve continuity of care. This is equally true in the context of the South African healthcare landscape. This results in a strong emphasis on the informational dimension of continuity of care which highlights the importance of the continuity of medical records. Paper-based methods of record keeping are inadequate to support informational continuity of care which leads to an increased interest in electronic methods of record keeping through the adoption of various Health Information Technologies (HITs). This research project investigates the role that various HITs such as Personal Health Records (PHRs), Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) can play in improving informational continuity of care resulting in the development of a standards-based technological model for the South African healthcare sector. This technological model employs appropriate HITs to address the problem of informational continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape The benefits that are possible through the adoption of the proposed technological model can only be realized if the proposed HITs are used in a meaningful manner once adopted and implemented. The Delphi method is employed to identify factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of such HITs in the South African healthcare landscape. Lastly, guidelines are formulated to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in the South African healthcare landscape to improve the continuity of care. The guidelines address both the technological requirements on a high level, as well as the factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of the technological components suggested. These guidelines will play a significant role in raising awareness of the factors that need to be addressed to create an environment conducive to the adoption and meaningful use of appropriate HITs in order to improve the continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mostert-Phipps, Nicolette
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1619 , Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Description: The fragmented nature of modern health care provision makes it increasingly difficult to achieve continuity of care. This is equally true in the context of the South African healthcare landscape. This results in a strong emphasis on the informational dimension of continuity of care which highlights the importance of the continuity of medical records. Paper-based methods of record keeping are inadequate to support informational continuity of care which leads to an increased interest in electronic methods of record keeping through the adoption of various Health Information Technologies (HITs). This research project investigates the role that various HITs such as Personal Health Records (PHRs), Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) can play in improving informational continuity of care resulting in the development of a standards-based technological model for the South African healthcare sector. This technological model employs appropriate HITs to address the problem of informational continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape The benefits that are possible through the adoption of the proposed technological model can only be realized if the proposed HITs are used in a meaningful manner once adopted and implemented. The Delphi method is employed to identify factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of such HITs in the South African healthcare landscape. Lastly, guidelines are formulated to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in the South African healthcare landscape to improve the continuity of care. The guidelines address both the technological requirements on a high level, as well as the factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of the technological components suggested. These guidelines will play a significant role in raising awareness of the factors that need to be addressed to create an environment conducive to the adoption and meaningful use of appropriate HITs in order to improve the continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A framework for information security management in local government
- Authors: De Lange, Joshua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Data protection
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7588 , vital:21932
- Description: Information has become so pervasive within enterprises and everyday life, that it is almost indispensable. This is clear as information has become core to the business operations of any enterprise. Information and communication technology (ICT) systems are heavily relied upon to store, process and transmit this valuable commodity. Due to its immense value, information and related ICT resources have to be adequately protected. This protection of information is commonly referred to as information security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: De Lange, Joshua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Data protection
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7588 , vital:21932
- Description: Information has become so pervasive within enterprises and everyday life, that it is almost indispensable. This is clear as information has become core to the business operations of any enterprise. Information and communication technology (ICT) systems are heavily relied upon to store, process and transmit this valuable commodity. Due to its immense value, information and related ICT resources have to be adequately protected. This protection of information is commonly referred to as information security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Analysis of factors affecting performance of a low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle heat engine
- Authors: Kalua, Tisaye Bertram
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rankine cycle Heat engineering , Cogeneration of electric power and heat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17844 , vital:28460
