A study of the reintergration of former child soldiers : the case study of Gusco Northern Uganda
- Authors: Obika, Juliana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Children and war -- Uganda -- Gusco , Child soldiers -- Uganda -- Gusco , Soldiers -- Rehabilitation -- Uganda , Lord's Resistance Army
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8256 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/786 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012067 , Children and war -- Uganda -- Gusco , Child soldiers -- Uganda -- Gusco , Soldiers -- Rehabilitation -- Uganda , Lord's Resistance Army
- Description: The provision of basic needs such as food, shelter, security, identity and recognition is central in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the war-torn areas of Africa and indeed around the world. The war in northern Uganda, in particular, has taken its toll on the people of that area for more than 20 years and in the process, has witnessed the children facing some of the worst effects of armed conflicts known to man. This study investigated the role played by the Gulu Support the Children Organisation (GUSCO) in the reintegration of former child soldiers in Northern Uganda. GUSCO is however in favour of the term Formerly Abducted Children (FAC) as this is less prone to acts of stigmatisation against those who have faced some of the most horrific abuses known to human kind. It focused on the process of reintegration of the FAC in relation to the human needs theory which has been used as a basis for conflict resolution practices. The researcher conducted extensive face-to-face interviews with the employees of GUSCO who work in various fields as social workers, counsellors, health workers and teachers, who tend to the needs of the FAC daily. The researcher was also able to carryout observations of the activities that take place at the GUSCO reception centre where the children are rehabilitated. The organisation’s official documents were also consulted in order to carryout this triangular study and collect data. The major themes constructed from the study include: the empowerment and development of the FAC through education and skills training; health care provision to meet both physical and psychological needs; community empowerment and development and finally peacebuilding and reconciliation which involves the participation of whole communities to meet their needs and rebuild the war-torn northern Uganda. The researcher highlights some challenges that GUSCO faces in trying to reintegrate the former combatants albeit children into a routine of a community that struggles to recover from a war that continues to persist after twenty years. Several recommendations are made for GUSCO and civil societies who have given themselves the mandate to work towards salvaging the future generations of Uganda and Africa as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Obika, Juliana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Children and war -- Uganda -- Gusco , Child soldiers -- Uganda -- Gusco , Soldiers -- Rehabilitation -- Uganda , Lord's Resistance Army
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8256 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/786 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012067 , Children and war -- Uganda -- Gusco , Child soldiers -- Uganda -- Gusco , Soldiers -- Rehabilitation -- Uganda , Lord's Resistance Army
- Description: The provision of basic needs such as food, shelter, security, identity and recognition is central in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the war-torn areas of Africa and indeed around the world. The war in northern Uganda, in particular, has taken its toll on the people of that area for more than 20 years and in the process, has witnessed the children facing some of the worst effects of armed conflicts known to man. This study investigated the role played by the Gulu Support the Children Organisation (GUSCO) in the reintegration of former child soldiers in Northern Uganda. GUSCO is however in favour of the term Formerly Abducted Children (FAC) as this is less prone to acts of stigmatisation against those who have faced some of the most horrific abuses known to human kind. It focused on the process of reintegration of the FAC in relation to the human needs theory which has been used as a basis for conflict resolution practices. The researcher conducted extensive face-to-face interviews with the employees of GUSCO who work in various fields as social workers, counsellors, health workers and teachers, who tend to the needs of the FAC daily. The researcher was also able to carryout observations of the activities that take place at the GUSCO reception centre where the children are rehabilitated. The organisation’s official documents were also consulted in order to carryout this triangular study and collect data. The major themes constructed from the study include: the empowerment and development of the FAC through education and skills training; health care provision to meet both physical and psychological needs; community empowerment and development and finally peacebuilding and reconciliation which involves the participation of whole communities to meet their needs and rebuild the war-torn northern Uganda. The researcher highlights some challenges that GUSCO faces in trying to reintegrate the former combatants albeit children into a routine of a community that struggles to recover from a war that continues to persist after twenty years. Several recommendations are made for GUSCO and civil societies who have given themselves the mandate to work towards salvaging the future generations of Uganda and Africa as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A supplementary coping skills programme for parents of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Authors: Gomes, Ana Maria
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Family relationships , Children with disabilities -- Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/686
- Description: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-related behaviour difficulties are said to be the cause of much of the disharmony and discord that exists within many families with ADHD-diagnosed children. On the basis of this understanding, a supplementary programme of behaviour modification, referred to as the Coping Skills Programme, was designed and implemented over a designated period of time, as a trial efficiency test, with a view to alleviate some of the family environmental stress caused by the effects of this disorder. There were three main aims to this research project, related to the research questions: Firstly, to establish to what extent this programme helped with the kinds of problems and difficulties being experienced by the parents of ADHD-diagnosed children and by the children themselves; secondly, to make recommendations regarding how to access and use such a programme and learn its skills, and thirdly to determine further ways with which to improve the Coping Skills Programme. The research design was based on Interpretive Theory and was qualitative in nature. An in-depth literature study was undertaken, which together with all the field notes acquired during the course of the study, formed the foundation of the study. A needs analysis was also carried out to ascertain the level and variety of ADHD-related needs that exist within the family unit. This needs analysis took place in the Nelson Mandela Metropole in the Eastern Cape to ascertain the level and variety of ADHD-related needs that exist within the family unit. The sampling selection of participants was both purposeful and dependent on availability, in order obtain as wide a range of information as possible, regarding specific ADHD-related criteria. This data was used as a foundation for the programme’s development. Information was gathered by means of phenomenological interviews, case study analysis, a focus group interview, field notes, observations and an audit trail. Measures were taken to ensure that the study was ethically conducted and trustworthiness maintained. The Coping Skills Programme was implemented with different families with ADHD-diagnosed children, within its designated time, which varied from family to family from between 8 and 10 weeks. Finally, three families were xx selected as case studies to substantiate the findings of this research study. Their selection was based on the range of the children’s age, the variety of their combined needs, the way in which each family dealt with the challenges posed by the programme, the parents’ involvement and the rate of success experienced by each family at the end of the allotted time. At the end of the programme’s implementation period it was found that confusion regarding parental role clarity and the role of the child in the home had a strong bearing on the treatment and management of ADHD-related difficulties. It was also found that the effect of parental unity and/or discord had a direct impact on ADHD-related behaviour. Equally important to the effective management of ADHD-related difficulties were the parental understanding and perceptions regarding their child’s ADHD-related needs and difficulties. The effectiveness of behaviour modification in relation to the level of parental involvement was also salient, as was the use of effective, positive communication to achievement of optimum results. Parental understanding of the role of discipline and how the effective use of this skill benefits the ADHD-diagnosed child became clear, as did the value of consistency in behaviour modification. The conclusion was reached that a programme as flexible as the Coping Skills Programme, when used appropriately and as a supplement to other forms of therapy, may be a significant source of assistance, support, encouragement and empowerment to families with members suffering with ADHD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Gomes, Ana Maria
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Family relationships , Children with disabilities -- Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/686
