The extent of the use of ICT in schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay area
- Authors: Sonkwala, Mzikayise Richard
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012284 , Educational technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Information technology
- Description: It is the 21st Century and the world is a global village. The development of technology like Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has thus become the dominant means of communication. Education has not been left out of this wave of change. In many countries Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has a clear impact in the development of educational curriculum. This cannot be said about South Africa where huge disparities in terms of ICT related resources still exist. There is a range of uses of ICT in South African schools and it varies according to the economic and social conditions where that school is located. For example, the former Model C schools are well-resourced in terms of computers and access to internet whilst township schools lack these resources. In township schools very few students are exposed to computers due to the limited number of computers and lack of properly qualified educators in the field of ICT. In the Nelson Mandela Bay area township schools only offer CAT (Computer Applications Technology) as an ICT related subject whilst the former Model C schools offer CAT and IT (Information Technology).This treatise attempts to show the digital divide that still exists between a former Model C school and a township school, and the impact it has in quality of education in these schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sonkwala, Mzikayise Richard
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012284 , Educational technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Information technology
- Description: It is the 21st Century and the world is a global village. The development of technology like Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has thus become the dominant means of communication. Education has not been left out of this wave of change. In many countries Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has a clear impact in the development of educational curriculum. This cannot be said about South Africa where huge disparities in terms of ICT related resources still exist. There is a range of uses of ICT in South African schools and it varies according to the economic and social conditions where that school is located. For example, the former Model C schools are well-resourced in terms of computers and access to internet whilst township schools lack these resources. In township schools very few students are exposed to computers due to the limited number of computers and lack of properly qualified educators in the field of ICT. In the Nelson Mandela Bay area township schools only offer CAT (Computer Applications Technology) as an ICT related subject whilst the former Model C schools offer CAT and IT (Information Technology).This treatise attempts to show the digital divide that still exists between a former Model C school and a township school, and the impact it has in quality of education in these schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of delivery performance for a selected part of General Motors South Africa (GMSA)
- Authors: Blouw, Andrew Christopher
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation , Automobiles -- Parts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Motor industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015957
- Description: Today‘s customers expect zero defects with just-in-time (JIT) delivery from their suppliers, for the specified quantities, as a matter of standard practice. More importantly, customers expect companies to help them know what they need in terms of quantities and quality now, and for the future. No other change process adds long-term value as quickly as zero defects. Companies failing to embrace this quality culture face difficult challenges. To achieve this level of performance requires tremendous focus in an organisation and throughout its supply base. Business models around the world are changing dramatically from the "Source Local" to the "Source Anywhere and Build Anywhere" model (Cummins, 2008: 19). Companies have shifted away from a hierarchical, one-dimensional, supply chain entity to a fragmented network in favor of strategic partnerships with external entities. Many businesses facing such models are experiencing challenges and, if not managed correctly, can find themselves struggling to compete in this new landscape. Thus, when price concessions are so stringent, quality has to suffer. To reduce costs, suppliers are forced to seek less expensive ways to produce parts and components. Does this mean the use of different, less expensive materials? Does this mean less skilled labor? Does this mean production shortcuts? Or does this mean that suppliers just bite the bullet and pay the price? Once all the costs have been extracted from the supply chain, the only thing left to suffer is quality. The underlying objective of this research is to investigate the impact of delivery performance for a selected part at General Motors South Africa. In order to develop a research strategy to deal with, and solve, the main problem, the following research questions have been identified: a) What can be learned from literature about the impact of quality costs? b) Why is this specific part a suitable candidate for a cost investigation? c) What are the processes involved if a defect occurs? d) How can the cost be estimated? e) What effect does poor supplier quality have on productivity? This dissertation aims to investigate the problems and challenges General Motors South Africa are facing pertaining to the delivery performance of a selected part. The dissertation will also strive to highlight the impact of poor supplier quality on productivity and the related cost implications. Conclusions and recommendations will furthermore be outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Blouw, Andrew Christopher
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation , Automobiles -- Parts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Motor industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015957
- Description: Today‘s customers expect zero defects with just-in-time (JIT) delivery from their suppliers, for the specified quantities, as a matter of standard practice. More importantly, customers expect companies to help them know what they need in terms of quantities and quality now, and for the future. No other change process adds long-term value as quickly as zero defects. Companies failing to embrace this quality culture face difficult challenges. To achieve this level of performance requires tremendous focus in an organisation and throughout its supply base. Business models around the world are changing dramatically from the "Source Local" to the "Source Anywhere and Build Anywhere" model (Cummins, 2008: 19). Companies have shifted away from a hierarchical, one-dimensional, supply chain entity to a fragmented network in favor of strategic partnerships with external entities. Many businesses facing such models are experiencing challenges and, if not managed correctly, can find themselves struggling to compete in this new landscape. Thus, when price concessions are so stringent, quality has to suffer. To reduce costs, suppliers are forced to seek less expensive ways to produce parts and components. Does this mean the use of different, less expensive materials? Does this mean less skilled labor? Does this mean production shortcuts? Or does this mean that suppliers just bite the bullet and pay the price? Once all the costs have been extracted from the supply chain, the only thing left to suffer is quality. The underlying objective of this research is to investigate the impact of delivery performance for a selected part at General Motors South Africa. In order to develop a research strategy to deal with, and solve, the main problem, the following research questions have been identified: a) What can be learned from literature about the impact of quality costs? b) Why is this specific part a suitable candidate for a cost investigation? c) What are the processes involved if a defect occurs? d) How can the cost be estimated? e) What effect does poor supplier quality have on productivity? This dissertation aims to investigate the problems and challenges General Motors South Africa are facing pertaining to the delivery performance of a selected part. The dissertation will also strive to highlight the impact of poor supplier quality on productivity and the related cost implications. Conclusions and recommendations will furthermore be outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of human resource management practices on the psychological contract during a psychological recession
- Theron, Anthonie Van Straaten
- Authors: Theron, Anthonie Van Straaten
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Contracts -- Psychological aspects , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012611 , Psychology, Industrial , Contracts -- Psychological aspects , Organisational behaviour
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on the psychological contracts of employees who have been negatively impacted by the widespread psychological recession. The psychological contract that exists between employees and organisations is brittle due to the psychological recession, which is defined as an emotional state in which employees feel extremely vulnerable to economic hardship. This contributes to a negative and cynical view of the present and an even bleaker view of the future. Breach of the psychological contract has severe negative consequences for employees and organisations. These include reduced employee well-being, trust levels, various organisational citizenship behaviours, increased cynical attitudes toward the organisation, and stronger intention to quit. The target population for the present study consisted of all permanent support staff working at an organisation that has recently went through a large-scale retrenchment exercise (n=52). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed amongst employees. The findings suggest that when the harsh effects of the psychological recession increase, employees are more likely to engage in various destructive behaviours at work due to breach and violation of their psychological contracts. Furthermore, the results indicated that an increase in the number of progressive HRM practices correlated with a decrease in breach and violation of the psychological contract. It was further revealed that the widespread psychological recession may make the employment relationship brittle and prone to breach and violation. The findings suggest that through the effective development and application of many explicit HRM practices, employees’ psychological contracts may become less fragile to breach and violation during a psychological recession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Theron, Anthonie Van Straaten
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Contracts -- Psychological aspects , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012611 , Psychology, Industrial , Contracts -- Psychological aspects , Organisational behaviour
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on the psychological contracts of employees who have been negatively impacted by the widespread psychological recession. The psychological contract that exists between employees and organisations is brittle due to the psychological recession, which is defined as an emotional state in which employees feel extremely vulnerable to economic hardship. This contributes to a negative and cynical view of the present and an even bleaker view of the future. Breach of the psychological contract has severe negative consequences for employees and organisations. These include reduced employee well-being, trust levels, various organisational citizenship behaviours, increased cynical attitudes toward the organisation, and stronger intention to quit. The target population for the present study consisted of all permanent support staff working at an organisation that has recently went through a large-scale retrenchment exercise (n=52). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed amongst employees. The findings suggest that when the harsh effects of the psychological recession increase, employees are more likely to engage in various destructive behaviours at work due to breach and violation of their psychological contracts. Furthermore, the results indicated that an increase in the number of progressive HRM practices correlated with a decrease in breach and violation of the psychological contract. It was further revealed that the widespread psychological recession may make the employment relationship brittle and prone to breach and violation. The findings suggest that through the effective development and application of many explicit HRM practices, employees’ psychological contracts may become less fragile to breach and violation during a psychological recession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of leadership on organisational politics
