Productive Heterotopias as a Conceptual Basis for the Design of Sustainable Low-Income Housing within the Cape Town Inner-City
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Neil
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Productive life span , Low-income housing -- Cape town -- City
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58805 , vital:60123
- Description: Lasting colonial and patriarchal spatial strategies have resulted in South African cities characterised by vast inequalities and unsustainable patterns of development. These include explosive low-density sprawl, fragmentation, separation and a city-wide pattern of core and periphery. Housing justice for the urban poor is a critical component in addressing this, however, numerous studies have found that low-income housing projects have in the majority of cases ended up perpetuating these socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable patterns of development and reinforcing existing spatial injustices. For this reason, design research into more sustainable and productive architectural design strategies for low-income housing appropriate to the South African urban context is particularly important and forms the central concern of this treatise. To be more specific, this study questions how the theoretical idea of productive heterotopias and reimagining the role of the architect as that of a spatial agent could be used to generate a practical low-income housing strategy for a site in the Cape Town inner-city – one that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. To achieve this, a critical theoretical lens was adopted in conducting the research and a range of open-ended qualitative research methods were employed to gather, analyse and synthesise data. Because of its particular appropriateness to design research, data analysis primarily relied on abductive reasoning. This study is valuable in that it provides an exploration into the application of critical theory to low-income housing design in South African cities and demonstrates the architectural understandings gained within a set of design scenarios and architectural prototypes. This study argues that any low-income housing strategy in South Africa needs to recognise the complexities of the housing process, make use of time as an important building material and advance the right to the city of the urban poor, i.e. finding a balance between structure and agency that allows greater freedom for ordinary people to have a hand in co-creating the city through spontaneity, improvisation and incremental development, for that strategy to be truly sustainable and productive, as well as to assist in cultivating positively performing and equitable urban environments. In particular, this study rejects the top-down housing methods employed within mainstream development practice in favour of finding an alternative approach that will result in a more supportive housing project. Finding this new supportive approach involved investigating co-operative forms of organisation, methods for allowing community participation, sustainable building materials, simple construction methods and incorporating urban farming as a strategy for supplementing income. Additionally, this study argues that the chosen site for the design, namely Harrington Square, functions as a public urban square at the centre of a larger shared space while simultaneously supporting the proposed housing intervention. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Neil
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Productive life span , Low-income housing -- Cape town -- City
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58805 , vital:60123
- Description: Lasting colonial and patriarchal spatial strategies have resulted in South African cities characterised by vast inequalities and unsustainable patterns of development. These include explosive low-density sprawl, fragmentation, separation and a city-wide pattern of core and periphery. Housing justice for the urban poor is a critical component in addressing this, however, numerous studies have found that low-income housing projects have in the majority of cases ended up perpetuating these socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable patterns of development and reinforcing existing spatial injustices. For this reason, design research into more sustainable and productive architectural design strategies for low-income housing appropriate to the South African urban context is particularly important and forms the central concern of this treatise. To be more specific, this study questions how the theoretical idea of productive heterotopias and reimagining the role of the architect as that of a spatial agent could be used to generate a practical low-income housing strategy for a site in the Cape Town inner-city – one that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. To achieve this, a critical theoretical lens was adopted in conducting the research and a range of open-ended qualitative research methods were employed to gather, analyse and synthesise data. Because of its particular appropriateness to design research, data analysis primarily relied on abductive reasoning. This study is valuable in that it provides an exploration into the application of critical theory to low-income housing design in South African cities and demonstrates the architectural understandings gained within a set of design scenarios and architectural prototypes. This study argues that any low-income housing strategy in South Africa needs to recognise the complexities of the housing process, make use of time as an important building material and advance the right to the city of the urban poor, i.e. finding a balance between structure and agency that allows greater freedom for ordinary people to have a hand in co-creating the city through spontaneity, improvisation and incremental development, for that strategy to be truly sustainable and productive, as well as to assist in cultivating positively performing and equitable urban environments. In particular, this study rejects the top-down housing methods employed within mainstream development practice in favour of finding an alternative approach that will result in a more supportive housing project. Finding this new supportive approach involved investigating co-operative forms of organisation, methods for allowing community participation, sustainable building materials, simple construction methods and incorporating urban farming as a strategy for supplementing income. Additionally, this study argues that the chosen site for the design, namely Harrington Square, functions as a public urban square at the centre of a larger shared space while simultaneously supporting the proposed housing intervention. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
The design of a hydrotherapy facility in Mangolds pool resort: biophilic principles in the design of therapeutic environments
- Authors: Vos, Charne’
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Hydrotherapy , Therapeutic communities
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58761 , vital:60092
- Description: Abstract In the quest for achieving a modern civilization, the interconnected relationship between man and nature has changed to one of disconnection. This disconnection between built and natural environments leads to the deterioration of the physiological and psychological health and well-being of man. (Spaargaren & Mol, 1992) By analyzing healing environments over a lifetime, a better understanding can be formed as to what the ideal relationship should be for stimulating well-being in an ever changing modern society. Based on this, an attempt will be made to redefine this relationship. Since early antiquity water has been considered vital for both sustenance as well as the birth and development of civilizations. Man soon discovered its importance and beneficial properties in terms of healing and prevention. (Juuti et al. 2012). Such ancient wisdom can be adopted today and help improve our level of public health. For this reason, the proposed program is a hydrotherapy facility that focuses on the relation between the natural and built environment. The aim of this treatise is to examine how architecture can be a device that heals humans who have been compromised by their environment. The idea that a building can induce healing derives from the concept of Therapeutic Architecture, which explores various theories and principles such as Biophilic design, salutogenic design and Phenomenology. These concepts focus on the therapeutic qualities of the environment, which will be investigated to create a basis for the theoretical framework and play an integral part in design. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Vos, Charne’
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Hydrotherapy , Therapeutic communities
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58761 , vital:60092
- Description: Abstract In the quest for achieving a modern civilization, the interconnected relationship between man and nature has changed to one of disconnection. This disconnection between built and natural environments leads to the deterioration of the physiological and psychological health and well-being of man. (Spaargaren & Mol, 1992) By analyzing healing environments over a lifetime, a better understanding can be formed as to what the ideal relationship should be for stimulating well-being in an ever changing modern society. Based on this, an attempt will be made to redefine this relationship. Since early antiquity water has been considered vital for both sustenance as well as the birth and development of civilizations. Man soon discovered its importance and beneficial properties in terms of healing and prevention. (Juuti et al. 2012). Such ancient wisdom can be adopted today and help improve our level of public health. For this reason, the proposed program is a hydrotherapy facility that focuses on the relation between the natural and built environment. The aim of this treatise is to examine how architecture can be a device that heals humans who have been compromised by their environment. The idea that a building can induce healing derives from the concept of Therapeutic Architecture, which explores various theories and principles such as Biophilic design, salutogenic design and Phenomenology. These concepts focus on the therapeutic qualities of the environment, which will be investigated to create a basis for the theoretical framework and play an integral part in design. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
The design of a waste recycling facility for the waste pickers of Arlington landfill, Port Elizabeth: recognising the needs of unacknowledged stakeholders in the circular waste economy
- Authors: Smit, Blake Sean