- Description: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-related behaviour difficulties are said to be the cause of much of the disharmony and discord that exists within many families with ADHD-diagnosed children. On the basis of this understanding, a supplementary programme of behaviour modification, referred to as the Coping Skills Programme, was designed and implemented over a designated period of time, as a trial efficiency test, with a view to alleviate some of the family environmental stress caused by the effects of this disorder. There were three main aims to this research project, related to the research questions: Firstly, to establish to what extent this programme helped with the kinds of problems and difficulties being experienced by the parents of ADHD-diagnosed children and by the children themselves; secondly, to make recommendations regarding how to access and use such a programme and learn its skills, and thirdly to determine further ways with which to improve the Coping Skills Programme. The research design was based on Interpretive Theory and was qualitative in nature. An in-depth literature study was undertaken, which together with all the field notes acquired during the course of the study, formed the foundation of the study. A needs analysis was also carried out to ascertain the level and variety of ADHD-related needs that exist within the family unit. This needs analysis took place in the Nelson Mandela Metropole in the Eastern Cape to ascertain the level and variety of ADHD-related needs that exist within the family unit. The sampling selection of participants was both purposeful and dependent on availability, in order obtain as wide a range of information as possible, regarding specific ADHD-related criteria. This data was used as a foundation for the programme’s development. Information was gathered by means of phenomenological interviews, case study analysis, a focus group interview, field notes, observations and an audit trail. Measures were taken to ensure that the study was ethically conducted and trustworthiness maintained. The Coping Skills Programme was implemented with different families with ADHD-diagnosed children, within its designated time, which varied from family to family from between 8 and 10 weeks. Finally, three families were xx selected as case studies to substantiate the findings of this research study. Their selection was based on the range of the children’s age, the variety of their combined needs, the way in which each family dealt with the challenges posed by the programme, the parents’ involvement and the rate of success experienced by each family at the end of the allotted time. At the end of the programme’s implementation period it was found that confusion regarding parental role clarity and the role of the child in the home had a strong bearing on the treatment and management of ADHD-related difficulties. It was also found that the effect of parental unity and/or discord had a direct impact on ADHD-related behaviour. Equally important to the effective management of ADHD-related difficulties were the parental understanding and perceptions regarding their child’s ADHD-related needs and difficulties. The effectiveness of behaviour modification in relation to the level of parental involvement was also salient, as was the use of effective, positive communication to achievement of optimum results. Parental understanding of the role of discipline and how the effective use of this skill benefits the ADHD-diagnosed child became clear, as did the value of consistency in behaviour modification. The conclusion was reached that a programme as flexible as the Coping Skills Programme, when used appropriately and as a supplement to other forms of therapy, may be a significant source of assistance, support, encouragement and empowerment to families with members suffering with ADHD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A survey of fruit-feeding insects and their parasitoids occurring on wild olives, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Mkize, Nolwazi, Hoelmer, Kim A, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Mkize, Nolwazi , Hoelmer, Kim A , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441694 , vital:73907 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150802450154
- Description: Fruits of wild olives, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., were collected in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, during 2003–2005 to quantify levels of fruit-infesting pests and their parasitoids. Two species of Tephritidae, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and B. biguttula (Bezzi), were the most abundant insects recovered and were reared from most samples. Fruit infestation rates by the Bactrocera spp. were generally below 8% and over half of the infestations were under 1%. When parasitism occurred in samples with flies, levels ranged from 7 to 83%. Several species of opiine braconid wasps, Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti), Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri), and Utetes africanus (Szépligeti) and one braconine wasp, Bracon celer Szépligeti, were reared from fruits containing B. oleae and/or B. biguttula. Chalcidoid parasitoids and seed wasps included seven species of Eurytomidae (Eurytoma oleae, Eurytoma sp., and Sycophila sp.), Ormyridae (Ormyrus sp.), Torymidae (Megastigmus sp.), and Eupelmidae (Eupelmus afer and E. spermophilus). One species of moth, Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Crambidae), was recovered in very low numbers and without parasitoids. The survey results indicate that fruit flies might not become economic pests of the nascent commercial olive industry in the Eastern Cape, and the small numbers present may be controlled to a considerable level by natural enemies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mkize, Nolwazi , Hoelmer, Kim A , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441694 , vital:73907 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150802450154
- Description: Fruits of wild olives, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., were collected in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, during 2003–2005 to quantify levels of fruit-infesting pests and their parasitoids. Two species of Tephritidae, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and B. biguttula (Bezzi), were the most abundant insects recovered and were reared from most samples. Fruit infestation rates by the Bactrocera spp. were generally below 8% and over half of the infestations were under 1%. When parasitism occurred in samples with flies, levels ranged from 7 to 83%. Several species of opiine braconid wasps, Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti), Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri), and Utetes africanus (Szépligeti) and one braconine wasp, Bracon celer Szépligeti, were reared from fruits containing B. oleae and/or B. biguttula. Chalcidoid parasitoids and seed wasps included seven species of Eurytomidae (Eurytoma oleae, Eurytoma sp., and Sycophila sp.), Ormyridae (Ormyrus sp.), Torymidae (Megastigmus sp.), and Eupelmidae (Eupelmus afer and E. spermophilus). One species of moth, Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Crambidae), was recovered in very low numbers and without parasitoids. The survey results indicate that fruit flies might not become economic pests of the nascent commercial olive industry in the Eastern Cape, and the small numbers present may be controlled to a considerable level by natural enemies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A symptom that defies analysis: is this simply xenophobia?.
- Authors: Kyazze, Simwogerere
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159337 , vital:40289 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC140106
- Description: On 29 January 29 2007 I travelled on an SAA flight from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to OR Tambo International in Johannesburg. Somehow, I had forgotten, ignored or failed to travel with my Yellow Fever Certificate and an Immigration Officer let me have it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Kyazze, Simwogerere
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159337 , vital:40289 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC140106
- Description: On 29 January 29 2007 I travelled on an SAA flight from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to OR Tambo International in Johannesburg. Somehow, I had forgotten, ignored or failed to travel with my Yellow Fever Certificate and an Immigration Officer let me have it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A synopsis of the Afrotropical Tricorythidae
- Authors: Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008362
- Description: The Tricorythidae of the Afrotropical Region is currently composed of five described genera, three of which are thought to be restricted to Madagascar (Madecassorythus Elouard and Oliarioniny, Ranorythus Oliarinony and Elouard, and Spinirythus Oliarinony and Elouard), one which is restricted to Africa (Dicercomyzon Demoulin), and one which is thought to be distributed on both landmasses (Tricorythus Eaton). Based on sexual dimorphism, manifest in the relative eye size of mature male and female nymphs and adults and on the structure of the genitalia of adult males, it is proposed that there are two additional genera in Africa, as yet undescribed. One of these genera is represented by a species currently placed in Tricorythus (T. discolor [Burmeister]). Several other undescribed species within South Africa have been identified as belonging to the group. A second lineage is represented by Tricorythus tinctus Kimmins, from Uganda, the only currently described species. There are also several more undescribed species of this group widespread in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008362
- Description: The Tricorythidae of the Afrotropical Region is currently composed of five described genera, three of which are thought to be restricted to Madagascar (Madecassorythus Elouard and Oliarioniny, Ranorythus Oliarinony and Elouard, and Spinirythus Oliarinony and Elouard), one which is restricted to Africa (Dicercomyzon Demoulin), and one which is thought to be distributed on both landmasses (Tricorythus Eaton). Based on sexual dimorphism, manifest in the relative eye size of mature male and female nymphs and adults and on the structure of the genitalia of adult males, it is proposed that there are two additional genera in Africa, as yet undescribed. One of these genera is represented by a species currently placed in Tricorythus (T. discolor [Burmeister]). Several other undescribed species within South Africa have been identified as belonging to the group. A second lineage is represented by Tricorythus tinctus Kimmins, from Uganda, the only currently described species. There are also several more undescribed species of this group widespread in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A tuple space web service for distributed programming-Simplifying distributed web services applications
- Wells, George C, Mueller, Barbara, Schulé, Lo¨ıc
- Authors: Wells, George C , Mueller, Barbara , Schulé, Lo¨ıc
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430437 , vital:72691 , https://www.scitepress.org/PublishedPapers/2008/15170/15170.pdf
- Description: This paper describes a new tuple space web service for coordination and communication in distributed web applications. This web service is based on the Linda programming model. Linda is a coordination lan-guage for parallel and distributed processing, providing a communica-tion mechanism based on a logically shared memory space. The origi-nal Linda model has been extended through the provision of a pro-grammable mechanism, providing additional flexibility and improved performance. The implementation of the web service is discussed, to-gether with the details of the programmable matching mechanism. Some results from the implementation of a location-based mobile appli-cation, using the tuple space web service are presented, demonstrating the benefits of our system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Wells, George C , Mueller, Barbara , Schulé, Lo¨ıc