- Authors: Robb, Charles A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8602 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1634 , Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Description: Today‘s workforce consists of employees with diverse personalities, cultural backgrounds, nationalities, needs and wants, thus creating new challenges for today‘s leaders. One of the primary functions of leadership is the management of employee perceptions that influence organisational outcomes. Among these perceptions the perception of politics is an influential type of organisational phenomenon. There is no denying the fact that leadership greatly affects the performance of organisations. According to DuBrin (2010:8), an overview of research on managerial succession conducted over a 20 year period provides support that leadership has an impact on organisational performance. The analysis of the research found that leaders might be responsible for somewhere between 15 per cent and 45 per cent of a firm‘s performance. From the above mentioned research, it can be seen that the importance of leadership cannot be underestimated when regulating the effect of politics in the working environment and to achieve the company goals and objectives. Part of the challenge today‘s leaders face is to help employees to see the different perspectives of political actions as a positive force, rather than seeing these as negative processes that cause internal competition for resources, recognition and promotions. Company politics does not have to be about back stabbing, internal rivalry, manipulation for power and lack of trust. With the development of proper skills and personal and organisational goals, positive organisational politics provides the real foundation for competitive advantage to benefit the employee as well as the organisation. The main purpose of this research paper is to identify the influence of leadership on organisational politics. The first step was to complete a literature study on the iii selected factors which contribute to organisational politics. The factors selected were those of job ambiguity, scarcity of resources, personality, uncertainty and fairness. The literature study also includes the outcomes of organisational politics. These outcomes include job satisfaction, job performance, turnover intention and job stress. An empirical study was then used to analyse the views of staff in various departments. These questions were based on the selected factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. This involved the staff completing questionnaires. Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical study, the last step is to make recommendations to the selected company on managing the perceptions of organisational politics. Recommendations are also made as to what leadership styles would best fit different situations
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Robb, Charles A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8602 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1634 , Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Description: Today‘s workforce consists of employees with diverse personalities, cultural backgrounds, nationalities, needs and wants, thus creating new challenges for today‘s leaders. One of the primary functions of leadership is the management of employee perceptions that influence organisational outcomes. Among these perceptions the perception of politics is an influential type of organisational phenomenon. There is no denying the fact that leadership greatly affects the performance of organisations. According to DuBrin (2010:8), an overview of research on managerial succession conducted over a 20 year period provides support that leadership has an impact on organisational performance. The analysis of the research found that leaders might be responsible for somewhere between 15 per cent and 45 per cent of a firm‘s performance. From the above mentioned research, it can be seen that the importance of leadership cannot be underestimated when regulating the effect of politics in the working environment and to achieve the company goals and objectives. Part of the challenge today‘s leaders face is to help employees to see the different perspectives of political actions as a positive force, rather than seeing these as negative processes that cause internal competition for resources, recognition and promotions. Company politics does not have to be about back stabbing, internal rivalry, manipulation for power and lack of trust. With the development of proper skills and personal and organisational goals, positive organisational politics provides the real foundation for competitive advantage to benefit the employee as well as the organisation. The main purpose of this research paper is to identify the influence of leadership on organisational politics. The first step was to complete a literature study on the iii selected factors which contribute to organisational politics. The factors selected were those of job ambiguity, scarcity of resources, personality, uncertainty and fairness. The literature study also includes the outcomes of organisational politics. These outcomes include job satisfaction, job performance, turnover intention and job stress. An empirical study was then used to analyse the views of staff in various departments. These questions were based on the selected factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. This involved the staff completing questionnaires. Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical study, the last step is to make recommendations to the selected company on managing the perceptions of organisational politics. Recommendations are also made as to what leadership styles would best fit different situations
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of regulatory compliance on small, medium and micro-enterprises in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mahlanza, Zanele
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Small business -- Government policy -- South Africa , Small business -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9006 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011840 , Small business -- Government policy -- South Africa , Small business -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: The small, medium and micro-enterprise sector is recognised as being favourable to socioeconomic growth since SMMEs have capacity to generate jobs. SMMEs are particularly beneficial for previously disadvantaged communities, and it is particularly clear that SMMEs play a critical role in economic development. It is therefore important to encourage growth of this sector by introducing a favourable and a conducive environment for the sustainability of the SMMEs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of regulatory compliance on SMMEs in the Buffalo City municipal area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. In other words, this study seeks to find out how SMMEs in the Buffalo City experience regulatory compliance. Exploratory quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were used in this study. In this instance structured questionnaires were used to collect data. In order to provide a precise presentation of information, face-to-face interviews with the SMME owners were conducted. The results of this study indicate that the regulatory environment within which the SMMEs operate is not a constraining one. Although the manual registering process is reported to take long, the electronic or online business registration is much quicker. Notwithstanding, the business registration agencies were reported not be too easily and readily available and accessible. In terms of labour regulations SMME owners and managers indicated that compliance with labour legislation in terms of health and safety was benefiting to their businesses as they learnt how to develop polices and plans. Although the regulatory environment of the SMMEs is not a constraining one, there are costs involved. For example the respondents indicated that the labour laws increased their operating costs. In accordance with labour legislation, employees are entitled to all kinds of paid leave such as annual leave, maternity leave and sometimes study leave; needless to say a right to strike. The labour law regulations were seen to be time consuming and presented an administrative burden for managers. With regards to tax regulations compliance, there was an indication that due to the extra efforts taken by SARS, it was easy to comply. The SMMEs were exposed to what is required in order to comply fully with tax laws. Some respondents mentioned that they lacked the facilities to deal with VAT issues. The study recommends that government should ensure that the registration costs of small businesses remain low and that the turnaround time for registration is shortened. The support structures which are to assist small businesses need to be mentioned in all the media for everyone to be aware of them including the rural areas. The government needs to educate SMME owners and managers on how labour laws can benefit small businesses. Also the business registration process should be streamlined and linked with the South African Revenue Services in order for a ‘one shop stop’, so to shorten the time during formalisation and registration processes. It is also recommended that the South African Revenue Services together with the government simplify the tax issues applying to SMMEs further more especially Value Added Tax which seems not to be easily understood. This will in turn assist SMME owners as they will know more about tax issues, they will also know more how to handle them which should in turn lower the costs of doing business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mahlanza, Zanele
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Small business -- Government policy -- South Africa , Small business -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9006 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011840 , Small business -- Government policy -- South Africa , Small business -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: The small, medium and micro-enterprise sector is recognised as being favourable to socioeconomic growth since SMMEs have capacity to generate jobs. SMMEs are particularly beneficial for previously disadvantaged communities, and it is particularly clear that SMMEs play a critical role in economic development. It is therefore important to encourage growth of this sector by introducing a favourable and a conducive environment for the sustainability of the SMMEs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of regulatory compliance on SMMEs in the Buffalo City municipal area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. In other words, this study seeks to find out how SMMEs in the Buffalo City experience regulatory compliance. Exploratory quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were used in this study. In this instance structured questionnaires were used to collect data. In order to provide a precise presentation of information, face-to-face interviews with the SMME owners were conducted. The results of this study indicate that the regulatory environment within which the SMMEs operate is not a constraining one. Although the manual registering process is reported to take long, the electronic or online business registration is much quicker. Notwithstanding, the business registration agencies were reported not be too easily and readily available and accessible. In terms of labour regulations SMME owners and managers indicated that compliance with labour legislation in terms of health and safety was benefiting to their businesses as they learnt how to develop polices and plans. Although the regulatory environment of the SMMEs is not a constraining one, there are costs involved. For example the respondents indicated that the labour laws increased their operating costs. In accordance with labour legislation, employees are entitled to all kinds of paid leave such as annual leave, maternity leave and sometimes study leave; needless to say a right to strike. The labour law regulations were seen to be time consuming and presented an administrative burden for managers. With regards to tax regulations compliance, there was an indication that due to the extra efforts taken by SARS, it was easy to comply. The SMMEs were exposed to what is required in order to comply fully with tax laws. Some respondents mentioned that they lacked the facilities to deal with VAT issues. The study recommends that government should ensure that the registration costs of small businesses remain low and that the turnaround time for registration is shortened. The support structures which are to assist small businesses need to be mentioned in all the media for everyone to be aware of them including the rural areas. The government needs to educate SMME owners and managers on how labour laws can benefit small businesses. Also the business registration process should be streamlined and linked with the South African Revenue Services in order for a ‘one shop stop’, so to shorten the time during formalisation and registration processes. It is also recommended that the South African Revenue Services together with the government simplify the tax issues applying to SMMEs further more especially Value Added Tax which seems not to be easily understood. This will in turn assist SMME owners as they will know more about tax issues, they will also know more how to handle them which should in turn lower the costs of doing business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of social media marketing on purchase decisions in the tyre industry
- Authors: Ramsunder, Monica
