A strategy for adopting cloud computing services in small, medium and micro enterprises (SME) in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Sarpong, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cloud computing , Technological innovations -- Management Information technology -- Management Management information systems New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43567 , vital:36920
- Description: Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa continue to form the foundation for growing the economy. Thus, these enterprises have a significant role in to play in helping the country to eliminate poverty and unemployment. In order for these businesses to continue to grow and stay abreast with the changing business landscape, these businesses need to adopt some or other form of technology. One such technology is cloud computing, which is at times referred to as external hosting. Cloud computing is a type of technology that allows any business to operate as if it had a team of dedicated professional information technology (IT) personnel continually checking and monitoring its IT systems. As a result, cloud computing often allows a business to save on costs, improve communication with clients and speed up the transfer of information across the business. Thus, as SMEs often have small or non-existent IT departments, cloud computing offers these business an opportunity to compete with larger corporations without having to compromise on the quality of their service. However, in spite of these benefits, cloud computing still remains something of a novelty to many small businesses that operate in Nelson Mandela Metropole, as these businesses tend to either adopt a small portion of the technology or not to adopt the technology at all. The reasons for not significantly investing in the technology are usually far ranging but are often linked to these businesses not understanding how the service can be best used to help their business to grow. This study includes a description of a strategy that SMEs can follow when adopting cloud computing services as part of their business models. In addition to this, this study includes a discussion on the various benefits and disadvantages that await SMEs that make the decision to invest in the service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sarpong, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cloud computing , Technological innovations -- Management Information technology -- Management Management information systems New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43567 , vital:36920
- Description: Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa continue to form the foundation for growing the economy. Thus, these enterprises have a significant role in to play in helping the country to eliminate poverty and unemployment. In order for these businesses to continue to grow and stay abreast with the changing business landscape, these businesses need to adopt some or other form of technology. One such technology is cloud computing, which is at times referred to as external hosting. Cloud computing is a type of technology that allows any business to operate as if it had a team of dedicated professional information technology (IT) personnel continually checking and monitoring its IT systems. As a result, cloud computing often allows a business to save on costs, improve communication with clients and speed up the transfer of information across the business. Thus, as SMEs often have small or non-existent IT departments, cloud computing offers these business an opportunity to compete with larger corporations without having to compromise on the quality of their service. However, in spite of these benefits, cloud computing still remains something of a novelty to many small businesses that operate in Nelson Mandela Metropole, as these businesses tend to either adopt a small portion of the technology or not to adopt the technology at all. The reasons for not significantly investing in the technology are usually far ranging but are often linked to these businesses not understanding how the service can be best used to help their business to grow. This study includes a description of a strategy that SMEs can follow when adopting cloud computing services as part of their business models. In addition to this, this study includes a discussion on the various benefits and disadvantages that await SMEs that make the decision to invest in the service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Personal development preferences across generations and implications for organisations
- Authors: Berry, Simone Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36544 , vital:33964
- Description: Due to generational differences in organisations, it is sensible to determine the learning preferences of professional employees across generations so that organisations can provide learning opportunities that these employees will embrace. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the personal development preferences of professional employees from different generations within corporate organisations in Cape Town. The research intends to aid organisations that upskill their employees and to ensure they are utilising the most effective and efficient methods. To this effect, a survey with a self-administered questionnaire was provided to 59 professional employees across several generations utilising a Likert scale where the participants were able to rate the different developmental strategies based on their preferences. The results revealed that similarities existed between the generations in relation to their preferences; however, younger generations were more likely to be open to several personal development strategies, whereas older generations had a refined preference they have developed over the years. It is consequently recommended to organisations to customise their training methods to the different generational groups, based on their preferences and thereby to use this method to aid professional employees in understanding each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Berry, Simone Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36544 , vital:33964
