Accomodation managers' perceptions towards disability service provision
- Authors: Ferreira, Erika
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: People with disabilities--Travel--South africa People with disabilities--Services for--South africa Tourism--Social Aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5473 , vital:20848
- Description: It is increasingly recognized that travellers with disabilities are becoming an important emerging market segment in the tourism industry worldwide. As the demand for accessible tourism increases, the need for accessible accommodation and disability service provision grows. A search of the international and South African tourism literature revealed few studies with a focus on the supply side of accessible accommodation for persons with disabilities, in particular from the perspective of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. To obtain a broad understanding of the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal area is a challenge which needs to be investigated. From the literature overview it was possible to conceptualize disability; provide a background on existing international and national policies as well as legislative frameworks required in creating an accessible environment that is conducive for persons with disabilities; identify commonalities that exist in supply side literature findings of accessible tourism and to ascertain South African initiatives introduced to create accessible tourist accommodation. This enabled the researcher to develop a research instrument to explore the perceptions of accommodation managers towards servicing the needs of persons with disabilities and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards the importance of disability provision.The primary objective of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated and empirically tested. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that, overall, the different aspects of disability service provision were perceived positively and as important. Further data analysis revealed a statistical significant relationship between the respondents’ employment position or function within the accommodation establishment, and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A statistical significant relationship between the age of respondents, and the perceived importance of disability service provision was shown. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The data gathered in this study is important as it indicated that accommodation managers are aware that people with disabilities require certain levels of accessibility when planning trips. As all exploratory research, this study proposes further research to discover the constraints faced by accommodation managers to service the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ferreira, Erika
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: People with disabilities--Travel--South africa People with disabilities--Services for--South africa Tourism--Social Aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5473 , vital:20848
- Description: It is increasingly recognized that travellers with disabilities are becoming an important emerging market segment in the tourism industry worldwide. As the demand for accessible tourism increases, the need for accessible accommodation and disability service provision grows. A search of the international and South African tourism literature revealed few studies with a focus on the supply side of accessible accommodation for persons with disabilities, in particular from the perspective of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. To obtain a broad understanding of the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal area is a challenge which needs to be investigated. From the literature overview it was possible to conceptualize disability; provide a background on existing international and national policies as well as legislative frameworks required in creating an accessible environment that is conducive for persons with disabilities; identify commonalities that exist in supply side literature findings of accessible tourism and to ascertain South African initiatives introduced to create accessible tourist accommodation. This enabled the researcher to develop a research instrument to explore the perceptions of accommodation managers towards servicing the needs of persons with disabilities and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards the importance of disability provision.The primary objective of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated and empirically tested. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that, overall, the different aspects of disability service provision were perceived positively and as important. Further data analysis revealed a statistical significant relationship between the respondents’ employment position or function within the accommodation establishment, and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A statistical significant relationship between the age of respondents, and the perceived importance of disability service provision was shown. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The data gathered in this study is important as it indicated that accommodation managers are aware that people with disabilities require certain levels of accessibility when planning trips. As all exploratory research, this study proposes further research to discover the constraints faced by accommodation managers to service the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Determinants of economic growth in China: 1978-2013
- Authors: Sipuka, Msingathi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: China -- Economic conditions -- 1976-2000 , Economic development -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11181 , vital:26892
- Description: On 1 October 1949, the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Mao was to lead the People’s Republic of China for the next twenty seven years until his death in 1976. During this twenty seven year period under Mao’s leadership the Communist Party of China consolidated its position as the leader of Chinese society and in so doing consolidated communist ideology as the central perspective that guided social and economic planning in China. In 1978, two years after Mao’s death, Deng Xiaping assumed the leadership of the Communist Party of China and this period marked the beginning of far reaching economic and social reforms in China. Over the next thirty years these reforms were to transform China’s economy from the tenth largest to the second largest in the world by the end of 2013. During this period China grew its manufacturing base to the extent that the country has become the world’s largest manufacturer and the world’s leading exporter. This transformation of China’s economy has translated to the country experiencing a period of high levels of economic growth over a sustained period of over 30 years. Estimates suggest that the country’s gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of nearly 10% over a thirty year period from 1978. These high levels of economic growth have significantly contributed to the overall reduction of poverty levels in the country, with some estimates