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Social media -- Marketing , Social marketing , Consumer behavior -- South Africa , Consumers -- Research -- South Africa , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Social networks -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1637 , Social media -- Marketing , Social marketing , Consumer behavior -- South Africa , Consumers -- Research -- South Africa , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Social networks -- Computer network resources
- Description: Technology and the boom of the internet have encouraged people to connect with each other, share information and build relationships (Stelzner, 2009; 2010) and the social web has presented a new form of communication through social media which allow people to interact and converse with each other (Evans, 2010). This presents marketers with the opportunity to affect consumers purchase decisions through online marketing and social media. This social engagement by consumers has significant impact on marketing activities as marketers need to be aware of the factors affecting consumer’s purchase decision (Evans, 2010). Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA), a local tyre manufacturer, is embarking on a social media marketing strategy. No other local tyre manufacturer has a presence on social media platforms. As a result CTSA would have first mover advantage. The main objective of the research that follows is to establish if South African tyre purchasers are supportive of social media as an online research tool to learn more about tyre brands. The significance of this research study is that marketing communications has taken on a different dimension with the growth of online market places and the natural step for CTSA is to engage in social media marketing. The literature review revealed that many modern consumers sought peer advice over social networks thus social media has promoted consumer-to-consumer communication and has made it possible for consumers and brands to interact with each other (Mangold and Faulds, 2009). It was concluded that whilst social media marketing presents marketers with a more cost effective form of marketing, further research regarding South African’s online purchasing activities would be required to assess if the time, money and resources required to manage social media marketing for CTSA would be beneficial to the organisation. As a result a qualitative empirical study was conducted by means of a questionnaire. The research elements were broken down into three segments; the internet and social media, consumer-brand engagement and online iv recommendations. The research revealed that social media marketing is an appropriate strategy for CTSA. The main findings further revealed that CTSA would need to engage in an aggressive traditional marketing campaign in order to drive consumers to engage in the social media campaigns. Strategies must include dedicated social media fan pages, online banners, and online advertisements. Based on the research analysis it is recommended that that most appropriate social media platforms for CTSA to launch social media marketing activities are Facebook and Twitter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ramsunder, Monica
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Social media -- Marketing , Social marketing , Consumer behavior -- South Africa , Consumers -- Research -- South Africa , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Social networks -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1637 , Social media -- Marketing , Social marketing , Consumer behavior -- South Africa , Consumers -- Research -- South Africa , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Social networks -- Computer network resources
- Description: Technology and the boom of the internet have encouraged people to connect with each other, share information and build relationships (Stelzner, 2009; 2010) and the social web has presented a new form of communication through social media which allow people to interact and converse with each other (Evans, 2010). This presents marketers with the opportunity to affect consumers purchase decisions through online marketing and social media. This social engagement by consumers has significant impact on marketing activities as marketers need to be aware of the factors affecting consumer’s purchase decision (Evans, 2010). Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA), a local tyre manufacturer, is embarking on a social media marketing strategy. No other local tyre manufacturer has a presence on social media platforms. As a result CTSA would have first mover advantage. The main objective of the research that follows is to establish if South African tyre purchasers are supportive of social media as an online research tool to learn more about tyre brands. The significance of this research study is that marketing communications has taken on a different dimension with the growth of online market places and the natural step for CTSA is to engage in social media marketing. The literature review revealed that many modern consumers sought peer advice over social networks thus social media has promoted consumer-to-consumer communication and has made it possible for consumers and brands to interact with each other (Mangold and Faulds, 2009). It was concluded that whilst social media marketing presents marketers with a more cost effective form of marketing, further research regarding South African’s online purchasing activities would be required to assess if the time, money and resources required to manage social media marketing for CTSA would be beneficial to the organisation. As a result a qualitative empirical study was conducted by means of a questionnaire. The research elements were broken down into three segments; the internet and social media, consumer-brand engagement and online iv recommendations. The research revealed that social media marketing is an appropriate strategy for CTSA. The main findings further revealed that CTSA would need to engage in an aggressive traditional marketing campaign in order to drive consumers to engage in the social media campaigns. Strategies must include dedicated social media fan pages, online banners, and online advertisements. Based on the research analysis it is recommended that that most appropriate social media platforms for CTSA to launch social media marketing activities are Facebook and Twitter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of the implementation of E-HRM on the human resource management function
- Authors: Van Heerden, Jeanne-Marie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Personnel management -- Technological innovations , Personnel management -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021239
- Description: The purpose of the research was to improve the use of electronic human resource management in South African businesses by investigating that there is a positive impact when implementing e-HRM on the human resource management function. The research was carried out within a South African business, whose parent business concern is based overseas and has branches operating within South Africa The research was significant as it shaped the researcher’s concern as to whether electronic human resource would be beneficial to a South African business if the business superiors decide to implement e-HRM within their business opinion and what impact it would have. The methodological components that guided the research were a structured questionnaire that was distributed by using a combination of convenience, snowball, and judgemental sampling techniques. Certain aspects highlighted in the literature review were used as the framework for the development of a questionnaire to assess how people perceive the implementation of e-HR on their working environment and if e-HR has helped the business run more efficiently and effectively. Six hypotheses were tested and all were accepted. The potential for generalisations of the findings are that given the potential that e-HRM has for the transformation of human resource, it is reasonable to expect that the sizeable changes required, both in organisation and mindset, are likely to provoke resistance from various end users. What was learned was that HR is often hindered by a multitude of manual, paper based processes and transactions, such as tax, payroll and benefits information, that are costly, prone to errors and time-consuming to manage. This makes it difficult for HR organisations to focus on higher value business in initiatives that may help to drive the profitability and efficiency of the organisations. The implication of the findings about the impact of the implementation of e-HR on the Human Resource Management function was that firms need to figure out how to make technology feasible and industrious, as managers and Human Resource professionals are responsible for redefining how work at their firms or business flow as they need to keep ahead of the information curve and therefore learn how to influence information for business results to be more efficient and effective. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations based on these findings are provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Van Heerden, Jeanne-Marie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Personnel management -- Technological innovations , Personnel management -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021239
- Description: The purpose of the research was to improve the use of electronic human resource management in South African businesses by investigating that there is a positive impact when implementing e-HRM on the human resource management function. The research was carried out within a South African business, whose parent business concern is based overseas and has branches operating within South Africa The research was significant as it shaped the researcher’s concern as to whether electronic human resource would be beneficial to a South African business if the business superiors decide to implement e-HRM within their business opinion and what impact it would have. The methodological components that guided the research were a structured questionnaire that was distributed by using a combination of convenience, snowball, and judgemental sampling techniques. Certain aspects highlighted in the literature review were used as the framework for the development of a questionnaire to assess how people perceive the implementation of e-HR on their working environment and if e-HR has helped the business run more efficiently and effectively. Six hypotheses were tested and all were accepted. The potential for generalisations of the findings are that given the potential that e-HRM has for the transformation of human resource, it is reasonable to expect that the sizeable changes required, both in organisation and mindset, are likely to provoke resistance from various end users. What was learned was that HR is often hindered by a multitude of manual, paper based processes and transactions, such as tax, payroll and benefits information, that are costly, prone to errors and time-consuming to manage. This makes it difficult for HR organisations to focus on higher value business in initiatives that may help to drive the profitability and efficiency of the organisations. The implication of the findings about the impact of the implementation of e-HR on the Human Resource Management function was that firms need to figure out how to make technology feasible and industrious, as managers and Human Resource professionals are responsible for redefining how work at their firms or business flow as they need to keep ahead of the information curve and therefore learn how to influence information for business results to be more efficient and effective. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations based on these findings are provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The influence of endorsed professional surfers on consumer attitude towards surf brands
- Authors: Greybe, Frikkie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Brand name products , Branding (Marketing) , Surfers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008470 , Brand name products , Branding (Marketing) , Surfers
- Description: Sport, with the help of the media, plays a huge role in today’s society. Sport fans are following their favourite athlete and teams religiously as they compete locally and internationally. Over a century ago, the first professional athlete was endorsed. Since then companies are investing millions of dollars in athlete endorsement to promote brand awareness under consumers. The surfing industry is no different. With the Association of Professional Surfers (ASP) world tour, the big surf companies are jumping at the opportunity to sponsor pro surfers to market their products. Previous studies have shown athletes can evoke both positive and negative attitudes towards their endorsing brand thus effecting company’s sales. The aim of this study was to research the influence these endorsed pro surfers have on consumer behaviour towards their brand in a local market. A qualitative study was done on local surfers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Results showed that favourite surfers evoke a positive attitude towards their sponsoring brand. However this influence does not seem to be as significant as in other sports. Surf companies within the industry should be aware of the big influence age has on the consumers behaviour and that different age groups follow different surfers. Companies should choose to sponsor professional surfers that fit the image of the company and the products, not necessarily the professional surfer who performs the best. Using professional surfers in advertising of products does create better brand awareness, but endorsed professional surfers are not likely to change consumer’s perceptions of the endorsing brand’s products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Greybe, Frikkie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Brand name products , Branding (Marketing) , Surfers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008470 , Brand name products , Branding (Marketing) , Surfers