- Description: Due to generational differences in organisations, it is sensible to determine the learning preferences of professional employees across generations so that organisations can provide learning opportunities that these employees will embrace. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the personal development preferences of professional employees from different generations within corporate organisations in Cape Town. The research intends to aid organisations that upskill their employees and to ensure they are utilising the most effective and efficient methods. To this effect, a survey with a self-administered questionnaire was provided to 59 professional employees across several generations utilising a Likert scale where the participants were able to rate the different developmental strategies based on their preferences. The results revealed that similarities existed between the generations in relation to their preferences; however, younger generations were more likely to be open to several personal development strategies, whereas older generations had a refined preference they have developed over the years. It is consequently recommended to organisations to customise their training methods to the different generational groups, based on their preferences and thereby to use this method to aid professional employees in understanding each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The success factors of SMME's in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Ngcwangu, Sivuyo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6369 , vital:21079
- Description: The important role played by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in economic development has long been recognised by government at various levels in South Africa. The passing of the National Small Business Act, 1996 (Act 102 of 1996), and more significantly its Amendment Act of 2004 (Act 29 of 2004) which called into existence the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), as well as a range of strategies headed by the current Integrated Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises of 2005 bear testimony to a commitment on the part of the nation to small enterprise growth. There is vast research pertaining challenges facing small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as factors that have a positive impact on the growth and success of these enterprises. This primary objective of this study was to identify successful SMMEs in the New Brighton Township, Port Elizabeth and investigate factors that have enabled them to maintain their stability over the years. Also, this study will investigated causes of SMME failure with the aim of providing possible solutions to these challenges. After a comprehensive literature review on SMMEs, the following variables were identified as possibly having an influence on the growth and profitability of small enterprises. These are: Entrepreneurial orientation; Customer focus; Human resources; Record keeping; Access to funding; External support; Training and education; Access to markets. These variables were used to construct research hypotheses and a conceptual model which could be used to address challenges faced by SMMEs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ngcwangu, Sivuyo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6369 , vital:21079
- Description: The important role played by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in economic development has long been recognised by government at various levels in South Africa. The passing of the National Small Business Act, 1996 (Act 102 of 1996), and more significantly its Amendment Act of 2004 (Act 29 of 2004) which called into existence the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), as well as a range of strategies headed by the current Integrated Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises of 2005 bear testimony to a commitment on the part of the nation to small enterprise growth. There is vast research pertaining challenges facing small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as factors that have a positive impact on the growth and success of these enterprises. This primary objective of this study was to identify successful SMMEs in the New Brighton Township, Port Elizabeth and investigate factors that have enabled them to maintain their stability over the years. Also, this study will investigated causes of SMME failure with the aim of providing possible solutions to these challenges. After a comprehensive literature review on SMMEs, the following variables were identified as possibly having an influence on the growth and profitability of small enterprises. These are: Entrepreneurial orientation; Customer focus; Human resources; Record keeping; Access to funding; External support; Training and education; Access to markets. These variables were used to construct research hypotheses and a conceptual model which could be used to address challenges faced by SMMEs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Factors causing the decline in English proficiency among learners based on a perception of teachers in the junior secondary schools of the Qumbu Education District
- Authors: Makena, Bulelwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: English proficiency -- Learners-- Teachers opinion -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18435 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007178
