Contribution of the Community Works Programme (CWP) on poverty alleviation in the Western Cape Province
- Authors: Tshomela, Buyiswa Ellen
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Poverty -- Prevention -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54652 , vital:46880
- Description: To address the persistent challenge of the high level of unemployment, poverty, and inequalities, in 2006, the South African government initiated the Community Works Programme that provides an employment safety net for people living in marginalized areas where access to employment opportunities is very limited. The study aims to investigate the contribution of the CWP on poverty alleviation in the Western Cape Province. A qualitative research approach and a qualitative survey questionnaire were used to conduct the study in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The WC Province has a total target of 17 700 participants in the 27 sites established across seven districts with an average site size of 656 participants. A purposive stratified sampling technique was used to sample 90 participants. Semi-structured interviews, with open-ended questions, were conducted with all the 90 respondents. A thematic content data analysis process was used to analyse data. Findings such as positive contribution or benefits of the programme, economic benefits, personal development, and capacity building, and enhanced economic inclusion and opportunities will be discussed in this study. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study. The research findings have shown that the dominant perception expressed by the participants of the CWP was that the program has made a significant contribution to their livelihood. The primary research data also showed that most of the participants utilized the wages received from the programme to buy food, pay for municipal services, pay family educational needs, pay for personal educational needs, demonstrating that the CWP has made a significant contribution to the livelihood of the participants. The literature review reflected that with the high level of unemployment in South Africa, the conditions that necessitated the implementation of this kind of community public works programme remain intact and the intended beneficiaries remain vulnerable and marginalised. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Tshomela, Buyiswa Ellen
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Poverty -- Prevention -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54652 , vital:46880
- Description: To address the persistent challenge of the high level of unemployment, poverty, and inequalities, in 2006, the South African government initiated the Community Works Programme that provides an employment safety net for people living in marginalized areas where access to employment opportunities is very limited. The study aims to investigate the contribution of the CWP on poverty alleviation in the Western Cape Province. A qualitative research approach and a qualitative survey questionnaire were used to conduct the study in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The WC Province has a total target of 17 700 participants in the 27 sites established across seven districts with an average site size of 656 participants. A purposive stratified sampling technique was used to sample 90 participants. Semi-structured interviews, with open-ended questions, were conducted with all the 90 respondents. A thematic content data analysis process was used to analyse data. Findings such as positive contribution or benefits of the programme, economic benefits, personal development, and capacity building, and enhanced economic inclusion and opportunities will be discussed in this study. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study. The research findings have shown that the dominant perception expressed by the participants of the CWP was that the program has made a significant contribution to their livelihood. The primary research data also showed that most of the participants utilized the wages received from the programme to buy food, pay for municipal services, pay family educational needs, pay for personal educational needs, demonstrating that the CWP has made a significant contribution to the livelihood of the participants. The literature review reflected that with the high level of unemployment in South Africa, the conditions that necessitated the implementation of this kind of community public works programme remain intact and the intended beneficiaries remain vulnerable and marginalised. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Coordination polymers for denitrogenation of fuel oils
- Authors: Dembaremba, Tendai O
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53630 , vital:45682
- Description: In this thesis, we present adsorptive removal of nitrogen-containing compounds from fuel oil as an alternative to complement conventional hydrotreatment to obtain ultra-low sulfur and nitrogen levels. This is in cognizance of the challenges nitrogen-containing compounds pose to the hydrotreatment process, particularly their inhibition and/or poisoning of the catalysts used in the process, of which basic nitrogen-containing compounds are the major culprits. Selectivity is the biggest challenge for adsorptive removal of nitrogen-containing compounds. We explore reticular synthesis of metal organic frameworks and the use of coordinatively unsaturated metal sites in 1-dimensional coordination polymers to achieve good selectivity for nitrogen-containing compounds. In the first part of the thesis, reticular synthesis of metal organic frameworks to control the size of the cavity, and strategically use the linkers and metal centres was envisaged. In this work we explored variation of the metal centres in the secondary building units (SBUs of the MOFs as the first step to the testing and implementation of the design strategies. Carbazole, representing carbazoles which the major compounds that remain in hydrotreated fuel, was the target compound. Four MOFs of zinc (Zn-CDC-bpe), copper (Cu-CDC-bpe), nickel (Ni-CDC-bpe) and cobalt (Co-CDC-bpe) based on the formation of a dinuclear metal paddlewheel SBUs with the ligand 9H-Carbazole-3,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2CDC) and occupation of the axial positions of the paddlewheel by 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) to form porous networks were synthesized. A fifth MOF containing only CDC which forms a [Zn4O(O2C-R)5(O2HC-R)] SBU was also synthesized (Zn-CDC). The ligand H2CDC was inspired by the possibility of improving selectivity for carbazole via π–π interactions through the more preferred parallel-offset stacking as well as the possibility for further substitution of the carbazole N-H to add groups that improve selectivity. The sizes of the MOF cavities can then be controlled by choosing different lengths of ligands analogous to 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe), e.g. 4,4’-bipyridine and pyrazine. All the MOFs showed good selectivity of carbazole. The Zn-CDC MOF also had good selectivity for the basic nitrogen-containing compounds tested: quinoline, isoquinoline, quinaldine and 1-naphthylamine. Its uptake of carbazole was also slightly higher. This was attributed to the presence of an unsaturated Zn site in the SBU. Adsorption in all the MOFs was primarily due to physisorption. It was concluded that the role of the metal centre does not play a significant role in the adsorption of carbazole besides providing a template for reticular synthesis. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Dembaremba, Tendai O
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53630 , vital:45682
- Description: In this thesis, we present adsorptive removal of nitrogen-containing compounds from fuel oil as an alternative to complement conventional hydrotreatment to obtain ultra-low sulfur and nitrogen levels. This is in cognizance of the challenges nitrogen-containing compounds pose to the hydrotreatment process, particularly their inhibition and/or poisoning of the catalysts used in the process, of which basic nitrogen-containing compounds are the major culprits. Selectivity is the biggest challenge for adsorptive removal of nitrogen-containing compounds. We explore reticular synthesis of metal organic frameworks and the use of coordinatively unsaturated metal sites in 1-dimensional coordination polymers to achieve good selectivity for nitrogen-containing compounds. In the first part of the thesis, reticular synthesis of metal organic frameworks to control the size of the cavity, and strategically use the linkers and metal centres was envisaged. In this work we explored variation of the metal centres in the secondary building units (SBUs of the MOFs as the first step to the testing and implementation of the design strategies. Carbazole, representing carbazoles which the major compounds that remain in hydrotreated fuel, was the target compound. Four MOFs of zinc (Zn-CDC-bpe), copper (Cu-CDC-bpe), nickel (Ni-CDC-bpe) and cobalt (Co-CDC-bpe) based on the formation of a dinuclear metal paddlewheel SBUs with the ligand 9H-Carbazole-3,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2CDC) and occupation of the axial positions of the paddlewheel by 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) to form porous networks were synthesized. A fifth MOF containing only CDC which forms a [Zn4O(O2C-R)5(O2HC-R)] SBU was also synthesized (Zn-CDC). The ligand H2CDC was inspired by the possibility of improving selectivity for carbazole via π–π interactions through the more preferred parallel-offset stacking as well as the possibility for further substitution of the carbazole N-H to add groups that improve selectivity. The sizes of the MOF cavities can then be controlled by choosing different lengths of ligands analogous to 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe), e.g. 4,4’-bipyridine and pyrazine. All the MOFs showed good selectivity of carbazole. The Zn-CDC MOF also had good selectivity for the basic nitrogen-containing compounds tested: quinoline, isoquinoline, quinaldine and 1-naphthylamine. Its uptake of carbazole was also slightly higher. This was attributed to the presence of an unsaturated Zn site in the SBU. Adsorption in all the MOFs was primarily due to physisorption. It was concluded that the role of the metal centre does not play a significant role in the adsorption of carbazole besides providing a template for reticular synthesis. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Corporate social responsibility from the community perspective
- Authors: De Kock, Breched Richard
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53846 , vital:46016
- Description: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a strategy that is used by organisations to take responsibility for the social and environmental responsibility of where they are operating. The organisation has to make sure that the community in which they are operating benefits from their operations through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The researcher conducted this study which focuses on the developmental side of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an instrument for supplementing the role of governments in developing communities, particularly in the Northern Cape, South Africa, where poverty and underdevelopment have become prevalent. The study explores CSR investments from a community perspective, community participation, supporting enterprise and social trust development within the respective communities. While Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (REIPP) made every effort to implement CSR as part of their contribution to developing the communities they operate in, CSR is used as a tick box exercise for many. While some of these companies do it for more than just bragging rights, these CSR strategies normally follow a top-down approach. Some of these implementation programmes are purely based on desktop research and are so far removed from the current realities and needs of the communities that the money and effort spend does not have the multiplier effect that everyone desires. The study aimed to analyse Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a community perspective, thus, the study explored the view of the community on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The study discovered that many of the respondents have a general understanding of CSR and how it should impact the community. This impact, however, is not being seen with the research indicating that most of the youth are uneducated and unemployed. The majority have also pointed towards dissatisfaction and the lack of trust in how the government and REIPP are applying the renewable energy sector CSR principles within these communities. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: De Kock, Breched Richard
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53846 , vital:46016
- Description: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a strategy that is used by organisations to take responsibility for the social and environmental responsibility of where they are operating. The organisation has to make sure that the community in which they are operating benefits from their operations through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The researcher conducted this study which focuses on the developmental side of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an instrument for supplementing the role of governments in developing communities, particularly in the Northern Cape, South Africa, where poverty and underdevelopment have become prevalent. The study explores CSR investments from a community perspective, community participation, supporting enterprise and social trust development within the respective communities. While Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (REIPP) made every effort to implement CSR as part of their contribution to developing the communities they operate in, CSR is used as a tick box exercise for many. While some of these companies do it for more than just bragging rights, these CSR strategies normally follow a top-down approach. Some of these implementation programmes are purely based on desktop research and are so far removed from the current realities and needs of the communities that the money and effort spend does not have the multiplier effect that everyone desires. The study aimed to analyse Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a community perspective, thus, the study explored the view of the community on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The study discovered that many of the respondents have a general understanding of CSR and how it should impact the community. This impact, however, is not being seen with the research indicating that most of the youth are uneducated and unemployed. The majority have also pointed towards dissatisfaction and the lack of trust in how the government and REIPP are applying the renewable energy sector CSR principles within these communities. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Corrosion and hydrogen resistant modified zirlo surfaces for nuclear fuel cladding
- Authors: Ngongo, Sinoyolo
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54077 , vital:46252