- Description: Sport, with the help of the media, plays a huge role in today’s society. Sport fans are following their favourite athlete and teams religiously as they compete locally and internationally. Over a century ago, the first professional athlete was endorsed. Since then companies are investing millions of dollars in athlete endorsement to promote brand awareness under consumers. The surfing industry is no different. With the Association of Professional Surfers (ASP) world tour, the big surf companies are jumping at the opportunity to sponsor pro surfers to market their products. Previous studies have shown athletes can evoke both positive and negative attitudes towards their endorsing brand thus effecting company’s sales. The aim of this study was to research the influence these endorsed pro surfers have on consumer behaviour towards their brand in a local market. A qualitative study was done on local surfers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Results showed that favourite surfers evoke a positive attitude towards their sponsoring brand. However this influence does not seem to be as significant as in other sports. Surf companies within the industry should be aware of the big influence age has on the consumers behaviour and that different age groups follow different surfers. Companies should choose to sponsor professional surfers that fit the image of the company and the products, not necessarily the professional surfer who performs the best. Using professional surfers in advertising of products does create better brand awareness, but endorsed professional surfers are not likely to change consumer’s perceptions of the endorsing brand’s products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The influence of leadership on the organisational effectiveness of SAPS precincts
- Authors: Chetty, Sandy-Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South Africa Police Service , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Leadership -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1590 , South Africa Police Service , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Leadership -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Description: Public institutions have the responsibility to deliver various services to the public in the most effective and efficient manner. In South Africa, many public sector reforms were instituted after 1994. The main reasons for these reforms were to improve the access of the historically disadvantaged to public services, to increase efficiencies, to reduce costs and to reduce public debt. Despite improvements to the policy framework that underpins service delivery by the public sector, however, there are still many challenges in the delivery of public services. An improved public policy to deliver service alone is not enough if not supported by effective systems and processes for actual delivery, as well as effective leadership that leads and ensures the delivery of such services. Improving the organisational effectiveness of public institutions is therefore important in South Africa. The present study explores the role that leadership plays in the pursuit of organisational effectiveness in a selected public institution, namely the South African Police Service (SAPS). The primary objective of this study is to improve the organisational effectiveness of SAPS in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipal area by investigating the influence of leadership style (transactional and transformational) and personality (Machiavellian, narcissistic, collectivistic, masculine and feminine) on organisational effectiveness of SAPS (as measured by overall organisational performance and the individual job performance intentions of police officers). The research design is positivistic, as the relationships among the above-mentioned variables are statistically tested. The sample consisted of 90 police officers of senior rank drawn from five police stations in the Nelson Mandela Bay. The empirical results were reported and interpreted. These results revealed that constructive narcissistic and collectivistic leadership personality traits, as well as transformational leadership style exert a positive influence on the organisational performance of the Nelson Mandela Bay police precincts. The empirical results also showed that collectivistic leadership personality traits influence the performance intent of these police officials positively. These results are discussed in terms of the implications they hold for the managers of police precincts. The limitations of the study are reported which provide areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Chetty, Sandy-Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South Africa Police Service , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Leadership -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1590 , South Africa Police Service , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Leadership -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Description: Public institutions have the responsibility to deliver various services to the public in the most effective and efficient manner. In South Africa, many public sector reforms were instituted after 1994. The main reasons for these reforms were to improve the access of the historically disadvantaged to public services, to increase efficiencies, to reduce costs and to reduce public debt. Despite improvements to the policy framework that underpins service delivery by the public sector, however, there are still many challenges in the delivery of public services. An improved public policy to deliver service alone is not enough if not supported by effective systems and processes for actual delivery, as well as effective leadership that leads and ensures the delivery of such services. Improving the organisational effectiveness of public institutions is therefore important in South Africa. The present study explores the role that leadership plays in the pursuit of organisational effectiveness in a selected public institution, namely the South African Police Service (SAPS). The primary objective of this study is to improve the organisational effectiveness of SAPS in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipal area by investigating the influence of leadership style (transactional and transformational) and personality (Machiavellian, narcissistic, collectivistic, masculine and feminine) on organisational effectiveness of SAPS (as measured by overall organisational performance and the individual job performance intentions of police officers). The research design is positivistic, as the relationships among the above-mentioned variables are statistically tested. The sample consisted of 90 police officers of senior rank drawn from five police stations in the Nelson Mandela Bay. The empirical results were reported and interpreted. These results revealed that constructive narcissistic and collectivistic leadership personality traits, as well as transformational leadership style exert a positive influence on the organisational performance of the Nelson Mandela Bay police precincts. The empirical results also showed that collectivistic leadership personality traits influence the performance intent of these police officials positively. These results are discussed in terms of the implications they hold for the managers of police precincts. The limitations of the study are reported which provide areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The management of the antecedents of absenteeism at a motor manufacturing company
- Authors: Mandleni, Oscar
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) , Motor industry , Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011559 , Absenteeism (Labor) , Motor industry , Production management
- Description: Absenteeism is a complex set of behaviours masquerading as a unitary phenomenon. Absenteeism is a big problem in the motor manufacturing industry, especially, because of the number of processes that are labour intensive. Absenteeism is a multifaceted problem with many antecedents which make it challenging to resolve or contain. Financial impact is one of the consequences of absenteeism on a business, especially when one thinks that the primary objective of a firm in to make money. Absenteeism defeats these objectives through cost incurred for overtime to catch up production losses. Furthermore, in cases where replacement of personnel is necessary, this may include administrative costs related to the time human resource personnel spend looking for replacement employees or the time production management spends re-assigning employees. Absenteeism results in decreased productivity and may affect the quality of the product due to the increased workload and burden put on employees who are at work. Absenteeism is classified into scheduled and unscheduled absenteeism. Although some absenteeism is avoidable, it is important to understand that some absence is unavoidable. This is because people may fall ill, get injured or have unavoidable obligations which may lead to absenteeism. The purpose of this study was to identify the antecedents of absenteeism, with the assumption that once they are identified, they can be controlled, reduced or eliminated and the absenteeism rate thus reduced. The theoretical study focused on defining absenteeism, ascertaining the impact of absenteeism in the workplace, especially in an international organisation in the motor manufacturing industry and discussing the antecedents of absenteeism and strategies that can be used to manage these antecedents. The empirical study consisted of a survey, with a questionnaire as a data collecting tool. The process used to conduct the survey was to distribute the questionnaire among production employees in three operational units; namely Final Assembly, Paint Shop and Body Shop at a motor manufacturing company. Employees were approached, the purpose of the questionnaire explained and they were asked if they would be willing to complete the questionnaire. Employees who agreed to complete the questionnaire were briefed on the contents of the questionnaire and the completion process. The relationship between biographical variables and absenteeism was discussed. For the purpose of this study the following independent variables were discussed: age, marital status, gender, work area, length of service and number of dependents. The empirical study focused on the antecedents of absenteeism, and specifically job, organisational and personal factors, as well supervisors‟ attempts to manage absenteeism. The respondents indicated that they believed absenteeism was a problem in the study and that people stayed away for reasons other than genuine illness. It was recommended that absenteeism figures, such as the overall Gross Absence Rate (GAR) and Absence Frequency Rate for the organisation, and specific work areas and teams, are regularly communicated to employees and displayed prominently to emphasise the importance of attendance. Some suggestions were that: Supervisors should foster a genuinely respectful relationship between themselves and employees which will results in employees feeling obliged to be at work. The company should introduce a day care or crèche at work to allow female employees to bring their kids to work in the event they are unable to be looked after at home. Alcohol and drug abuse should not be seen as an external problem in the organisation but rather as something an organisation should get involved in to assist employee who might have a problem. The first step was to create a channel where employee can feel free to approach the company if they are in need of help. The study demonstrated that it was important to identify antecedents in order to address the real problems related to absenteeism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mandleni, Oscar
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) , Motor industry , Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011559 , Absenteeism (Labor) , Motor industry , Production management