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Recycling (Waste, etc.)--Arlington landfill -- Port Elizabeth , stakeholder management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58609 , vital:59958
- Description: At this very moment, this very second, in the backstreets and upon high, vast wastelands, something is in motion. Often on the periphery of our daily thoughts, or not at all, this very motion never ceases to exist- it simply cannot afford to. Waste, our modern-day global issue, has reached a critical point, causing us to now venture into uncharted territories. We produce unspeakable amounts of waste per annum creating compounding social and environmental problems, and in the process we create a partic - ular physical object, an altered landscape known as a landfill. The landfill environment is where this treatise chooses to position itself but looks further into the existing community of individuals who perform the task of recycling. Waste pickers, an unmatched motion and dynamic within our broad waste landscape, remain largely unacknowledged in the role they play in the circular waste economy, subsequently creating the core concern for this treatise. Hence, the building type responsible, a waste recycling facility, that looks to identify and address the needs that these individuals require to safely carry out their pivotal role within the setting of Arlington Landfill in Port Elizabeth. Therefore, this treatise looks to uncover and bring to light a day in the life of a waste picker, through an architectural intervention seeking to become more than an object on the landscape. The treatise looks to break away from a static architectural object by applying the overall lens guided by ‘Anti-Object’ writ - ten by Kengo Kuma, therefore concerning itself with an overarching process of creating an emerging anti-object architecture, embodying the subtitles and characteristics of the waste pickers of Arlington Landfill. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Smit, Blake Sean
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Recycling (Waste, etc.)--Arlington landfill -- Port Elizabeth , stakeholder management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58609 , vital:59958
- Description: At this very moment, this very second, in the backstreets and upon high, vast wastelands, something is in motion. Often on the periphery of our daily thoughts, or not at all, this very motion never ceases to exist- it simply cannot afford to. Waste, our modern-day global issue, has reached a critical point, causing us to now venture into uncharted territories. We produce unspeakable amounts of waste per annum creating compounding social and environmental problems, and in the process we create a partic - ular physical object, an altered landscape known as a landfill. The landfill environment is where this treatise chooses to position itself but looks further into the existing community of individuals who perform the task of recycling. Waste pickers, an unmatched motion and dynamic within our broad waste landscape, remain largely unacknowledged in the role they play in the circular waste economy, subsequently creating the core concern for this treatise. Hence, the building type responsible, a waste recycling facility, that looks to identify and address the needs that these individuals require to safely carry out their pivotal role within the setting of Arlington Landfill in Port Elizabeth. Therefore, this treatise looks to uncover and bring to light a day in the life of a waste picker, through an architectural intervention seeking to become more than an object on the landscape. The treatise looks to break away from a static architectural object by applying the overall lens guided by ‘Anti-Object’ writ - ten by Kengo Kuma, therefore concerning itself with an overarching process of creating an emerging anti-object architecture, embodying the subtitles and characteristics of the waste pickers of Arlington Landfill. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Inclusivity and access to amenity in the urban environment: the design of a student resource centre in central, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Tshelametsi, Gorata
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Urban ecology (Sociology) , Students -- Education
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58639 , vital:59976
- Description: The increasing concern for sustainability in the 21st century has brought about new meanings for city processes, relations and the built environment. Typically, the environmental and economic aspects of the issue have received the most attention, leaving social sustainability largely neglected within the discourse. It could be argued however, that social sustainability is the key to many of the challenges faced by the South African post-apartheid cities. Using primary and secondary research method composed of a qualitative approach, involving site visits, photography and closed interviews, this study examines the nature of spatial segregation in the South African post-apartheid city in relation to Lefevbre’s ideas. Focusing on segregation, this investigation will discuss the forced removals that occurred in South Africa from the mid-1800s, through to the Apartheid Era in the late 1900s, and seek to gain insight into the manner in which these events have shaped the urban landscape of the South African cities. Port Elizabeth, known during apartheid as the Cradle of Black Resistance, was at the forefront of the political struggle in South Africa. For this reason, Port Elizabeth has been chosen for analysis. The site for intervention is the cities’ primary public transport interchange; the gateway into the wealthy southern suburbs from the northern township settlements. This is the point of connection between the divides of the city but is itself a highly disconnected environment. The findings indicate the integration of the existing on-site activities with the new proposed Student Resource Centre functions creates a mixed-use ribbon of activity. These connections facilitate the interaction between students living in the inner city. Through a holistic approach, the intervention seeks to bridge both physical and social barriers, towards a more integrated lived experience and socially sustainable future for Port Elizabeth. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
- Authors: Tshelametsi, Gorata
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Urban ecology (Sociology) , Students -- Education
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58639 , vital:59976
- Description: The increasing concern for sustainability in the 21st century has brought about new meanings for city processes, relations and the built environment. Typically, the environmental and economic aspects of the issue have received the most attention, leaving social sustainability largely neglected within the discourse. It could be argued however, that social sustainability is the key to many of the challenges faced by the South African post-apartheid cities. Using primary and secondary research method composed of a qualitative approach, involving site visits, photography and closed interviews, this study examines the nature of spatial segregation in the South African post-apartheid city in relation to Lefevbre’s ideas. Focusing on segregation, this investigation will discuss the forced removals that occurred in South Africa from the mid-1800s, through to the Apartheid Era in the late 1900s, and seek to gain insight into the manner in which these events have shaped the urban landscape of the South African cities. Port Elizabeth, known during apartheid as the Cradle of Black Resistance, was at the forefront of the political struggle in South Africa. For this reason, Port Elizabeth has been chosen for analysis. The site for intervention is the cities’ primary public transport interchange; the gateway into the wealthy southern suburbs from the northern township settlements. This is the point of connection between the divides of the city but is itself a highly disconnected environment. The findings indicate the integration of the existing on-site activities with the new proposed Student Resource Centre functions creates a mixed-use ribbon of activity. These connections facilitate the interaction between students living in the inner city. Through a holistic approach, the intervention seeks to bridge both physical and social barriers, towards a more integrated lived experience and socially sustainable future for Port Elizabeth. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
The State of Social Media Policy Awareness and Compliance at the Nelson Mandela University
- Authors: Ngcama, Lwando
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Social Media , Awareness , Compliance -- Nelson Mandela University
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49550 , vital:41735
- Description: The use of social media in higher education has both benefits and pitfalls. Higher education institutions are concerned about their staff and students’ use of social media and have thus resorted to implementing social media policies and guidelines. The Nelson Mandela University has implemented a social media policy and guidelines to inform and enforce the acceptable use of social media by its staff and students. In order to know whether staff and students of the Nelson Mandela University are aware of and compliant with its policy and guidelines, it is necessary to measure their level of awareness and compliance. Within this context, the primary objective of this study is to describe the state of awareness and compliance of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University towards its social media policy and social media guidelines. In order to address the primary objective, the uses, benefits and risks of social media in higher education were identified through a literature review. The literature review revealed that social media is used in higher education to support and manage teaching and learning, marketing and crisis management, and for other purposes which may be specific to higher education stakeholders (both staff and students). The risks of social media use in higher education were revealed to be associated with institutional reputation, online content, privacy, intellectual property and the types of media shared by the stakeholders. The role of social media policies and guidelines in higher education was then described, based on a preliminary literature study which reviewed social media policies and guidelines implemented in higher education. Furthermore, the aspects of awareness and compliance towards social media policies and ii guidelines in higher education were also discussed. A general guide for the creation of social media policies and guidelines was identified and used to compare the nature and content of South African public universities’ social media policies and guidelines. Through comparative content analysis, the content of the universities’ social media policy and guidelines was compared, similarities and variances between were drawn, and the role of social media policies and guidelines was further explored. Finally, the knowledge of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University in respect to the university’s social media policy and guidelines was measured and described through the use of a survey questionnaire and statistical analysis of the data collected. The results of the analysis indicated an overall medium level of awareness for both staff and students, with a mean average score of 3.2; while both groups demonstrated an overall high level of compliance towards the social media policy and guidelines, with a mean average score of 4.3. By addressing the primary objective, the contribution made by this study thus informs the Nelson Mandela University of the extent to which its social media policy and guidelines align with those of other South African public universities, and it indicates where the Nelson Mandela University should look to improve its staff and students’ awareness of and compliance with its social media policy and guidelines. , Thesis (MIT) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Ngcama, Lwando