suggesting that between 300 million to 500 million of the country’s citizens have been lifted out of poverty over a period of thirty years. China’s economic growth has had an impact beyond its own borders, as growth in many developing countries has been inextricably linked to developments in the Chinese economy in particular its demand for raw materials.For developing countries that continue to grapple with high levels of poverty among its citizens, China’s experience of lifting such large numbers of its own citizens out of poverty at the back of high levels of economic growth over a period of thirty years must serve as a basis for some learnings. The primary purpose of this research is aimed at contributing towards building the basis for such learnings, particularly with regards to building an understanding of how China has been able to grow its economy at such high levels over a sustained period of time. This research aims to identify the determinants of China’s growth post 1978. The determinants of growth are studied particularly from 1978 because the year marks the beginning of the period of economic reforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sipuka, Msingathi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: China -- Economic conditions -- 1976-2000 , Economic development -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11181 , vital:26892
- Description: On 1 October 1949, the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Mao was to lead the People’s Republic of China for the next twenty seven years until his death in 1976. During this twenty seven year period under Mao’s leadership the Communist Party of China consolidated its position as the leader of Chinese society and in so doing consolidated communist ideology as the central perspective that guided social and economic planning in China. In 1978, two years after Mao’s death, Deng Xiaping assumed the leadership of the Communist Party of China and this period marked the beginning of far reaching economic and social reforms in China. Over the next thirty years these reforms were to transform China’s economy from the tenth largest to the second largest in the world by the end of 2013. During this period China grew its manufacturing base to the extent that the country has become the world’s largest manufacturer and the world’s leading exporter. This transformation of China’s economy has translated to the country experiencing a period of high levels of economic growth over a sustained period of over 30 years. Estimates suggest that the country’s gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of nearly 10% over a thirty year period from 1978. These high levels of economic growth have significantly contributed to the overall reduction of poverty levels in the country, with some estimates suggesting that between 300 million to 500 million of the country’s citizens have been lifted out of poverty over a period of thirty years. China’s economic growth has had an impact beyond its own borders, as growth in many developing countries has been inextricably linked to developments in the Chinese economy in particular its demand for raw materials.For developing countries that continue to grapple with high levels of poverty among its citizens, China’s experience of lifting such large numbers of its own citizens out of poverty at the back of high levels of economic growth over a period of thirty years must serve as a basis for some learnings. The primary purpose of this research is aimed at contributing towards building the basis for such learnings, particularly with regards to building an understanding of how China has been able to grow its economy at such high levels over a sustained period of time. This research aims to identify the determinants of China’s growth post 1978. The determinants of growth are studied particularly from 1978 because the year marks the beginning of the period of economic reforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Exchange rate and foreign direct investment inflows: a case of Namibia 1990-2014
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Remittances as an external source of finance for investments in developing countries
- Authors: Gadzikwa, Francis
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emigrant remittances -- Developing countries Economic development -- Developing countries , Economic development -- Developing countries Developing countries -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7664 , vital:22785
- Description: A number of studies by academics, scholars and researchers have been conducted on the subject of remittances. The focus of these studies has been on developing countries where remittance corridors have long been established. These studies have focused more on the effects of remittances at micro level, in other words poverty alleviation as result of the decline of FDI; PI and ODA. Established remittance corridors are found in Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa as well as North Africa. Few studies have been conducted into new emerging corridors that are still being established, such as the South Africa-Zimbabwe, Botswana-Zimbabwe and the Namibian-Zimbabwe corridors where a large number of Zimbabweans have migrated to. Economic growth and development are major challenges facing developing countries due to lack of finance. With the decline of FDI, PI, ODA as well as credit since the global financial crisis in 2008, there is a need for research to determine other alternative sustainable sources of finance to enable economic growth and development. Available literature and empirical evidence on the subject matter suggest remittances as a complementary source not a substitute of FDI, PI, ODA and credit. This means that governments in developing countries should not neglect their duty to collect revenue, should promote FDI and PI and not be dependant solely on remittances. Like FDI, PI and ODA, the flow of remittances is also determined by the socio-economic and political factors. Any negative effect on the socio-economic and political factors may also lead to the decline of remittance flows. Whilst other developing countries in established remittance corridors have put policies and systems in place to harness and ensure maximum benefits of remittances, countries such as Zimbabwe have not done much to realise potential and the impact that remittances can make. This is evidenced from the lack of reliable data which according to Chami et al. (2008:21) places severe constraints on the types of questions that can be asked and conclusions that can be drawn from statistical analyses. Secondly, emigration from Zimbabwe can be regarded to be in its infancy stage compared countries like Nigeria and Egypt where migration to developed countries has reached maturity stage. The evidence of this is seen on the volume of remittances currently being received by these two countries. Therefore, this study will complement existing data and literature available particularly on this corridor. Remittances are channelled either through formal or informal channels. The literature available and empirical evidence suggests that the bulk of remittances are channelled through informal channels as opposed to formal channels (Crush et al.,2012:20). Within