- Description: Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) heat engines convert low-grade heat to other forms of energy such as electrical and mechanical energy. They achieve this by vaporizing and expanding the organic fluid at high pressure, turning the turbine which can be employed to run an alternator or any other mechanism as desired. Conventional Rankine Cycles operate with steam at temperatures above 400 ℃. The broad aspect of the research focussed on the generation of electricity to cater for household needs. Solar energy would be used to heat air which would in turn heat rocks in an insulated vessel. This would act as an energy storage in form of heat from which a heat transfer fluid would collect heat to supply the ORC heat engine for the generation of electricity. The objective of the research was to optimize power output of the ORC heat engine operating at temperatures between 25℃ at the condenser and 90 to 150℃ at the heat source. This was achieved by analysis of thermal energy, mechanical power, electrical power and physical parameters in connection with flow rate of working fluid and heat transfer fluids.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kalua, Tisaye Bertram
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rankine cycle Heat engineering , Cogeneration of electric power and heat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17844 , vital:28460
- Description: Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) heat engines convert low-grade heat to other forms of energy such as electrical and mechanical energy. They achieve this by vaporizing and expanding the organic fluid at high pressure, turning the turbine which can be employed to run an alternator or any other mechanism as desired. Conventional Rankine Cycles operate with steam at temperatures above 400 ℃. The broad aspect of the research focussed on the generation of electricity to cater for household needs. Solar energy would be used to heat air which would in turn heat rocks in an insulated vessel. This would act as an energy storage in form of heat from which a heat transfer fluid would collect heat to supply the ORC heat engine for the generation of electricity. The objective of the research was to optimize power output of the ORC heat engine operating at temperatures between 25℃ at the condenser and 90 to 150℃ at the heat source. This was achieved by analysis of thermal energy, mechanical power, electrical power and physical parameters in connection with flow rate of working fluid and heat transfer fluids.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Electronic communication continuity planning from the perspective of an individual
- Authors: Fouché, Jacques
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electronic systems , Internet
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012270 , Electronic systems , Internet
- Description: It is beyond doubt that technology has changed the way people in modern society live their daily lives. While a modern society eagerly adopts new technology, the loss of the services provided by these technologies is hardly ever considered. Therefore, this research project will evaluate the importance of communication technology and how critical it is for an individual. Furthermore, this research will provide a framework to improve the availability of current communication technologies from the perspective of the individual.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Fouché, Jacques
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electronic systems , Internet
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012270 , Electronic systems , Internet
- Description: It is beyond doubt that technology has changed the way people in modern society live their daily lives. While a modern society eagerly adopts new technology, the loss of the services provided by these technologies is hardly ever considered. Therefore, this research project will evaluate the importance of communication technology and how critical it is for an individual. Furthermore, this research will provide a framework to improve the availability of current communication technologies from the perspective of the individual.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Property development in Mthatha: an interactive framework
- Authors: Bavu, Sonwabile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Real estate development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14553 , vital:27761
- Description: Property development (PD) is basically driven by the need or demand from the people. Sustainable property development has emerged in response to a global problem – and the need to maintain environmental integrity, according to Gurry (2011) cited by Botha (2013: 7). Keeping and Shiers (2004) state that property development, as a whole, has to balance social, economic and environmental needs. Emanating from the above, any successful development project must offer investors security, infrastructure and efficiency and should also put the needs of citizens at the forefront of all its planning activities. Availability of land, existing infrastructure, availability of finance, economic conditions, political influence and corruption always influence growth of property development in any area. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to lack of property development in Mthatha. Data collected shows that the challenges sometimes lead to failure and delays of the development. The purpose of this study is to identify these challenges, investigate the available literature, consider what has been done so far to address these challenges and make recommendations. It is essential to understand the state of the town and perceptions of the people in the area dealing with Property Development. Mthatha is the main focus of the study because of the perceived number of failed and delayed property development initiatives. The primary and secondary data collected provide the basis for understanding challenges that lead to such failures and delays. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature and an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative statistical approach by distributing research questionnaires to members falling within the sample population. The primary objective of the study is to develop a framework for successful implementation of property developments in Mthatha. The study’s findings reveal shortcomings which contribute to the study’s identified problems relating to property development in Mthatha, namely: decaying infrastructure, shortage of land, implementation of the IDP, availability of finance to promote real estate developments, political influence and corruption. Wikipedia defines Property Development as a “multifaceted business encompassing activities that range from the renovations and release of existing buildings to the purchase of land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others”. Harvey and Jowsey (2004), as cited by Botha (2013: 5), define Property Development as a process that involves changing or intensifying the use of land to produce buildings for occupation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bavu, Sonwabile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Real estate development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14553 , vital:27761