- Description: Zirconium (Zr) alloys are used as fuel cladding material in all modern water cooled commercial nuclear reactors. Zr alloys have many desirable properties for the nuclear reactor core environment, however, it also has a weakness in that overheated zirconium alloy fuel rods react with hot steam resulting in the release of hydrogen. High temperatures increase the oxidation rate and hence the hydrogen production rate which in turn increase the risk of a hydrogen gas explosion such as what is surmised to have happened in the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant incident. The some of the hydrogen produced will also diffuse into the zirconium alloy and form zirconium hydrides which will weaken the original zirconium alloy material. The development of accident tolerant fuel became a major focus area after the Fukushima event in March 2011 with the U.S. congress directing the U.S. Department of Energy to develop fuel with enhanced accident tolerance at high temperatures. The main objective in the case of zirconium alloy cladding has been the modification of cladding surface layers by coating or doping in order to reduce the oxidation rate and hydrogen generation rate by the reaction of steam with zirconium alloy cladding at high temperatures. This thesis focuses on two surface modifications to decrease the surface corrosion rate of ZIRLOTM (the Zr alloy used in this study) and reduce hydrogen uptake by ZIRLO. The first modification involves an oxidation-resistant nano-crystalline diamond (NCD) film deposited on ZIRLO. The NCD layer was deposited in a microwave plasma-enhanced linear antenna chemical vapor deposition (MW-LA-PECVD) system after immersion of the ZIRLO tubes in a water-based solution containing nanodiamonds. ZIRLO tube samples were coated with 200 nm and 500 nm thick NCD layers. The 200 nm thick NCD coated ZIRLO was kept as control sample whereas the 500 nm thick NCD coated ZIRLO was exposed to steam oxidation at 360 °C for 90 days. The results revealed that the NCD exfoliated in some areas leaving the ZIRLO exposed to the steam. In the areas where the diamond did not exfoliate, the diamond was still attached to the ZIRLO with an amorphous carbon layer present between the NCD and the zirconium oxide layer.The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results of this study indicate the presence a sp3 – hybridised diamond phase for the NCD layer as well as an intermediate amorphous carbon layer between the NCD and ZrO2 layers. Analyses of the area where the NCD layer had exfoliated showed no evidence of an NCD layer. It is possible that the amorphous carbon layer between the diamond and the zirconium oxide is responsible for weak interfacial bonding leading to partial exfoliation during oxidation in steam 360 °C for 90 days. In the second modification, the effectiveness of a Cr doped ZrO2 layer to reduce the migration rate of hydrogen in ZrO2 was investigated. The ZIRLO tube used for this part of the study did not have a thin oxide passivation surface layer. Two different procedures were used to create chromium doped zirconium oxide surface layers on ZIRLO. The ZIRLO surface was coated with chromium using cathodic arc deposition followed compression plasma flow (CPF) treatment to facilitate intermixing of the Cr and the ZIRLO. In procedure 1, the surface modification was achieved through the incorporation of chromium into the zirconium surface layer using a compression plasma flow (CPF) technique, followed by the oxidation of the chromium doped zirconium. The oxidation process was conducted at 500 °C for 6 hours. In procedure 2, the chromium was incorporated into the zirconium oxide layer again using the CPF technique. Hydrogen desorption was measured from pure ZIRLO and CPF modified samples using a special gas reaction controller system. The key finding of the results is that the chromium doped (incorporated) zirconium oxide layer on ZIRLO sample exhibited the lowest hydrogen desorption rate of all the samples analysed. This indicates that H in the Cr doped zirconium oxide layer had the lowest mobility of all the samples investigated. This is consistent with the theoretical predictions that the doping of ZrO2 by Cr reduces the solubility of hydrogen in ZrO2. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Ngongo, Sinoyolo
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54077 , vital:46252
- Description: Zirconium (Zr) alloys are used as fuel cladding material in all modern water cooled commercial nuclear reactors. Zr alloys have many desirable properties for the nuclear reactor core environment, however, it also has a weakness in that overheated zirconium alloy fuel rods react with hot steam resulting in the release of hydrogen. High temperatures increase the oxidation rate and hence the hydrogen production rate which in turn increase the risk of a hydrogen gas explosion such as what is surmised to have happened in the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant incident. The some of the hydrogen produced will also diffuse into the zirconium alloy and form zirconium hydrides which will weaken the original zirconium alloy material. The development of accident tolerant fuel became a major focus area after the Fukushima event in March 2011 with the U.S. congress directing the U.S. Department of Energy to develop fuel with enhanced accident tolerance at high temperatures. The main objective in the case of zirconium alloy cladding has been the modification of cladding surface layers by coating or doping in order to reduce the oxidation rate and hydrogen generation rate by the reaction of steam with zirconium alloy cladding at high temperatures. This thesis focuses on two surface modifications to decrease the surface corrosion rate of ZIRLOTM (the Zr alloy used in this study) and reduce hydrogen uptake by ZIRLO. The first modification involves an oxidation-resistant nano-crystalline diamond (NCD) film deposited on ZIRLO. The NCD layer was deposited in a microwave plasma-enhanced linear antenna chemical vapor deposition (MW-LA-PECVD) system after immersion of the ZIRLO tubes in a water-based solution containing nanodiamonds. ZIRLO tube samples were coated with 200 nm and 500 nm thick NCD layers. The 200 nm thick NCD coated ZIRLO was kept as control sample whereas the 500 nm thick NCD coated ZIRLO was exposed to steam oxidation at 360 °C for 90 days. The results revealed that the NCD exfoliated in some areas leaving the ZIRLO exposed to the steam. In the areas where the diamond did not exfoliate, the diamond was still attached to the ZIRLO with an amorphous carbon layer present between the NCD and the zirconium oxide layer.The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results of this study indicate the presence a sp3 – hybridised diamond phase for the NCD layer as well as an intermediate amorphous carbon layer between the NCD and ZrO2 layers. Analyses of the area where the NCD layer had exfoliated showed no evidence of an NCD layer. It is possible that the amorphous carbon layer between the diamond and the zirconium oxide is responsible for weak interfacial bonding leading to partial exfoliation during oxidation in steam 360 °C for 90 days. In the second modification, the effectiveness of a Cr doped ZrO2 layer to reduce the migration rate of hydrogen in ZrO2 was investigated. The ZIRLO tube used for this part of the study did not have a thin oxide passivation surface layer. Two different procedures were used to create chromium doped zirconium oxide surface layers on ZIRLO. The ZIRLO surface was coated with chromium using cathodic arc deposition followed compression plasma flow (CPF) treatment to facilitate intermixing of the Cr and the ZIRLO. In procedure 1, the surface modification was achieved through the incorporation of chromium into the zirconium surface layer using a compression plasma flow (CPF) technique, followed by the oxidation of the chromium doped zirconium. The oxidation process was conducted at 500 °C for 6 hours. In procedure 2, the chromium was incorporated into the zirconium oxide layer again using the CPF technique. Hydrogen desorption was measured from pure ZIRLO and CPF modified samples using a special gas reaction controller system. The key finding of the results is that the chromium doped (incorporated) zirconium oxide layer on ZIRLO sample exhibited the lowest hydrogen desorption rate of all the samples analysed. This indicates that H in the Cr doped zirconium oxide layer had the lowest mobility of all the samples investigated. This is consistent with the theoretical predictions that the doping of ZrO2 by Cr reduces the solubility of hydrogen in ZrO2. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Customer experience at the East London fresh produce market
- Authors: Matyobeni, Akhona
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Produce trade -- South Africa -- East London -- Marketing , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54069 , vital:46217
- Description: Fresh Produce Markets are an important sector in the agricultural value chain. The discussions on land expropriation, food security and job creation all demonstrate the potential that still exists within agriculture. The Fresh Produce Markets remain a solution to the distribution of food in South Africa and their existence remains relevant. Fresh Produce Markets in South Africa combined, generate about R15 billion, by distributing about 3 million tons of fresh produce. The main contributors to this success are the customers who are loyal to Fresh Produce Markets, regardless of distances these customers travel to get to Fresh Produce Markets. This study intends to understand how the East London Fresh Produce Market can put customer needs at the centre of their business, resulting in good Customer Experience. Positive customer experience promotes customer loyalty and assists organisations in encouraging brand advocacy. While customer experience has been explored in several contexts, regions and industries, customer experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market has not been measured. The literature review conducted investigated the field of customer experience. This literature review assisted in developing a conceptual model for customer experience for the East London Fresh Produce Market. This study follows a positivistic research approach, using quantitative methods of analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using data gathered from a questionnaire disseminated in hard copies and via e-mail. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 210 was used in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted. The primary contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing customer experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market. This study found that the independent factors of Brand Experience, Service Experience and Post-purchase/Consumption Experience all have a positive effect on the overall customer experience and on each other. Furthermore, the statistical assessment suggested new factors of Product Quality and Range(s), Brand Experience(s), Empathy(s), Communication(s) and Facilities(s), which all are found to have a positive effect on customer experience and on each other. The study developed two models that presented the determinants of Customer Experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market. The models should assist managers, organisational leaders and marketers to improve their customer experience-related strategies and to gain competitive advantage. The results and insights obtained, resulted in understanding the factors that provide good customer experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Matyobeni, Akhona
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Produce trade -- South Africa -- East London -- Marketing , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54069 , vital:46217
- Description: Fresh Produce Markets are an important sector in the agricultural value chain. The discussions on land expropriation, food security and job creation all demonstrate the potential that still exists within agriculture. The Fresh Produce Markets remain a solution to the distribution of food in South Africa and their existence remains relevant. Fresh Produce Markets in South Africa combined, generate about R15 billion, by distributing about 3 million tons of fresh produce. The main contributors to this success are the customers who are loyal to Fresh Produce Markets, regardless of distances these customers travel to get to Fresh Produce Markets. This study intends to understand how the East London Fresh Produce Market can put customer needs at the centre of their business, resulting in good Customer Experience. Positive customer experience promotes customer loyalty and assists organisations in encouraging brand advocacy. While customer experience has been explored in several contexts, regions and industries, customer experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market has not been measured. The literature review conducted investigated the field of customer experience. This literature review assisted in developing a conceptual model for customer experience for the East London Fresh Produce Market. This study follows a positivistic research approach, using quantitative methods of analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using data gathered from a questionnaire disseminated in hard copies and via e-mail. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 210 was used in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted. The primary contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing customer experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market. This study found that the independent factors of Brand Experience, Service Experience and Post-purchase/Consumption Experience all have a positive effect on the overall customer experience and on each other. Furthermore, the statistical assessment suggested new factors of Product Quality and Range(s), Brand Experience(s), Empathy(s), Communication(s) and Facilities(s), which all are found to have a positive effect on customer experience and on each other. The study developed two models that presented the determinants of Customer Experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market. The models should assist managers, organisational leaders and marketers to improve their customer experience-related strategies and to gain competitive advantage. The results and insights obtained, resulted in understanding the factors that provide good customer experience at the East London Fresh Produce Market. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Customer experience value, satisfaction and behavioural intentions within selected shopping malls in Ghana
- Authors: Turkson, Patrick Joel
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Shopping malls -- Ghana , Consumer satisfaction -- Ghana , Consumer behavior -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54706 , vital:47525