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430437 , vital:72691 , https://www.scitepress.org/PublishedPapers/2008/15170/15170.pdf
- Description: This paper describes a new tuple space web service for coordination and communication in distributed web applications. This web service is based on the Linda programming model. Linda is a coordination lan-guage for parallel and distributed processing, providing a communica-tion mechanism based on a logically shared memory space. The origi-nal Linda model has been extended through the provision of a pro-grammable mechanism, providing additional flexibility and improved performance. The implementation of the web service is discussed, to-gether with the details of the programmable matching mechanism. Some results from the implementation of a location-based mobile appli-cation, using the tuple space web service are presented, demonstrating the benefits of our system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A VLBI study of OH masers in a proto-planetary nebula OH 0.9+1.3
- Authors: McAlpine, Kim
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Very long baseline interferometry , Proto-planetary nebulae , Masers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005285 , Very long baseline interferometry , Proto-planetary nebulae , Masers
- Description: This thesis reports the calibration, imaging and analysis of one epoch of VLBA observations of the 1612 MHz OH maser emission from the protoplanetary nebula OH 0.9+1.3. These are the first polarisation VLBI observations of this source and the spatial morphology of the OH emission is resolved on this scale. Proto-planetary nebulae represent the transition phase in the evolution of stars between the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase and their emergence as planetary nebulae. A long-standing astronomical question is how the predominantly spherical circumstellar envelopes of AGB stars evolve into the bipolar and axisymmetric structures that are commonly observed in planetary nebula. Proto-planetary nebulae offer a unique opportunity to study this transformation process. The high-resolution VLBI maps produced in this thesis were used to investigate the morphology and kinematics of OH 0.9+1.3 with a view to gaining insight into the development of asymmetries in the circumstellar material. The OH maser emission of OH 0.9+1.3 has a double-peaked profile with one peak blue-shifted and the other red-shifted with respect to the stellar velocity. The total intensity maser maps demonstrate a considerable degree of asymmetry with the blue- and red-shifted emission located in spatially distinct regions of the envelope. The blue-shifted emission is distributed preferentially along an axis at a projected position angle of » 135± ( North through East). The morphology of this source is not consistent with the standard symmetric thin-shell model and an attempt to fit the traditional OH/IR kinematic model of a simple expanding shell to the maser components was found to be unsatisfactory. No definitive evidence of a bipolar outflow was observed either. The high degree of asymmetry observed in the source is consistent with its status as a proto-planetary nebula. The source was imaged in all four Stokes parameters and the fractional linear and circular polarisations of the maser components were derived from the Stokes parameter maps. In all except one of the components the total fractional polarisation was found to be low ( < 15%). The mean fractional linear and circular polarisation were calculated to be 5.54% and 7.11% respectively. The absence of an identifiable Zeeman pair in the Stokes V map prohibited the estimation of the magnetic field in the circumstellar envelope of this source.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: McAlpine, Kim
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Very long baseline interferometry , Proto-planetary nebulae , Masers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005285 , Very long baseline interferometry , Proto-planetary nebulae , Masers
- Description: This thesis reports the calibration, imaging and analysis of one epoch of VLBA observations of the 1612 MHz OH maser emission from the protoplanetary nebula OH 0.9+1.3. These are the first polarisation VLBI observations of this source and the spatial morphology of the OH emission is resolved on this scale. Proto-planetary nebulae represent the transition phase in the evolution of stars between the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase and their emergence as planetary nebulae. A long-standing astronomical question is how the predominantly spherical circumstellar envelopes of AGB stars evolve into the bipolar and axisymmetric structures that are commonly observed in planetary nebula. Proto-planetary nebulae offer a unique opportunity to study this transformation process. The high-resolution VLBI maps produced in this thesis were used to investigate the morphology and kinematics of OH 0.9+1.3 with a view to gaining insight into the development of asymmetries in the circumstellar material. The OH maser emission of OH 0.9+1.3 has a double-peaked profile with one peak blue-shifted and the other red-shifted with respect to the stellar velocity. The total intensity maser maps demonstrate a considerable degree of asymmetry with the blue- and red-shifted emission located in spatially distinct regions of the envelope. The blue-shifted emission is distributed preferentially along an axis at a projected position angle of » 135± ( North through East). The morphology of this source is not consistent with the standard symmetric thin-shell model and an attempt to fit the traditional OH/IR kinematic model of a simple expanding shell to the maser components was found to be unsatisfactory. No definitive evidence of a bipolar outflow was observed either. The high degree of asymmetry observed in the source is consistent with its status as a proto-planetary nebula. The source was imaged in all four Stokes parameters and the fractional linear and circular polarisations of the maser components were derived from the Stokes parameter maps. In all except one of the components the total fractional polarisation was found to be low ( < 15%). The mean fractional linear and circular polarisation were calculated to be 5.54% and 7.11% respectively. The absence of an identifiable Zeeman pair in the Stokes V map prohibited the estimation of the magnetic field in the circumstellar envelope of this source.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A xylem retrieval pathway in rice leaf blades – evidence of a role for endocytosis?
- Botha, Christiaan E J, Aoki, N, Scofield, G N, Liu, Lin, Furbank, R T, White, R G
- Authors: Botha, Christiaan E J , Aoki, N , Scofield, G N , Liu, Lin , Furbank, R T , White, R G
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005930 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ern150
- Description: The structure and transport properties of pit membranes at the interface between the metaxylem and xylem parenchyma cells and the possible role of these pit membranes in solute transfer to the phloem was investigated. Electron microscopy revealed a fibrillar, almost tubular matrix within the pit membrane structure between the xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma of leaf blade bundles in rice (Oryza sativa). These pits are involved primarily with regulating water flux to the surrounding xylem parenchyma cells. Vascular parenchyma cells contain large mitochondrial populations, numerous dictyosomes, endomembrane complexes and vesicles in close proximity to the pit membrane. Taken collectively this suggests that endocytosis may occur at this interface. A weak solution of 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (5,6-CFDA) was applied to cut ends of leaves and after a minimum of 45 minutes, the distribution of the fluorescent cleavage product, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF) was observed using confocal microscopy. Cleavage of 5,6-CFDA occurred within the xylem parenchyma cells and the non-polar 5,6-CF was then symplasmically transported to other parenchyma elements and ultimately, via numerous pore plasmodesmata, to adjacent thick-walled sieve tubes. Application of Lucifer Yellow, and, separately, Texas Red labelled dextran (10 kDa) to the transpiration stream, confirmed that these membrane-impermeant probes could only have been offloaded from the xylem via the xylem vessel-xylem parenchyma pit membranes, suggesting endocytotic transmembrane transfer of these membrane-impermeant fluorophores. Accumulation within the thick-walled sieve tubes, but not in thin-walled sieve tubes, confirms the presence of a symplasmic phloem loading pathway, via pore plasmodesmata between xylem parenchyma and thick-walled sieve tubes, but not thin-walled sieve tubes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Botha, Christiaan E J , Aoki, N , Scofield, G N , Liu, Lin , Furbank, R T , White, R G
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005930 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ern150
- Description: The structure and transport properties of pit membranes at the interface between the metaxylem and xylem parenchyma cells and the possible role of these pit membranes in solute transfer to the phloem was investigated. Electron microscopy revealed a fibrillar, almost tubular matrix within the pit membrane structure between the xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma of leaf blade bundles in rice (Oryza sativa). These pits are involved primarily with regulating water flux to the surrounding xylem parenchyma cells. Vascular parenchyma cells contain large mitochondrial populations, numerous dictyosomes, endomembrane complexes and vesicles in close proximity to the pit membrane. Taken collectively this suggests that endocytosis may occur at this interface. A weak solution of 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (5,6-CFDA) was applied to cut ends of leaves and after a minimum of 45 minutes, the distribution of the fluorescent cleavage product, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF) was observed using confocal microscopy. Cleavage of 5,6-CFDA occurred within the xylem parenchyma cells and the non-polar 5,6-CF was then symplasmically transported to other parenchyma elements and ultimately, via numerous pore plasmodesmata, to adjacent thick-walled sieve tubes. Application of Lucifer Yellow, and, separately, Texas Red labelled dextran (10 kDa) to the transpiration stream, confirmed that these membrane-impermeant probes could only have been offloaded from the xylem via the xylem vessel-xylem parenchyma pit membranes, suggesting endocytotic transmembrane transfer of these membrane-impermeant fluorophores. Accumulation within the thick-walled sieve tubes, but not in thin-walled sieve tubes, confirms the presence of a symplasmic phloem loading pathway, via pore plasmodesmata between xylem parenchyma and thick-walled sieve tubes, but not thin-walled sieve tubes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Absenteeism management at Willard Batteries
- Authors: Paul, Gary William
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- Management , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/896 , Absenteeism (Labor) -- Management , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa