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Social Media , Awareness , Compliance -- Nelson Mandela University
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49550 , vital:41735
- Description: The use of social media in higher education has both benefits and pitfalls. Higher education institutions are concerned about their staff and students’ use of social media and have thus resorted to implementing social media policies and guidelines. The Nelson Mandela University has implemented a social media policy and guidelines to inform and enforce the acceptable use of social media by its staff and students. In order to know whether staff and students of the Nelson Mandela University are aware of and compliant with its policy and guidelines, it is necessary to measure their level of awareness and compliance. Within this context, the primary objective of this study is to describe the state of awareness and compliance of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University towards its social media policy and social media guidelines. In order to address the primary objective, the uses, benefits and risks of social media in higher education were identified through a literature review. The literature review revealed that social media is used in higher education to support and manage teaching and learning, marketing and crisis management, and for other purposes which may be specific to higher education stakeholders (both staff and students). The risks of social media use in higher education were revealed to be associated with institutional reputation, online content, privacy, intellectual property and the types of media shared by the stakeholders. The role of social media policies and guidelines in higher education was then described, based on a preliminary literature study which reviewed social media policies and guidelines implemented in higher education. Furthermore, the aspects of awareness and compliance towards social media policies and ii guidelines in higher education were also discussed. A general guide for the creation of social media policies and guidelines was identified and used to compare the nature and content of South African public universities’ social media policies and guidelines. Through comparative content analysis, the content of the universities’ social media policy and guidelines was compared, similarities and variances between were drawn, and the role of social media policies and guidelines was further explored. Finally, the knowledge of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University in respect to the university’s social media policy and guidelines was measured and described through the use of a survey questionnaire and statistical analysis of the data collected. The results of the analysis indicated an overall medium level of awareness for both staff and students, with a mean average score of 3.2; while both groups demonstrated an overall high level of compliance towards the social media policy and guidelines, with a mean average score of 4.3. By addressing the primary objective, the contribution made by this study thus informs the Nelson Mandela University of the extent to which its social media policy and guidelines align with those of other South African public universities, and it indicates where the Nelson Mandela University should look to improve its staff and students’ awareness of and compliance with its social media policy and guidelines. , Thesis (MIT) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Ultraprecision Diamond Turning of Monocrystalline Germanium
- Authors: Adeleke, Adeniyi Kehinde
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Precision , Diamond Turning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44453 , vital:37835
- Description: Infrared lens production demands a surface with a high degree of accuracy and integrity. Surface roughness is a critical index of the measure of any product’s surface integrity. As a result of this, ultra-high machining technology has enjoyed extensive application, due to the continuous request for components within the range of 1 – 10nm roughness value. This technology has brought about the increased productivity and manufacture of quality products with a top-notch surface finish. Brittle materials such as germanium are hard to machine through the conventional processes such as lapping and polishing. Hence, the ultra-precision machining technology based on single point diamond turning (SPDT), is now been applied to machine germanium in the ductile mode, where material chip removal occurs by plastic deformation instead of a brittle fracture. During machining, selecting the optimal cutting conditions which includes cutting parameters and tool geometry, will not only improve productivity but ensure the minimisation of operating cost. In this research work, SPDT operation was used to conduct two experiments on a (monocrystalline germanium) workpiece. The first experiment was carried out using a diamond tool with a 1.5 mm nose radius, while the second experiment employed the use of a tool having a nose radius of 1.0 mm. A combination of machining parameters for each of the experimental runs were derived from a Box-Behnken method of design and the surface roughness was measured at each interval for both experiments with the aid of a Taylor Hopson PGI Dimension XL profilometer. Acoustic emission (AE) was also used as a quality sensing and tool-monitoring technique, to acquire signals and give indications of the expected surface roughness. Predictive models based on response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN), were developed for determining surface roughness. Optimisation was performed using RSM to determine the optimal set of machining factors, which results in optimal condition of the output response. Further investigations on the acquired signals were carried out using signal-processing techniques. Time-domain and time-frequency domain features acquired from the AE signals, together with the process parameters, were employed as input variables in the neural network design, having shown a good association with the surface roughness. ix Conclusively, it can be observed that the predictive model results and the experimental roughness measurements are in good agreement with each other. For accuracy and cost of computation, the RSM and ANN developed models for single-crystal germanium are compared using mean absolute error (MAE). , Thesis (M.Eng) -- Faculty of Engineering, the built environment & Information Technology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Adeleke, Adeniyi Kehinde
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Precision , Diamond Turning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44453 , vital:37835
- Description: Infrared lens production demands a surface with a high degree of accuracy and integrity. Surface roughness is a critical index of the measure of any product’s surface integrity. As a result of this, ultra-high machining technology has enjoyed extensive application, due to the continuous request for components within the range of 1 – 10nm roughness value. This technology has brought about the increased productivity and manufacture of quality products with a top-notch surface finish. Brittle materials such as germanium are hard to machine through the conventional processes such as lapping and polishing. Hence, the ultra-precision machining technology based on single point diamond turning (SPDT), is now been applied to machine germanium in the ductile mode, where material chip removal occurs by plastic deformation instead of a brittle fracture. During machining, selecting the optimal cutting conditions which includes cutting parameters and tool geometry, will not only improve productivity but ensure the minimisation of operating cost. In this research work, SPDT operation was used to conduct two experiments on a (monocrystalline germanium) workpiece. The first experiment was carried out using a diamond tool with a 1.5 mm nose radius, while the second experiment employed the use of a tool having a nose radius of 1.0 mm. A combination of machining parameters for each of the experimental runs were derived from a Box-Behnken method of design and the surface roughness was measured at each interval for both experiments with the aid of a Taylor Hopson PGI Dimension XL profilometer. Acoustic emission (AE) was also used as a quality sensing and tool-monitoring technique, to acquire signals and give indications of the expected surface roughness. Predictive models based on response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN), were developed for determining surface roughness. Optimisation was performed using RSM to determine the optimal set of machining factors, which results in optimal condition of the output response. Further investigations on the acquired signals were carried out using signal-processing techniques. Time-domain and time-frequency domain features acquired from the AE signals, together with the process parameters, were employed as input variables in the neural network design, having shown a good association with the surface roughness. ix Conclusively, it can be observed that the predictive model results and the experimental roughness measurements are in good agreement with each other. For accuracy and cost of computation, the RSM and ANN developed models for single-crystal germanium are compared using mean absolute error (MAE). , Thesis (M.Eng) -- Faculty of Engineering, the built environment & Information Technology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Exploring the adaptation challenges faced by novice foundation phase teachers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Grimbeek, Michelle Louise