- Description: A key function of shopping malls is still to facilitate retail shopping experiences. Globally, shopping malls have assumed great importance in economies as they generate revenues to governments and contribute immensely to economic development, and Ghana is no exception to the benefits of shopping malls. As more shoppers shop in shopping malls, managers of malls are aggressively intensifying their marketing efforts in order to deliver value to customers, while taking into account contemporary changes in consumer preferences. Since the 1950s, customers have been seeking value through products and services, and now customers are seeking value through experiences. For several reasons such as customer preferences and lifestyles, the notion of creating experience value for customers has emerged as an important topic in contemporary marketing literature. The main interest of shopping mall managers is profit maximisation. However, shopping malls in Ghana are relatively new, face stiff competition from the informal retail sector, and are perceived as charging higher prices compared with the informal sector. Therefore, it is argued that providing positive customer experience value, prioritising customers’ satisfaction, and ensuring positive behavioural intentions can assist shopping mall managers in Ghana to be sustainable and remain competitive in the retail industry. The aim of this study is thus to investigate the factors that influence customer experience value, and assess the influence of customer experience value on customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions within selected shopping malls in Ghana. In addition, the study investigates the influence of customer satisfaction on behavioural intentions and the mediating role that customer satisfaction plays in the relationship between customer experience value and behavioural intentions. This study is expected to provide shopping mall managers in Ghana with information that might support them in their decision making concerning the shopping experience value activities that they offer to their customers. Three core concepts, namely customer experience value, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions, formed the basis of this study. Also, the relationship between experience value, customer satisfaction, and behavioural intentions were examined. The study identified customer experience value as a multidimensional construct which comprises of four factors, namely service encounter (efficiency, service excellence and playfulness), experience realms (education, entertainment, escapism and esthetics), utilitarian value (monetary savings, selection and convenience) and hedonic value (exploration, place attachment and social status) as prospective factors contributing to customer experience value within the shopping mall context. Also, the study identified three attributional factors to measure customer satisfaction, namely the basic factors, performance factors, and excitement factors. Three outcomes of behavioural intentions, namely customer loyalty, word of mouth communication and revisit intentions were also identified to measure behavioural intentions of shoppers within the shopping mall context in Ghana. The study employed a purposive sampling technique to identify the potential respondents and the quantitative research methodology for analysis of the data of the study. Primary data was collected through a survey utilising self-administered structured questionnaires in the four key selected shopping malls in Ghana. Within the scope of the research, five hundred (500) useable questionnaires were received. The target population of the research included shoppers who have frequented the selected shopping malls in Ghana. The IBM SPSS (version 26) and AMOS computer software were used to perform the statistical analysis. The findings of the study showed a significant correlation between all factors (service encounter, experience realms, utilitarian value, hedonic value) measuring customer experience value (EV), customer satisfaction (CS) and behavioural intentions (BI). The empirical results also show that there is a significant relationship between experience value as an independent variable and customer satisfaction as a mediating variable. The results further revealed that experience value has a significant relationship with behavioural intentions. However, the results indicate that the relationship between the mediating variable (customer satisfaction) and the dependent variable (behavioural intentions) is insignificant. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Turkson, Patrick Joel
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Shopping malls -- Ghana , Consumer satisfaction -- Ghana , Consumer behavior -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54706 , vital:47525
- Description: A key function of shopping malls is still to facilitate retail shopping experiences. Globally, shopping malls have assumed great importance in economies as they generate revenues to governments and contribute immensely to economic development, and Ghana is no exception to the benefits of shopping malls. As more shoppers shop in shopping malls, managers of malls are aggressively intensifying their marketing efforts in order to deliver value to customers, while taking into account contemporary changes in consumer preferences. Since the 1950s, customers have been seeking value through products and services, and now customers are seeking value through experiences. For several reasons such as customer preferences and lifestyles, the notion of creating experience value for customers has emerged as an important topic in contemporary marketing literature. The main interest of shopping mall managers is profit maximisation. However, shopping malls in Ghana are relatively new, face stiff competition from the informal retail sector, and are perceived as charging higher prices compared with the informal sector. Therefore, it is argued that providing positive customer experience value, prioritising customers’ satisfaction, and ensuring positive behavioural intentions can assist shopping mall managers in Ghana to be sustainable and remain competitive in the retail industry. The aim of this study is thus to investigate the factors that influence customer experience value, and assess the influence of customer experience value on customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions within selected shopping malls in Ghana. In addition, the study investigates the influence of customer satisfaction on behavioural intentions and the mediating role that customer satisfaction plays in the relationship between customer experience value and behavioural intentions. This study is expected to provide shopping mall managers in Ghana with information that might support them in their decision making concerning the shopping experience value activities that they offer to their customers. Three core concepts, namely customer experience value, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions, formed the basis of this study. Also, the relationship between experience value, customer satisfaction, and behavioural intentions were examined. The study identified customer experience value as a multidimensional construct which comprises of four factors, namely service encounter (efficiency, service excellence and playfulness), experience realms (education, entertainment, escapism and esthetics), utilitarian value (monetary savings, selection and convenience) and hedonic value (exploration, place attachment and social status) as prospective factors contributing to customer experience value within the shopping mall context. Also, the study identified three attributional factors to measure customer satisfaction, namely the basic factors, performance factors, and excitement factors. Three outcomes of behavioural intentions, namely customer loyalty, word of mouth communication and revisit intentions were also identified to measure behavioural intentions of shoppers within the shopping mall context in Ghana. The study employed a purposive sampling technique to identify the potential respondents and the quantitative research methodology for analysis of the data of the study. Primary data was collected through a survey utilising self-administered structured questionnaires in the four key selected shopping malls in Ghana. Within the scope of the research, five hundred (500) useable questionnaires were received. The target population of the research included shoppers who have frequented the selected shopping malls in Ghana. The IBM SPSS (version 26) and AMOS computer software were used to perform the statistical analysis. The findings of the study showed a significant correlation between all factors (service encounter, experience realms, utilitarian value, hedonic value) measuring customer experience value (EV), customer satisfaction (CS) and behavioural intentions (BI). The empirical results also show that there is a significant relationship between experience value as an independent variable and customer satisfaction as a mediating variable. The results further revealed that experience value has a significant relationship with behavioural intentions. However, the results indicate that the relationship between the mediating variable (customer satisfaction) and the dependent variable (behavioural intentions) is insignificant. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Demarcation of municipalities and service delivery capacity: a case of selected eastern cape municipalities
- Authors: Sokopo, Johannes
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54574 , vital:46715
- Description: The study examines the relationship between demarcation of municipal boundaries and the capacity of a municipality to deliver services. The case of the amalgamation of Baviaans, Camdeboo, and Ikwezi local municipalities which has led to the establishment of the Dr Beyers Naudè Municipality in the Sara Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape has been used to determine this relationship in this study. The amalgamation of these municipalities has led to the redetermination and dismantling of their boundaries and the establishment of the boundaries of the newly created and larger Dr Beyers Naudè Local Municipality. The study investigated whether the demarcation of municipal boundaries has, in this instance, enhanced the capacity of the municipality to deliver basic services. Organisational Theory was used to interpret the amalgamation of municipalities. This theory was used for the theoretical basis of organisational structure and highlighting the need for the alignment of organizational structure with the municipalities’ mandate, of effective and efficient service delivery. The study adopted a qualitative research method and employed a non-probability purposive sampling technique to select participants. Interviews were used for data collection. 38 participants were interviewed, namely 7 councillors, 5 municipal officials, 5 members of the ratepayers’ association and 21 members of the community. Mixed views were expressed by participants regarding the enhancement of the state on basic service delivery after the merger of the three local municipalities. Furthermore, the study did not find evidence of a feasibility study prior to the implementation of the amalgamation process. Subsequently, the study could not find conclusive evidence relating to the enhancement of the capacity of the municipality to deliver services after the redetermination of municipal boundaries. The study recommends, among others, that the demarcation of municipal boundaries should be preceded by an appropriate feasibility study and be done such that there is compliance with the relevant legislation, and it must also have an effective public participation. The study also recommends that the newly established Dr Beyers Naudè Local Municipality should focus on maintaining the service delivery infrastructure it has inherited from the merger of its three predecessor municipalities, enhance public participation in its programmes, and priorities community beneficiation as a critical aspect of its service delivery mandate. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Sokopo, Johannes
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54574 , vital:46715
- Description: The study examines the relationship between demarcation of municipal boundaries and the capacity of a municipality to deliver services. The case of the amalgamation of Baviaans, Camdeboo, and Ikwezi local municipalities which has led to the establishment of the Dr Beyers Naudè Municipality in the Sara Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape has been used to determine this relationship in this study. The amalgamation of these municipalities has led to the redetermination and dismantling of their boundaries and the establishment of the boundaries of the newly created and larger Dr Beyers Naudè Local Municipality. The study investigated whether the demarcation of municipal boundaries has, in this instance, enhanced the capacity of the municipality to deliver basic services. Organisational Theory was used to interpret the amalgamation of municipalities. This theory was used for the theoretical basis of organisational structure and highlighting the need for the alignment of organizational structure with the municipalities’ mandate, of effective and efficient service delivery. The study adopted a qualitative research method and employed a non-probability purposive sampling technique to select participants. Interviews were used for data collection. 38 participants were interviewed, namely 7 councillors, 5 municipal officials, 5 members of the ratepayers’ association and 21 members of the community. Mixed views were expressed by participants regarding the enhancement of the state on basic service delivery after the merger of the three local municipalities. Furthermore, the study did not find evidence of a feasibility study prior to the implementation of the amalgamation process. Subsequently, the study could not find conclusive evidence relating to the enhancement of the capacity of the municipality to deliver services after the redetermination of municipal boundaries. The study recommends, among others, that the demarcation of municipal boundaries should be preceded by an appropriate feasibility study and be done such that there is compliance with the relevant legislation, and it must also have an effective public participation. The study also recommends that the newly established Dr Beyers Naudè Local Municipality should focus on maintaining the service delivery infrastructure it has inherited from the merger of its three predecessor municipalities, enhance public participation in its programmes, and priorities community beneficiation as a critical aspect of its service delivery mandate. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Effect of coal and microalgae biomass co-firing on CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions: An experimental evaluation
- Authors: Magida, Nokuthula Ethel
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53817 , vital:45984
- Description: There is increasingly stringent legislation on the environmental impact of energy production from coal combustion, and this has led to growing pressure to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Thus, there is a significant need to develop and implement clean coal combustion technologies that would reduce the environmental gas pollutants. For power generation, the co-firing of biomass fuels at conventional coal-fired power stations is recognised as one of the low-cost, low-risk options to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions. When coal is co-utilized with biomass there is added attractiveness because the biomass is CO2 neutral, and there is interest in using waste biomass and microalgae. Thus, the co-combustion of coal and biomass for energy production results in pollutant reduction, especially in the emissions of NOx, SOx, volatile organic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The synergistic activity observed for toxic organic emissions is not well understood and is thought to involve chemical interaction between the volatiles from each fuel coupled with possible catalytic activity from the inorganic constituents of the fuels. The characterization of co-firing products and gases emitted from coal and microalgae (particularly the Scenedesmus strain) co-combustion has received limited attention. Therefore, this study seeks to understand possible interactions occurring during co-combustion of coal and Scenedesmus microalgae (Coalgae®). Additionally, the study aims to determine the effect of co-firing coal and Scenedesmus microalgae on CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions. The term “Coalgae®” refers to the mixture of coal and microalgae biomass. The study looks at physico-thermal characteristics as well as CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions of various coal-microalgae blending ratios by mass; 100:0 (coal), 95:5 (Coalgae® 5%), 90:10 (Coalgae® 10%), 85:15 (Coalgae® 15%) and 80:20 (Coalgae® 20%). Characterization techniques carried out included proximate and ultimate analyses, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). For combustion studies two techniques were applied. Low heating rate was obtained through a Thermogravimetric-Mass spectrometer analysis (TG-MS). Other combustion experiments were performed on the five lumpy fuels (coal and Coalgae® 5% - 20%) exposed to the flame in a fixed-bed combustion reactor. The emission concentrations of CO2 (%), NOx (ppm) and SO2 (ppm) of coal and Coalgae® blends were measured during the combustion of the five materials using a Lancom 4 portable flue gas analyser. The mass reduction (g) and temperature (°C) at the reactor exit were recorded during the combustion tests to compare the combustion behaviour of the four mixtures to that of raw coal. TG-DTG curves of coal and microalgae confirmed that the combustion behaviour of these materials was different. Coal showed one reaction during the combustion process, while microalgae and the Coalgae® blends showed three reactions. A significant reduction in activation energies of 160.4 kJ/mol, 159.6 kJ/mol, 151.3 kJ/mol, and 134.2 kJ/mol for Coalgae® 5% - Coalgae® 20%, respectively, compared to coal (161.3 kJ/mol) was achieved. The lowering of activation energy could be attributed to the relative fixed carbon content. SEM morphology images of ash obtained from the combustion of coal and Coalgae® 5% - 20% confirmed changes in devolatilization and combustion behaviour of solid raw fuel. The ash of Coalgae® blends had higher fluxing elements (Fe, Ca, K and Mg) than coal and this shows possibility of slagging and fouling in combustion systems. The Coalgae® blends showed a synergistic effect due to different combustion characteristics of coal and Scenedesmus microalgae. The combustion results obtained from the fixed-bed reactor showed significant reductions in concentrations of CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions for Coalgae® blends compared to baseline coal. Microalgae reduced CO2 emissions from baseline coal by 14.9%, 19.5%, 23.5% and 31.4% for Coalgae® 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. SO2 reductions of 1.9%, 10.6%, 15.8% and 18.2%, and NOx reductions of 22.4%, 26.1%, 24.4% and 16.9% were achieved with Coalgae® 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. Moreover, the combustion efficiency of Coalgae® blends increased significantly by up to 14.5% from baseline coal (86.4%) to Coalgae® 20% (98.9%). Based on the above findings, the co-firing of coal and Scenedesmus microalgae biomass was necessary for the reduction of CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions. As such, Coalgae® blends can be considered as alternative fuels in any coal driven process for energy generation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Magida, Nokuthula Ethel