- Description: Absenteeism is a complex set of behaviours masquerading as a unitary phenomenon. Absenteeism is a big problem in the motor manufacturing industry, especially, because of the number of processes that are labour intensive. Absenteeism is a multifaceted problem with many antecedents which make it challenging to resolve or contain. Financial impact is one of the consequences of absenteeism on a business, especially when one thinks that the primary objective of a firm in to make money. Absenteeism defeats these objectives through cost incurred for overtime to catch up production losses. Furthermore, in cases where replacement of personnel is necessary, this may include administrative costs related to the time human resource personnel spend looking for replacement employees or the time production management spends re-assigning employees. Absenteeism results in decreased productivity and may affect the quality of the product due to the increased workload and burden put on employees who are at work. Absenteeism is classified into scheduled and unscheduled absenteeism. Although some absenteeism is avoidable, it is important to understand that some absence is unavoidable. This is because people may fall ill, get injured or have unavoidable obligations which may lead to absenteeism. The purpose of this study was to identify the antecedents of absenteeism, with the assumption that once they are identified, they can be controlled, reduced or eliminated and the absenteeism rate thus reduced. The theoretical study focused on defining absenteeism, ascertaining the impact of absenteeism in the workplace, especially in an international organisation in the motor manufacturing industry and discussing the antecedents of absenteeism and strategies that can be used to manage these antecedents. The empirical study consisted of a survey, with a questionnaire as a data collecting tool. The process used to conduct the survey was to distribute the questionnaire among production employees in three operational units; namely Final Assembly, Paint Shop and Body Shop at a motor manufacturing company. Employees were approached, the purpose of the questionnaire explained and they were asked if they would be willing to complete the questionnaire. Employees who agreed to complete the questionnaire were briefed on the contents of the questionnaire and the completion process. The relationship between biographical variables and absenteeism was discussed. For the purpose of this study the following independent variables were discussed: age, marital status, gender, work area, length of service and number of dependents. The empirical study focused on the antecedents of absenteeism, and specifically job, organisational and personal factors, as well supervisors‟ attempts to manage absenteeism. The respondents indicated that they believed absenteeism was a problem in the study and that people stayed away for reasons other than genuine illness. It was recommended that absenteeism figures, such as the overall Gross Absence Rate (GAR) and Absence Frequency Rate for the organisation, and specific work areas and teams, are regularly communicated to employees and displayed prominently to emphasise the importance of attendance. Some suggestions were that: Supervisors should foster a genuinely respectful relationship between themselves and employees which will results in employees feeling obliged to be at work. The company should introduce a day care or crèche at work to allow female employees to bring their kids to work in the event they are unable to be looked after at home. Alcohol and drug abuse should not be seen as an external problem in the organisation but rather as something an organisation should get involved in to assist employee who might have a problem. The first step was to create a channel where employee can feel free to approach the company if they are in need of help. The study demonstrated that it was important to identify antecedents in order to address the real problems related to absenteeism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The possible introduction of advance pricing agreements in South Africa income tax legislation
- Authors: Malevu, Shimane Mbuyiseni
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Transfer pricing -- Taxation -- South Africa , Price regulation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1333 , Transfer pricing -- Taxation -- South Africa , Price regulation -- South Africa
- Description: This treatise analyses the suitability of the Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) for the South African Transfer Pricing legislation. The transfer pricing legislation places emphasis on the arm's length principle. Determining an arm's length price is problematic and as a result some countries have resorted to APA's to establish an arm's length price up-front, and thus avoid reviews and subsequent audits. The treatise first focuses on the transfer pricing provisions and other relevant applicable sections of the Act from the South African point of view, and it then examines the current status quo, i.e. the review processes used by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) as detailed in the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) Guidelines and the SARS Practice Note. Since negotiated tax treaties form part of the South Africa law, the impact of these treaties are discussed in Chapter 4. The treatise discusses in detail an APA from the OECD's point of view. It examines the objectives of an APA; the benefit and the shortcomings of using an APA. It then examines the APA request processes from a Canadian perspective and the administration of the APA from an USA perspective. The treatise examines South African trading partners using APA in transfer pricing matters, with reference to the effects and the challenges such countries face. The treatise concludes by looking at the benefits provided by use of an APA by South African major trading partners. The effect and the use of such APA will have in South Africa is also discussed and how it should be modelled; the present status quo with regard to personnel at SARS; and the possible impact the introduction and implementation will have in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Malevu, Shimane Mbuyiseni
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Transfer pricing -- Taxation -- South Africa , Price regulation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1333 , Transfer pricing -- Taxation -- South Africa , Price regulation -- South Africa
- Description: This treatise analyses the suitability of the Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) for the South African Transfer Pricing legislation. The transfer pricing legislation places emphasis on the arm's length principle. Determining an arm's length price is problematic and as a result some countries have resorted to APA's to establish an arm's length price up-front, and thus avoid reviews and subsequent audits. The treatise first focuses on the transfer pricing provisions and other relevant applicable sections of the Act from the South African point of view, and it then examines the current status quo, i.e. the review processes used by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) as detailed in the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) Guidelines and the SARS Practice Note. Since negotiated tax treaties form part of the South Africa law, the impact of these treaties are discussed in Chapter 4. The treatise discusses in detail an APA from the OECD's point of view. It examines the objectives of an APA; the benefit and the shortcomings of using an APA. It then examines the APA request processes from a Canadian perspective and the administration of the APA from an USA perspective. The treatise examines South African trading partners using APA in transfer pricing matters, with reference to the effects and the challenges such countries face. The treatise concludes by looking at the benefits provided by use of an APA by South African major trading partners. The effect and the use of such APA will have in South Africa is also discussed and how it should be modelled; the present status quo with regard to personnel at SARS; and the possible impact the introduction and implementation will have in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The proposed new gambling tax in South Africa
- Authors: Roberts, Justin Esrom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1639 , Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: In the 2011/2012 Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was announced that a 15% withholding tax on gambling winnings above R 25 000 was to be introduced with effect from 1 April 2012. This treatise was undertaken to critically analyse the different elements of the proposed new withholding tax. It was established that the fiscus already benefits significantly from the gambling industry and levies and taxes from the gambling industry dwarf the revenue SARS collect from other forms of taxes such as Donations tax and Estate Duty tax. The necessity, therefore, of taxing gambling winnings in the hands of the individual is debatable. A comparison with the three foreign countries used by the Minister as an example of countries who have successfully implemented a withholding tax on gambling winnings exposed operational or other characteristics which bear no significant relationship to the situation in which the industry operates in South Africa. Probably the most significant difference is the fact that in the three foreign countries, losses are deductible and only the net gains are taxed. Although it iv could add to an already seemingly administrative-intensive legislation, it is submitted that taxing gambling winnings and ignoring losses suffered by gamblers will be disproportionately unfair towards the taxpayer. The many questions raised in this treatise illustrate the level of uncertainty still surrounding the new proposed gambling tax. It is hoped that communication will be provided by SARS as soon as possible to address the issues at hand. This would go a long way in ensuring that the implementation of the proposed withholding tax on gambling winnings is as smooth and efficient as possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Roberts, Justin Esrom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1639 , Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: In the 2011/2012 Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was announced that a 15% withholding tax on gambling winnings above R 25 000 was to be introduced with effect from 1 April 2012. This treatise was undertaken to critically analyse the different elements of the proposed new withholding tax. It was established that the fiscus already benefits significantly from the gambling industry and levies and taxes from the gambling industry dwarf the revenue SARS collect from other forms of taxes such as Donations tax and Estate Duty tax. The necessity, therefore, of taxing gambling winnings in the hands of the individual is debatable. A comparison with the three foreign countries used by the Minister as an example of countries who have successfully implemented a withholding tax on gambling winnings exposed operational or other characteristics which bear no significant relationship to the situation in which the industry operates in South Africa. Probably the most significant difference is the fact that in the three foreign countries, losses are deductible and only the net gains are taxed. Although it iv could add to an already seemingly administrative-intensive legislation, it is submitted that taxing gambling winnings and ignoring losses suffered by gamblers will be disproportionately unfair towards the taxpayer. The many questions raised in this treatise illustrate the level of uncertainty still surrounding the new proposed gambling tax. It is hoped that communication will be provided by SARS as soon as possible to address the issues at hand. This would go a long way in ensuring that the implementation of the proposed withholding tax on gambling winnings is as smooth and efficient as possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The role of the state in rural development: appropriate strategies for the rural development program in Mbhashe municipality in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Futshane, Patrick Sivuyile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008409 , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa
- Description: Poverty and inequality in South Africa are a result of the impact of apartheid policy, which inter alia stripped people of their assets, especially land, distorted economic markets and social institutions through racial discrimination, and resulted in violence and destabilization. This has shaped the nature of poverty in South Africa. In view of the above, the South African government has introduced a programme known as the Comprehensive Rural Development Strategy in order to redress the imbalances of the former apartheid regime. In this strategy it is envisaged that vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all will be achieved. In this study, I investigated the implementation of rural development programmes in the Mbhashe local municipality of the Eastern Cape Province in order to determine appropriate intervention strategies. This study focused on Ward18 of Mbhashe local municipality on a village known as Nkwalini Bafazi. This is a village that has been earmarked by the government to be a pilot site for the Rural Development Programme. This project is at the initial stage of social facilitation. In other words this research project is designed to investigate the process of Rural Development and how it can be implemented in the Mbhashe Local municipality in order to alleviate poverty and underdevelopment. For the purpose of the study, a mixed research approach was chosen. This means that the study used both the qualitative and quantitative approaches for in-depth understanding and verification. Questionnaires and structured interview questions were used to collect the data. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was also used for the purpose of observing and involving the community in the exercise. Data was collected from residents by conducting surveys, making use of questionnaires. Structured interviews were conducted with government officials (Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform) in order to understand the situation better.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Futshane, Patrick Sivuyile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008409 , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa