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: First year teachers , Teachers -- Training of – South Africa – Nelson Mandela Municipality , Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56034 , vital:54941
- Description: The challenges faced by novice teachers have been widely discussed in the last decade (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014; Burkman, 2012). It is believed that the first year of teaching is found to be exceedingly challenging to the novice teacher due to the complex demands of the profession, as well as a result of a lack of training and induction into the work environment (Burkman, 2012). Researchers highlight that some of the many challenges that novice teachers experience are shortcomings in curricular planning, classroom management and discipline, instructional techniques, access to materials, and dealing with parents (Burkman, 2012). These challenges, along with feelings of inadequacy due to lack of experience in the working world, often have a negative effect on novice teachers and their ability to cope, subsequently resulting in high stress levels and burnout (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014). This qualitative study incorporated an interpretivist paradigm and used both semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion to explore the adaptation challenges experienced by novice Foundation Phase teachers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Grossman‟s Teacher Knowledge Theory and Vygotsky‟s Social Constructivist Theory were used to frame and make meaning of the findings of this study. The findings of this study indicate that novice teachers experience a range of challenges upon entering the working world. The numerous factors influencing these challenges experienced by novices include: the work environment; prior training and education; personal knowledge, values and attitudes toward teaching; and professional and social support received within the workplace. These findings were used to formulate guidelines to help support novice teachers in their adaptation from university to the professional work environment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Grimbeek, Michelle Louise
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: First year teachers , Teachers -- Training of – South Africa – Nelson Mandela Municipality , Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56034 , vital:54941
- Description: The challenges faced by novice teachers have been widely discussed in the last decade (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014; Burkman, 2012). It is believed that the first year of teaching is found to be exceedingly challenging to the novice teacher due to the complex demands of the profession, as well as a result of a lack of training and induction into the work environment (Burkman, 2012). Researchers highlight that some of the many challenges that novice teachers experience are shortcomings in curricular planning, classroom management and discipline, instructional techniques, access to materials, and dealing with parents (Burkman, 2012). These challenges, along with feelings of inadequacy due to lack of experience in the working world, often have a negative effect on novice teachers and their ability to cope, subsequently resulting in high stress levels and burnout (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014). This qualitative study incorporated an interpretivist paradigm and used both semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion to explore the adaptation challenges experienced by novice Foundation Phase teachers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Grossman‟s Teacher Knowledge Theory and Vygotsky‟s Social Constructivist Theory were used to frame and make meaning of the findings of this study. The findings of this study indicate that novice teachers experience a range of challenges upon entering the working world. The numerous factors influencing these challenges experienced by novices include: the work environment; prior training and education; personal knowledge, values and attitudes toward teaching; and professional and social support received within the workplace. These findings were used to formulate guidelines to help support novice teachers in their adaptation from university to the professional work environment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The impact of leadership styles used by college heads on the functioning of TVET colleges in Limpopo
- Authors: Peter, Bandile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Management -- College heads , Decision-making -- post-secondary Education -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56091 , vital:55321
- Description: This study sought to examine the impact of leadership styles used by college heads on the functioning of TVET colleges in Limpopo. The purpose of the study was to better understand the prevailing path-goal leadership styles among college heads, the development and communication of college’s goals, vision and mission, involvement of lecturers and students in decision-making processes, motivation of students and lecturers, and continuous monitoring in the TVET colleges. The key research question that this study was based on was: What is the impact of the leadership styles used by college heads on the functioning of Limpopo TVET colleges? A mixed methods approach was adopted with questionnaires, interviews, observations and document review as a means of data collection. College heads (campus managers and HODs), lecturers and students were participants in this study. The participants were purposefully selected in three of the seven TVET colleges in the Limpopo Province. The findings indicated that all the four path-goal leadership styles were prevalent in the college heads. However, there was poor communication of the colleges’ goals, vision and mission. The study further found that lecturers and students were not on many occasions involved in the decision-making processes. Poor monitoring by college heads was also discovered by the study. Moreover, the study uncovered that lecturers and students were not properly rewarded for good performance. The subsequent recommendations include, among others, that as in-service training, DHET should provide the opportunity for college heads to take guided leadership courses that promote path-goal leadership styles. DHET should also provide college heads with the opportunity to study and enhance their qualifications in the areas of educational management and leadership. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The impact of leadership styles used by college heads on the functioning of TVET colleges in Limpopo
- Authors: Peter, Bandile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Management -- College heads , Decision-making -- post-secondary Education -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56091 , vital:55321
- Description: This study sought to examine the impact of leadership styles used by college heads on the functioning of TVET colleges in Limpopo. The purpose of the study was to better understand the prevailing path-goal leadership styles among college heads, the development and communication of college’s goals, vision and mission, involvement of lecturers and students in decision-making processes, motivation of students and lecturers, and continuous monitoring in the TVET colleges. The key research question that this study was based on was: What is the impact of the leadership styles used by college heads on the functioning of Limpopo TVET colleges? A mixed methods approach was adopted with questionnaires, interviews, observations and document review as a means of data collection. College heads (campus managers and HODs), lecturers and students were participants in this study. The participants were purposefully selected in three of the seven TVET colleges in the Limpopo Province. The findings indicated that all the four path-goal leadership styles were prevalent in the college heads. However, there was poor communication of the colleges’ goals, vision and mission. The study further found that lecturers and students were not on many occasions involved in the decision-making processes. Poor monitoring by college heads was also discovered by the study. Moreover, the study uncovered that lecturers and students were not properly rewarded for good performance. The subsequent recommendations include, among others, that as in-service training, DHET should provide the opportunity for college heads to take guided leadership courses that promote path-goal leadership styles. DHET should also provide college heads with the opportunity to study and enhance their qualifications in the areas of educational management and leadership. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
An assessment of broadband infrastructure investment as a primer for inclusive growth in South Africa
- Authors: Dhlamini, Tapiwa James
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Broadband , Economic growth -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59566 , vital:62172
- Description: This study investigated the impact of investment in the telecommunication and broadband sectors on growth, employment creation, and poverty alleviation. It employs micro-simulation techniques and an economy-wide Leontief-based social accounting matrix multiplier model to assess empirically the influence that fiscal injection into these sectors has in achieving South Africa’s macroeconomic objectives. The study found positive but declining trends in output multipliers in the telecommunication sector over the post-recession period (2009-18), signifying the enervation of the intersectoral multiplier effect over the post-recession period. Fiscal injection into the telecommunication and broadband sectors led to poverty reduction and to job creation in South Africa. However, the overall findings of this study highlight gender biases, spatial imbalances between urban and non-urban, an age gulf between young people and adults and further imbalances between formal and informal employment. The study commends that the government follow a priorities-weighted state spending policy which concurrently targets projects generating high GVA and employment multipliers and with high capacity to address the disparity caused by the legacy of Apartheid. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Dhlamini, Tapiwa James
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Broadband , Economic growth -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59566 , vital:62172