- Description: Property development (PD) is basically driven by the need or demand from the people. Sustainable property development has emerged in response to a global problem – and the need to maintain environmental integrity, according to Gurry (2011) cited by Botha (2013: 7). Keeping and Shiers (2004) state that property development, as a whole, has to balance social, economic and environmental needs. Emanating from the above, any successful development project must offer investors security, infrastructure and efficiency and should also put the needs of citizens at the forefront of all its planning activities. Availability of land, existing infrastructure, availability of finance, economic conditions, political influence and corruption always influence growth of property development in any area. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to lack of property development in Mthatha. Data collected shows that the challenges sometimes lead to failure and delays of the development. The purpose of this study is to identify these challenges, investigate the available literature, consider what has been done so far to address these challenges and make recommendations. It is essential to understand the state of the town and perceptions of the people in the area dealing with Property Development. Mthatha is the main focus of the study because of the perceived number of failed and delayed property development initiatives. The primary and secondary data collected provide the basis for understanding challenges that lead to such failures and delays. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature and an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative statistical approach by distributing research questionnaires to members falling within the sample population. The primary objective of the study is to develop a framework for successful implementation of property developments in Mthatha. The study’s findings reveal shortcomings which contribute to the study’s identified problems relating to property development in Mthatha, namely: decaying infrastructure, shortage of land, implementation of the IDP, availability of finance to promote real estate developments, political influence and corruption. Wikipedia defines Property Development as a “multifaceted business encompassing activities that range from the renovations and release of existing buildings to the purchase of land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others”. Harvey and Jowsey (2004), as cited by Botha (2013: 5), define Property Development as a process that involves changing or intensifying the use of land to produce buildings for occupation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Characterising the stress-life response of mechanical formed AISI-1008 steel plate components
- Authors: Müller, Ruan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Materials -- Fatigue -- Testing , Metals -- Fatigue , Mechanical wear -- Measurement , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008102 , Materials -- Fatigue -- Testing , Metals -- Fatigue , Mechanical wear -- Measurement , Mechanical engineering
- Description: The main purpose of this research project was to determine the fatigue-life behaviour of AISI 1008 sheet steel which has been mechanically formed to a radius of curvature of 120mm and then to correlate the fatigue-life behaviour to that of the parent or “as manufactured” material. During the forming process it was felt important to induce plastic strain through stretch-bending by clamping the sides of a plate sample’s (width) edges in the bending fixture before being bent by a single acting mechanical press. It was determined through actual testing that there was a decrease in fatigue-life when the mechanical formed data was compared to fatigue data of the parent material. Standard fatigue mathematical models were used to relate the actual fatigue data. Due to the material being cold formed to a radius of curvature of 120mm, residual stresses induced during the forming process played an essential role during the fatigue-life prediction calculations. The maximum relieved stress in the parent material was compressive in nature having a magnitude of 11percent of the “as manufactured” yield strength (265 MPa). For the mechanical formed material compressive residual stresses were measured on the outer surface while tensile stresses were measured on the inner surface. The difference between actual number of cycles to failure to that calculated using the standard mathematical models for the parent material, ranged between 48 percent and 18 percent and for the mechanical formed samples between 35 percent and 1percent, depending on the strain amplitude used. An important aspect of this study was to determine the criteria required for mathematical modelling of the parent material as testing occurred between the limit of proportionality and yield point. Although this aspect requires further investigation the mathematical results obtained during this study were considered to be acceptable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Müller, Ruan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Materials -- Fatigue -- Testing , Metals -- Fatigue , Mechanical wear -- Measurement , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008102 , Materials -- Fatigue -- Testing , Metals -- Fatigue , Mechanical wear -- Measurement , Mechanical engineering