- Description: The purpose of this study was to find out whether factors such as the learners’ learning styles, their cultural backgrounds, instructional approaches and strategies used by teachers and the lack of exposure to relevant resources had an influence on the declining English proficiency among learners. The researcher is currently an English teacher in one of the schools in the Qumbu Education District. The researcher expressed concern about the learners’ declining performance in aspects of English language like reading, writing and speaking. The idea of carrying out this study became necessary as English is a compulsory first additional language for most of the schools. Most of the subjects offered in South African schools are taught in English; moreover, English is an internationally-recognized medium of communication. One therefore, has to master the use of English to a certain extent so as to be a successful scholar. The sample consisted of 20 English senior phase teachers who were randomly selected from 13 schools in various circuits around the Qumbu Education District. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires which focused specifically on the learners’ learning styles, their cultural backgrounds, instructional approaches and strategies used by teachers, and also the lack of exposure to relevant literature. These questionnaires were administered by the researcher in person. The data were analyzed and interpreted statistically and also presented through tables and discussions. The findings of this study revealed that the geographical locations of the selected schools for the research study, limited exposure to English-related resources, workload of English teachers, teaching and learning approaches, and knowledge acquisition strategies employed by teachers and learners contribute to the decline in English proficiency among the learners. If these could be attended to effectively, English proficiency could improve among learners. In conclusion, recommendations have been made both for action and possible further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Makena, Bulelwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: English proficiency -- Learners-- Teachers opinion -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18435 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007178
- Description: The purpose of this study was to find out whether factors such as the learners’ learning styles, their cultural backgrounds, instructional approaches and strategies used by teachers and the lack of exposure to relevant resources had an influence on the declining English proficiency among learners. The researcher is currently an English teacher in one of the schools in the Qumbu Education District. The researcher expressed concern about the learners’ declining performance in aspects of English language like reading, writing and speaking. The idea of carrying out this study became necessary as English is a compulsory first additional language for most of the schools. Most of the subjects offered in South African schools are taught in English; moreover, English is an internationally-recognized medium of communication. One therefore, has to master the use of English to a certain extent so as to be a successful scholar. The sample consisted of 20 English senior phase teachers who were randomly selected from 13 schools in various circuits around the Qumbu Education District. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires which focused specifically on the learners’ learning styles, their cultural backgrounds, instructional approaches and strategies used by teachers, and also the lack of exposure to relevant literature. These questionnaires were administered by the researcher in person. The data were analyzed and interpreted statistically and also presented through tables and discussions. The findings of this study revealed that the geographical locations of the selected schools for the research study, limited exposure to English-related resources, workload of English teachers, teaching and learning approaches, and knowledge acquisition strategies employed by teachers and learners contribute to the decline in English proficiency among the learners. If these could be attended to effectively, English proficiency could improve among learners. In conclusion, recommendations have been made both for action and possible further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Antibiotic use in two hospitals in West Wollega, Ethiopia
- Authors: Banja, Wakweya Dugassa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1263 , Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Description: In the last decades, there has been an escalating consumption of antibiotics with the number of antibiotic prescriptions increasing worldwide. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics has resulted in a major increase in the development of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most serious public health problems with great implication in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs. To date, there has been no formal antibiotic use study conducted in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia to assess antibiotic utilization. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of antibiotic use in two hospitals in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia, namely Gimbie Adventist Hospital and Nedjo Hospitals, using drug utilization metrics and the costs associated. In addition it was to assess the correlation between diagnosed infectious diseases and antibiotic prescriptions. This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive review of antibiotic usage in the two hospitals in the year 2007. Prescriptions dispensed in the first month of each quarter of 2007 were reviewed. The number of prescriptions screened, antibiotic courses started, antibiotic days by specific agent and overall, the cost of individual and all antibiotics, the number and type of infectious diseases diagnosed were collected from which core drug use indicators were calculated. The correlation between infectious disease diagnosed and the antibiotic days prescribed were analyzed. A total of 18568 antibiotic and non-antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed retrospectively in the four months of the study period, 47 percent of which contained at least one antibiotic. The average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.33 and 1.09 whilst the percentage of injectable antibiotics prescribed was 83.2 percent and 3.76 percent to outpatients and inpatients respectively. Antibiotics prescribed from the Essential Drug List (EDL) and List of Drugs for District Hospital (LDDH) were 63.0 percent, 74.8 percent, and 90.8 percent and 76.1 percent for outpatients and inpatients respectively. 