- Description: This study investigated the impact of investment in the telecommunication and broadband sectors on growth, employment creation, and poverty alleviation. It employs micro-simulation techniques and an economy-wide Leontief-based social accounting matrix multiplier model to assess empirically the influence that fiscal injection into these sectors has in achieving South Africa’s macroeconomic objectives. The study found positive but declining trends in output multipliers in the telecommunication sector over the post-recession period (2009-18), signifying the enervation of the intersectoral multiplier effect over the post-recession period. Fiscal injection into the telecommunication and broadband sectors led to poverty reduction and to job creation in South Africa. However, the overall findings of this study highlight gender biases, spatial imbalances between urban and non-urban, an age gulf between young people and adults and further imbalances between formal and informal employment. The study commends that the government follow a priorities-weighted state spending policy which concurrently targets projects generating high GVA and employment multipliers and with high capacity to address the disparity caused by the legacy of Apartheid. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
An exploration of the benefits of information and communications technology for SMMEs in the Construction Industry in Gauteng Province, South Africa
- Authors: Klassie, Unathi
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: information technology , Small business , Construction industry, Gauteng Province -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59726 , vital:62386
- Description: This paper explores the beneficial impact of ICT adoption on the performance of Small, Micro to Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, specifically in the construction sector. The population of the study comprises construction SMME owners and managers in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of this study are fourfold as follows. Firstly, it aims to determine the benefits of ICT for SMMEs in the construction industry in South Africa. Secondly, it aims to establish the challenges SMMEs face in ICT infrastructure systems. The third aim is to determine the barriers that impede SMMEs from adopting ICT. And fourthly it aims to recommend an ICT framework for the effectiveness and success of ICT infrastructure systems for SMMEs. The research consisted of data collection from 15 SMMEs in the construction industry in Gauteng Province, South Africa through the means of interviews. The study employed an interpretivist paradigm which necessitated a qualitative approach. The data was then analysed thematically. The study was motivated by a Technology-OrganisationEnvironment (TOE) framework. The study findings show that SMMEs profit greatly from the adoption of ICT in their battle for survival and expansion. ICT is one of the main resources that may be employed by organisations in this digital age, according to the Resource-Based Theory. The majority of respondents stated that ICT has improved performance and that tasks are completed more efficiently than before. According to the findings, sustained government help to extend broadband access for underprivileged groups, particularly in places underserved by private sector activities, is suggested. Government funding should be made available to assist SMMEs in developing ICT skills. This financing might be linked to organisations like SEDA to guarantee that new SMMEs are ascertained of the importance of ICT skills that will benefit their enterprises. To improve awareness of the benefits of ICT in the construction industry, training providers, NGOs, and government agencies must collaborate more closely. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Klassie, Unathi
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: information technology , Small business , Construction industry, Gauteng Province -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59726 , vital:62386
- Description: This paper explores the beneficial impact of ICT adoption on the performance of Small, Micro to Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, specifically in the construction sector. The population of the study comprises construction SMME owners and managers in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of this study are fourfold as follows. Firstly, it aims to determine the benefits of ICT for SMMEs in the construction industry in South Africa. Secondly, it aims to establish the challenges SMMEs face in ICT infrastructure systems. The third aim is to determine the barriers that impede SMMEs from adopting ICT. And fourthly it aims to recommend an ICT framework for the effectiveness and success of ICT infrastructure systems for SMMEs. The research consisted of data collection from 15 SMMEs in the construction industry in Gauteng Province, South Africa through the means of interviews. The study employed an interpretivist paradigm which necessitated a qualitative approach. The data was then analysed thematically. The study was motivated by a Technology-OrganisationEnvironment (TOE) framework. The study findings show that SMMEs profit greatly from the adoption of ICT in their battle for survival and expansion. ICT is one of the main resources that may be employed by organisations in this digital age, according to the Resource-Based Theory. The majority of respondents stated that ICT has improved performance and that tasks are completed more efficiently than before. According to the findings, sustained government help to extend broadband access for underprivileged groups, particularly in places underserved by private sector activities, is suggested. Government funding should be made available to assist SMMEs in developing ICT skills. This financing might be linked to organisations like SEDA to guarantee that new SMMEs are ascertained of the importance of ICT skills that will benefit their enterprises. To improve awareness of the benefits of ICT in the construction industry, training providers, NGOs, and government agencies must collaborate more closely. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
An explorative study into the effect of Information Technology in streamlining the access to development finance, for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa
- Giyose, Bongo Thobelani Simthembile
- Authors: Giyose, Bongo Thobelani Simthembile
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Information Technology , Economic development--Finance , Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59600 , vital:62181
- Description: This study was concerned with exploring and describing a solution to optimise access to development finance for SMMEs in South Africa. SMMEs and entrepreneurs have long been identified as key drivers of economic development, job creation, and poverty elevation. In response to this and, in an effort to support SMMEs, the South African Government has established a number of development finance institutions with a specific mandate to support SMMEs by providing them with both financial and non-financial support. However, this much-needed support is constrained by several independent factors. The objective of the study was to identify information technologies that are currently available in the financial sector and explore how they can be integrated into development finance institutions (DFIs) and SMMEs to streamline their access to finance. The research started with a structured literature review, followed by a qualitative case study research design, and utilised ten (10) embedded units of analysis. These respondents consisted of industry experts in the field of SMME finance, senior employees within the sampled developmental finance institutions, as well as experts in the financial technology sector. The findings of the study, through the views of the sampled industry experts and relevant literature reviewed, revealed that it can be collectively summarised that there is a need for information technology such as Fintech in the development finance and SMME sector in South Africa. It is evident that a need exists to streamline the current application process to access development finance for SMMEs looking for finance. There is a significant misalignment between the current demand for development finance by SMMEs and the magnitude of finance supplied by DFIs to SMMEs looking for finance. The study then concluded with practical recommendations for the streamlining of development finance by using relevant Fin tech solutions. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Giyose, Bongo Thobelani Simthembile
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Information Technology , Economic development--Finance , Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59600 , vital:62181
- Description: This study was concerned with exploring and describing a solution to optimise access to development finance for SMMEs in South Africa. SMMEs and entrepreneurs have long been identified as key drivers of economic development, job creation, and poverty elevation. In response to this and, in an effort to support SMMEs, the South African Government has established a number of development finance institutions with a specific mandate to support SMMEs by providing them with both financial and non-financial support. However, this much-needed support is constrained by several independent factors. The objective of the study was to identify information technologies that are currently available in the financial sector and explore how they can be integrated into development finance institutions (DFIs) and SMMEs to streamline their access to finance. The research started with a structured literature review, followed by a qualitative case study research design, and utilised ten (10) embedded units of analysis. These respondents consisted of industry experts in the field of SMME finance, senior employees within the sampled developmental finance institutions, as well as experts in the financial technology sector. The findings of the study, through the views of the sampled industry experts and relevant literature reviewed, revealed that it can be collectively summarised that there is a need for information technology such as Fintech in the development finance and SMME sector in South Africa. It is evident that a need exists to streamline the current application process to access development finance for SMMEs looking for finance. There is a significant misalignment between the current demand for development finance by SMMEs and the magnitude of finance supplied by DFIs to SMMEs looking for finance. The study then concluded with practical recommendations for the streamlining of development finance by using relevant Fin tech solutions. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Assessing Diabetes distress amongst type 2 Diabetic patients at the Mhlontlo sub-district healthcare clinics in the OR Tambo health District
- Authors: Mboniso, Veronica
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Diabetes , Medical care , Primary health care -- OR Tambo Health District