- Description: Poverty and inequality in South Africa are a result of the impact of apartheid policy, which inter alia stripped people of their assets, especially land, distorted economic markets and social institutions through racial discrimination, and resulted in violence and destabilization. This has shaped the nature of poverty in South Africa. In view of the above, the South African government has introduced a programme known as the Comprehensive Rural Development Strategy in order to redress the imbalances of the former apartheid regime. In this strategy it is envisaged that vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all will be achieved. In this study, I investigated the implementation of rural development programmes in the Mbhashe local municipality of the Eastern Cape Province in order to determine appropriate intervention strategies. This study focused on Ward18 of Mbhashe local municipality on a village known as Nkwalini Bafazi. This is a village that has been earmarked by the government to be a pilot site for the Rural Development Programme. This project is at the initial stage of social facilitation. In other words this research project is designed to investigate the process of Rural Development and how it can be implemented in the Mbhashe Local municipality in order to alleviate poverty and underdevelopment. For the purpose of the study, a mixed research approach was chosen. This means that the study used both the qualitative and quantitative approaches for in-depth understanding and verification. Questionnaires and structured interview questions were used to collect the data. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was also used for the purpose of observing and involving the community in the exercise. Data was collected from residents by conducting surveys, making use of questionnaires. Structured interviews were conducted with government officials (Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform) in order to understand the situation better.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The survival strategies of unemployed rural women : a case study of Wooldridge
- Authors: Dyubhele, Noluntu Stella
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unemployment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: vital:8982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1651 , Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unemployment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Despite decades of gender research and public action by civil society, policy makers continue to neglect the role of women as breadwinners who work at improving the socio-economic conditions in rural areas such as Wooldridge, a traditional rural village in the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape Province. The apartheid system created an environment that continues to perpetuate both poverty and gender inequality in rural areas. Hence, rural women in Wooldridge still experience poverty, despite welfare benefits. They are located in a poverty-stricken area without basic infrastructure and with little or no access to economic assets. They use primitive methods and indigenous knowledge to develop survival strategies. This study argues that unemployed rural women in Wooldridge cannot survive without assistance from government. Indigenous knowledge and agricultural as well as non-agricultural activities are critical to household livelihoods in Wooldridge. These activities are an important route through which these rural women can escape poverty. The primary objective of this research was to obtain a better understanding of how unemployed rural women survive in Wooldridge. Furthermore, the necessary conditions required to sustain livelihood in the rural areas were identified. This was mainly done to help alleviate the plight of rural women in Wooldridge and to improve the quality of life of the rural population. The aim is to generate a policy response to rural women that is economically development-oriented. The study was based on five research objectives. The first objective was to identify the survival strategies of unemployed rural women in Wooldridge; the second to ascertain what can be done to alleviate the plight of rural women in Wooldridge. The third objective was to ascertain what has been v done to address the needs of rural women in the Wooldridge area by actors of development, such as government and non-governmental organisations. The fourth objective was to identify the constraints faced by unemployed rural women in Wooldridge in achieving food security and generating income, with the last objective to make recommendations regarding policies that can enhance rural economic development and assist unemployed rural women to reduce poverty. The main finding in terms of the first research objective is that the survival strategies of unemployed rural women are welfare benefits, the selling of assets, remittances, handicraft production and vegetable gardens. In terms of the second research objective, the main finding is that investment in human capital through the empowerment of women will assist them in improving the quality of life of the Wooldridge community. Empowerment involves skills and training, education and access to basic services, expertise regarding credit, land, the growing of vegetables and income-generating projects. The main finding in terms of the third research objective is that the Peddie Women Support Centre that is located in the city centre of Ngqushwa does not have the capacity to reach out to rural areas. Rural women in Wooldridge have not received responses to their plights from government or from development practitioners. These actors of development play an important role in empowerment. In terms of the fourth research objective, the main finding is that structural constraints hinder the economic activity of rural women in Wooldridge. Government policy that encourages investment in infrastructure using labour-intensive methods will eliminate service backlogs in underserviced areas such as Wooldridge. The main finding in terms of the fifth research objective is to ascertain the impact that new legislation can have to ensure that rural women have the same access and entitlement to land and resources as women from urban areas. Furthermore, service-improvement programmes should be developed and micro-enterprises and agricultural and non-agricultural activities that will generate income and employment should be encouraged in order to reduce poverty in Wooldridge.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Dyubhele, Noluntu Stella
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unemployment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: vital:8982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1651 , Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unemployment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Despite decades of gender research and public action by civil society, policy makers continue to neglect the role of women as breadwinners who work at improving the socio-economic conditions in rural areas such as Wooldridge, a traditional rural village in the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape Province. The apartheid system created an environment that continues to perpetuate both poverty and gender inequality in rural areas. Hence, rural women in Wooldridge still experience poverty, despite welfare benefits. They are located in a poverty-stricken area without basic infrastructure and with little or no access to economic assets. They use primitive methods and indigenous knowledge to develop survival strategies. This study argues that unemployed rural women in Wooldridge cannot survive without assistance from government. Indigenous knowledge and agricultural as well as non-agricultural activities are critical to household livelihoods in Wooldridge. These activities are an important route through which these rural women can escape poverty. The primary objective of this research was to obtain a better understanding of how unemployed rural women survive in Wooldridge. Furthermore, the necessary conditions required to sustain livelihood in the rural areas were identified. This was mainly done to help alleviate the plight of rural women in Wooldridge and to improve the quality of life of the rural population. The aim is to generate a policy response to rural women that is economically development-oriented. The study was based on five research objectives. The first objective was to identify the survival strategies of unemployed rural women in Wooldridge; the second to ascertain what can be done to alleviate the plight of rural women in Wooldridge. The third objective was to ascertain what has been v done to address the needs of rural women in the Wooldridge area by actors of development, such as government and non-governmental organisations. The fourth objective was to identify the constraints faced by unemployed rural women in Wooldridge in achieving food security and generating income, with the last objective to make recommendations regarding policies that can enhance rural economic development and assist unemployed rural women to reduce poverty. The main finding in terms of the first research objective is that the survival strategies of unemployed rural women are welfare benefits, the selling of assets, remittances, handicraft production and vegetable gardens. In terms of the second research objective, the main finding is that investment in human capital through the empowerment of women will assist them in improving the quality of life of the Wooldridge community. Empowerment involves skills and training, education and access to basic services, expertise regarding credit, land, the growing of vegetables and income-generating projects. The main finding in terms of the third research objective is that the Peddie Women Support Centre that is located in the city centre of Ngqushwa does not have the capacity to reach out to rural areas. Rural women in Wooldridge have not received responses to their plights from government or from development practitioners. These actors of development play an important role in empowerment. In terms of the fourth research objective, the main finding is that structural constraints hinder the economic activity of rural women in Wooldridge. Government policy that encourages investment in infrastructure using labour-intensive methods will eliminate service backlogs in underserviced areas such as Wooldridge. The main finding in terms of the fifth research objective is to ascertain the impact that new legislation can have to ensure that rural women have the same access and entitlement to land and resources as women from urban areas. Furthermore, service-improvement programmes should be developed and micro-enterprises and agricultural and non-agricultural activities that will generate income and employment should be encouraged in order to reduce poverty in Wooldridge.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The use of e-mail among students and lecturers at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University: a guide reasearch report
- Ntsiko, Blondie Bonisa Blossom
- Authors: Ntsiko, Blondie Bonisa Blossom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Telecommunication in education , Educational technology , Electronic mail systems in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015970
- Description: This research seeks to determine the impact of the use of e-mail between lecturers and students at the NMMU. New students at universities, and especially first year undergraduates, can sometimes have difficulties in addressing their concerns, questions and ideas about their courses and are faced with the difficulty of adapting to a new lifestyle and the university environment. Interactivity and feedback are key contributors to providing an effective learning environment for such students. Lecturers provide the main source for university students to discover what is expected of them to identify the key learning goals related to a course, from a lecturer (Braxton, Milem & Sullivan, 2000:569). The increase in student numbers in Higher Education over the last decade has been dramatic, placing greater pressures on academic staff in terms of contacting students. As computer technology becomes both more prevalent and more intrusive, its use and misuse are increasingly falling under the critical scrutiny of academic researchers. If traditional educational methods are supported, such support must be flexible enough to accommodate technology, but as a means, not an end. The research of e-mail impact between students and lecturers is still very new and is open for additional study (Braxton, et al. 2000:590).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ntsiko, Blondie Bonisa Blossom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Telecommunication in education , Educational technology , Electronic mail systems in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015970