- Description: The main research problem in this study centred around the assessment of the impact of an absenteeism monitoring and management system at Willard Batteries. The main research problem had five sub-problems which were addressed through the following actions: A literature study was conducted to identify the causes and impact of absenteeism in the workplace. The researcher also conducted interviews with the Human Resources Manager, line managers and employees at Willard Batteries to obtain their views of the absenteeism management strategies utilised, as well as the effects of absenteeism in their organisation. The insights gained from these interviews were incorporated into the questionnaire. The absenteeism figures of the organisation for the period 2005 to 2008 were analysed and compared against the internationally accepted absenteeism norm of three percent. An absence rate above three percent is considered as unacceptable and would imply that the current absenteeism management system is not effective. The theoretical study also entailed the reviewing of the legal framework within which absenteeism needs to be managed, as well as the literature that deals with strategies for the effective management of absenteeism. These strategies relate to the recording, calculation, analysis, benchmarking and practical management of absenteeism in the workplace. A survey questionnaire was developed to determine the perceptions of managers, supervisors and employees in relation to the impact of absenteeism on the company as well as the extent to which managers and supervisors were utilising selected absenteeism monitoring and management strategies within the company. The results from the empirical study revealed that management and supervisors were more aware of the impact of absenteeism on the organisation than their employees. It can therefore be concluded that employees perceived their absence from work to have little impact on aspects such as employee morale, cost, production and the customer. This could possibly be due to ineffective communication in terms of the cost and other consequences of absenteeism in the organisation. Employees also felt that managers were effective in taking the necessary disciplinary action with regards to absenteeism-related transgressions, but that they were not diligent in the recording and communication of absence information, as well as comparing absenteeism information inter-departmentally. Absenteeism has proven to be globally pervasive, expensive and extremely disruptive to organisations. Managers and supervisors who employ the various absence monitoring and management strategies, could be more effective in improving employee attendance. Their efforts could be further enhanced if employees are made aware of the negative impact that their absence has on the morale of their fellow employees, the cost to the company, the customer, as well as the achievement of production targets and the quality of outputs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Paul, Gary William
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- Management , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/896 , Absenteeism (Labor) -- Management , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa
- Description: The main research problem in this study centred around the assessment of the impact of an absenteeism monitoring and management system at Willard Batteries. The main research problem had five sub-problems which were addressed through the following actions: A literature study was conducted to identify the causes and impact of absenteeism in the workplace. The researcher also conducted interviews with the Human Resources Manager, line managers and employees at Willard Batteries to obtain their views of the absenteeism management strategies utilised, as well as the effects of absenteeism in their organisation. The insights gained from these interviews were incorporated into the questionnaire. The absenteeism figures of the organisation for the period 2005 to 2008 were analysed and compared against the internationally accepted absenteeism norm of three percent. An absence rate above three percent is considered as unacceptable and would imply that the current absenteeism management system is not effective. The theoretical study also entailed the reviewing of the legal framework within which absenteeism needs to be managed, as well as the literature that deals with strategies for the effective management of absenteeism. These strategies relate to the recording, calculation, analysis, benchmarking and practical management of absenteeism in the workplace. A survey questionnaire was developed to determine the perceptions of managers, supervisors and employees in relation to the impact of absenteeism on the company as well as the extent to which managers and supervisors were utilising selected absenteeism monitoring and management strategies within the company. The results from the empirical study revealed that management and supervisors were more aware of the impact of absenteeism on the organisation than their employees. It can therefore be concluded that employees perceived their absence from work to have little impact on aspects such as employee morale, cost, production and the customer. This could possibly be due to ineffective communication in terms of the cost and other consequences of absenteeism in the organisation. Employees also felt that managers were effective in taking the necessary disciplinary action with regards to absenteeism-related transgressions, but that they were not diligent in the recording and communication of absence information, as well as comparing absenteeism information inter-departmentally. Absenteeism has proven to be globally pervasive, expensive and extremely disruptive to organisations. Managers and supervisors who employ the various absence monitoring and management strategies, could be more effective in improving employee attendance. Their efforts could be further enhanced if employees are made aware of the negative impact that their absence has on the morale of their fellow employees, the cost to the company, the customer, as well as the achievement of production targets and the quality of outputs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Access to educational resources: illustrative examples from rural schools in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Hendricks, Monica
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: vital:7020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007200
- Description: [Introduction] This chapter looks at the causes and effects of the widely varying degree of access to material resources across schools in the Eastern Cape. Starting with a broad overview of schools and classroom resources across the whole province, I go on to examine the Grahamstown education district. I discuss the inequalities in resource provision between groupings of schools in the district: comparing independent and state schools, and also examining disparities across schools in different localities within the government sector. The role of parents in providing resources for their children’s schooling is also discussed, as are the relationships among the various participants in education, such as non-governmental organisations, officials of the Department of Education, and teachers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Hendricks, Monica
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: vital:7020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007200
- Description: [Introduction] This chapter looks at the causes and effects of the widely varying degree of access to material resources across schools in the Eastern Cape. Starting with a broad overview of schools and classroom resources across the whole province, I go on to examine the Grahamstown education district. I discuss the inequalities in resource provision between groupings of schools in the district: comparing independent and state schools, and also examining disparities across schools in different localities within the government sector. The role of parents in providing resources for their children’s schooling is also discussed, as are the relationships among the various participants in education, such as non-governmental organisations, officials of the Department of Education, and teachers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Action research on leadership style, and relationships in an East London law firm
- Authors: Stoltz, Tania
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Action research Law offices Leadership Law firms--South Africa--East London Law offices--South Africa--East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:798 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004592
- Description: "Good leadership springs from a genuine passion for the work and a genuine concern for other people. Great Leaders are people who love what they do and want to share that love with others. " (Daft, 2005:20). During an informal discussion with my husband Hugo Daniels, the leader in this Action Research Case Study, it became apparent that lawyers do not attend a single module or complete a single subject during their formal training at university to obtain their law degree that is related to the field of leadership and how to lead, inspire and motivate followers. The discussion centered on the problems the leader was experiencing in his East London law firm, problems he believed to be as a result of his lack of knowledge in the field of leadership. And so this research project began. It was obvious from the start that to intervene in the firm in order to bring about change would need the participation of everyone in the firm. The first step towards facilitating change would be to change the leadership style of the director of the firm. He would be required to gain knowledge in the field of leadership and the effects that different leadership styles have on followers. At the same time staff's perception of the current leadership style would have to be determined, as well as the desired style for their leader. The research process could then begin, based on the needs expressed by the staff and with participation from all levels in the firm. The case involved 27 members of staff made up of three heads of departments, twenty three general staff members and the leader. Data was gathered through formal interviews with the leader and the heads of departments, as well as from personal journals kept by two heads of departments and the leader. General staff members were first asked to complete The Productive Practice Survey (Hall 1987) to determine their perceptions of the current leadership style in the firm and what they thought they needed from their leader if the firm is to move forward. The Productive Practice Survey (Hall 1987) was not used with the intention of gathering quantitative data, but rather as a means of gathering information of staff's perception in general while ensuring anonymity, so as to facilitate a discussion during a feedback session. The Productive Survey's (Hall 1987) content and working is explained in further detail in Chapter 3 on page 44. Initially participants were skeptical of the process and used the survey as a medium to lash out against the firm and Hugo Daniels as a leader, leaving no room for suggestions for improvement, an "it is what it is" approach. During the feedback session general staff members became more open when they realized that change would benefit them, as changes would be suggested by them and implemented with their participation. They became less reluctant about change and provided valuable input during the session. All participants understood that this Participatory Action Research intervention was only the beginning of change in the firm and the sustainability of the changes rests on the firm as a whole, and working towards it would be a continuous process not ending with the Participatory Action Research process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Stoltz, Tania