98.6 percent of outpatient and 97.0 percent inpatient prescribed antibiotics were actually dispensed. Penicillins and quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics in both inpatient and outpatient departments constituting 43.46 percent and 24.08 percent respectively. The antibiotic utilization ratio, incidence of outpatient antibiotic use, incidence of inpatient antibiotic use, the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD)/1000inhabitants/year and DDD/100 Occupied Bed Days (OBD) for the zone was 0.16, 17.25, 23.56, 158.61, and 70 respectively. Antibiotic cost constituted 33.7 percent of all expenditure on drug, cost of antibiotic per patient care day and cost per antibiotic day was 3.84 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) ($0.40) and 6.29 ETB ($0.66) respectively. The correlation between infectious diseases diagnosed and antibiotic prescription shows significant variation. At outpatient departments alone an average number of antibiotic courses started was 2.7 at Gimbie Adventist Hospital and 7.6 for Nedjo Hospital. When overall antibiotic days prescribed and required was compared in both hospitals, there were 2.4 and 5 times more antibiotic days prescribed than were required for Gimbie and Nedjo Hospitals respectively. This suggests that the overuse of antibiotic is worse in the government hospital (Nedjo Hospital) than in the mission hospital (Gimbie Adventist Hospital). This study suggested that there was overuse of antibiotics in the West Wollega hospitals although further investigation is needed to identify its underlying causes and nature. It is recommended that the health personnel, the hospital management, the zonal and regional Health Bureau, the regulatory bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) work hand-in-hand to promote the rational use of antibiotics in this region so that the consequences and financial cost of antimicrobial resistance can be prevented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Banja, Wakweya Dugassa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1263 , Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
- Description: In the last decades, there has been an escalating consumption of antibiotics with the number of antibiotic prescriptions increasing worldwide. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics has resulted in a major increase in the development of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most serious public health problems with great implication in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs. To date, there has been no formal antibiotic use study conducted in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia to assess antibiotic utilization. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of antibiotic use in two hospitals in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia, namely Gimbie Adventist Hospital and Nedjo Hospitals, using drug utilization metrics and the costs associated. In addition it was to assess the correlation between diagnosed infectious diseases and antibiotic prescriptions. This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive review of antibiotic usage in the two hospitals in the year 2007. Prescriptions dispensed in the first month of each quarter of 2007 were reviewed. The number of prescriptions screened, antibiotic courses started, antibiotic days by specific agent and overall, the cost of individual and all antibiotics, the number and type of infectious diseases diagnosed were collected from which core drug use indicators were calculated. The correlation between infectious disease diagnosed and the antibiotic days prescribed were analyzed. A total of 18568 antibiotic and non-antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed retrospectively in the four months of the study period, 47 percent of which contained at least one antibiotic. The average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.33 and 1.09 whilst the percentage of injectable antibiotics prescribed was 83.2 percent and 3.76 percent to outpatients and inpatients respectively. Antibiotics prescribed from the Essential Drug List (EDL) and List of Drugs for District Hospital (LDDH) were 63.0 percent, 74.8 percent, and 90.8 percent and 76.1 percent for outpatients and inpatients respectively. 98.6 percent of outpatient and 97.0 percent inpatient prescribed antibiotics were actually dispensed. Penicillins and quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics in both inpatient and outpatient departments constituting 43.46 percent and 24.08 percent respectively. The antibiotic utilization ratio, incidence of outpatient antibiotic use, incidence of inpatient antibiotic use, the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD)/1000inhabitants/year and DDD/100 Occupied Bed Days (OBD) for the zone was 0.16, 17.25, 23.56, 158.61, and 70 respectively. Antibiotic cost constituted 33.7 percent of all expenditure on drug, cost of antibiotic per patient care day and cost per antibiotic day was 3.84 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) ($0.40) and 6.29 ETB ($0.66) respectively. The correlation between infectious diseases diagnosed and antibiotic prescription shows significant variation. At outpatient departments alone an average number of antibiotic courses started was 2.7 at Gimbie Adventist Hospital and 7.6 for Nedjo Hospital. When overall antibiotic days prescribed and required was compared in both hospitals, there were 2.4 and 5 times more antibiotic days prescribed than were required for Gimbie and Nedjo Hospitals respectively. This suggests that the overuse of antibiotic is worse in the government hospital (Nedjo Hospital) than in the mission hospital (Gimbie Adventist Hospital). This study suggested that there was overuse of antibiotics in the West Wollega hospitals although further investigation is needed to identify its underlying causes and nature. It is recommended that the health personnel, the hospital management, the zonal and regional Health Bureau, the regulatory bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) work hand-in-hand to promote the rational use of antibiotics in this region so that the consequences and financial cost of antimicrobial resistance can be prevented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
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