- Description: The main purpose of this research project was to determine the fatigue-life behaviour of AISI 1008 sheet steel which has been mechanically formed to a radius of curvature of 120mm and then to correlate the fatigue-life behaviour to that of the parent or “as manufactured” material. During the forming process it was felt important to induce plastic strain through stretch-bending by clamping the sides of a plate sample’s (width) edges in the bending fixture before being bent by a single acting mechanical press. It was determined through actual testing that there was a decrease in fatigue-life when the mechanical formed data was compared to fatigue data of the parent material. Standard fatigue mathematical models were used to relate the actual fatigue data. Due to the material being cold formed to a radius of curvature of 120mm, residual stresses induced during the forming process played an essential role during the fatigue-life prediction calculations. The maximum relieved stress in the parent material was compressive in nature having a magnitude of 11percent of the “as manufactured” yield strength (265 MPa). For the mechanical formed material compressive residual stresses were measured on the outer surface while tensile stresses were measured on the inner surface. The difference between actual number of cycles to failure to that calculated using the standard mathematical models for the parent material, ranged between 48 percent and 18 percent and for the mechanical formed samples between 35 percent and 1percent, depending on the strain amplitude used. An important aspect of this study was to determine the criteria required for mathematical modelling of the parent material as testing occurred between the limit of proportionality and yield point. Although this aspect requires further investigation the mathematical results obtained during this study were considered to be acceptable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Characterisation of Young's modulus and loss factor of damping materials
- Authors: Nortemann, Markus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Elasticity , Simulation methods , Damping (Mechanics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: vital:9662 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021036
- Description: Given the importance of simulation techniques in automotive engineering, there is a lack of implementation regarding these techniques in the acoustics of damping materials for air-borne sound. Biot’s calculations have proven its abilities to simulate the acoustic characteristics of these damping materials. However, the characterisation of essential structural parameters, such as Young’s modulus and loss factor, in order to conduct Biot’s calculations have been inconclusive. Thus, the primary research objective of this study is to propose a new measurement system for the structural Biot parameters. After a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken on damping materials, as well as measurement apparatuses for Young’s modulus and loss factor of damping materials, two causes of measurement errors have been identified. Unknown stresses in measurement apparatuses and inhomogeneous, polytrophic and viscoelastic behaviour of specimens. A new measurement system that does not affect the specimens with unknown stresses and accounts for their complex behaviour required investigation. Non-contact ultrasound had been selected as a solution to determine the aforementioned parameters, since these methods do not necessarily touch or compress the specimen, which led to unknown stresses and neglection of the complex specimen behaviour with the aforementioned techniques. Although ultrasound had been used to determine structural parameters on various types of materials, it has never been used to measure soft porous damping materials. In order to find possible solutions, various sources using ultrasonics to investigate struc- tural parameters had been reviewed. In order to calculate structural parameters, the longitudinal and transversal wave velocity inside the specimen had to be determined. The main findings showed that non-contact ultrasound will be able to evaluate the Young’s modulus, loss factor as well as Poisson’s ratio. Consequently, it was shown that longitudinal velocity measurements could be conducted using well known transmission measurements. However, well known approaches would not be sufficient measuring the transversal wave velocity in soft damping materials. This problem was addressed with a special gas to be used, with lower sound speed velocity in the fluid than in the solid. Moreso, a new method determining the transversal wave velocity had been found, as it would enable the use of an even larger range of damping materials, especially ones with heavy frames and lower porosity. It will use refracted waves inside the specimen and the determination of the convertion position of the transversal to the longitudinal wave at the rear specimen surface. At the end of the study, hardware components were selected and a test rig was constructed, which should be able to prove that a determination of structural Biot parameters with non-contact ultrasound is possible with less errors instead of using mechanical transfer function systems. The development of measurement software as well as the testing of the measurement system and its validation was not under investigation in this dissertation. This study has expanded on the body of literature knowledge regarding non-contact ultrasound. Furthermore, a significant contribution has been made towards a new measurement system measuring Young’s modulus and loss factor which circumvents errors in mechanical transfer function systems. This will contribute to more precise simulations of damping materials and damped enclosures, which may ultimately result in enhanced efficiency of damping materials as well as the acoustic packaging of cars.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nortemann, Markus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Elasticity , Simulation methods , Damping (Mechanics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: vital:9662 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021036