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Action research Law offices Leadership Law firms--South Africa--East London Law offices--South Africa--East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:798 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004592
- Description: "Good leadership springs from a genuine passion for the work and a genuine concern for other people. Great Leaders are people who love what they do and want to share that love with others. " (Daft, 2005:20). During an informal discussion with my husband Hugo Daniels, the leader in this Action Research Case Study, it became apparent that lawyers do not attend a single module or complete a single subject during their formal training at university to obtain their law degree that is related to the field of leadership and how to lead, inspire and motivate followers. The discussion centered on the problems the leader was experiencing in his East London law firm, problems he believed to be as a result of his lack of knowledge in the field of leadership. And so this research project began. It was obvious from the start that to intervene in the firm in order to bring about change would need the participation of everyone in the firm. The first step towards facilitating change would be to change the leadership style of the director of the firm. He would be required to gain knowledge in the field of leadership and the effects that different leadership styles have on followers. At the same time staff's perception of the current leadership style would have to be determined, as well as the desired style for their leader. The research process could then begin, based on the needs expressed by the staff and with participation from all levels in the firm. The case involved 27 members of staff made up of three heads of departments, twenty three general staff members and the leader. Data was gathered through formal interviews with the leader and the heads of departments, as well as from personal journals kept by two heads of departments and the leader. General staff members were first asked to complete The Productive Practice Survey (Hall 1987) to determine their perceptions of the current leadership style in the firm and what they thought they needed from their leader if the firm is to move forward. The Productive Practice Survey (Hall 1987) was not used with the intention of gathering quantitative data, but rather as a means of gathering information of staff's perception in general while ensuring anonymity, so as to facilitate a discussion during a feedback session. The Productive Survey's (Hall 1987) content and working is explained in further detail in Chapter 3 on page 44. Initially participants were skeptical of the process and used the survey as a medium to lash out against the firm and Hugo Daniels as a leader, leaving no room for suggestions for improvement, an "it is what it is" approach. During the feedback session general staff members became more open when they realized that change would benefit them, as changes would be suggested by them and implemented with their participation. They became less reluctant about change and provided valuable input during the session. All participants understood that this Participatory Action Research intervention was only the beginning of change in the firm and the sustainability of the changes rests on the firm as a whole, and working towards it would be a continuous process not ending with the Participatory Action Research process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Adaptive user interfaces for mobile map-based visualisation
- Authors: Van Tonder, Bradley Paul
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cartography , Maps -- Design , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/866 , Cartography , Maps -- Design , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Mobile devices today frequently serve as platforms for the visualisation of map-based data. Despite the obvious advantages, mobile map-based visualisation (MMV) systems are often difficult to design and use. Limited screen space, resource constraints and awkward interaction mechanisms are among the many problems with which designers and users have to contend. Adaptive user interfaces (AUIs), which adapt to the individual user, represent a possible means of addressing the problems of MMV. Adaptive MMV systems are, however, generally designed in an ad-hoc fashion, making the benefits achieved difficult to replicate. In addition, existing models for adaptive MMV systems are either conceptual in nature or only address a subset of the possible input variables and adaptation effects. The primary objective of this research was to develop and evaluate an adaptive MMV system using a model-based approach. The Proteus Model was proposed to support the design of MMV systems which adapt in terms of information, visualisation and user interface in response to the user‟s behaviour, tasks and context. The Proteus Model describes the architectural, interface, data and algorithm design of an adaptive MMV system. A prototype adaptive MMV system, called MediaMaps, was designed and implemented based on the Proteus Model. MediaMaps allows users to capture, location-tag, organise and visualise multimedia on their mobile phones. Information adaptation is performed through the use of an algorithm to assist users in sorting media items into collections based on time and location. Visualisation adaptation is performed by adapting various parameters of the map-based visualisations according to user preferences. Interface adaptation is performed through the use of adaptive lists. An international field study of MediaMaps was conducted in which participants were required to use MediaMaps on their personal mobile phones for a period of three weeks. The results of the field study showed that high levels of accuracy were achieved by both the information and interface adaptations. High levels of user satisfaction were reported, with participants rating all three forms of adaptation as highly useful. The successful implementation of MediaMaps provides practical evidence that the model-based design of adaptive MMV systems is feasible. The positive results of the field study clearly show that the adaptations implemented were highly accurate and that participants found these adaptations to be useful, usable and easy to understand. This research thus provides empirical evidence that the use of AUIs can provide significant benefits for the visualisation of map-based information on mobile devices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Van Tonder, Bradley Paul
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cartography , Maps -- Design , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/866 , Cartography , Maps -- Design , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Mobile devices today frequently serve as platforms for the visualisation of map-based data. Despite the obvious advantages, mobile map-based visualisation (MMV) systems are often difficult to design and use. Limited screen space, resource constraints and awkward interaction mechanisms are among the many problems with which designers and users have to contend. Adaptive user interfaces (AUIs), which adapt to the individual user, represent a possible means of addressing the problems of MMV. Adaptive MMV systems are, however, generally designed in an ad-hoc fashion, making the benefits achieved difficult to replicate. In addition, existing models for adaptive MMV systems are either conceptual in nature or only address a subset of the possible input variables and adaptation effects. The primary objective of this research was to develop and evaluate an adaptive MMV system using a model-based approach. The Proteus Model was proposed to support the design of MMV systems which adapt in terms of information, visualisation and user interface in response to the user‟s behaviour, tasks and context. The Proteus Model describes the architectural, interface, data and algorithm design of an adaptive MMV system. A prototype adaptive MMV system, called MediaMaps, was designed and implemented based on the Proteus Model. MediaMaps allows users to capture, location-tag, organise and visualise multimedia on their mobile phones. Information adaptation is performed through the use of an algorithm to assist users in sorting media items into collections based on time and location. Visualisation adaptation is performed by adapting various parameters of the map-based visualisations according to user preferences. Interface adaptation is performed through the use of adaptive lists. An international field study of MediaMaps was conducted in which participants were required to use MediaMaps on their personal mobile phones for a period of three weeks. The results of the field study showed that high levels of accuracy were achieved by both the information and interface adaptations. High levels of user satisfaction were reported, with participants rating all three forms of adaptation as highly useful. The successful implementation of MediaMaps provides practical evidence that the model-based design of adaptive MMV systems is feasible. The positive results of the field study clearly show that the adaptations implemented were highly accurate and that participants found these adaptations to be useful, usable and easy to understand. This research thus provides empirical evidence that the use of AUIs can provide significant benefits for the visualisation of map-based information on mobile devices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Addressing the barriers to learning in the Helenvale area of Port Elizabeth : a school management perspective
- Authors: Van Heerden, Edward Thomas