- Description: This research seeks to determine the impact of the use of e-mail between lecturers and students at the NMMU. New students at universities, and especially first year undergraduates, can sometimes have difficulties in addressing their concerns, questions and ideas about their courses and are faced with the difficulty of adapting to a new lifestyle and the university environment. Interactivity and feedback are key contributors to providing an effective learning environment for such students. Lecturers provide the main source for university students to discover what is expected of them to identify the key learning goals related to a course, from a lecturer (Braxton, Milem & Sullivan, 2000:569). The increase in student numbers in Higher Education over the last decade has been dramatic, placing greater pressures on academic staff in terms of contacting students. As computer technology becomes both more prevalent and more intrusive, its use and misuse are increasingly falling under the critical scrutiny of academic researchers. If traditional educational methods are supported, such support must be flexible enough to accommodate technology, but as a means, not an end. The research of e-mail impact between students and lecturers is still very new and is open for additional study (Braxton, et al. 2000:590).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The use of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in promoting sustainable development
- Ngesi, Hlekani Ntombizakithi
- Authors: Ngesi, Hlekani Ntombizakithi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Sustainable development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Environmental management -- Planning , Environmental impact analysis -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1614 , Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Sustainable development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Environmental management -- Planning , Environmental impact analysis -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The overall aim of the case study was to investigate the effectiveness of EIAs in NMB and to determine whether EIA legislation and implementation can lead to the promotion of sustainable development practices. The research made use of the qualitative research methodology and followed the inductive approach by critically evaluating the EIA process in the NMBM using the case study approach. This was supported by a survey which was administered to willing participants chosen at random whose extensive experience is relevant to this research topic. Interviews involved direct personal contact with participants who were asked to respond to questions relating to the research study. The research sample consisted of eight participants. The local authority was represented by two participants, the Environmental Assessment Practitioners were represented by five participants and the Non-Governmental Organization was represented by 1 participant. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the role of government during the EIA process. The results showed that EAPs in NMB municipality are relatively satisfied with how the municipality is handling the EIA process with regards to commenting on both internal and external applications. There was however a view that most municipalities lack sufficient capacity to be able to comment on EIA applications as required by legislation and that human resource issues were one of the contributing factors where skills are concerned. The second objective of the study was to examine and evaluate the role of civil society and NGOs during the EIA process. The results showed that NGOs are quite vocal and very much involved in driving the sustainable development agenda and that in South Africa NGOs are usually the ones that are responsible for getting the message across in the form of environmental education and awareness through the translation of environmental knowledge into practical on the ground conservation. 4 The third objective of the study was to analyze the responsibilities of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) in the EIA process. The EAPs had a very good knowledge of the EIA process and what was required of them in terms of the process. The fourth objective was to evaluate compliance to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) by the applicant once Environmental Authorisation (EA) has been granted by the responsible authority. The results showed that all the participants were in agreement in terms of the need for EMPs but their lack of enforcement was highlighted as a very serious problem which is in need of urgent attention sooner rather than later. It was also highlighted that EMPs were generally not adhered to due to their lack of legal status and that many developers viewed EMPs as guideline documents rather than something that has legally enforceable provisions. The study concluded that EIAs are not effective in meeting the requirements of NEMA and promoting sustainable development agenda. The IEM planning process which has largely been focused on EIAs as a tool to support decision-making by specialists and hence promote sustainable development has its weaknesses and has not been successful in driving the sustainable development agenda in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ngesi, Hlekani Ntombizakithi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Sustainable development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Environmental management -- Planning , Environmental impact analysis -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1614 , Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Sustainable development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Environmental management -- Planning , Environmental impact analysis -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The overall aim of the case study was to investigate the effectiveness of EIAs in NMB and to determine whether EIA legislation and implementation can lead to the promotion of sustainable development practices. The research made use of the qualitative research methodology and followed the inductive approach by critically evaluating the EIA process in the NMBM using the case study approach. This was supported by a survey which was administered to willing participants chosen at random whose extensive experience is relevant to this research topic. Interviews involved direct personal contact with participants who were asked to respond to questions relating to the research study. The research sample consisted of eight participants. The local authority was represented by two participants, the Environmental Assessment Practitioners were represented by five participants and the Non-Governmental Organization was represented by 1 participant. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the role of government during the EIA process. The results showed that EAPs in NMB municipality are relatively satisfied with how the municipality is handling the EIA process with regards to commenting on both internal and external applications. There was however a view that most municipalities lack sufficient capacity to be able to comment on EIA applications as required by legislation and that human resource issues were one of the contributing factors where skills are concerned. The second objective of the study was to examine and evaluate the role of civil society and NGOs during the EIA process. The results showed that NGOs are quite vocal and very much involved in driving the sustainable development agenda and that in South Africa NGOs are usually the ones that are responsible for getting the message across in the form of environmental education and awareness through the translation of environmental knowledge into practical on the ground conservation. 4 The third objective of the study was to analyze the responsibilities of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) in the EIA process. The EAPs had a very good knowledge of the EIA process and what was required of them in terms of the process. The fourth objective was to evaluate compliance to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) by the applicant once Environmental Authorisation (EA) has been granted by the responsible authority. The results showed that all the participants were in agreement in terms of the need for EMPs but their lack of enforcement was highlighted as a very serious problem which is in need of urgent attention sooner rather than later. It was also highlighted that EMPs were generally not adhered to due to their lack of legal status and that many developers viewed EMPs as guideline documents rather than something that has legally enforceable provisions. The study concluded that EIAs are not effective in meeting the requirements of NEMA and promoting sustainable development agenda. The IEM planning process which has largely been focused on EIAs as a tool to support decision-making by specialists and hence promote sustainable development has its weaknesses and has not been successful in driving the sustainable development agenda in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The use of lean tools to increase productivity and improve efficiency in Port Elizabeth Enforcement Audit
- Authors: Bantom, Phumeza Patience
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008159 , Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Description: Lean philosophy is based on the continuous quest to improve the organisation‟s processes by creating a culture and operating principles which eliminate all non value adding activities within organisation„s processes. Manufacturing firms consider the adoption of the Lean tools as basic requirements for achieving World Class operational excellence or Best Practice. For some time, lean has been used by the manufacturing organizations. Most organizations understand that lean will help them survive global competition and stay in business. The objective of this study is to investigate how lean manufacturing tools can be used to improve efficiency and enhance the embedding of a continuous improvement culture in the South African Revenue Service Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth. The activities that took place in Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth from September 2010 until 31 October 2011 were observed. During the study, an introductory presentation by the researcher was made to Regional Enforcement Management and staff in general, the presentation was to introduce the study highlighting different Lean tools. Thereafter the Port Elizabeth audit staff members were engaged formally, using surveys to assess their underlying mindset and behaviour as well as informally, using unstructured interviews to solicit more information on activities taking place and the reasoning behind certain actions. The results of the survey and observations are analysed and interpreted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Bantom, Phumeza Patience
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008159 , Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Description: Lean philosophy is based on the continuous quest to improve the organisation‟s processes by creating a culture and operating principles which eliminate all non value adding activities within organisation„s processes. Manufacturing firms consider the adoption of the Lean tools as basic requirements for achieving World Class operational excellence or Best Practice. For some time, lean has been used by the manufacturing organizations. Most organizations understand that lean will help them survive global competition and stay in business. The objective of this study is to investigate how lean manufacturing tools can be used to improve efficiency and enhance the embedding of a continuous improvement culture in the South African Revenue Service Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth. The activities that took place in Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth from September 2010 until 31 October 2011 were observed. During the study, an introductory presentation by the researcher was made to Regional Enforcement Management and staff in general, the presentation was to introduce the study highlighting different Lean tools. Thereafter the Port Elizabeth audit staff members were engaged formally, using surveys to assess their underlying mindset and behaviour as well as informally, using unstructured interviews to solicit more information on activities taking place and the reasoning behind certain actions. The results of the survey and observations are analysed and interpreted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Trust building strategies to enhance collective bargaining processes in organisations
- Authors: Ngalo, Osmond Tolo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Trust , Collective bargaining
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1312 , Trust , Collective bargaining