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53817 , vital:45984
- Description: There is increasingly stringent legislation on the environmental impact of energy production from coal combustion, and this has led to growing pressure to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Thus, there is a significant need to develop and implement clean coal combustion technologies that would reduce the environmental gas pollutants. For power generation, the co-firing of biomass fuels at conventional coal-fired power stations is recognised as one of the low-cost, low-risk options to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions. When coal is co-utilized with biomass there is added attractiveness because the biomass is CO2 neutral, and there is interest in using waste biomass and microalgae. Thus, the co-combustion of coal and biomass for energy production results in pollutant reduction, especially in the emissions of NOx, SOx, volatile organic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The synergistic activity observed for toxic organic emissions is not well understood and is thought to involve chemical interaction between the volatiles from each fuel coupled with possible catalytic activity from the inorganic constituents of the fuels. The characterization of co-firing products and gases emitted from coal and microalgae (particularly the Scenedesmus strain) co-combustion has received limited attention. Therefore, this study seeks to understand possible interactions occurring during co-combustion of coal and Scenedesmus microalgae (Coalgae®). Additionally, the study aims to determine the effect of co-firing coal and Scenedesmus microalgae on CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions. The term “Coalgae®” refers to the mixture of coal and microalgae biomass. The study looks at physico-thermal characteristics as well as CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions of various coal-microalgae blending ratios by mass; 100:0 (coal), 95:5 (Coalgae® 5%), 90:10 (Coalgae® 10%), 85:15 (Coalgae® 15%) and 80:20 (Coalgae® 20%). Characterization techniques carried out included proximate and ultimate analyses, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). For combustion studies two techniques were applied. Low heating rate was obtained through a Thermogravimetric-Mass spectrometer analysis (TG-MS). Other combustion experiments were performed on the five lumpy fuels (coal and Coalgae® 5% - 20%) exposed to the flame in a fixed-bed combustion reactor. The emission concentrations of CO2 (%), NOx (ppm) and SO2 (ppm) of coal and Coalgae® blends were measured during the combustion of the five materials using a Lancom 4 portable flue gas analyser. The mass reduction (g) and temperature (°C) at the reactor exit were recorded during the combustion tests to compare the combustion behaviour of the four mixtures to that of raw coal. TG-DTG curves of coal and microalgae confirmed that the combustion behaviour of these materials was different. Coal showed one reaction during the combustion process, while microalgae and the Coalgae® blends showed three reactions. A significant reduction in activation energies of 160.4 kJ/mol, 159.6 kJ/mol, 151.3 kJ/mol, and 134.2 kJ/mol for Coalgae® 5% - Coalgae® 20%, respectively, compared to coal (161.3 kJ/mol) was achieved. The lowering of activation energy could be attributed to the relative fixed carbon content. SEM morphology images of ash obtained from the combustion of coal and Coalgae® 5% - 20% confirmed changes in devolatilization and combustion behaviour of solid raw fuel. The ash of Coalgae® blends had higher fluxing elements (Fe, Ca, K and Mg) than coal and this shows possibility of slagging and fouling in combustion systems. The Coalgae® blends showed a synergistic effect due to different combustion characteristics of coal and Scenedesmus microalgae. The combustion results obtained from the fixed-bed reactor showed significant reductions in concentrations of CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions for Coalgae® blends compared to baseline coal. Microalgae reduced CO2 emissions from baseline coal by 14.9%, 19.5%, 23.5% and 31.4% for Coalgae® 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. SO2 reductions of 1.9%, 10.6%, 15.8% and 18.2%, and NOx reductions of 22.4%, 26.1%, 24.4% and 16.9% were achieved with Coalgae® 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. Moreover, the combustion efficiency of Coalgae® blends increased significantly by up to 14.5% from baseline coal (86.4%) to Coalgae® 20% (98.9%). Based on the above findings, the co-firing of coal and Scenedesmus microalgae biomass was necessary for the reduction of CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions. As such, Coalgae® blends can be considered as alternative fuels in any coal driven process for energy generation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Emerging Job Categories and Competencies Informing Talent Strategies for Industry 4.0 Automotive Organisations
- Authors: Macpherson, Wayne Elvison
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade , Automobiles -- Technological innovations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54002 , vital:46174
- Description: The emergence of Industry 4.0 is impacting the world of work and brings along new job categories that require new competency sets. The global shortage of skills is aggravated by the emergence of Industry 4.0 which is set to perpetuate the war for talent with talent being a main driver of business success. The South African automotive industry, being the largest contributor to the country’s GDP and the second largest employer in the country, needed to effectively manage talent to stay relevant and survive in a highly competitive labour market. Given the above, this research investigated emerging job categories and competencies required by automotive organisations for informing Talent Strategies in the context of Industry 4.0. To attain the purpose of the study, a literature study was conducted that explored the evolution of industry and the nature of Industry 4.0 with its associate technologies. A main part of the literature study was dedicated to identifying emerging job categories and competencies associated with Industry 4.0, with specific emphasis on identifying a hybrid competency set. The literature study was supplemented by data mining, semi-structured interviews and an online survey which, in turn, ensured a triangulation approach. Firstly, data mining was employed by consulting scientific and web-based sources to uncover trends in job advertisements relating to emerging job categories and competencies required in Industry 4.0 automotive organisations. Secondly, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in the fields of HRM, production and engineering in automotive organisations, to gather their thoughts and views on the extent to which their organisations experienced Industry 4.0, and the influence of Industry 4.0 on both job losses and job creation, competencies employees required and Talent Strategies adopted to ensure the supply of relevant talent. The results from the interviews were qualitatively analysed with the extraction of themes. Lastly, a self-administered online survey was administered to HRM professionals, line-managers, and production professionals in automotive organisations through snowball sampling with 162 usable questionnaires returned. Factor analysis and Cronbach alpha coefficient were utilised to successfully validate the scales used in the study, with technical skills revealing two distinct factors, and Talent Strategies revealing three distinct factors. The results provided evidence of technical, conceptual, human and personal skills required by automotive organisations in the context of Industry 4.0. A high level of differing responses was noted for Talent Strategies, and specially for retention strategies. Based on the results obtained in the study, recommendations were made for informing talent in the South African automotive sector. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Macpherson, Wayne Elvison
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade , Automobiles -- Technological innovations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54002 , vital:46174
- Description: The emergence of Industry 4.0 is impacting the world of work and brings along new job categories that require new competency sets. The global shortage of skills is aggravated by the emergence of Industry 4.0 which is set to perpetuate the war for talent with talent being a main driver of business success. The South African automotive industry, being the largest contributor to the country’s GDP and the second largest employer in the country, needed to effectively manage talent to stay relevant and survive in a highly competitive labour market. Given the above, this research investigated emerging job categories and competencies required by automotive organisations for informing Talent Strategies in the context of Industry 4.0. To attain the purpose of the study, a literature study was conducted that explored the evolution of industry and the nature of Industry 4.0 with its associate technologies. A main part of the literature study was dedicated to identifying emerging job categories and competencies associated with Industry 4.0, with specific emphasis on identifying a hybrid competency set. The literature study was supplemented by data mining, semi-structured interviews and an online survey which, in turn, ensured a triangulation approach. Firstly, data mining was employed by consulting scientific and web-based sources to uncover trends in job advertisements relating to emerging job categories and competencies required in Industry 4.0 automotive organisations. Secondly, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in the fields of HRM, production and engineering in automotive organisations, to gather their thoughts and views on the extent to which their organisations experienced Industry 4.0, and the influence of Industry 4.0 on both job losses and job creation, competencies employees required and Talent Strategies adopted to ensure the supply of relevant talent. The results from the interviews were qualitatively analysed with the extraction of themes. Lastly, a self-administered online survey was administered to HRM professionals, line-managers, and production professionals in automotive organisations through snowball sampling with 162 usable questionnaires returned. Factor analysis and Cronbach alpha coefficient were utilised to successfully validate the scales used in the study, with technical skills revealing two distinct factors, and Talent Strategies revealing three distinct factors. The results provided evidence of technical, conceptual, human and personal skills required by automotive organisations in the context of Industry 4.0. A high level of differing responses was noted for Talent Strategies, and specially for retention strategies. Based on the results obtained in the study, recommendations were made for informing talent in the South African automotive sector. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Emotional Intelligence as a strategy to enhance leadership
- Authors: Knight, Melody
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Emotional intelligence -- South Africa -- Leadership , Development leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53980 , vital:46166
- Description: The elevated levels of burnout and stress that arise from work-related challenges, occurring from poor public health infrastructure, are prevalent in developing countries such as South Africa. Emotional intelligence (EI) theory offers a means to understand behaviour, attitudes, and interpersonal skills, which are important for nursing managers (NMs) to facilitate personal and professional development, well-being, and improved quality of care. Researchers have called for more research to create a greater awareness and understanding of EI in nursing leadership. Critical Realism was used as the epistemological framework to meet the objectives of the study. The aim was to identify practical recommendations for interventions that could enhance the ability of NMs to manage the challenges associated with leadership. Using an explanatory framework, the objectives were to (i) generate causal explanations for organisational phenomena, given the EI of NMs and the conditions of its exercise, (ii) describe how NMs use their EI abilities in challenging situations, and to (iii) identify interventions to develop the EI of NMs. Although the research on EI is extensive, research on NMs and interventions to develop EI in NMs was not found. Purposive sampling was employed with focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews used to gather data. The data was analysed using thematic data analysis and retroduction to identify the most logically compelling explanation for events. The findings showed that the EI of NMs is essentially related to work engagement, burnout, turnover intention, work satisfaction, communication, interpersonal relationships, and job performance. It showed that organisational support and policies, personal and psychological factors, as well as training, play a necessary role in enhancing the EI of NMs. The recommendations provide suggestions to create the conditions necessary to enhance the EI of NMs. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Knight, Melody
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Emotional intelligence -- South Africa -- Leadership , Development leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53980 , vital:46166