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9544 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/676 , Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Educational underachievement is a big problem in all schools, but it is especially prevalent in poverty stricken areas. The main objective of this research was to investigate the possible reasons for, consequences of and strategies to address the problem of educational underachievement in poverty stricken areas. The research conducted was based on the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative approach was used to gather data. A case study approach was used as a research design. The data collection methods were questionnaires, interviews and observations. The study found that the home conditions, individual factors, family and psychological factors are the main reasons for academic underachievement. The main consequences of academic underachievement were found to be unemployment, behavioural problems, a negative self-perception, high failure rates, high drop-out rates and teenage pregnancies. The main strategies to address the problem which the study revealed are: teachers familiarising themselves with the home conditions of the child, addressing the problem of overcrowding, and poverty, involving the parents in the education of their children, enhancing the self-esteem of learners, improving teaching, implementing cooperative learning and providing study facilities for these learners at the school after hours.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Van Heerden, Edward Thomas
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9544 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/676 , Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Educational underachievement is a big problem in all schools, but it is especially prevalent in poverty stricken areas. The main objective of this research was to investigate the possible reasons for, consequences of and strategies to address the problem of educational underachievement in poverty stricken areas. The research conducted was based on the interpretive paradigm and a qualitative approach was used to gather data. A case study approach was used as a research design. The data collection methods were questionnaires, interviews and observations. The study found that the home conditions, individual factors, family and psychological factors are the main reasons for academic underachievement. The main consequences of academic underachievement were found to be unemployment, behavioural problems, a negative self-perception, high failure rates, high drop-out rates and teenage pregnancies. The main strategies to address the problem which the study revealed are: teachers familiarising themselves with the home conditions of the child, addressing the problem of overcrowding, and poverty, involving the parents in the education of their children, enhancing the self-esteem of learners, improving teaching, implementing cooperative learning and providing study facilities for these learners at the school after hours.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Adoption of business information systems in an automotive manufacturing environment: a case study
- Authors: Dyer, Shirley
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Management information systems , Technology -- Information services , Information resources management , Business -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/892 , Management information systems , Technology -- Information services , Information resources management , Business -- Data processing
- Description: Dorbyl Automotive Technologies (DAT) is a manufacturing company that supplies parts and components to the local and international motor vehicle market. The automotive components’ market is very competitive and customers require more from the industry to stay competitive. Customers require full integration throughout the supply chain. DAT and its Information Systems Department have ensured that the necessary business information systems are available to assist the company in staying competitive. One problem, though, is that the users of these systems are not using and adopting the technologies available. This research examines the reasons for this by making use of a technology acceptance model called the UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY (UTAUT), which is an integrated model based on eight different available acceptance models. The aim is to understand which factors influence the use of systems. The research also proposes a way forward by suggesting a model to assist DAT in new system implementations as well as correcting the current situation. The only way DAT will stay competitive is by ensuring that the company becomes lean. Customers demand this as more and more are moving to just-in-time delivery. This implies that the suppliers must react to changes real-time. The use of business information systems will become the main focus area to react to changes quickly and correctly. Effective and accurate systems depend on users making good use of these systems. Remaining competitive will depend on how effectively Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Dyer, Shirley
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Management information systems , Technology -- Information services , Information resources management , Business -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/892 , Management information systems , Technology -- Information services , Information resources management , Business -- Data processing
- Description: Dorbyl Automotive Technologies (DAT) is a manufacturing company that supplies parts and components to the local and international motor vehicle market. The automotive components’ market is very competitive and customers require more from the industry to stay competitive. Customers require full integration throughout the supply chain. DAT and its Information Systems Department have ensured that the necessary business information systems are available to assist the company in staying competitive. One problem, though, is that the users of these systems are not using and adopting the technologies available. This research examines the reasons for this by making use of a technology acceptance model called the UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY (UTAUT), which is an integrated model based on eight different available acceptance models. The aim is to understand which factors influence the use of systems. The research also proposes a way forward by suggesting a model to assist DAT in new system implementations as well as correcting the current situation. The only way DAT will stay competitive is by ensuring that the company becomes lean. Customers demand this as more and more are moving to just-in-time delivery. This implies that the suppliers must react to changes real-time. The use of business information systems will become the main focus area to react to changes quickly and correctly. Effective and accurate systems depend on users making good use of these systems. Remaining competitive will depend on how effectively Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Adoption of ICTs in a marginalised area of South Africa
- Mapi, Thandeka, Dalvit, Lorenzo, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Mapi, Thandeka , Dalvit, Lorenzo , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431130 , vital:72747 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/4390301/5-thandeka-libre.pdf?1390837024=response-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DAdoption_of_ICTs_in_a_Marginalised_Area.pdfExpires=1714988863Signature=N683m3iYa8BDSsrNBb-fZpYmsy~pftZZQbiEdNz8ZFJaL2I-Wt32FIJcLEKFnrSjj0AfnYak4RVZjuZhuFVHQZOnkt7tIBBwccqexeEkwq94rCX6r1~aA~GdyL4Z3WzHRK~Xoug17mnu869TGq8VxuSNBf-LmbSr03uZeXlk2dpobbp3ROl06wauhLm02p1th1qBM5n-Bc0q8wYS-zkY-jA9fc7w6ZE~m6hlHE6Amt1xg~db99oRcu1EuXSdHyWDZDw3OsQ9zlMfX7AU6EBhfAtFbxXuVXOlNOEPuXHgiQ1UbFveqfVKGFRg0dmYXzw62MQM0EQQ2g4qXgk2Xc2z0cQ__Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: This paper examines how a community in Dwesa, a marginalised area in the Transkei Region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, adopts Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This research is part of the Siyakhula project, which aims at promoting the potential of the area through ICTs. The project is situated in four different schools: Mpume, Nondobo, Mtokwane and Ngwane. Fostering ICT awareness and a sense of owner-ship by the community are seen as crucial factors, and computer literacy education is an integral part of the project. The study focuses on how di-verse groups of people adopt new technologies and approach ICT educa-tion. Qualitative research methods such as Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Participant Observation (PO) were adopted in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mapi, Thandeka , Dalvit, Lorenzo , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431130 , vital:72747 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/4390301/5-thandeka-libre.pdf?1390837024=response-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DAdoption_of_ICTs_in_a_Marginalised_Area.pdfExpires=1714988863Signature=N683m3iYa8BDSsrNBb-fZpYmsy~pftZZQbiEdNz8ZFJaL2I-Wt32FIJcLEKFnrSjj0AfnYak4RVZjuZhuFVHQZOnkt7tIBBwccqexeEkwq94rCX6r1~aA~GdyL4Z3WzHRK~Xoug17mnu869TGq8VxuSNBf-LmbSr03uZeXlk2dpobbp3ROl06wauhLm02p1th1qBM5n-Bc0q8wYS-zkY-jA9fc7w6ZE~m6hlHE6Amt1xg~db99oRcu1EuXSdHyWDZDw3OsQ9zlMfX7AU6EBhfAtFbxXuVXOlNOEPuXHgiQ1UbFveqfVKGFRg0dmYXzw62MQM0EQQ2g4qXgk2Xc2z0cQ__Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: This paper examines how a community in Dwesa, a marginalised area in the Transkei Region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, adopts Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This research is part of the Siyakhula project, which aims at promoting the potential of the area through ICTs. The project is situated in four different schools: Mpume, Nondobo, Mtokwane and Ngwane. Fostering ICT awareness and a sense of owner-ship by the community are seen as crucial factors, and computer literacy education is an integral part of the project. The study focuses on how di-verse groups of people adopt new technologies and approach ICT educa-tion. Qualitative research methods such as Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Participant Observation (PO) were adopted in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Adsorption of 4-nitrophenol onto Amberlite® IRA-900 modified with metallophthalocyanines
- Marais, Eloïse A, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Marais, Eloïse A , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/268576 , vital:54211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.06.096"
- Description: The adsorption of 4-nitrophenol using commercially available Amberlite® IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines (MPc) was investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite® IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS4), Co (CoPcS4) and Ni (NiPcS4) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcSmix), Co (CoPcSmix) and Ni (NiPcSmix). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at a loading of 1 × 10−3 g MPc/g Amberlite, at pH 9. The highest amount of 4-NP removal was obtained on FePcSmix modified Amberlite® IRA-900 with Qt = 42.9 mmol g−1 and adsorption efficiency of 86%. The recovery efficiency of 4-NP within 150 min was 76%. Using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed an order of 4-nitrophenol adsorption to be as follows: CoPcSmix > NiPcS4 > NiPcSmix > FePcS4 > FePcSmix > CoPcS4. The MPc modified Amberlite® IRA-900 was used repeatedly, following removal of 4-NP by nitric acid, without any significant loss of activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Marais, Eloïse A , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/268576 , vital:54211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.06.096"