- Description: Given the importance of simulation techniques in automotive engineering, there is a lack of implementation regarding these techniques in the acoustics of damping materials for air-borne sound. Biot’s calculations have proven its abilities to simulate the acoustic characteristics of these damping materials. However, the characterisation of essential structural parameters, such as Young’s modulus and loss factor, in order to conduct Biot’s calculations have been inconclusive. Thus, the primary research objective of this study is to propose a new measurement system for the structural Biot parameters. After a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken on damping materials, as well as measurement apparatuses for Young’s modulus and loss factor of damping materials, two causes of measurement errors have been identified. Unknown stresses in measurement apparatuses and inhomogeneous, polytrophic and viscoelastic behaviour of specimens. A new measurement system that does not affect the specimens with unknown stresses and accounts for their complex behaviour required investigation. Non-contact ultrasound had been selected as a solution to determine the aforementioned parameters, since these methods do not necessarily touch or compress the specimen, which led to unknown stresses and neglection of the complex specimen behaviour with the aforementioned techniques. Although ultrasound had been used to determine structural parameters on various types of materials, it has never been used to measure soft porous damping materials. In order to find possible solutions, various sources using ultrasonics to investigate struc- tural parameters had been reviewed. In order to calculate structural parameters, the longitudinal and transversal wave velocity inside the specimen had to be determined. The main findings showed that non-contact ultrasound will be able to evaluate the Young’s modulus, loss factor as well as Poisson’s ratio. Consequently, it was shown that longitudinal velocity measurements could be conducted using well known transmission measurements. However, well known approaches would not be sufficient measuring the transversal wave velocity in soft damping materials. This problem was addressed with a special gas to be used, with lower sound speed velocity in the fluid than in the solid. Moreso, a new method determining the transversal wave velocity had been found, as it would enable the use of an even larger range of damping materials, especially ones with heavy frames and lower porosity. It will use refracted waves inside the specimen and the determination of the convertion position of the transversal to the longitudinal wave at the rear specimen surface. At the end of the study, hardware components were selected and a test rig was constructed, which should be able to prove that a determination of structural Biot parameters with non-contact ultrasound is possible with less errors instead of using mechanical transfer function systems. The development of measurement software as well as the testing of the measurement system and its validation was not under investigation in this dissertation. This study has expanded on the body of literature knowledge regarding non-contact ultrasound. Furthermore, a significant contribution has been made towards a new measurement system measuring Young’s modulus and loss factor which circumvents errors in mechanical transfer function systems. This will contribute to more precise simulations of damping materials and damped enclosures, which may ultimately result in enhanced efficiency of damping materials as well as the acoustic packaging of cars.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Solar thermal performance of a conical helix receiver tube mounted on a parabolic dish
- Nandjembo, Frans Nelongo Pandeni
- Authors: Nandjembo, Frans Nelongo Pandeni
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Solar energy , Power resources Energy conversion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32860 , vital:32379
- Description: This report presents the investigation of a conical helix receiver tube with a zero shading factor to achieve optimal performance of a small concentrating solar thermal collector. In order to understand the working performance of the conical helix receiver tube, it was compared to that of a flat spiral receiver tube. This was done by measuring temperatures at various points as well as the volume airflow rate. Optical studies were achieved using SolTrace to quantify spillage losses and optical efficiency of the dish used in the study from the parabolic dish using a simulation in SolTrace. Comparative tests were conducted between the conical receiver tube and equivalent flat receiver tube at volume air flow rates between 30 m3.h−1 and 45 m3.h−1. The conical helix receiver tube showed a linear temperature distribution, from the outer surface tube towards the inner surface tube in an ascending order, while the flat spiral receiver tube showed a non-linear temperature distribution, its temperature increased in the middle section and decreased towards the inner surface tube. The research showed that an optimally configured helical receiver tube with linear temperature change along its length outperformed the flat receiver tube.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nandjembo, Frans Nelongo Pandeni
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Solar energy , Power resources Energy conversion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32860 , vital:32379
- Description: This report presents the investigation of a conical helix receiver tube with a zero shading factor to achieve optimal performance of a small concentrating solar thermal collector. In order to understand the working performance of the conical helix receiver tube, it was compared to that of a flat spiral receiver tube. This was done by measuring temperatures at various points as well as the volume airflow rate. Optical studies were achieved using SolTrace to quantify spillage losses and optical efficiency of the dish used in the study from the parabolic dish using a simulation in SolTrace. Comparative tests were conducted between the conical receiver tube and equivalent flat receiver tube at volume air flow rates between 30 m3.h−1 and 45 m3.h−1. The conical helix receiver tube showed a linear temperature distribution, from the outer surface tube towards the inner surface tube in an ascending order, while the flat spiral receiver tube showed a non-linear temperature distribution, its temperature increased in the middle section and decreased towards the inner surface tube. The research showed that an optimally configured helical receiver tube with linear temperature change along its length outperformed the flat receiver tube.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018