Evaluating factors affecting development and implementation of innovation practices at Eastcape Midlands TVET College
- Authors: Momoza, Ncedo Prince
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Technological innovations , Technical education -- Technological innovations , Education, Higher -- Technological innovations , Education, Higher -- Computer-assisted instruction Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65219 , vital:74052
- Description: This study underscores the dearth of effective innovation practices in South African higher educational institutions. The research delves into the key factors that influence the development and implementation of innovation practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, with a particular focus on the Eastcape Midlands TVET College in the Midlands region. The study aims to identify the primary drivers and barriers to innovation adoption within the context of a TVET college; it also evaluates the impact of innovation practices on student outcomes, institutional performance, and industry partnerships. This study used qualitative research methods, including interviews with key stakeholders such as college administrators, faculty members, and industry partners. Quota sampling was used to select interview participants based on their expertise, experience and roles in the college's innovation efforts. This approach ensured that the selected participants offered valuable insights into the topic under investigation. The participation rate for this study was 93.3%, with the results revealing that the matter was complex. Among the insights gained from the research was the identification of major obstacles to innovation, such as a lack of resources, tedious bureaucratic processes, as well as staff and faculty resistance to change. Furthermore, the research found successful strategies that stimulate innovation, such as cultivating an environment of experimentation, improving cooperation with business associates, and introducing adaptable teaching methods. The leadership team of the college may use these findings as a guide, which provides focused tactics to overcome obstacles and to develop effective methods. This research recommends that utilizing knowledge of resistance to change could result in customized change management plans, while knowledge of successful innovation projects could guide the creation of programs and policies that promote and support innovative practices within the institution. Furthermore, by providing context-specific insights and practical suggestions that could enhance the promotion of innovation in comparable educational environments, these findings contribute to the existent body of knowledge on the subject and help similar institutions achieve excellence in innovation and long-term success. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Momoza, Ncedo Prince
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Technological innovations , Technical education -- Technological innovations , Education, Higher -- Technological innovations , Education, Higher -- Computer-assisted instruction Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65219 , vital:74052
- Description: This study underscores the dearth of effective innovation practices in South African higher educational institutions. The research delves into the key factors that influence the development and implementation of innovation practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, with a particular focus on the Eastcape Midlands TVET College in the Midlands region. The study aims to identify the primary drivers and barriers to innovation adoption within the context of a TVET college; it also evaluates the impact of innovation practices on student outcomes, institutional performance, and industry partnerships. This study used qualitative research methods, including interviews with key stakeholders such as college administrators, faculty members, and industry partners. Quota sampling was used to select interview participants based on their expertise, experience and roles in the college's innovation efforts. This approach ensured that the selected participants offered valuable insights into the topic under investigation. The participation rate for this study was 93.3%, with the results revealing that the matter was complex. Among the insights gained from the research was the identification of major obstacles to innovation, such as a lack of resources, tedious bureaucratic processes, as well as staff and faculty resistance to change. Furthermore, the research found successful strategies that stimulate innovation, such as cultivating an environment of experimentation, improving cooperation with business associates, and introducing adaptable teaching methods. The leadership team of the college may use these findings as a guide, which provides focused tactics to overcome obstacles and to develop effective methods. This research recommends that utilizing knowledge of resistance to change could result in customized change management plans, while knowledge of successful innovation projects could guide the creation of programs and policies that promote and support innovative practices within the institution. Furthermore, by providing context-specific insights and practical suggestions that could enhance the promotion of innovation in comparable educational environments, these findings contribute to the existent body of knowledge on the subject and help similar institutions achieve excellence in innovation and long-term success. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Exploring 3d printing of brass instruments: a comparative study of French horn mouthpieces
- Authors: Barker, Dylan Bruce
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Horn (Musical instrument) , Three-dimensional printing , Instrumentation and orchestration (Band)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62755 , vital:72939
- Description: The French horn is an orchestral instrument with a rich history that spans centuries, undergoing notable transformations in its design and functionality. A short overview of this history is provided in Appendix A. Originating as a simple coil, the French horn has evolved to encompass a complex valve system, multiple harmonic series, and a diverse range of modifications tailored to players' preferences and requirements. These modifications include mutes, grips, extra keys, and even the exploration of different materials for mouthpieces. The use of plastic rims on mouthpieces, for reasons such as allergies, thermal conductivity, and tactile sensation, has already gained traction among horn players (Tuckwell, 2002). In the realm of manufacturing and technology, the concept of additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising avenue. Referred to as the next "industrial revolution” (Berman, 2012), additive manufacturing has become increasingly accessible through desktop-scale 3D printers. This technology offers a viable method for producing cost-effective musical instruments and enhancers without compromising quality (Kantaros, 2018). As evidenced by a 2018 Roundtable report from the South African Parliament, additive manufacturing aligns with the trajectory of the fourth industrial revolution, prompting governments to develop policies and strategies to harness its potential. Given the significance of additive manufacturing, a comprehensive investigation into applying these new technologies for the horn is warranted. Specifically, material choice, quality of sound, and the experience of performing on a printed mouthpiece is investigated and compared to a traditional metal mouthpiece. While the horn is comprised of many individual components, this study relates specifically to the mouthpiece. A brief appraisal of the significance of the mouthpiece will follow in the next section. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Barker, Dylan Bruce