- Description: The adsorption of 4-nitrophenol using commercially available Amberlite® IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines (MPc) was investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite® IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS4), Co (CoPcS4) and Ni (NiPcS4) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcSmix), Co (CoPcSmix) and Ni (NiPcSmix). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at a loading of 1 × 10−3 g MPc/g Amberlite, at pH 9. The highest amount of 4-NP removal was obtained on FePcSmix modified Amberlite® IRA-900 with Qt = 42.9 mmol g−1 and adsorption efficiency of 86%. The recovery efficiency of 4-NP within 150 min was 76%. Using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed an order of 4-nitrophenol adsorption to be as follows: CoPcSmix > NiPcS4 > NiPcSmix > FePcS4 > FePcSmix > CoPcS4. The MPc modified Amberlite® IRA-900 was used repeatedly, following removal of 4-NP by nitric acid, without any significant loss of activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Agathis bishopi (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: braconidae) its biology and usefulness as a biological control agent for false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: tortricidae), on citrus bishopi (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: braconidae) its biology and usefulness as a biological control agent for false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: tortricidae), on citrus
- Authors: Gendall, Kierryn Leigh
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Parasites , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Control , Pests -- Biological control , Tortricidae , Braconidae , Citrus -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005317 , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Parasites , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Control , Pests -- Biological control , Tortricidae , Braconidae , Citrus -- Diseases and pests
- Description: The false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the major pests of citrus in South Africa, the others being mealybug, Mediterranean fruit fly, bollworm and some mites. Due to problems such as the expense of pesticides, insects evolving pesticide resistance (Hogsette 1999), chemical residue on the skin of export fruit and the negative impact of pesticides on the environment, it became necessary to find alternative methods for pest control (Viggiani 2000). Agathis bishopi (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of false codling moth known only from the Sundays River Valley area (Sishuba 2003), offers a means of control for the pest. A total of 11 389 navel oranges were collected from various orchards in the Addo/Kirkwood area, and false codling moth larvae infested 36.09% of the fruit. A single parasitoid species, A. bishopi, was reared from these larvae. In 2006 the highest parasitism rate, 11.43%, was recorded in May and in 2007, the highest parasitism rate, 13.27%, was in April. Agathis bishopi parasitizes larvae in instars 2 and 3, possibly due to the accessibility of these younger instars to the female parasitoid and possibly due to the length of the life cycle of this koinobiont. Second instar hosts yielded the highest number of parasitoids, and there was no emergence of parasitoids from fifth instar larvae. Females of A. bishopi live for 18.5 days (n = 20; S.E. = 3.1) and males for 8.25 days (n = 20; S.E. = 1.23). Females produce an average of 23 offspring in a lifetime, while female false codling moths produce about 800 eggs each. A high number of parasitoids will be required per hectare to reduce the population of false codling moth. Captive rearing of A. bishopi proved difficult due to viral and fungal contamination. Agathis bishopi has potential for use in an integrated pest management programme once the hurdle of mass-rearing has been overcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Gendall, Kierryn Leigh
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Parasites , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Control , Pests -- Biological control , Tortricidae , Braconidae , Citrus -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005317 , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Parasites , Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Control , Pests -- Biological control , Tortricidae , Braconidae , Citrus -- Diseases and pests
- Description: The false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the major pests of citrus in South Africa, the others being mealybug, Mediterranean fruit fly, bollworm and some mites. Due to problems such as the expense of pesticides, insects evolving pesticide resistance (Hogsette 1999), chemical residue on the skin of export fruit and the negative impact of pesticides on the environment, it became necessary to find alternative methods for pest control (Viggiani 2000). Agathis bishopi (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of false codling moth known only from the Sundays River Valley area (Sishuba 2003), offers a means of control for the pest. A total of 11 389 navel oranges were collected from various orchards in the Addo/Kirkwood area, and false codling moth larvae infested 36.09% of the fruit. A single parasitoid species, A. bishopi, was reared from these larvae. In 2006 the highest parasitism rate, 11.43%, was recorded in May and in 2007, the highest parasitism rate, 13.27%, was in April. Agathis bishopi parasitizes larvae in instars 2 and 3, possibly due to the accessibility of these younger instars to the female parasitoid and possibly due to the length of the life cycle of this koinobiont. Second instar hosts yielded the highest number of parasitoids, and there was no emergence of parasitoids from fifth instar larvae. Females of A. bishopi live for 18.5 days (n = 20; S.E. = 3.1) and males for 8.25 days (n = 20; S.E. = 1.23). Females produce an average of 23 offspring in a lifetime, while female false codling moths produce about 800 eggs each. A high number of parasitoids will be required per hectare to reduce the population of false codling moth. Captive rearing of A. bishopi proved difficult due to viral and fungal contamination. Agathis bishopi has potential for use in an integrated pest management programme once the hurdle of mass-rearing has been overcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Alternative products in the inhibition of te plant pathogen scleroyinia sclerotiorum on potato production
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Tererayi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/941 , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Description: White mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attacks a wide host range of broad-leafed plants which includes potatoes. Current control is limited to the use of chemicals, but biological control has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. For the study, 19 bacterial strains and 18 fungal strains obtained from soil samples taken from a potato field naturally infested with the pathogen S. sclerotiorum were tested for the effects on S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and sclerotia viability in vitro. A total of eight bacterial strains and six fungal strains proved to be effective in the inhibition of S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth on PDA plate using a dual culture technique. These antagonistic microbes were six Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus marisflavi, Fusarium solani, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus insuetus and Penicillium citrinum. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the interaction between S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and the time after inoculation with a S. sclerotiorum mycelium plug for both bacterial and fungal soil isolates. An additional sclerotia viability test was carried out using four of the eight antagonistic bacteria, and six of the antagonistic fungi. The results showed that two Bacillus species, namely B. pumilis and B. marisflavi can effectively reduce sclerotia viability. The other two bacteria (both B. subtilis), recorded low percentage reduction in sclerotia viability. As for the six antagonistic fungi, the viability test proved to be less effective in determining sclerotia viability. However, the result of this study supports the use of bio-control agents, not only because they are environmentally friendly, but because they are also an effective way of controlling the plant pathogen, S. sclerotiorum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Tererayi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/941 , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Description: White mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attacks a wide host range of broad-leafed plants which includes potatoes. Current control is limited to the use of chemicals, but biological control has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. For the study, 19 bacterial strains and 18 fungal strains obtained from soil samples taken from a potato field naturally infested with the pathogen S. sclerotiorum were tested for the effects on S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and sclerotia viability in vitro. A total of eight bacterial strains and six fungal strains proved to be effective in the inhibition of S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth on PDA plate using a dual culture technique. These antagonistic microbes were six Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus marisflavi, Fusarium solani, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus insuetus and Penicillium citrinum. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the interaction between S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and the time after inoculation with a S. sclerotiorum mycelium plug for both bacterial and fungal soil isolates. An additional sclerotia viability test was carried out using four of the eight antagonistic bacteria, and six of the antagonistic fungi. The results showed that two Bacillus species, namely B. pumilis and B. marisflavi can effectively reduce sclerotia viability. The other two bacteria (both B. subtilis), recorded low percentage reduction in sclerotia viability. As for the six antagonistic fungi, the viability test proved to be less effective in determining sclerotia viability. However, the result of this study supports the use of bio-control agents, not only because they are environmentally friendly, but because they are also an effective way of controlling the plant pathogen, S. sclerotiorum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An adaptive approach for optimized opportunistic routing over Delay Tolerant Mobile Ad hoc Networks
- Authors: Zhao, Xiaogeng
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Ad hoc networks (Computer networks) Computer network architectures Computer networks Routing protocols (Computer network protocols)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4588 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004822