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60111 , vital:63096
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine condition that requires lifestyle changes and a commitment to its management to ensure patient well-being, although this can be challenging for various reasons. In addition, diabetes is a behavioural and emotionally demanding condition that could affect the psychosocial well-being of a patient. Diabetes distress is quite common in people living with diabetes, as they lose hope easily, especially when their diabetes is uncontrolled. The research study identified and described factors contributing to diabetes distress amongst type 2 diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics in the OR Tambo Health District. Probability sampling was used to select patients who were 18 years and older after approval from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and relevant authorisation was obtained. The study was conducted between August and October 2021, using a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive research design. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which had been adapted from the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 (DDS-17) created by Polonsky et al. (2005). A total of 136 diabetic patients completed the questionnaire, which comprised three sections: demographic information (Section A); the DDS-17 (Section B); and contributing factors to diabetes distress in diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics (Section C). The researcher conducted a pilot study in one of the clinics to check the feasibility of the questionnaire. After the data were collected, it was statistically analysed with the assistance of a statistician to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysed data revealed that most of the diabetic patients indicated that they found travelling far to fetch medication and standing in long queues at the clinic distressing. Therefore, they wanted the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme to be rolled out to bring medication to them. The results also revealed that the patients' diabetes distress was exacerbated by them having to travel to clinics in search of medication when their usual clinic had no adequate v stocks of medication. Another factor contributing to the patients’ diabetes distress was the lack of a doctor on site. The patients indicated that doctors should be available at the clinics, even periodically, to address problems that cannot be solved by nurses. The absence of haemoglucotest (HGT machines at clinics was another contributing factor to diabetes distress. Most of the patients in the study felt that they would manage their diabetes better if the government supplied these machines. The results informed various recommendations that might help the management of OR Tambo Health District to make changes and thus minimise the diabetes distress reported by its patients. However, the study had limitations, although it observed the principles of reliability and validity. Moreover, ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report, and the study adhered to the principles of informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality, beneficence, nonmaleficence and distributive justice. , Thesis (MNur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Lifestyle Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Mboniso, Veronica
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Diabetes , Medical care , Primary health care -- OR Tambo Health District
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60111 , vital:63096
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine condition that requires lifestyle changes and a commitment to its management to ensure patient well-being, although this can be challenging for various reasons. In addition, diabetes is a behavioural and emotionally demanding condition that could affect the psychosocial well-being of a patient. Diabetes distress is quite common in people living with diabetes, as they lose hope easily, especially when their diabetes is uncontrolled. The research study identified and described factors contributing to diabetes distress amongst type 2 diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics in the OR Tambo Health District. Probability sampling was used to select patients who were 18 years and older after approval from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and relevant authorisation was obtained. The study was conducted between August and October 2021, using a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive research design. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which had been adapted from the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 (DDS-17) created by Polonsky et al. (2005). A total of 136 diabetic patients completed the questionnaire, which comprised three sections: demographic information (Section A); the DDS-17 (Section B); and contributing factors to diabetes distress in diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics (Section C). The researcher conducted a pilot study in one of the clinics to check the feasibility of the questionnaire. After the data were collected, it was statistically analysed with the assistance of a statistician to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysed data revealed that most of the diabetic patients indicated that they found travelling far to fetch medication and standing in long queues at the clinic distressing. Therefore, they wanted the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme to be rolled out to bring medication to them. The results also revealed that the patients' diabetes distress was exacerbated by them having to travel to clinics in search of medication when their usual clinic had no adequate v stocks of medication. Another factor contributing to the patients’ diabetes distress was the lack of a doctor on site. The patients indicated that doctors should be available at the clinics, even periodically, to address problems that cannot be solved by nurses. The absence of haemoglucotest (HGT machines at clinics was another contributing factor to diabetes distress. Most of the patients in the study felt that they would manage their diabetes better if the government supplied these machines. The results informed various recommendations that might help the management of OR Tambo Health District to make changes and thus minimise the diabetes distress reported by its patients. However, the study had limitations, although it observed the principles of reliability and validity. Moreover, ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report, and the study adhered to the principles of informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality, beneficence, nonmaleficence and distributive justice. , Thesis (MNur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Lifestyle Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Business cycle synchronization in SACU countries: a wavelet coherence analysis
- Authors: Khoza, Sithobile X
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Economic cycles , Synchronization -- (SACU) Countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60221 , vital:63844
- Description: The discussion on the viability of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) as a monetary union has been ongoing for years. SACU is the oldest Customs Union in history, formed in 1910. Employing the Optimum Currency Areas (OCA) theory, the study examined SACU’s readiness for a single currency. There are several technical requirements needed to form an OCA, however, one of the most vital of these with regards to a country’s suitability to enter a currency union is Business Cycle Synchronization. Therefore, SACU’s readiness was tested by establishing Business Cycle synchronization between the 5 member states. Although Business Cycles Synchronization have not been proven, SACU countries have moved towards a complete monetary union because of increasing macroeconomic convergence. Our study using Wavelet analysis sets out to establish if there is a synchronization of Business cycles with SACU members. Cyclical components were isolated, from the real GDP growth rate of each country from 1981 to 2020, using the Hodrick-Prescott filter (HP), Band-Pass filter (BP), and the Christiano-Fitzgerald Filter (CF). In the 2 by 2 analysis, our wavelet coherence showed that SACU countries are synchronized with each other, while South Africa displayed its dominance in the union by showing significant synchronization with all the members of the union both in the short and long run. The Vector wavelet analysis results concluded that, as a group, SACU shows much higher degrees of synchronization. The group synchronization is statistically significant throughout the period of study. Furthermore, there is an indication of consistent synchronization, in the long and short run. Overall, the results of our study conclude that there is synchronization in the SACU countries. Therefore, SACU counties can form an OCA as they meet the desirably requirements. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Khoza, Sithobile X
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Economic cycles , Synchronization -- (SACU) Countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60221 , vital:63844
- Description: The discussion on the viability of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) as a monetary union has been ongoing for years. SACU is the oldest Customs Union in history, formed in 1910. Employing the Optimum Currency Areas (OCA) theory, the study examined SACU’s readiness for a single currency. There are several technical requirements needed to form an OCA, however, one of the most vital of these with regards to a country’s suitability to enter a currency union is Business Cycle Synchronization. Therefore, SACU’s readiness was tested by establishing Business Cycle synchronization between the 5 member states. Although Business Cycles Synchronization have not been proven, SACU countries have moved towards a complete monetary union because of increasing macroeconomic convergence. Our study using Wavelet analysis sets out to establish if there is a synchronization of Business cycles with SACU members. Cyclical components were isolated, from the real GDP growth rate of each country from 1981 to 2020, using the Hodrick-Prescott filter (HP), Band-Pass filter (BP), and the Christiano-Fitzgerald Filter (CF). In the 2 by 2 analysis, our wavelet coherence showed that SACU countries are synchronized with each other, while South Africa displayed its dominance in the union by showing significant synchronization with all the members of the union both in the short and long run. The Vector wavelet analysis results concluded that, as a group, SACU shows much higher degrees of synchronization. The group synchronization is statistically significant throughout the period of study. Furthermore, there is an indication of consistent synchronization, in the long and short run. Overall, the results of our study conclude that there is synchronization in the SACU countries. Therefore, SACU counties can form an OCA as they meet the desirably requirements. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Caring behaviour of midwives who nurse woman during childbirth in Botswana