- Description: The elevated levels of burnout and stress that arise from work-related challenges, occurring from poor public health infrastructure, are prevalent in developing countries such as South Africa. Emotional intelligence (EI) theory offers a means to understand behaviour, attitudes, and interpersonal skills, which are important for nursing managers (NMs) to facilitate personal and professional development, well-being, and improved quality of care. Researchers have called for more research to create a greater awareness and understanding of EI in nursing leadership. Critical Realism was used as the epistemological framework to meet the objectives of the study. The aim was to identify practical recommendations for interventions that could enhance the ability of NMs to manage the challenges associated with leadership. Using an explanatory framework, the objectives were to (i) generate causal explanations for organisational phenomena, given the EI of NMs and the conditions of its exercise, (ii) describe how NMs use their EI abilities in challenging situations, and to (iii) identify interventions to develop the EI of NMs. Although the research on EI is extensive, research on NMs and interventions to develop EI in NMs was not found. Purposive sampling was employed with focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews used to gather data. The data was analysed using thematic data analysis and retroduction to identify the most logically compelling explanation for events. The findings showed that the EI of NMs is essentially related to work engagement, burnout, turnover intention, work satisfaction, communication, interpersonal relationships, and job performance. It showed that organisational support and policies, personal and psychological factors, as well as training, play a necessary role in enhancing the EI of NMs. The recommendations provide suggestions to create the conditions necessary to enhance the EI of NMs. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Engineering nanocatalysts using mixed metals for hydrodesulfurization of fuel oil
- Authors: Majodina, Siphumelele
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53861 , vital:46021
- Description: Crude oil is a complex blend containing thousands of hydrocarbons, non-hydrocarbon compounds and heavy metals. These hydrocarbons are mixed with variable quantities of sulfur-, nitrogen-, and oxygen-containing compounds. The combustion of fuel containing organosulfur compounds results in the emission of sulfur oxides (SOx) into the atmosphere. These toxic gases escape into the atmosphere resulting in air pollution, which is a large contributor to global warming. Air pollution also causes pulmonary diseases, allergies and may even lead to human death. It can also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops. Thus, mandating the reduction of sulfur in organosulfur compounds in fuel to <10 ppmS by the environmental protection agency. Several studies have been conducted to remove sulfur from fuels, most of which have focused on removing refractory sulfur compounds due to the difficulty in removing sulfur in these compounds. However, the currently employed hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts suffer in producing fuels complying with the future standards of fuels quality. Generally, HDS catalysts are made up of metallic components, Co (Ni) and Mo (W), on porous supports, the catalytic activity of these catalysts strongly depends on the amount of NiWS (CoMoS) phases in it and to the extent in which these phases are exposed on the catalyst support surfaces and this is engineered using chelating agents and size of catalysts. To this end, nanosized materials (nanocatalysts) are considered most suitable, as reported active phases of HDS catalysts are exposed, hence improving the hydrodesulfurization of sulfur-containing compounds in fuels. Nanocatalysts results in nanoparticles and when impregnated on a support will results in high surface area, and enhances electronic property, which increases the activity of the catalyst allowing the most refractory sulfur to be removed. The addition of chelating agents such as EDTA, acetic acid, and citric acid further improves the activity of the catalysts by producing more active phases on the catalyst. In this research project, nanocatalysts will be synthesised using mixed metals with and without chelating agents and tested for HDS activity and selectivity towards sulfur using refractory organosulfur compounds in fuels under industrial HDS conditions. This work was divided into two sections, and this dissertation summarizes the research outcomes of each phase. The first section examines the effect of chelating ligands, namely, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA), and acetic acid (AA), on CoMo HDS activity and the sulfidation mechanism. In this study, chelating ligands seem to have a beneficial effect on HDS activity. Detailed mechanistic aspects of interactions between chelating ligands and metallic species (Co-chelating ligands) were also studied. Characterization by SC-XRD revealed that the presence of the chelating ligand result in the formation of complex with cobalt, and the effect of this complex was shown by TG-DSC analysis. This showed that the presence of chelating ligand leads a to delay of cobalt sulfidation as the complex decomposes at higher temperatures, which was the main cause of improving HDS activity. It was also shown that chelating ligands play a role in dispersion of metal oxides and sulfided metal oxides (TEM and XPS). XPS results showed low MoS2 phase for CoMo/Al2O3 (45%), while CoMo-EDTA/Al2O3 (63%) catalyst resulted in high MoS2 phases. From all the catalysts, CoMo-CA/Al2O3 (98%) gave the highest catalytic activity, and the increase in activity could be attributed to the formation of octahedral molybdenum oxides as they are easily reducible during sulfidation and result in more dispersed active phases and weak metal-support interaction. The second section examines the effect of a promoter (Rh) and different chelating ligands (EDTA, AA, and CA) on the catalyst RhMo supported with alumina. In this phase, rhodium was used as promoter, the following trend for catalytic activity was observed: RhMo/Al2O3 (88%) > RhMo-AA/Al2O3 (73%) > RhMo-CA/Al2O3 (72%) > RhMo-EDTA/Al2O3 (68%). This could be that the addition of chelating ligand complexed both metallic species retarding sulfidation of both metals, hence lowering the HDS activity. Studies show that it is possible for the citric acid to complex with both promoter and an active metal (Mo), and this might result in the formation of molybdenum dimers, trimers and tetramers which are difficult to sulfide. XPS analysis showed that unchelated catalyst have more MoS2 phases of 63%, hence higher dispersion than the chelated catalyst, this could be the reason for high activity in RhMo/Al2O3 (88%) catalyst. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Majodina, Siphumelele
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53861 , vital:46021
- Description: Crude oil is a complex blend containing thousands of hydrocarbons, non-hydrocarbon compounds and heavy metals. These hydrocarbons are mixed with variable quantities of sulfur-, nitrogen-, and oxygen-containing compounds. The combustion of fuel containing organosulfur compounds results in the emission of sulfur oxides (SOx) into the atmosphere. These toxic gases escape into the atmosphere resulting in air pollution, which is a large contributor to global warming. Air pollution also causes pulmonary diseases, allergies and may even lead to human death. It can also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops. Thus, mandating the reduction of sulfur in organosulfur compounds in fuel to <10 ppmS by the environmental protection agency. Several studies have been conducted to remove sulfur from fuels, most of which have focused on removing refractory sulfur compounds due to the difficulty in removing sulfur in these compounds. However, the currently employed hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts suffer in producing fuels complying with the future standards of fuels quality. Generally, HDS catalysts are made up of metallic components, Co (Ni) and Mo (W), on porous supports, the catalytic activity of these catalysts strongly depends on the amount of NiWS (CoMoS) phases in it and to the extent in which these phases are exposed on the catalyst support surfaces and this is engineered using chelating agents and size of catalysts. To this end, nanosized materials (nanocatalysts) are considered most suitable, as reported active phases of HDS catalysts are exposed, hence improving the hydrodesulfurization of sulfur-containing compounds in fuels. Nanocatalysts results in nanoparticles and when impregnated on a support will results in high surface area, and enhances electronic property, which increases the activity of the catalyst allowing the most refractory sulfur to be removed. The addition of chelating agents such as EDTA, acetic acid, and citric acid further improves the activity of the catalysts by producing more active phases on the catalyst. In this research project, nanocatalysts will be synthesised using mixed metals with and without chelating agents and tested for HDS activity and selectivity towards sulfur using refractory organosulfur compounds in fuels under industrial HDS conditions. This work was divided into two sections, and this dissertation summarizes the research outcomes of each phase. The first section examines the effect of chelating ligands, namely, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA), and acetic acid (AA), on CoMo HDS activity and the sulfidation mechanism. In this study, chelating ligands seem to have a beneficial effect on HDS activity. Detailed mechanistic aspects of interactions between chelating ligands and metallic species (Co-chelating ligands) were also studied. Characterization by SC-XRD revealed that the presence of the chelating ligand result in the formation of complex with cobalt, and the effect of this complex was shown by TG-DSC analysis. This showed that the presence of chelating ligand leads a to delay of cobalt sulfidation as the complex decomposes at higher temperatures, which was the main cause of improving HDS activity. It was also shown that chelating ligands play a role in dispersion of metal oxides and sulfided metal oxides (TEM and XPS). XPS results showed low MoS2 phase for CoMo/Al2O3 (45%), while CoMo-EDTA/Al2O3 (63%) catalyst resulted in high MoS2 phases. From all the catalysts, CoMo-CA/Al2O3 (98%) gave the highest catalytic activity, and the increase in activity could be attributed to the formation of octahedral molybdenum oxides as they are easily reducible during sulfidation and result in more dispersed active phases and weak metal-support interaction. The second section examines the effect of a promoter (Rh) and different chelating ligands (EDTA, AA, and CA) on the catalyst RhMo supported with alumina. In this phase, rhodium was used as promoter, the following trend for catalytic activity was observed: RhMo/Al2O3 (88%) > RhMo-AA/Al2O3 (73%) > RhMo-CA/Al2O3 (72%) > RhMo-EDTA/Al2O3 (68%). This could be that the addition of chelating ligand complexed both metallic species retarding sulfidation of both metals, hence lowering the HDS activity. Studies show that it is possible for the citric acid to complex with both promoter and an active metal (Mo), and this might result in the formation of molybdenum dimers, trimers and tetramers which are difficult to sulfide. XPS analysis showed that unchelated catalyst have more MoS2 phases of 63%, hence higher dispersion than the chelated catalyst, this could be the reason for high activity in RhMo/Al2O3 (88%) catalyst. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Environmental legislation compliance: a strategy to implement a governance framework in Algoa Bay
- Authors: Govender, Andrea Lorrain
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Environmental law -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53744 , vital:45722
- Description: Over the past decades there has been a drastic decline in our ocean’s health that has resulted in fish depletion as well as marine life endangerment. This is largely due to human and economic activities such as commercial fishing, ship to ship bunkering and dumping of waste material at sea. The lack of governance and law enforcement has been a catalyst to the ocean’s fast approaching death. Although many laws and legislation exist to direct and encourage appropriate behaviour to preserve the ocean and marine life as well as ensure equality and equal access, the follow through and adherence have been lacking. This study was guided by the aim to develop a strategy for the implementation of a corporate governance framework to enhance compliance to environmental legislation in Algoa Bay to better protect the ocean, marine life and the rich biodiversity in the region which in extension will be beneficial to society and the oceans economy, as a thriving ocean is good for fishing, investments, imports, exports and tourism which is crucial for a booming oceans economy. The methodology applied in this research is a qualitative approach that used semi- structured interviews targeted at owners and managers of organisations to extract data regarding the level of compliance by those operating in the Algoa Bay region to marine and environmental legislation to decipher where decision making leaned and if it was slanted more towards non-compliance. The findings of the study demonstrate that organisations are not fully compliant to marine and environmental legislation despite being environmentally aware and portraying themselves as such to the public. This has been largely due to poor law enforcement practices and organisations valuing profit over compliance. As a result, African Penguins and many other fish species have become endangered. A corporate governance framework to enhance compliance will benefit society and promote job creation by employing more law enforcement agents to ensure the laws are being adhered to which will improve the socio-economic state for Algoa Bay and preserve the biodiversity and marine resources. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Govender, Andrea Lorrain
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Environmental law -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53744 , vital:45722
- Description: Over the past decades there has been a drastic decline in our ocean’s health that has resulted in fish depletion as well as marine life endangerment. This is largely due to human and economic activities such as commercial fishing, ship to ship bunkering and dumping of waste material at sea. The lack of governance and law enforcement has been a catalyst to the ocean’s fast approaching death. Although many laws and legislation exist to direct and encourage appropriate behaviour to preserve the ocean and marine life as well as ensure equality and equal access, the follow through and adherence have been lacking. This study was guided by the aim to develop a strategy for the implementation of a corporate governance framework to enhance compliance to environmental legislation in Algoa Bay to better protect the ocean, marine life and the rich biodiversity in the region which in extension will be beneficial to society and the oceans economy, as a thriving ocean is good for fishing, investments, imports, exports and tourism which is crucial for a booming oceans economy. The methodology applied in this research is a qualitative approach that used semi- structured interviews targeted at owners and managers of organisations to extract data regarding the level of compliance by those operating in the Algoa Bay region to marine and environmental legislation to decipher where decision making leaned and if it was slanted more towards non-compliance. The findings of the study demonstrate that organisations are not fully compliant to marine and environmental legislation despite being environmentally aware and portraying themselves as such to the public. This has been largely due to poor law enforcement practices and organisations valuing profit over compliance. As a result, African Penguins and many other fish species have become endangered. A corporate governance framework to enhance compliance will benefit society and promote job creation by employing more law enforcement agents to ensure the laws are being adhered to which will improve the socio-economic state for Algoa Bay and preserve the biodiversity and marine resources. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Evaluation of the expanded public works programme as poverty reduction strategy in Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Ngumbela, Xolisile Gideon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54242 , vital:46379