- Description: This thesis presents a framework for investigating opportunistic routing in Delay Tolerant Mobile Ad hoc Networks (DTMANETs), and introduces the concept of an Opportunistic Confidence Index (OCI). The OCI enables multiple opportunistic routing protocols to be applied as an adaptive group to improve DTMANET routing reliability, performance, and efficiency. The DTMANET is a recently acknowledged networkarchitecture, which is designed to address the challenging and marginal environments created by adaptive, mobile, and unreliable network node presence. Because of its ad hoc and autonomic nature, routing in a DTMANET is a very challenging problem. The design of routing protocols in such environments, which ensure a high percentage delivery rate (reliability), achieve a reasonable delivery time (performance), and at the same time maintain an acceptable communication overhead (efficiency), is of fundamental consequence to the usefulness of DTMANETs. In recent years, a number of investigations into DTMANET routing have been conducted, resulting in the emergence of a class of routing known as opportunistic routing protocols. Current research into opportunistic routing has exposed opportunities for positive impacts on DTMANET routing. To date, most investigations have concentrated upon one or other of the quality metrics of reliability, performance, or efficiency, while some approaches have pursued a balance of these metrics through assumptions of a high level of global knowledge and/or uniform mobile device behaviours. No prior research that we are aware of has studied the connection between multiple opportunistic elements and their influences upon one another, and none has demonstrated the possibility of modelling and using multiple different opportunistic elements as an adaptive group to aid the routing process in a DTMANET. This thesis investigates OCI opportunities and their viability through the design of an extensible simulation environment, which makes use of methods and techniques such as abstract modelling, opportunistic element simplification and isolation, random attribute generation and assignment, localized knowledge sharing, automated scenario generation, intelligent weight assignment and/or opportunistic element permutation. These methods and techniques are incorporated at both data acquisition and analysis phases. Our results show a significant improvement in all three metric categories. In one of the most applicable scenarios tested, OCI yielded a 31.05% message delivery increase (reliability improvement), 22.18% message delivery time reduction (performance improvement), and 73.64% routing depth decrement (efficiency improvement). We are able to conclude that the OCI approach is feasible across a range of scenarios, and that the use of multiple opportunistic elements to aid decision-making processes in DTMANET environments has value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Zhao, Xiaogeng
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Ad hoc networks (Computer networks) Computer network architectures Computer networks Routing protocols (Computer network protocols)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4588 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004822
- Description: This thesis presents a framework for investigating opportunistic routing in Delay Tolerant Mobile Ad hoc Networks (DTMANETs), and introduces the concept of an Opportunistic Confidence Index (OCI). The OCI enables multiple opportunistic routing protocols to be applied as an adaptive group to improve DTMANET routing reliability, performance, and efficiency. The DTMANET is a recently acknowledged networkarchitecture, which is designed to address the challenging and marginal environments created by adaptive, mobile, and unreliable network node presence. Because of its ad hoc and autonomic nature, routing in a DTMANET is a very challenging problem. The design of routing protocols in such environments, which ensure a high percentage delivery rate (reliability), achieve a reasonable delivery time (performance), and at the same time maintain an acceptable communication overhead (efficiency), is of fundamental consequence to the usefulness of DTMANETs. In recent years, a number of investigations into DTMANET routing have been conducted, resulting in the emergence of a class of routing known as opportunistic routing protocols. Current research into opportunistic routing has exposed opportunities for positive impacts on DTMANET routing. To date, most investigations have concentrated upon one or other of the quality metrics of reliability, performance, or efficiency, while some approaches have pursued a balance of these metrics through assumptions of a high level of global knowledge and/or uniform mobile device behaviours. No prior research that we are aware of has studied the connection between multiple opportunistic elements and their influences upon one another, and none has demonstrated the possibility of modelling and using multiple different opportunistic elements as an adaptive group to aid the routing process in a DTMANET. This thesis investigates OCI opportunities and their viability through the design of an extensible simulation environment, which makes use of methods and techniques such as abstract modelling, opportunistic element simplification and isolation, random attribute generation and assignment, localized knowledge sharing, automated scenario generation, intelligent weight assignment and/or opportunistic element permutation. These methods and techniques are incorporated at both data acquisition and analysis phases. Our results show a significant improvement in all three metric categories. In one of the most applicable scenarios tested, OCI yielded a 31.05% message delivery increase (reliability improvement), 22.18% message delivery time reduction (performance improvement), and 73.64% routing depth decrement (efficiency improvement). We are able to conclude that the OCI approach is feasible across a range of scenarios, and that the use of multiple opportunistic elements to aid decision-making processes in DTMANET environments has value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An adaptive user interface model for contact centres
- Authors: Jason, Bronwin Anastasia
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Call centers -- Customer services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10467 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/989 , Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Call centers -- Customer services
- Description: Contact centres (CC), are the primary interaction point between a company and its customers and these are rapidly expanding in terms of both workforce and economic scope. An important challenge for today's CC solutions is to increase the speed at which CCAs retrieve information to answer customer queries. CCAs, however, differ in their ability to respond to these queries and do not interact with the computer user interface (UI) in the same way as they each have different capabilities, experience and expertise. Studies have provided empirical support that user performance can be increased when the computer UI characteristics match the user skill level. Adaptive user interfaces (AUIs) are the key to creating personalised systems. Their sole task is to provide an interface most suitable to users' needs whilst facilitating the users' varying skill levels. The aim of this research was to develop an AUI model for CCs to support and improve the expertise level of CCAs. A literature review of CCs, user expertise, AUIs and existing AUI models resulted in the proposal of an AUI model for CCs. The proposed AUI model was described in terms of its architecture, component-level and interface design. An AUI prototype was developed as a proof-of-concept of the proposed AUI model. A literature review on existing AUI evaluation approaches resulted in an evaluation strategy for the proposed AUI model. The AUI prototype was evaluated according to the evaluation strategy that was identified. User testing incorporating eye-tracking and a post-test questionnaire was used to determine the usefulness and usability of the AUI prototype. Significant results were found with regards to user satisfaction ratings, the learnability of the AUI prototype and its effectiveness. This dissertation makes an important contribution in the design of an AUI model that supports and improves the expertise level of CCAs. The model could be used to assist the development of CC applications incorporating AUIs. Future research is however needed to evaluate the effect of the proposed AUI model in a larger CC environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Jason, Bronwin Anastasia
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Call centers -- Customer services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10467 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/989 , Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Call centers -- Customer services
- Description: Contact centres (CC), are the primary interaction point between a company and its customers and these are rapidly expanding in terms of both workforce and economic scope. An important challenge for today's CC solutions is to increase the speed at which CCAs retrieve information to answer customer queries. CCAs, however, differ in their ability to respond to these queries and do not interact with the computer user interface (UI) in the same way as they each have different capabilities, experience and expertise. Studies have provided empirical support that user performance can be increased when the computer UI characteristics match the user skill level. Adaptive user interfaces (AUIs) are the key to creating personalised systems. Their sole task is to provide an interface most suitable to users' needs whilst facilitating the users' varying skill levels. The aim of this research was to develop an AUI model for CCs to support and improve the expertise level of CCAs. A literature review of CCs, user expertise, AUIs and existing AUI models resulted in the proposal of an AUI model for CCs. The proposed AUI model was described in terms of its architecture, component-level and interface design. An AUI prototype was developed as a proof-of-concept of the proposed AUI model. A literature review on existing AUI evaluation approaches resulted in an evaluation strategy for the proposed AUI model. The AUI prototype was evaluated according to the evaluation strategy that was identified. User testing incorporating eye-tracking and a post-test questionnaire was used to determine the usefulness and usability of the AUI prototype. Significant results were found with regards to user satisfaction ratings, the learnability of the AUI prototype and its effectiveness. This dissertation makes an important contribution in the design of an AUI model that supports and improves the expertise level of CCAs. The model could be used to assist the development of CC applications incorporating AUIs. Future research is however needed to evaluate the effect of the proposed AUI model in a larger CC environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008