- Authors: Potokwane, Nancy Osupile
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Midwives , Childbirth, Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59821 , vital:62437
- Description: Caring behaviour, which is defined as nurturing another to whom one feels a personal sense of commitment and responsibility, is fundamental to the psychosocial component of midwifery. Midwives ought to show respect, kindness and continuous psychosocial support during childbirth to women, who have the right to receive the highest possible standard of care and to be treated with dignity and respect before, during and after childbirth. However, an increasing number of complaints of the uncaring behaviour of midwives towards labouring women has indicated a problem that has not been fully researched. Therefore, the study aimed to identify and describe caring behaviours in the context of midwives in Botswana; determine the inhibiting factors of caring behaviours of midwives during childbirth; and make recommendations to midwives and unit managers based on Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring, which might lead to the optimisation of caring behaviour in Botswana midwives. A quantitative, descriptive research design was followed to answer the research questions, and a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which had been developed by the researcher based on the literature review, was used to capture data. A purposive sampling method was used to select 200 respondents working in maternity units in the Kgatleng and Greater Gaborone regional health districts in Botswana. The questionnaire was evaluated for reliability and validity to ensure that it consistently and accurately measured what it was intended to measure. A pilot study was conducted with 10 midwives who met the criteria for participation in the study to pre-test the feasibility of the questionnaire in preparation for the main study. In addition, ethical principles, such as informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality and beneficence were followed throughout the study. The questionnaire consisted of questions and statements. It was divided into three sections. Section A: Demographic attributes; Section B: Identification and description of the caring behaviour of midwives: Section C: Determination of the inhibiting factors of caring behaviours in midwifery. The data provided by the respondent’s answers to the questionnaires were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS®): Version 27 with the assistance of a statistician, thereby generating descriptive and inferential statistics. v The results of the data analysis revealed that most of the respondents provided positive responses, thereby indicating caring behaviour in midwifery practice. However, several factors that inhibit the caring behaviour of midwives were identified, such as a shortage of staff, work overload, a poor working environment, the inconsistent selection of staff for professional development, a lack of equipment, the young age of some of the woman (less than 15 years), the parity of the woman (more than one child) and the negative behaviour of many of the women. Therefore, recommendations for midwives and unit managers based on the five processes of Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring were made that could be used to optimise midwifery care in Botswana. , Thesis (MNurs)-- Faculty of Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Potokwane, Nancy Osupile
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Midwives , Childbirth, Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59821 , vital:62437
- Description: Caring behaviour, which is defined as nurturing another to whom one feels a personal sense of commitment and responsibility, is fundamental to the psychosocial component of midwifery. Midwives ought to show respect, kindness and continuous psychosocial support during childbirth to women, who have the right to receive the highest possible standard of care and to be treated with dignity and respect before, during and after childbirth. However, an increasing number of complaints of the uncaring behaviour of midwives towards labouring women has indicated a problem that has not been fully researched. Therefore, the study aimed to identify and describe caring behaviours in the context of midwives in Botswana; determine the inhibiting factors of caring behaviours of midwives during childbirth; and make recommendations to midwives and unit managers based on Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring, which might lead to the optimisation of caring behaviour in Botswana midwives. A quantitative, descriptive research design was followed to answer the research questions, and a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which had been developed by the researcher based on the literature review, was used to capture data. A purposive sampling method was used to select 200 respondents working in maternity units in the Kgatleng and Greater Gaborone regional health districts in Botswana. The questionnaire was evaluated for reliability and validity to ensure that it consistently and accurately measured what it was intended to measure. A pilot study was conducted with 10 midwives who met the criteria for participation in the study to pre-test the feasibility of the questionnaire in preparation for the main study. In addition, ethical principles, such as informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality and beneficence were followed throughout the study. The questionnaire consisted of questions and statements. It was divided into three sections. Section A: Demographic attributes; Section B: Identification and description of the caring behaviour of midwives: Section C: Determination of the inhibiting factors of caring behaviours in midwifery. The data provided by the respondent’s answers to the questionnaires were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS®): Version 27 with the assistance of a statistician, thereby generating descriptive and inferential statistics. v The results of the data analysis revealed that most of the respondents provided positive responses, thereby indicating caring behaviour in midwifery practice. However, several factors that inhibit the caring behaviour of midwives were identified, such as a shortage of staff, work overload, a poor working environment, the inconsistent selection of staff for professional development, a lack of equipment, the young age of some of the woman (less than 15 years), the parity of the woman (more than one child) and the negative behaviour of many of the women. Therefore, recommendations for midwives and unit managers based on the five processes of Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring were made that could be used to optimise midwifery care in Botswana. , Thesis (MNurs)-- Faculty of Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Cost control challenges in Eastern Cape Department of Health
- Authors: Ntete, Patrick
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Cost control, Eastern Cape , Health Department
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59799 , vital:62435
- Description: Cost control in the South African public health sector has become a major concern due to the amount of money that the government loses every financial year. If costs in the South African public health sector are not kept under control there might be catastrophic consequences. Regardless of the challenges in controlling costs in the health sector, scant studies have explored the cost control phenomenon, which is seen as a scientific management technique to control and lessen the cost of conducting business. Keeping costs under control in the health sector became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic when the budgetary burden on the health sector worsened. This study aimed to identify challenges to cost control in the Eastern Cape Department of Health and come up with recommendations on how the challenges can be addressed. The study followed a qualitative research approach and an interview schedule with open-ended questions was prepared to answer the research questions that were formulated. The research sample consisted of 13 employees of the Eastern Cape Department of Health with work experience ranging between 11 and 15 years to ensure credible data. The study’s findings revealed that the participants who were interviewed had an idea of the cost control concept; that cost containment committees help reduce costs by monitoring and evaluating expenditure to ensure that the funds that are spent result in added value; that cost control is an important concept in the health sector, as it ensures that expenditure is reduced and that the influx of undocumented immigrants exerts unexpected pressure on the health sector as these people are generally not taken into account when the budget is drawn up. Findings from the study could assist in formulating strategies that can be employed to improve cost control in the health sector, for example, immunisation and educating employees and management about cost control measures and how they can be implemented. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Ntete, Patrick
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Cost control, Eastern Cape , Health Department
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59799 , vital:62435