- Description: One socio-economic problem that South Africa is currently facing is the youth and women unemployment rate, which is among the highest in the world. The Government of South Africa has been involved in a number of initiatives, along with the advancement of a labour-intensive Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) to reduce unemployment and poverty. The EPWP was initiated in 2004 with the aim of putting the unemployed into productive work in the social services of the public sector where relevant training and transfer of appropriate skills are provided to EPWP beneficiaries. However, the EPWP provides only temporary job opportunities that have little impact on the beneficiaries' lives. The main objective of the study was to analyse the Expanded Public Works Programme as a strategy for poverty reduction in order to assess its effectiveness on poverty reduction in Buffalo City Municipality, and to learn best practices that can be emulated by other municipalities or other programmes of Buffalo City Municipality. The secondary aim of the study was to suggest possible solutions and ways to overcome the problems and challenges faced by the metropolitan municipality of Buffalo City in tackling poverty reduction. Another goal was to explore whether the job prospects in Public Works would improve participants' future employability after they leave EPWP. Lastly, the study forwards suggestions on how best to use the EPWP as a tool to provide disadvantaged youth and women with sustainable job opportunities. The sample comprised of ten (10) individuals, and it was arrived at using purposive sampling. The self-administered questionnaire was sent to two (2) councilors and eight (8) EPWP managers involved in the EPWP management in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The data was collected through the self-administered questionnaire, followed by telephone follow-ups for points of clarity, because the study took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which took everyone by surprise and left the whole world astonished as it seemed no one was fully prepared for the disaster. The study found that, overall, the design elements and implementation aspects of EPWP are not ideal for helping the unemployed to become more employable on a large scale. Other issues include the absence of advanced skills training for EPWP participants; the unsustainable essence of the administration of the EPWP, and the non-approval of the draft EPWP policy. This study suggests measures with regard to EPWP coordination, enhanced project monitoring, preparation, indigent requirements and acceptance of the EPWP regulation under the BCMM. The study also recommends, in addition to the above, properly consulted management framework according to international best practices of programme management and evaluation to allow the EPWP to achieve its goals more effectively. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Ngumbela, Xolisile Gideon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54242 , vital:46379
- Description: One socio-economic problem that South Africa is currently facing is the youth and women unemployment rate, which is among the highest in the world. The Government of South Africa has been involved in a number of initiatives, along with the advancement of a labour-intensive Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) to reduce unemployment and poverty. The EPWP was initiated in 2004 with the aim of putting the unemployed into productive work in the social services of the public sector where relevant training and transfer of appropriate skills are provided to EPWP beneficiaries. However, the EPWP provides only temporary job opportunities that have little impact on the beneficiaries' lives. The main objective of the study was to analyse the Expanded Public Works Programme as a strategy for poverty reduction in order to assess its effectiveness on poverty reduction in Buffalo City Municipality, and to learn best practices that can be emulated by other municipalities or other programmes of Buffalo City Municipality. The secondary aim of the study was to suggest possible solutions and ways to overcome the problems and challenges faced by the metropolitan municipality of Buffalo City in tackling poverty reduction. Another goal was to explore whether the job prospects in Public Works would improve participants' future employability after they leave EPWP. Lastly, the study forwards suggestions on how best to use the EPWP as a tool to provide disadvantaged youth and women with sustainable job opportunities. The sample comprised of ten (10) individuals, and it was arrived at using purposive sampling. The self-administered questionnaire was sent to two (2) councilors and eight (8) EPWP managers involved in the EPWP management in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The data was collected through the self-administered questionnaire, followed by telephone follow-ups for points of clarity, because the study took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which took everyone by surprise and left the whole world astonished as it seemed no one was fully prepared for the disaster. The study found that, overall, the design elements and implementation aspects of EPWP are not ideal for helping the unemployed to become more employable on a large scale. Other issues include the absence of advanced skills training for EPWP participants; the unsustainable essence of the administration of the EPWP, and the non-approval of the draft EPWP policy. This study suggests measures with regard to EPWP coordination, enhanced project monitoring, preparation, indigent requirements and acceptance of the EPWP regulation under the BCMM. The study also recommends, in addition to the above, properly consulted management framework according to international best practices of programme management and evaluation to allow the EPWP to achieve its goals more effectively. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Experiences of women street vendors in Nelson Mandela Bay and their livelihoods
- Authors: Mukamba, Adonia
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Street vendors -- South africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Women merchants -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54936 , vital:48502
- Description: Street vending forms an important source of livelihood for many households in developing countries where a substantial number of people struggles to access employment in the formal sector. Likewise, in South African urban areas, the trade has become an important mechanism to cope with rising poverty and unemployment levels been experienced, particularly in urban areas. This has a negative effect on women’s street vending livelihoods and well-being. The study looked at the experiences of women street vendors in Nelson Mandela Bay on their livelihoods. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women engaged in street vending in NMB. In particular, it established women street vendors’ livelihood activities and factors that led them to engage in street vending. To achieve the research objectives, a mixed-methods approach was used. A case study conducted in the Korsten area of Nelson Mandela Bay was utilised to collect data on women street vending livelihoods and experiences. As a case study, a convergent mixed-methods design was adopted. Convenience, purposive, and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select street vendors and key informants for the study. The data collection tools used included administered questionnaire surveys, direct participant observation method, in-depth face-to-face interviews and key informant interviews. The study collected data from 23 street vendors and 3 key informants. A content analysis was used to analyse data. The study also adhered to ethics and ensured that reliability and validity issues were carefully considered throughout the research process. The study revealed livelihood diversification among women street vendors, which was attested by multiple street vending activities in which women were engaged. Interviews with street vendors revealed that a significant number of women’s decisions to engage in street vending were primarily motivated by push factors, where need rather than choice emerged in most discussions with them. Most importantly, the study found that women engaged in street vending were confronted with an array of positive and negative experiences, which both had influences on their livelihoods and wellbeing. Based on these findings, the study noted that the majority of women street vendors reported more on how their livelihoods were being affected negatively by street vending experiences. In this case, the researcher suggested possible inclusive strategies of improving women street vending experiences which might be taken into consideration. Suggestions included improving street vendors’ condition of work, providing improved basic services, providing vending permits, providing storage facilities, improving security and safety through regular policing of vending areas, and constructing public vending stalls for street vendors to use in their places of trade. , Thesis (MADS) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mukamba, Adonia
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Street vendors -- South africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Women merchants -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54936 , vital:48502
- Description: Street vending forms an important source of livelihood for many households in developing countries where a substantial number of people struggles to access employment in the formal sector. Likewise, in South African urban areas, the trade has become an important mechanism to cope with rising poverty and unemployment levels been experienced, particularly in urban areas. This has a negative effect on women’s street vending livelihoods and well-being. The study looked at the experiences of women street vendors in Nelson Mandela Bay on their livelihoods. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women engaged in street vending in NMB. In particular, it established women street vendors’ livelihood activities and factors that led them to engage in street vending. To achieve the research objectives, a mixed-methods approach was used. A case study conducted in the Korsten area of Nelson Mandela Bay was utilised to collect data on women street vending livelihoods and experiences. As a case study, a convergent mixed-methods design was adopted. Convenience, purposive, and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select street vendors and key informants for the study. The data collection tools used included administered questionnaire surveys, direct participant observation method, in-depth face-to-face interviews and key informant interviews. The study collected data from 23 street vendors and 3 key informants. A content analysis was used to analyse data. The study also adhered to ethics and ensured that reliability and validity issues were carefully considered throughout the research process. The study revealed livelihood diversification among women street vendors, which was attested by multiple street vending activities in which women were engaged. Interviews with street vendors revealed that a significant number of women’s decisions to engage in street vending were primarily motivated by push factors, where need rather than choice emerged in most discussions with them. Most importantly, the study found that women engaged in street vending were confronted with an array of positive and negative experiences, which both had influences on their livelihoods and wellbeing. Based on these findings, the study noted that the majority of women street vendors reported more on how their livelihoods were being affected negatively by street vending experiences. In this case, the researcher suggested possible inclusive strategies of improving women street vending experiences which might be taken into consideration. Suggestions included improving street vendors’ condition of work, providing improved basic services, providing vending permits, providing storage facilities, improving security and safety through regular policing of vending areas, and constructing public vending stalls for street vendors to use in their places of trade. , Thesis (MADS) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Exploring pro-environmental behaviour of millennials towards the marine and coastal environment: a systematic review
- Authors: Van Rensburg, Lindie
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Generation Y -- Environmental aspects , Marine ecology -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54366 , vital:46480
- Description: The oceans cover nearly 70% of the earth’s surface and are responsible for fundamental functions such as climate, weather, temperature regulation, oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. Despite this, marine environmental protection has received relatively little attention in comparison to terrestrial efforts. One explanation for this phenomenon is that policymakers struggle to implement regulations that mitigate human influences on the marine environment while also ensuring that these settings are both protected and enjoyed by users. However, environmental issues caused by human influence are visible to millennials, which has inspired them to become future leaders and drivers of environmental movements. As a result, they have the potential to make a significant contribution to environmental practices and legislation. The research aim was to explore the pro-environmental behaviour of millennials towards the marine and coastal environment through a mixed method systematic review. The systematic review yielded a total of 24 relevant research articles published from 2010 through 2020 in accredited journals. These articles were subjected to thematic analysis revealing three major themes, namely, (1) altruism, (2) environmental leader and (3) barriers to pro-environmental behaviour. The main results showed that millennials possess altruistic behaviours, however, it should be mentioned that according to the research, millennials' attitudes, concerns, beliefs, and desire for environmental change may not always translate into actual behaviour. The systematic review further emphasised the lack of journal articles that focused explicitly on millennials and their pro-environmental behaviour towards the marine and coastal environment within the selected databases. The dearth of research in this area, therefore, suggests that policymakers should provide incentives for such research to be conducted. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Van Rensburg, Lindie
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Generation Y -- Environmental aspects , Marine ecology -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54366 , vital:46480
