A framework for the adoption and optimization of technology within Coega Business Center
- Authors: Zulu, Zwelibanzi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40206 , vital:35982
- Description: The special economic zone sector plays an important role in economies across the African continent. The mission of the COEGA Development Corporation (CDC) is to provide a competitive investment location supported by value added business services that ultimately enable socio-economic development. The Entity is mandated to develop and operate the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), which is located adjacent to the modern deep-water port facility, Port of Ngqura, developed and owned by Transnet National Ports Authority. The CDC attracts investors from all over the world and in different business sectors through investment promotion as well as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The Coega Development Corporation whose core mandate is to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) struggles to adopt innovative information technologies expeditiously, which is problem for the organization. The organization currently has Information Technology (IT) systems and applications such as the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other IT systems that have been used, but there has been failure in maximizing the IT capabilities implemented internally. Employees are not understanding and seeing the benefit of using IT systems and there is no integration of systems within the CDC. This paper aims to acquire underlying knowledge of how IT is adopted in private sector organizations and further explore what factors impact its adoption. The main objective of this study was to propose a framework for adopting an optimizing technology usage within the Coega development Corporation to enhance productivity and efficiency. The study focused on the effect of components such as top management involvement, management styles, innovative organization culture, end user training, innovation diffusion, championship and knowledge management. In conclusion, this study showed the importance of optimizing technology, within the Coega Business Center. The author presented and made Recommendations on how to integrate the independent variables identified can influence the optimization of technology. v The proposed conceptual IT innovation adoption and optimization framework is a contribution to theory. This framework presents a detailed list of internal factors that influence IT adoption and optimization in government sector organizations such as the Coega Development Corporation. The author inferences that each factor within this framework signifies its importance and must be considered by organizations while adopting innovation technologies.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Happiness in the South African engineering industry
- Authors: Poorun, Andrew
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Engineering -- Employment -- South Africa Corporate culture -- South Africa Happiness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23120 , vital:30430
- Description: Happiness, or what is commonly referred to as subjective well-being, is under investigation worldwide across many different sectors as it influences individuals, the organisation and society. Although researchers and lay people often define happiness as life satisfaction or a sense of wellbeing, literature also defines happiness as positive subjective experiences. Research confirms that an increase in individual happiness is advantageous to the individual and it enables societies to function better, thereby supporting the notion to incorporate aspects of happiness when formulating economic policy. Many countries around the world have identified happiness as a key factor influencing economic growth and citizen wellness. Countries are taking steps to measure their success as a society – from not only how much the economy grows – but also from how much their lives are improved, not only from standard of living, but also from quality of life. Engineering is a profession in which scientific knowledge and mathematical ability are practised applying sound judgement to develop ways to benefit humankind. South Africa has a major shortage of qualified engineers. The Engineering Council of South Africa reported that South Africa only has one engineer per 3 166 of the population, whereas other countries like Brazil has 227, Australia has 455 and Chile has 681. The best investment any country can therefore make for its future prospects is in education in the engineering field. It is imperative that people are attracted to engineering careers and that they are retained in this profession. Improving the happiness levels of engineers will assist in the attraction and retention of members in the engineering industry. The purpose of engineering and even other technological sciences is very important for both past and future economic performance. Without the appropriate people in these careers, the economic success, securities and scientific leadership will decrease. Traditional market-based measures alone do not provide an adequate portrayal of quality of life. The focus of economic measurement should change from production toward people’s well-being or happiness. Most happiness research focuses on countries, which enables comparisons. This study focuses on happiness levels of South African engineers. Previous work has explored other professions, such as physiotherapists, veterinarians and employees in the financial sector. The primary data were collected from the sample of 686 engineers by means of an on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed from literature and using extracts from similar happiness studies questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted amongst engineers working in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. An email containing a Universal Resource Link (URL) to the questionnaire was sent to the listed email addresses of the Engineering Council of South Africa. A representative sample of 395 respondents participated in the study who fully completed all sections of the questionnaire. A proposed conceptual model was compiled and tested using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The results of the study indicate that the factors Workplace influence, workplace relationships, Work-life balance and Purpose load onto the factor, Work Satisfaction. The factors Work satisfaction, Optimism, Leisure, S.A. Pride, Classism and Trust determine the happiness of engineers in South Africa. The results of this study further indicate that engineers in South Africa are generally happy and that they rate workplace relationships highly. Engineers generally have little faith in the government, the South African court system and the South African education system. This study is the first of its kind conducted in South Africa and makes a valuable contribution in understanding the happiness of engineers.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Users’ perceptions regarding password policies
- Authors: Fredericks, Damian Todd
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computers -- Access control , Computer networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30205 , vital:30896
- Description: Information is considered a valuable asset to most organisations and is often exposed to various threats which exploit its confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA). Identification and Authentication are commonly used to help ensure the CIA of information. This research study specifically focused on password-based authentication. Passwords are used to log into personal computers, company computers, email accounts, bank accounts and various software systems and mobile applications. Passwords act like a protective barrier between a user and their personal and company information, and remain the most cost-effective and most efficient method to control access to computer systems. An extensive content analysis was conducted regarding the security of passwords, as well as users’ password management coping strategies. It was determined that very little research has been conducted in relation to users’ perceptions towards password policies. The problem identified by this research is that organisations often implement password policy guidelines without taking into consideration users’ perceptions regarding such guidelines. This could result in users adopting various password management coping strategies. This research therefore aimed to determine users’ perceptions with regard to current password-related standards and best practices (password policy guidelines). Standards and best practices such as ISO/IEC 27002 (2013), NIST SP 800-118 (2009), NIST SP 800-63-2 (2013), NIST SP 800-63B (2016) and the SANS Password Protection Policy (2014b) were studied in order to determine the common elements of password policies. This research argued that before organisations implement password policy guidelines, they need to determine users’ perceptions towards such guidelines. It was identified that certain human factors such as human memory, attitude and apathy often cause users to adopt insecure coping strategies such as Reusing Passwords, Writing Down Passwords and Not Changing Passwords. This research included a survey which took the form of a questionnaire. The aim of the survey was to determine users’ perceptions towards common elements of password policies and to determine the coping strategies users commonly adopt. The survey included questions related to the new NIST SP 800-63B (2016) that sought to determine users’ perceptions towards these new NIST password policy iii guidelines. Findings from the survey indicated that respondents found the new NIST guidelines to be helpful, secure and easier to adhere to. Finally, recommendations regarding password policies were presented based on the common elements of password policies and users’ perceptions of the new NIST password guidelines. These recommendations could help policy makers in the implementation of new password policies or the revision of current password policies.
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- Date Issued: 2018