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Horn (Musical instrument) , Three-dimensional printing , Instrumentation and orchestration (Band)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62755 , vital:72939
- Description: The French horn is an orchestral instrument with a rich history that spans centuries, undergoing notable transformations in its design and functionality. A short overview of this history is provided in Appendix A. Originating as a simple coil, the French horn has evolved to encompass a complex valve system, multiple harmonic series, and a diverse range of modifications tailored to players' preferences and requirements. These modifications include mutes, grips, extra keys, and even the exploration of different materials for mouthpieces. The use of plastic rims on mouthpieces, for reasons such as allergies, thermal conductivity, and tactile sensation, has already gained traction among horn players (Tuckwell, 2002). In the realm of manufacturing and technology, the concept of additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising avenue. Referred to as the next "industrial revolution” (Berman, 2012), additive manufacturing has become increasingly accessible through desktop-scale 3D printers. This technology offers a viable method for producing cost-effective musical instruments and enhancers without compromising quality (Kantaros, 2018). As evidenced by a 2018 Roundtable report from the South African Parliament, additive manufacturing aligns with the trajectory of the fourth industrial revolution, prompting governments to develop policies and strategies to harness its potential. Given the significance of additive manufacturing, a comprehensive investigation into applying these new technologies for the horn is warranted. Specifically, material choice, quality of sound, and the experience of performing on a printed mouthpiece is investigated and compared to a traditional metal mouthpiece. While the horn is comprised of many individual components, this study relates specifically to the mouthpiece. A brief appraisal of the significance of the mouthpiece will follow in the next section. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government: the case of Raymond Mhlaba local municipality in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kapayi, Nceba Isaac
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Local government , community development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61431 , vital:70641
- Description: The notion of public participation in decision-making processes is one of the mechanisms that seek to entrench equality and transform social coherence between government and citizens. This view relates to the provision of quality and sustainability of goods and services. The individuals, both in their capacity as citizens and consumers of public goods and services should be allowed to participate in the development that affect in terms of the regulatory frameworks. They should be permitted and encouraged to express their views on governance and development matters pertaining to them. Nevertheless, there are number of factors that impede the participation of the local communities in development planning processes, such as a communication gap between government officials and communities, socio-economic inequalities, poor service delivery, unemployment, a lack of capacity building and transparency to mention a few. The planning and implementation of municipal projects should be accepted only after considerable discussion and consultation with communities. This process is seen as allowing deprived groups and individuals to have voices in future development initiatives. As such, public participation enables for full involvement of ordinary members of the community in decision making, planning, designing, organising and executing development initiatives that affect them. The Researcher decided to embark on a study entitled: The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government. The case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Adopting the quantitative research design, data was collected through questionnaires for the key informants consisting of 3 participants, 3 officials from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Data was also collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of the communities from Kataga in Adelaide, Gaga Village in Alice and Magaleni location in Fort Beaufort. Eighteen (18) community members were selected to participate in the study from both communities inclusive of ward councillors. Community members were organised into 1 focus group participants in each location (comprising of 6 people per group).To support the data obtained from focus group 3 key informants from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality participated in the investigation. A heterogeneous population of 21 respondents participated in this study. The thematic analysis was vii used to analyse data. The findings consistently show that the ability of a local government to work effectively dependent on inclusive planning, implementation and decision making processes. This means that local government development is also required for the impartial and efficient operation of public institutions. Public confidence in local municipalities is expressed as one of the main factors that determine the government‘s competitiveness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Kapayi, Nceba Isaac
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Local government , community development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61431 , vital:70641
- Description: The notion of public participation in decision-making processes is one of the mechanisms that seek to entrench equality and transform social coherence between government and citizens. This view relates to the provision of quality and sustainability of goods and services. The individuals, both in their capacity as citizens and consumers of public goods and services should be allowed to participate in the development that affect in terms of the regulatory frameworks. They should be permitted and encouraged to express their views on governance and development matters pertaining to them. Nevertheless, there are number of factors that impede the participation of the local communities in development planning processes, such as a communication gap between government officials and communities, socio-economic inequalities, poor service delivery, unemployment, a lack of capacity building and transparency to mention a few. The planning and implementation of municipal projects should be accepted only after considerable discussion and consultation with communities. This process is seen as allowing deprived groups and individuals to have voices in future development initiatives. As such, public participation enables for full involvement of ordinary members of the community in decision making, planning, designing, organising and executing development