- Description: The oceans cover nearly 70% of the earth’s surface and are responsible for fundamental functions such as climate, weather, temperature regulation, oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. Despite this, marine environmental protection has received relatively little attention in comparison to terrestrial efforts. One explanation for this phenomenon is that policymakers struggle to implement regulations that mitigate human influences on the marine environment while also ensuring that these settings are both protected and enjoyed by users. However, environmental issues caused by human influence are visible to millennials, which has inspired them to become future leaders and drivers of environmental movements. As a result, they have the potential to make a significant contribution to environmental practices and legislation. The research aim was to explore the pro-environmental behaviour of millennials towards the marine and coastal environment through a mixed method systematic review. The systematic review yielded a total of 24 relevant research articles published from 2010 through 2020 in accredited journals. These articles were subjected to thematic analysis revealing three major themes, namely, (1) altruism, (2) environmental leader and (3) barriers to pro-environmental behaviour. The main results showed that millennials possess altruistic behaviours, however, it should be mentioned that according to the research, millennials' attitudes, concerns, beliefs, and desire for environmental change may not always translate into actual behaviour. The systematic review further emphasised the lack of journal articles that focused explicitly on millennials and their pro-environmental behaviour towards the marine and coastal environment within the selected databases. The dearth of research in this area, therefore, suggests that policymakers should provide incentives for such research to be conducted. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Exploring the TAM3 factors of technology adoption in South African SMMEs
- Authors: Mushohwe, Wisdom
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Technology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54958 , vital:48519
- Description: This study is aimed at assisting businesses to improve the adoption of technology by exploring the factors that influence the adoption of technology. This study explored the factors that influence adoption or usage of technology based on the Adoption of Technology Model 3 (TAM3) as it relates to Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The study investigates the use or adoption of technology based on the TAM3 factors of Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, job relevance, image, results demonstrability, output quality, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy, perception of external control, computer anxiety, computer playfulness, perceived enjoyment and level of education. The study employed quantitative methods of data collection and analysis in order to ensure reliability and generalisability of the results. This was conducted in the form of an empirical study, done through QuestionPro mail survey amongst 51 business owners and managers of SMMEs. The purpose of the study was to explore the TAM3 factors in the adoption of technology on SMMEs in relation to South African SMMEs. The major findings from the study indicated perceived usefulness and subjective norm as the main factors influencing the adoption of technology in South African SMMEs. Recommendations were made to management and business to ensure that they encourage the behaviours, demonstrate technology usage and to create a conducive environment that fosters the adoption of technology. Based on the study, it is recommended that business owners or managers create an enabling environment to foster and promote subjective norm and perceived usefulness as the main factors for the adoption of technology in South African SMMEs. Training, regular use of technology in business and social environments, normalisation of use of technology within SMMEs and the infusion of technology in all business cycles were recommended as enablers in the adoption of technology. Adoption or usage of technology by South African SMMEs can be done by focusing on perceived usefulness and subjective norm constructs as the main factors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mushohwe, Wisdom
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Technology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54958 , vital:48519
- Description: This study is aimed at assisting businesses to improve the adoption of technology by exploring the factors that influence the adoption of technology. This study explored the factors that influence adoption or usage of technology based on the Adoption of Technology Model 3 (TAM3) as it relates to Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The study investigates the use or adoption of technology based on the TAM3 factors of Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, job relevance, image, results demonstrability, output quality, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy, perception of external control, computer anxiety, computer playfulness, perceived enjoyment and level of education. The study employed quantitative methods of data collection and analysis in order to ensure reliability and generalisability of the results. This was conducted in the form of an empirical study, done through QuestionPro mail survey amongst 51 business owners and managers of SMMEs. The purpose of the study was to explore the TAM3 factors in the adoption of technology on SMMEs in relation to South African SMMEs. The major findings from the study indicated perceived usefulness and subjective norm as the main factors influencing the adoption of technology in South African SMMEs. Recommendations were made to management and business to ensure that they encourage the behaviours, demonstrate technology usage and to create a conducive environment that fosters the adoption of technology. Based on the study, it is recommended that business owners or managers create an enabling environment to foster and promote subjective norm and perceived usefulness as the main factors for the adoption of technology in South African SMMEs. Training, regular use of technology in business and social environments, normalisation of use of technology within SMMEs and the infusion of technology in all business cycles were recommended as enablers in the adoption of technology. Adoption or usage of technology by South African SMMEs can be done by focusing on perceived usefulness and subjective norm constructs as the main factors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Factors influencing entrepreneurial capabilities of South African schools: the case of selected schools in Harry Gwala District in Kwazulu Natal
- Authors: Nkala, Siphosenkosi
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54255 , vital:46381
- Description: The South African public education system has for a long time been criticised for a number of things, including failing to meet international quality standards, poor resource management and failure to cope with rapid changes in the global environment. One of the most scathing of all these attacks, however, has been that it continues to churn out thousands of unemployable youth year after year. One critical area of improving this state of affairs could lie in the avenue of entrepreneurial education. There is no doubt that there is a considerable need to have an educated citizenry in South Africa. Since the dawn of democracy, government has made concerted efforts to improve the provision of education especially to the previously disadvantaged sections of the population. However, it has been proven that there is an even more dire need to produce competent and skilled school graduates who will not only be prepared for the job market, but also those who will be creators of much needed employment. In the pursuit of entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial development capability thus becomes an important factor that needs to be understood in line with other factors that can be used to enhance it. It is hoped that understanding these factors will assist education managers to consider their implementation in their respective organisations. This study sought to establish a framework that might enable South African schools to enhance the entrepreneurial development capability of these schools. Initially, the study sought to investigate the contribution that education and training, culture of entrepreneurship, funding and finance, human capital and workforce, engaging the private sector and regulatory framework and infrastructure make in achieving the entrepreneurial development capability of schools. After conducting an exploratory factor analysis, these variables were however reduced to three independent variables (fostering entrepreneurial culture, funding and extra-curricular opportunities and external stakeholder support) and one dependent variable (entrepreneurship development capability). A mail survey was conducted in 82 schools in the Harry Gwala district of KwaZulu Natal. The purpose of the study was to investigate where the identified independent variables positively contribute to the entrepreneurship development capability of these schools. The major findings of the study reveal a low level of prevalence of the independent variables (fostering entrepreneurial culture, funding and extra-curricular opportunities and external stakeholder support) and the dependent variable (entrepreneurship development capability) in the participating schools. The empirical results also showed that all three independent variables were significantly positively related to the entrepreneurship development capability of the participating schools. These independent variables are therefore important determinants of the entrepreneurship development capability of schools. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Nkala, Siphosenkosi
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54255 , vital:46381
- Description: The South African public education system has for a long time been criticised for a number of things, including failing to meet international quality standards, poor resource management and failure to cope with rapid changes in the global environment. One of the most scathing of all these attacks, however, has been that it continues to churn out thousands of unemployable youth year after year. One critical area of improving this state of affairs could lie in the avenue of entrepreneurial education. There is no doubt that there is a considerable need to have an educated citizenry in South Africa. Since the dawn of democracy, government has made concerted efforts to improve the provision of education especially to the previously disadvantaged sections of the population. However, it has been proven that there is an even more dire need to produce competent and skilled school graduates who will not only be prepared for the job market, but also those who will be creators of much needed employment. In the pursuit of entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial development capability thus becomes an important factor that needs to be understood in line with other factors that can be used to enhance it. It is hoped that understanding these factors will assist education managers to consider their implementation in their respective organisations. This study sought to establish a framework that might enable South African schools to enhance the entrepreneurial development capability of these schools. Initially, the study sought to investigate the contribution that education and training, culture of entrepreneurship, funding and finance, human capital and workforce, engaging the private sector and regulatory framework and infrastructure make in achieving the entrepreneurial development capability of schools. After conducting an exploratory factor analysis, these variables were however reduced to three independent variables (fostering entrepreneurial culture, funding and extra-curricular opportunities and external stakeholder support) and one dependent variable (entrepreneurship development capability). A mail survey was conducted in 82 schools in the Harry Gwala district of KwaZulu Natal. The purpose of the study was to investigate where the identified independent variables positively contribute to the entrepreneurship development capability of these schools. The major findings of the study reveal a low level of prevalence of the independent variables (fostering entrepreneurial culture, funding and extra-curricular opportunities and external stakeholder support) and the dependent variable (entrepreneurship development capability) in the participating schools. The empirical results also showed that all three independent variables were significantly positively related to the entrepreneurship development capability of the participating schools. These independent variables are therefore important determinants of the entrepreneurship development capability of schools. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Factors influencing first-year students’ career decisions to pursue an IT career
- Authors: Twani, Malibongwe
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54135 , vital:46306
- Description: The process of deciding on a career is a dauntingand life-changing decision,which all scholarshave had to make. Various factors influence a first-year student’s career choice decision and selected field of study. Career decision-making,as a field of study, has been extensivelyresearched,globally. The research studies focusingon IT career choicesof studentshave indicated that scholars choosing careers in Information Technology (IT) are influenced by factors such as salaries, knowledge of career opportunities, the reputation of IT-related fields in society and by parents, teachers and role models. Recent research indicates that exposure to new technologies and programming concepts at the school level can influence a scholar’s IT career choice. Theories relating to career choice have focused on the characteristics of individuals and their environment. Career choice models have identified factors that influenced a student’s career choice.In South Africahowever,there have been limited studies investigating the factors influencing students’ career decisions in choosing careers in Computer Science (CS), Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT)using mixed-methods.This study aims to investigate the factors that influence first-year students’ decisionsin choosing an IT career at the Nelson Mandela University.The research study pursueda pragmatisticapproach,using a mixed-methods approach. In investigating theories andfactors that influence students’ decisionsin choosing IT careers,the study used systematic literature reviews. The decision-making theories and factorsin theliterature review facilitated the creation of the conceptual framework for IT career decision making. A questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst ITand Non-ITfirst-year studentsin 2021. Fourhundredand eightparticipants completed the survey. The data obtained from the survey were statistically analysed, includingdescriptive analysis andExploratory Factor Analysis(EFA). Additionally, inferential statistics were used namely; Correlations, t-test, Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA)and Structural Equation Modelling(SEM). The study results wereinterpreted andcompared with iiiotherrelevantstudies. Recommendations were madeto address the factorsthat influencefirst-year students’ IT career decisions.The study highlighted that high academic confidence and personal attributes amongststudents,whowereinvolved at an early age in programming and using computers,chose IT as a career. The study showed significant statistical differences betweenIT and Non-IT groups in perceptions about the IT industry and identifying job title descriptions.Additionally, a significant statistical difference between languages and genders was identified in understanding careers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Twani, Malibongwe
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54135 , vital:46306