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify what trust-building strategies can be utilised by organisations to enhance collective bargaining processes. To achieve this objective a theoretical Institutional Arrangements-Based Model of trust-building was conceptualised, developed and presented in Chapter 5. The presentation of this model was the culmination of the research design phases outlined below: -The first phase consisted of a literature survey undertaken to discover the nature and dynamics of the concept "trust". -The second phase consisted of surveying the literature attempting to understand the nature of the collective bargaining process, its elements and types and the environmental factors that tend to impinge on it. -The final phase of the literature survey focused on various trust-building strategies, theories and models that can be utilised by organisations to ii enhance collective bargaining processes. Trust is generally acknowledged as a necessary requirement for effective and successful workplace relationships. Because of this factor it is crucial that South African employer-employee relationships are improved in a conscious and sustainable way in order for our businesses to remain competitive in the face of global competition. With this reality in mind there is still much in the South African labour relations environment that fosters conflict. One of the primary factors that impinge on trust in employer-employee relations in South Africa is the previous government‘s divisive and racist apartheid policies. These policies have resulted in serious structural imbalances in the economy, the skewed distribution of wealth and the general scarcity of resources to address these attendant challenges. Finnemore and van Rensburg (2002, p. 36) surveys the current labour relations scenario and comments about the extent to which it has been severely affected by apartheid. Some of its appalling outcomes are: racial divisions between skilled and unskilled workers, apartheid wage gaps, poorly educated workers, dictatorial management styles and a lack of protection for the most vulnerable workers. As revealed in this research study there are still widely divergent views at the workplace regarding the nature and levels of trust that are prevalent. The overwhelming view, however, is that there is, generally, a lack of trust between managerial and employee collective bargaining teams. This lack of trust which is evident between employer and employee parties will tend to result in collective bargaining processes being embarked upon in a climate imbued with the negative spirit of distrust. The recommended Institutional Arrangements-Based Model of trust-building advocates for a process of trust-building prior to any collective bargaining initiatives. This process, as depicted in the elements of the recommended model, needs to begin with phases which will focus on frame-alignment and the identification of all sources of distrust between the parties. These prescribed sessions seek to culminate in a common understanding, between the contesting parties, of their real divergent issues and concerns as well as their existing commonalities. The next phases of the recommended model entail the parties, jointly, developing proposals and policies that in the short and long term will aim at the resolution of the identified sources of distrust and thereby reduce the psychological distance between them. The final phase of the model entails the implementation of joint problem–solving resolutions and the development of appropriate policies i.e. institutional arrangements, to deal with all conflict-prone areas of the business operations. Simultaneously, there needs to be continuous evaluation and monitoring of organisational trust and the "agreed to" trust-building strategies to ensure that distrust is reduced or eliminated in the long term, allowing the organisation and the individual employees to perform at their optimum in order to achieve their common goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ngalo, Osmond Tolo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Trust , Collective bargaining
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1312 , Trust , Collective bargaining
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify what trust-building strategies can be utilised by organisations to enhance collective bargaining processes. To achieve this objective a theoretical Institutional Arrangements-Based Model of trust-building was conceptualised, developed and presented in Chapter 5. The presentation of this model was the culmination of the research design phases outlined below: -The first phase consisted of a literature survey undertaken to discover the nature and dynamics of the concept "trust". -The second phase consisted of surveying the literature attempting to understand the nature of the collective bargaining process, its elements and types and the environmental factors that tend to impinge on it. -The final phase of the literature survey focused on various trust-building strategies, theories and models that can be utilised by organisations to ii enhance collective bargaining processes. Trust is generally acknowledged as a necessary requirement for effective and successful workplace relationships. Because of this factor it is crucial that South African employer-employee relationships are improved in a conscious and sustainable way in order for our businesses to remain competitive in the face of global competition. With this reality in mind there is still much in the South African labour relations environment that fosters conflict. One of the primary factors that impinge on trust in employer-employee relations in South Africa is the previous government‘s divisive and racist apartheid policies. These policies have resulted in serious structural imbalances in the economy, the skewed distribution of wealth and the general scarcity of resources to address these attendant challenges. Finnemore and van Rensburg (2002, p. 36) surveys the current labour relations scenario and comments about the extent to which it has been severely affected by apartheid. Some of its appalling outcomes are: racial divisions between skilled and unskilled workers, apartheid wage gaps, poorly educated workers, dictatorial management styles and a lack of protection for the most vulnerable workers. As revealed in this research study there are still widely divergent views at the workplace regarding the nature and levels of trust that are prevalent. The overwhelming view, however, is that there is, generally, a lack of trust between managerial and employee collective bargaining teams. This lack of trust which is evident between employer and employee parties will tend to result in collective bargaining processes being embarked upon in a climate imbued with the negative spirit of distrust. The recommended Institutional Arrangements-Based Model of trust-building advocates for a process of trust-building prior to any collective bargaining initiatives. This process, as depicted in the elements of the recommended model, needs to begin with phases which will focus on frame-alignment and the identification of all sources of distrust between the parties. These prescribed sessions seek to culminate in a common understanding, between the contesting parties, of their real divergent issues and concerns as well as their existing commonalities. The next phases of the recommended model entail the parties, jointly, developing proposals and policies that in the short and long term will aim at the resolution of the identified sources of distrust and thereby reduce the psychological distance between them. The final phase of the model entails the implementation of joint problem–solving resolutions and the development of appropriate policies i.e. institutional arrangements, to deal with all conflict-prone areas of the business operations. Simultaneously, there needs to be continuous evaluation and monitoring of organisational trust and the "agreed to" trust-building strategies to ensure that distrust is reduced or eliminated in the long term, allowing the organisation and the individual employees to perform at their optimum in order to achieve their common goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Utilizing geocaching to reduce obesity and increase tourism
- Authors: Von Solms, Woudi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sports and tourism , Obesity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011157 , Sports and tourism , Obesity
- Description: Tourism has social and economic benefits. Economic benefits are received through tourists visiting tourist attractions. Social benefits related to benefits tourists receive personally when visiting tourist attractions. The number of individuals that are obese are constantly increasing and leads to hazardous medical conditions. The aim of this research study was to determine the extent to which geocaching can be used to increase tourism and decrease obesity. Geocaching is similar to a treasure hunt where participant use clues and a Global Positioning System device to find a treasure that are called a cache. The cache is filled with trinkets that are exchanged by participants that find the cache. Students of the second avenue campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University were used as respondents and given information on what geocaching involve. Three geocaches were hidden in The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. The respondents met at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World where a clue and map was provided. After finding the cache the respondents was asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The results were calculated and conclusions and recommendations were made. The primary research process was conducted over too short a period of time to conclude whether it can lead to a reduction in obesity. However geocaching experience by respondents did show that the process of geocaching involves physical exercise, which is needed for losing weight. Research also indicated that respondents would like to geocache with family and friends. Geocaching with family and friends involves support which secondary research have also proven is important to losing weight and decreasing obesity. Respondents indicated that they enjoyed geocaching and would like to geocache in their free time. The indication of enjoying geocaching, participating in geocaching during free time allows travelling for leisure purposes as to geocache travelling is necessary and the majority of geocaches is hidden at tourist attractions. The combination of travelling to tourist attractions, enjoying the experience and partaking in physical exercise with family and friends involve two of the three main aspects seen as helping to reduce obesity: enjoyable physical activity and support from family and friends. The conclusion is therefore that geocaching can be utilised to increase tourism and reduce obesity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Von Solms, Woudi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sports and tourism , Obesity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011157 , Sports and tourism , Obesity
- Description: Tourism has social and economic benefits. Economic benefits are received through tourists visiting tourist attractions. Social benefits related to benefits tourists receive personally when visiting tourist attractions. The number of individuals that are obese are constantly increasing and leads to hazardous medical conditions. The aim of this research study was to determine the extent to which geocaching can be used to increase tourism and decrease obesity. Geocaching is similar to a treasure hunt where participant use clues and a Global Positioning System device to find a treasure that are called a cache. The cache is filled with trinkets that are exchanged by participants that find the cache. Students of the second avenue campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University were used as respondents and given information on what geocaching involve. Three geocaches were hidden in The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. The respondents met at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World where a clue and map was provided. After finding the cache the respondents was asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The results were calculated and conclusions and recommendations were made. The primary research process was conducted over too short a period of time to conclude whether it can lead to a reduction in obesity. However geocaching experience by respondents did show that the process of geocaching involves physical exercise, which is needed for losing weight. Research also indicated that respondents would like to geocache with family and friends. Geocaching with family and friends involves support which secondary research have also proven is important to losing weight and decreasing obesity. Respondents indicated that they enjoyed geocaching and would like to geocache in their free time. The indication of enjoying geocaching, participating in geocaching during free time allows travelling for leisure purposes as to geocache travelling is necessary and the majority of geocaches is hidden at tourist attractions. The combination of travelling to tourist attractions, enjoying the experience and partaking in physical exercise with family and friends involve two of the three main aspects seen as helping to reduce obesity: enjoyable physical activity and support from family and friends. The conclusion is therefore that geocaching can be utilised to increase tourism and reduce obesity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
What challenges are being faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing micro finance services in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mushanguri, Mejury
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011765 , Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mushanguri, Mejury
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011765 , Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011