initiatives that affect them. The Researcher decided to embark on a study entitled: The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government. The case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Adopting the quantitative research design, data was collected through questionnaires for the key informants consisting of 3 participants, 3 officials from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Data was also collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of the communities from Kataga in Adelaide, Gaga Village in Alice and Magaleni location in Fort Beaufort. Eighteen (18) community members were selected to participate in the study from both communities inclusive of ward councillors. Community members were organised into 1 focus group participants in each location (comprising of 6 people per group).To support the data obtained from focus group 3 key informants from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality participated in the investigation. A heterogeneous population of 21 respondents participated in this study. The thematic analysis was vii used to analyse data. The findings consistently show that the ability of a local government to work effectively dependent on inclusive planning, implementation and decision making processes. This means that local government development is also required for the impartial and efficient operation of public institutions. Public confidence in local municipalities is expressed as one of the main factors that determine the government‘s competitiveness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Manager’s Adoption of New Smart Retail Technology at Clicks Group
- Authors: Mdoda, Athenkosi Sindile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Stores, Retail--Electric equipment , Stores, Retail
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57906 , vital:58402
- Description: SRT is the interactive retail system that offers retail services to customers via a network of smart or intelligent objects and devices that can sense the environment and engage in real-time data collection, communication, interaction and feedback and it can be integrated to the physical stores. The fourth industrial revolution is driving companies across the globe to familiarize themselves with technology and to innovate. Retail industry has been at the forefront of innovation, amongst other industries with the goal of driving efficiency, cost reduction, relevance, profitability, customer retention and a quest to remain competitive. South African companies are not any different as this innovation has seen technology transformation move into brick-and-mortar stores and the online market. The key factor of innovation in retail is the smart retail technology (SRT). The adoption of technology is imperative so that organisations not only develop policies but are able to gain value and achieve the desired outcomes. The adoption of technology operates as means to allow management to actively contribute in an environment of continued innovation with strategic benefits, therefore, indicating the significance and value of understanding the perspective of technology adoption and shape organisational strategy and its practices. Managers are key drivers of adoption and their actions significantly contribute to achieving an alignment between the company and external environment. The primary objective of this study is to explore the perceptions and attitudes of lower to middle level managers towards technology adoption at Clicks stores in South Africa. This study is specifically focused on managers’ adoption of smart retail technology at Clicks by analysing factors such as facilitating conditions, institutional culture, demographics, knowledge, manager’s attitudes (SRT ease of use) and managers attitudes (SRT benefits) as dependent factors and SRT adoption as an independent factor. An empirical study consisting of an online survey (QuestionPro) was conducted with 211 employees who work for Clicks in South Africa. The data was then analysed using STATISTICA with help from a statistician and the results presented in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics. The key findings from this study indicated that institutional culture influencing SRT adoption, manager’s knowledge about SRT and store manager as a designation, all have an influence on manager adoption of SRT at iv Clicks. Recommendations were made to management on what steps can be taken to drive SRT adoption at Clicks. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mdoda, Athenkosi Sindile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Stores, Retail--Electric equipment , Stores, Retail
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57906 , vital:58402
- Description: SRT is the interactive retail system that offers retail services to customers via a network of smart or intelligent objects and devices that can sense the environment and engage in real-time data collection, communication, interaction and feedback and it can be integrated to the physical stores. The fourth industrial revolution is driving companies across the globe to familiarize themselves with technology and to innovate. Retail industry has been at the forefront of innovation, amongst other industries with the goal of driving efficiency, cost reduction, relevance, profitability, customer retention and a quest to remain competitive. South African companies are not any different as this innovation has seen technology transformation move into brick-and-mortar stores and the online market. The key factor of innovation in retail is the smart retail technology (SRT). The adoption of technology is imperative so that organisations not only develop policies but are able to gain value and achieve the desired outcomes. The adoption of technology operates as means to allow management to actively contribute in an environment of continued innovation with strategic benefits, therefore, indicating the significance and value of understanding the perspective of technology adoption and shape organisational strategy and its practices. Managers are key drivers of adoption and their actions significantly contribute to achieving an alignment between the company and external environment. The primary objective of this study is to explore the perceptions and attitudes of lower to middle level managers towards technology adoption at Clicks stores in South Africa. This study is specifically focused on managers’ adoption of smart retail technology at Clicks by analysing factors such as facilitating conditions, institutional culture, demographics, knowledge, manager’s attitudes (SRT ease of use) and managers attitudes (SRT benefits) as dependent factors and SRT adoption as an independent factor. An empirical study consisting of an online survey (QuestionPro) was conducted with 211 employees who work for Clicks in South Africa. The data was then analysed using STATISTICA with help from a statistician and the results presented in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics. The key findings from this study indicated that institutional culture influencing SRT adoption, manager’s knowledge about SRT and store manager as a designation, all have an influence on manager adoption of SRT at iv Clicks. Recommendations were made to management on what steps can be taken to drive SRT adoption at Clicks. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
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