- Description: The process of deciding on a career is a dauntingand life-changing decision,which all scholarshave had to make. Various factors influence a first-year student’s career choice decision and selected field of study. Career decision-making,as a field of study, has been extensivelyresearched,globally. The research studies focusingon IT career choicesof studentshave indicated that scholars choosing careers in Information Technology (IT) are influenced by factors such as salaries, knowledge of career opportunities, the reputation of IT-related fields in society and by parents, teachers and role models. Recent research indicates that exposure to new technologies and programming concepts at the school level can influence a scholar’s IT career choice. Theories relating to career choice have focused on the characteristics of individuals and their environment. Career choice models have identified factors that influenced a student’s career choice.In South Africahowever,there have been limited studies investigating the factors influencing students’ career decisions in choosing careers in Computer Science (CS), Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT)using mixed-methods.This study aims to investigate the factors that influence first-year students’ decisionsin choosing an IT career at the Nelson Mandela University.The research study pursueda pragmatisticapproach,using a mixed-methods approach. In investigating theories andfactors that influence students’ decisionsin choosing IT careers,the study used systematic literature reviews. The decision-making theories and factorsin theliterature review facilitated the creation of the conceptual framework for IT career decision making. A questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst ITand Non-ITfirst-year studentsin 2021. Fourhundredand eightparticipants completed the survey. The data obtained from the survey were statistically analysed, includingdescriptive analysis andExploratory Factor Analysis(EFA). Additionally, inferential statistics were used namely; Correlations, t-test, Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA)and Structural Equation Modelling(SEM). The study results wereinterpreted andcompared with iiiotherrelevantstudies. Recommendations were madeto address the factorsthat influencefirst-year students’ IT career decisions.The study highlighted that high academic confidence and personal attributes amongststudents,whowereinvolved at an early age in programming and using computers,chose IT as a career. The study showed significant statistical differences betweenIT and Non-IT groups in perceptions about the IT industry and identifying job title descriptions.Additionally, a significant statistical difference between languages and genders was identified in understanding careers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Factors influencing the buyer behaviour of Generation X and Y consumers in Johannesburg
- Authors: Maqula, Sive
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54025 , vital:46181
- Description: The purpose of the study described in this treatise was to determine the factors that influence the purchasing behaviour of Generation X and Generation Y sports apparel consumers in Johannesburg. Understanding why customers buy specific products presents an opportunity for companies to design marketing communications strategies that will ensure more customer buying decisions. Studying consumer behaviour is important for sports apparel companies so that they can meet changing customer needs, build customer loyalty and stay in touch with their consumers. Quantitative research methods were used in this study. Primary data were obtained using a closed-ended questionnaire that was completed online. In total, 70 responses were obtained. After collection, the data were analysed using STATISTICA. Based on the proposed research model, perceived product quality and brand image were found to have no positive influence on attitude. Subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were found to have a positive influence on attitude. In addition, attitude was reported to have a positive influence on purchase intention. There were no significant differences in the buying behaviour of Generations X and Y consumers in the present study. Also variables such as gender, race, educational qualifications and income levels had no significant influence on consumer purchase intentions for sports apparel. Therefore, the study recommended that managers and marketers of sports apparel companies use similar marketing strategies for both generational cohorts in order to minimise promotional costs. Managers and marketers can also use experts in the field to run their promotional campaigns. Furthermore, they need to make it easy for their consumers to access sports apparel and provide them with enough information so that their consumption is informed by knowledge. Moreover, managers and marketers need to create favourable consumer attitudes towards their products or brands by using reputable celebrities to endorse them and genuinely engage in charitable initiatives. Sports apparel companies should ensure that they study consumer behaviour on an on-going basis because consumer needs, wants and preferences evolve. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Maqula, Sive
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54025 , vital:46181
- Description: The purpose of the study described in this treatise was to determine the factors that influence the purchasing behaviour of Generation X and Generation Y sports apparel consumers in Johannesburg. Understanding why customers buy specific products presents an opportunity for companies to design marketing communications strategies that will ensure more customer buying decisions. Studying consumer behaviour is important for sports apparel companies so that they can meet changing customer needs, build customer loyalty and stay in touch with their consumers. Quantitative research methods were used in this study. Primary data were obtained using a closed-ended questionnaire that was completed online. In total, 70 responses were obtained. After collection, the data were analysed using STATISTICA. Based on the proposed research model, perceived product quality and brand image were found to have no positive influence on attitude. Subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were found to have a positive influence on attitude. In addition, attitude was reported to have a positive influence on purchase intention. There were no significant differences in the buying behaviour of Generations X and Y consumers in the present study. Also variables such as gender, race, educational qualifications and income levels had no significant influence on consumer purchase intentions for sports apparel. Therefore, the study recommended that managers and marketers of sports apparel companies use similar marketing strategies for both generational cohorts in order to minimise promotional costs. Managers and marketers can also use experts in the field to run their promotional campaigns. Furthermore, they need to make it easy for their consumers to access sports apparel and provide them with enough information so that their consumption is informed by knowledge. Moreover, managers and marketers need to create favourable consumer attitudes towards their products or brands by using reputable celebrities to endorse them and genuinely engage in charitable initiatives. Sports apparel companies should ensure that they study consumer behaviour on an on-going basis because consumer needs, wants and preferences evolve. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Financial literacy: a conceptualisation in a South African University
- Authors: Smit, Andrew Stuart
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Financial literacy -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54773 , vital:47660
- Description: Financial literacy is increasingly becoming an important and relevant topic in the modern-day world. Due to the complex developments in the financial services industry such as internet banking, mobile banking and online trading, which are also becoming more accessible to consumers, financial literacy is proving to be a necessary skill to have in order to make effective financial decisions. However, in a global and local context, the financial literacy levels of individuals are generally poor. South Africa ranks poorly among other countries in terms of financial literacy levels. A study performed by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development showed that South Africa finished last out of 30 countries tested in their global financial literacy survey. Financial literacy levels vary among different groups in South Africa. For example, age, gender and financial education all affect the financial literacy levels of South Africans. In South Africa, individuals aged between 18-29 display higher levels of financial literacy than individuals aged 60 and above while financial education influences the level of financial literacy for an individual because it assists an individual in making correct financial decisions. Crucially though, financial literacy among South African university students is poor. Literature reveals that South African University students struggle with personal financial management more specifically saving, spending and managing debt. Therefore, based on this, the purpose of this study is to conceptualise financial literacy within Nelson Mandela University and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that affect financial literacy among the students. To achieve the purpose of this study, an in-depth literature review was conducted on the definition of financial literacy, the nature and importance of financial literacy, the dimensions of financial literacy and financial literacy in a local context. Following this was an empirical investigation into the financial literacy levels of university students through the development of a questionnaire that tested the individual’s financial knowledge, financial attitudes, financial behaviours, financial skills and financial well-being. Moreover, the relationships between the financial literacy levels of individuals and the components were tested as well. For the purposes of this study a quantitative research approach was adopted. The reason for this was it was suited to the purpose of the study which was to test the financial literacy levels of university students. This required collecting and analysing large amount of data. The sample for this study were Nelson Mandela University students who were registered for the 2020 academic year. The target sample amount was 500 students. The sampling method used was convenience sampling it was implemented through an electronic questionnaire. The number of usable questionnaires collected was 484 which resulted in an effective response rate of 96.80%. These responses were captured onto an excel spreadsheet which were then analysed through Statistica. To analyse the empirical data collected, an exploratory factor analysis, content validity, inter-observer reliability, Chronbach Alpha and ANOVA analysis were all used. The empirical analysis revealed that amongst the relationships tested, there were generally weak to no relationships between the financial literacy levels of the university students and the components of financial knowledge, financial attitudes, financial skills, financial behaviours and financial well-being. The results of the study led to a set of recommendations being developed for different stakeholders of financial literacy. These are namely, the stakeholders being the individuals, scholars, academics and the government should focus on explaining the importance of financial literacy to university students and how they can use financial literacy to improve their financial well-being. Furthermore, financial literacy programmes need to be developed to assist in improving the financial literacy levels of South African University students. There also needs to be more representative financial literacy studies performed in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the financial literacy levels of South African University students. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Smit, Andrew Stuart
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Financial literacy -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54773 , vital:47660
- Description: Financial literacy is increasingly becoming an important and relevant topic in the modern-day world. Due to the complex developments in the financial services industry such as internet banking, mobile banking and online trading, which are also becoming more accessible to consumers, financial literacy is proving to be a necessary skill to have in order to make effective financial decisions. However, in a global and local context, the financial literacy levels of individuals are generally poor. South Africa ranks poorly among other countries in terms of financial literacy levels. A study performed by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development showed that South Africa finished last out of 30 countries tested in their global financial literacy survey. Financial literacy levels vary among different groups in South Africa. For example, age, gender and financial education all affect the financial literacy levels of South Africans. In South Africa, individuals aged between 18-29 display higher levels of financial literacy than individuals aged 60 and above while financial education influences the level of financial literacy for an individual because it assists an individual in making correct financial decisions. Crucially though, financial literacy among South African university students is poor. Literature reveals that South African University students struggle with personal financial management more specifically saving, spending and managing debt. Therefore, based on this, the purpose of this study is to conceptualise financial literacy within Nelson Mandela University and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that affect financial literacy among the students. To achieve the purpose of this study, an in-depth literature review was conducted on the definition of financial literacy, the nature and importance of financial literacy, the dimensions of financial literacy and financial literacy in a local context. Following this was an empirical investigation into the financial literacy levels of university students through the development of a questionnaire that tested the individual’s financial knowledge, financial attitudes, financial behaviours, financial skills and financial well-being. Moreover, the relationships between the financial literacy levels of individuals and the components were tested as well. For the purposes of this study a quantitative research approach was adopted. The reason for this was it was suited to the purpose of the study which was to test the financial literacy levels of university students. This required collecting and analysing large amount of data. The sample for this study were Nelson Mandela University students who were registered for the 2020 academic year. The target sample amount was 500 students. The sampling method used was convenience sampling it was implemented through an electronic questionnaire. The number of usable questionnaires collected was 484 which resulted in an effective response rate of 96.80%. These responses were captured onto an excel spreadsheet which were then analysed through Statistica. To analyse the empirical data collected, an exploratory factor analysis, content validity, inter-observer reliability, Chronbach Alpha and ANOVA analysis were all used. The empirical analysis revealed that amongst the relationships tested, there were generally weak to no relationships between the financial literacy levels of the university students and the components of financial knowledge, financial attitudes, financial skills, financial behaviours and financial well-being. The results of the study led to a set of recommendations being developed for different stakeholders of financial literacy. These are namely, the stakeholders being the individuals, scholars, academics and the government should focus on explaining the importance of financial literacy to university students and how they can use financial literacy to improve their financial well-being. Furthermore, financial literacy programmes need to be developed to assist in improving the financial literacy levels of South African University students. There also needs to be more representative financial literacy studies performed in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the financial literacy levels of South African University students. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12