the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor, 85 percent of remittances to Zimbabwe are channelled informally (von Burgsdorff, 2012: 17) and are not captured in the official statistics such as the Balance of Payments. The drawback of this is lack of accurate data which precludes more rigorous statistical analysis in this field (von Burgsdorff, 2010:12). This study will endeavour to capture valuable statistics with regards to remittances. Most developing countries that have relied on aid are also burdened with huge unsustainable external debts (Obasanjo, 2000). The external debts continue to have an adverse effect of slowing down economic growth and development as these countries have an obligation to pay back the debts. Settling of external debts has been one of the biggest challenges facing developing countries. With the rise of remittances, Olubiyi (2013:1) sees them as a replacement to credit to a country that is constrained. Instead of borrowing finance for growth and development, remittances can be used instead. Apart from substituting credit with remittances, countries which are not burdened with external debts are able to use remittances as a leverage to obtain foreign loans (Taylor, 1999:69). The loans acquired can used for supplementing revenue derived from the fiscus and other sources of external finance such as FDI, PI and ODA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Gadzikwa, Francis
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emigrant remittances -- Developing countries Economic development -- Developing countries , Economic development -- Developing countries Developing countries -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7664 , vital:22785
- Description: A number of studies by academics, scholars and researchers have been conducted on the subject of remittances. The focus of these studies has been on developing countries where remittance corridors have long been established. These studies have focused more on the effects of remittances at micro level, in other words poverty alleviation as result of the decline of FDI; PI and ODA. Established remittance corridors are found in Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa as well as North Africa. Few studies have been conducted into new emerging corridors that are still being established, such as the South Africa-Zimbabwe, Botswana-Zimbabwe and the Namibian-Zimbabwe corridors where a large number of Zimbabweans have migrated to. Economic growth and development are major challenges facing developing countries due to lack of finance. With the decline of FDI, PI, ODA as well as credit since the global financial crisis in 2008, there is a need for research to determine other alternative sustainable sources of finance to enable economic growth and development. Available literature and empirical evidence on the subject matter suggest remittances as a complementary source not a substitute of FDI, PI, ODA and credit. This means that governments in developing countries should not neglect their duty to collect revenue, should promote FDI and PI and not be dependant solely on remittances. Like FDI, PI and ODA, the flow of remittances is also determined by the socio-economic and political factors. Any negative effect on the socio-economic and political factors may also lead to the decline of remittance flows. Whilst other developing countries in established remittance corridors have put policies and systems in place to harness and ensure maximum benefits of remittances, countries such as Zimbabwe have not done much to realise potential and the impact that remittances can make. This is evidenced from the lack of reliable data which according to Chami et al. (2008:21) places severe constraints on the types of questions that can be asked and conclusions that can be drawn from statistical analyses. Secondly, emigration from Zimbabwe can be regarded to be in its infancy stage compared countries like Nigeria and Egypt where migration to developed countries has reached maturity stage. The evidence of this is seen on the volume of remittances currently being received by these two countries. Therefore, this study will complement existing data and literature available particularly on this corridor. Remittances are channelled either through formal or informal channels. The literature available and empirical evidence suggests that the bulk of remittances are channelled through informal channels as opposed to formal channels (Crush et al.,2012:20). Within the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor, 85 percent of remittances to Zimbabwe are channelled informally (von Burgsdorff, 2012: 17) and are not captured in the official statistics such as the Balance of Payments. The drawback of this is lack of accurate data which precludes more rigorous statistical analysis in this field (von Burgsdorff, 2010:12). This study will endeavour to capture valuable statistics with regards to remittances. Most developing countries that have relied on aid are also burdened with huge unsustainable external debts (Obasanjo, 2000). The external debts continue to have an adverse effect of slowing down economic growth and development as these countries have an obligation to pay back the debts. Settling of external debts has been one of the biggest challenges facing developing countries. With the rise of remittances, Olubiyi (2013:1) sees them as a replacement to credit to a country that is constrained. Instead of borrowing finance for growth and development, remittances can be used instead. Apart from substituting credit with remittances, countries which are not burdened with external debts are able to use remittances as a leverage to obtain foreign loans (Taylor, 1999:69). The loans acquired can used for supplementing revenue derived from the fiscus and other sources of external finance such as FDI, PI and ODA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
South African school teachers' perceptions of sustainable tourism
- Authors: Vosloo, Penelope Leigh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism -- South Africa Tourism -- South Africa Leisure industry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13215 , vital:27162
- Description: Although much research has been conducted on sustainable tourism and the education thereof internationally, a limited number of studies have focussed on education of sustainable tourism in South African secondary schools. A literature overview identified various approaches to the education of sustainability on the international front. Despite South Africa’s reliance on the tourism industry, the concept of sustainability has received little focus in classrooms where this pertinent issue should be receiving attention in order to ensure that future sustainability is ensured in the South African tourism industry. From the literature overview it was possible to identify topics pertaining to sustainability in the Tourism Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement implemented in the Further Education and Training Phase (FET) in South African secondary schools. These assisted in the development of the research tool for this study. The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), an instrument used to establish the level of environmental concerns of groups of people, also provided guidance in the development of the research tool. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the perceptions of Tourism educators in secondary schools towards sustainability. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated. To give effect to this, an empirical investigation was conducted. Tourism educators who were successful in their application to mark 2014 National Senior Certificate Tourism examinations were included in the sample of this study. The result of the descriptive statistics performed on the data showed that the level of education of the respondents was the main contributing demographic that impacted on their perceptions of sustainable tourism. It is, however, of concern to note that a very low percentage of the respondents (6.2%) have received formal training in Tourism. This situation should be cause for concern for Tourism education in the Eastern Cape. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The researcher believes that specialised subject relevant training is required to empower educators to teach sustainable tourism in the South African secondary school classrooms in order to ensure future sustainability in the tourism industry of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Vosloo, Penelope Leigh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism -- South Africa Tourism -- South Africa Leisure industry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13215 , vital:27162
- Description: Although much research has been conducted on sustainable tourism and the education thereof internationally, a limited number of studies have focussed on education of sustainable tourism in South African secondary schools. A literature overview identified various approaches to the education of sustainability on the international front. Despite South Africa’s reliance on the tourism industry, the concept of sustainability has received little focus in classrooms where this pertinent issue should be receiving attention in order to ensure that future sustainability is ensured in the South African tourism industry. From the literature overview it was possible to identify topics pertaining to sustainability in the Tourism Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement implemented in the Further Education and Training Phase (FET) in South African secondary schools. These assisted in the development of the research tool for this study. The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), an instrument used to establish the level of environmental concerns of groups of people, also provided guidance in the development of the research tool. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the perceptions of Tourism educators in secondary schools towards sustainability. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated. To give effect to this, an empirical investigation was conducted. Tourism educators who were successful in their application to mark 2014 National Senior Certificate Tourism examinations were included in the sample of this study. The result of the descriptive statistics performed on the data showed that the level of education of the respondents was the main contributing demographic that impacted on their perceptions of sustainable tourism. It is, however, of concern to note that a very low percentage of the respondents (6.2%) have received formal training in Tourism. This situation should be cause for concern for Tourism education in the Eastern Cape. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The researcher believes that specialised subject relevant training is required to empower educators to teach sustainable tourism in the South African secondary school classrooms in order to ensure future sustainability in the tourism industry of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Mbeki, Zizipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public investments -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa , Investments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11166 , vital:26890
- Description: The effect of FDI on economic growth is not a straight jacket. Literature has shown that the effect of FDI on economic growth can be either positive or negative. The positive effects of FDI can be caused by increase in output stimulated by new technological innovations and increase in capital flows. The negative effects could result in a ‘crowding out’ effect on domestic investments, external vulnerability and dependence, destructive competition of foreign affiliates with domestic firms, and market stealing effect due to poor absorptive capacity.This treatise will attempt to shed light on the effect foreign direct investment has on economic growth in South Africa in order to ascertain whether a positive or negative relationship exists between these two variables. This study thus aims to investigate, analyse and estimate the extent to which FDI impacts economic growth in South Africa. The findings of this research will provide policymakers, commercial businesses and scholars with relevant updated theoretical and empirical results that will assist relevant government policy makers in generating effective measures of attracting FDI if it proves to be beneficial for the host country. If the results of the study prove that FDIs do not generate positive spill over effects then the policymakers are thus obliged to formulate policies that will discourage FDIs from penetrating the host country’s economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mbeki, Zizipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public investments -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa , Investments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11166 , vital:26890
- Description: The effect of FDI on economic growth is not a straight jacket. Literature has shown that the effect of FDI on economic growth can be either positive or negative. The positive effects of FDI can be caused by increase in output stimulated by new technological innovations and increase in capital flows. The negative effects could result in a ‘crowding out’ effect on domestic investments, external vulnerability and dependence, destructive competition of foreign affiliates with domestic firms, and market stealing effect due to poor absorptive capacity.This treatise will attempt to shed light on the effect foreign direct investment has on economic growth in South Africa in order to ascertain whether a positive or negative relationship exists between these two variables. This study thus aims to investigate, analyse and estimate the extent to which FDI impacts economic growth in South Africa. The findings of this research will provide policymakers, commercial businesses and scholars with relevant updated theoretical and empirical results that will assist relevant government policy makers in generating effective measures of attracting FDI if it proves to be beneficial for the host country. If the results of the study prove that FDIs do not generate positive spill over effects then the policymakers are thus obliged to formulate policies that will discourage FDIs from penetrating the host country’s economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
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