The challenges of professional women in a male dominated South African construction industry
- Authors: Tyindyana. Xolile
- Date: 20XX
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44557 , vital:38129
- Description: The opinions that South African construction industry is the most untransformed sector, highly gender active and men have difficulty in accepting women in the construction industry, hindered the development of the South African economy. The improved number of professional women entering the statuses of this male dominance is noticeable, but the percentage of men still speak volume. Hence, there are imbalances that are correspondent to discrimination trials. This study explore challenges faced by professional women in the construction industry of South Africa, in the Eastern Cape. The study embraced exploratory research design in order to formulate preliminary investigations based on relatively unknown areas of professional women in construction industry. Therefore, this qualitative method incorporated interpretivism as its research philosophy, with the motive that this paradigm succeeds individual ontology that does not perceive as objective and independent. The purposeful sampling technique deployed in identifying the research participants, coupled by ten (10) women rendering professional services in the construction industry. Data collected was analysed thematically, which gave rise to presented themes, deliberated and construed in headings framed from research objectives. The study revealed that professional women still trapped between resisting, accommodating masculine politics and femininity distinctions regardless of evolutions. Most participants attested to the gender imbalances that propagates marginalisation, which is in line with the revelations. The study also suggest that men reject professionalism identity in the context of women. Other key challenges were not limited to backgrounds of the industry, outlook and progression that necessitated women taking executive positions. Further still, participants are aware of flouted construction industry policies and the strategies to use to by their counterparts to obscure them. Hence, the study suggested monitoring and review of policies in place by the policy makers. A recommended that similar research be carried out in South Africa, particularly provinces, as a literature gap has been identified. These recommended studies could enhance professional women, men and policy makers in profound consideration of the challenges faced by professional women in the construction industry.
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- Date Issued: 20XX
The influence of selected branding variables on corporate reputation
- Authors: Potgieter, Adéle
- Date: 20XX
- Subjects: Corporate image Corporations|xPublic relations , Branding (Marketing) Brand name products -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19839 , vital:28984
- Description: Despite research on relationships between branding constructs such as corporate identity, corporate image, employer branding, corporate branding and corporate reputation over the past years, limited research has been conducted on the influence of employees on these constructs. Although the concept of personal branding has been debated by many, there is a dearth of research on personal branding and the relationship between personal branding and employer branding, corporate branding and corporate reputation. As a result, this study was carried out in order to explore the influence of employer branding, employee’s personal branding and corporate branding on corporate reputation. It is argued in this study that corporate reputation is one of the most valuable intangible assets of an organisation. Organisations need to ensure that they comprehend the elements in the establishment of a corporate identity and a corporate image, and how employees influence these constructs. It became clear that an individual’s associations, awareness and assessment of an organisation influence their direct and indirect experiences with an organisation resulting in the formulation of a corporate reputation. The study also emphasised that employees are one of the most important tangible assets of an organisation and play an important role in establishing a corporate reputation and corporate brand. It was stated that an organisation combines a set of organisational qualities that focus on streamlining priorities, escalate productivity and improve recruitment, commitment and retention of employees through the process of employer branding. The study revealed that potential employees use the organisational attractiveness as an essential decision making tool in their quest to find the perfect employer. During the employer branding process prospective employees compare their own needs, values and personalities to that of the employer brand of the organisation. It is suggested that a well-executed employee branding process alleviates the profile of the organisation internally as well as externally, enhancing the competitive advantage of, and ultimately the corporate brand and reputation of an organisation. The study revealed that the emotional connections that stakeholders make with employees are moulded through formal and informal interactions with customers. Throughout the study it became evident that the individual provides a ‘package’ of their own values and qualities (what they believe in) expressed by what they do and how they do it, in order to create their own unique selling proposition in the market place through personal branding. It is, therefore, imperative that organisations find the correct person-organisation fit. The study indicated that the establishment of a personal brand is important for the employee but equally important for the organisation that becomes the employer. This highlighted the fact that any misalignment between the employee’s brand package content and the organisation’s brand values, objectives and personality results in the employee behaving differently to the expectations of the organisation. In order to establish the relationships between the variables of the study, empirical research was conducted. The study employed an exploratory as well as a causal approach. The Top500 best managed companies in South Africa was used as the sample population of the study. Companies were selected from the Top500 list and was guided by the sectors they have been assigned to. Eight industries were chosen that broadly constitute the most important sectors in the South African context. All five companies within the following sectors were selected: Arts/entertainment/recreation; Finance and Insurance; Banking sector; Government and Public administration; Hotel and Food services; Manufacturing and Retail. A self-administered web-based survey, consisting of five sections was utilised as measuring instrument. The questions in sections one to four related to the variables of the study whilst Section five was used to collect the demographic data of the respondents. A total of 312 usable questionnaires were received from a possible 900 respondents, indicating a 35 percent response rate.
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- Date Issued: 20XX
The oversight role of governing bodies in selected schools in the Upper Xolobe administrative area, Tsomo Magisterial district
- Authors: Yotsi, Bafo Synford
- Date: 20XX
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11320 , vital:26910
- Description: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the role of school governing bodies in their oversight role of the implementation of education departmental policies by school principals in selected schools in the Upper Xolobe Administrative Area. According to Clarke (2009: 14), there is no doubt that a school improves when a school’s governors exert their governance oversight authority in a way that promotes the effective use of resources and establishes a climate which encourages teaching and learning. South African schools, especially in rural areas, are still grappling with the challenges of electing effective people into school governing bodies (National Guidelines for School Governing Body Elections, 2012: 6). The Upper Xolobe Administrative Area is a rural traditional authority area under the traditional leadership of a headman who is appointed in line with traditional chieftainship under the supervision of a chief. There is also a democratically elected ward councillor as a political leader. In the area, there are seven General Education and Training (GET) band schools and one Further Education and Training (FET) band school or senior secondary school which offers tuition for grades 10 to 12. There are, therefore eight (8) governing bodies for the eight institutions. The majority of SGB members are not adequately educated. According to Clarke (2009: 1), schools are effective when there is an institutional environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. There is significant research identifying the characteristics of schools where good teaching and learning are evident, where there is a good work ethic and where children are provided with opportunities to develop to their full potential (Clarke, 2009: 1). The challenge for school governors is to see that they perform their governance functions in a way that will create a school environment where these characteristics are evident. The perceptible indications are that against the background of the challenge of the level of education of the majority of the parent members of SGBs, their mandatory term of office which is only three years and a myriad of other environmental challenges, the eight SGBs of the eight institutions in the Upper Xolobe Administrative Area are to grapple with, creating a school environment where the characteristics mentioned might be challenging. Two important principles of the South African Schools’ Act are concerned with inclusivity and decentralisation. Inclusivity means the participation of parents, educators, non-teaching staff, learners, and other people who are willing and able to make contribution to the school. Bringing decision-making closer to the people is desirable, but this in itself will not solve all the problems and challenges faced by school governing bodies. Research has shown that school governing bodies face many problems despite the fact that decisions are made by people closest to the situation (Ramadiro & Vally, 2005: 1). This study intends to investigate the combined effect of the various components constituting the school governing body members of eight schools in the Upper Xolobe Administrative Area in their oversight role of policy implementation by school principals or school managers.
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- Date Issued: 20XX