- Description: Cost control in the South African public health sector has become a major concern due to the amount of money that the government loses every financial year. If costs in the South African public health sector are not kept under control there might be catastrophic consequences. Regardless of the challenges in controlling costs in the health sector, scant studies have explored the cost control phenomenon, which is seen as a scientific management technique to control and lessen the cost of conducting business. Keeping costs under control in the health sector became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic when the budgetary burden on the health sector worsened. This study aimed to identify challenges to cost control in the Eastern Cape Department of Health and come up with recommendations on how the challenges can be addressed. The study followed a qualitative research approach and an interview schedule with open-ended questions was prepared to answer the research questions that were formulated. The research sample consisted of 13 employees of the Eastern Cape Department of Health with work experience ranging between 11 and 15 years to ensure credible data. The study’s findings revealed that the participants who were interviewed had an idea of the cost control concept; that cost containment committees help reduce costs by monitoring and evaluating expenditure to ensure that the funds that are spent result in added value; that cost control is an important concept in the health sector, as it ensures that expenditure is reduced and that the influx of undocumented immigrants exerts unexpected pressure on the health sector as these people are generally not taken into account when the budget is drawn up. Findings from the study could assist in formulating strategies that can be employed to improve cost control in the health sector, for example, immunisation and educating employees and management about cost control measures and how they can be implemented. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Leader preparedness to manage employee wellness at Continental Tyres
- Authors: O’Reilly, Clynn
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Employee management , Health promotion, Continental Tyres
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59809 , vital:62436
- Description: Many businesses are becoming more aware of the importance of employee well-being and health. There has been increasing public interest in merging wellness activities with an employer's obligations. This shift toward healthy workplaces and empowered individuals reflects a correlation between organisational well-being and pleasant psychological states. As a result, several programmes such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) and Employee Wellness Programmes were established to address workplace wellness issues. Employee Wellness Programmes are intervention programmes targeted at improving the well-being of employees. The epidemic has underlined what was already obvious prior to the virus's emergence: that firms no longer require hero leaders. Today's most effective leadership at all levels is not about technical knowledge or knowing all the answers. It is about being human, displaying vulnerability, connecting with others, while being able to unlock their potential, in addition to communicating a clear direction. This study was conducted to determine the preparedness of leaders to manage employee wellness at lower, middle and upper management levels at Continental Tyres South Africa (SA). For this study, primary data was collected by means of semistructured interviews. Qualitative data was collected by conducting interviews with employees from lower, middle and upper management. Face-to-face interviews, using open ended questions, were used to assess managers’ preparedness to address staff wellbeing. Employee wellbeing is a vital component for any organisation's performance in all facets of business operations, according to the findings. Fundamental training is required to ensure leaders are prepared to deal with employee wellness issues. The absence of this training is a major contributor to inadequate policies, procedures, and cultures that should promote employee wellness in an organisation. The lack of training that would contribute to leader preparedness in managing employee wellness has been apparent in this study. Another emerging conclusion that was highlighted in this study is the lack of prioritisation of wellness initiatives and awareness of resources available to employees. This conclusion is a key factor in understanding why there is such a iii deficiency in fundamental training for leaders within the organisation. The lack of prioritisation could have a direct impact on the lack of training offered to leaders in the organisation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: O’Reilly, Clynn
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Employee management , Health promotion, Continental Tyres
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59809 , vital:62436
- Description: Many businesses are becoming more aware of the importance of employee well-being and health. There has been increasing public interest in merging wellness activities with an employer's obligations. This shift toward healthy workplaces and empowered individuals reflects a correlation between organisational well-being and pleasant psychological states. As a result, several programmes such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) and Employee Wellness Programmes were established to address workplace wellness issues. Employee Wellness Programmes are intervention programmes targeted at improving the well-being of employees. The epidemic has underlined what was already obvious prior to the virus's emergence: that firms no longer require hero leaders. Today's most effective leadership at all levels is not about technical knowledge or knowing all the answers. It is about being human, displaying vulnerability, connecting with others, while being able to unlock their potential, in addition to communicating a clear direction. This study was conducted to determine the preparedness of leaders to manage employee wellness at lower, middle and upper management levels at Continental Tyres South Africa (SA). For this study, primary data was collected by means of semistructured interviews. Qualitative data was collected by conducting interviews with employees from lower, middle and upper management. Face-to-face interviews, using open ended questions, were used to assess managers’ preparedness to address staff wellbeing. Employee wellbeing is a vital component for any organisation's performance in all facets of business operations, according to the findings. Fundamental training is required to ensure leaders are prepared to deal with employee wellness issues. The absence of this training is a major contributor to inadequate policies, procedures, and cultures that should promote employee wellness in an organisation. The lack of training that would contribute to leader preparedness in managing employee wellness has been apparent in this study. Another emerging conclusion that was highlighted in this study is the lack of prioritisation of wellness initiatives and awareness of resources available to employees. This conclusion is a key factor in understanding why there is such a iii deficiency in fundamental training for leaders within the organisation. The lack of prioritisation could have a direct impact on the lack of training offered to leaders in the organisation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Reciprocal peer reviews : evaluating potential bias and conflict of interest
- Authors: Baca, Zolile
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Reciprocal , Peer review , Conflict of interests
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59358 , vital:62074
- Description: External quality assessments are conducted to provide independent reasonable assurance that an internal audit activity is operating in conformance with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) Standards, Code of Ethics, and the extent of compliance with international best practices. The assurance provided by an internal audit activity is relied on by various stakeholders in the organisation for decision-making purposes. Therefore, it is crucial for an independent external quality assessment process to be credible and trustworthy for internal audit stakeholders to know that the internal audit activity conforms with the Standards and Code of Ethics, which in turn allows the stakeholders to rely on assurances and advice provided by the internal audit activity. The objective of this study was to determine the potential existence of a conflict of interest and or bias, in fact or in appearance, when reciprocal peer reviews are performed by people working within the same district and who are familiar with each other. A qualitative research method was followed to achieve the objective of this study and answer the primary research question. A single case study approach was followed in this study using municipalities in the Overberg District to answer the primary research question, with a purposive sampling method used to select relevant participants for the study. Participants were the Audit Committee members, the Municipal Managers, and the Chief Audit Executives from the municipalities in the Overberg District. An interview guide was administered by the researcher to collect the primary research data through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were electronically recorded after permission was obtained from each participant, and each interview session was also transcribed. The primary data collected was then analysed using the In vivo coding method. Each interview transcript was manually analysed to identify key words, phrases or statements that agreed or disagreed with the IIA’s guidance pronouncements in relation to the performance of external quality assessments, with a specific focus on the use of reciprocal peer reviews. The findings of this study indicated that most participants did not perceive reciprocal peer reviews performed by persons working within the same district to be without bias and or conflict of interest, in fact or in appearance because of familiarities and close relations that exist between persons working in the same district in the same sector. The findings revealed that participants would consider the process and results of reciprocal peer reviews to be credible and trustworthy if they were conducted across the district or even across the provincial borders. The findings further showed that participants perceived a full external assessment to be the most reliable and trustworthy method to be used because of the external assessors or assessment teams having the necessary training, knowledge, and experience to perform external quality assessments which give the credibility and trustworthiness that is required for the external quality assessment process.. , Thesis (MCOM) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economics Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Baca, Zolile
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Reciprocal , Peer review , Conflict of interests
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59358 , vital:62074
- Description: External quality assessments are conducted to provide independent reasonable assurance that an internal audit activity is operating in conformance with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) Standards, Code of Ethics, and the extent of compliance with international best practices. The assurance provided by an internal audit activity is relied on by various stakeholders in the organisation for decision-making purposes. Therefore, it is crucial for an independent external quality assessment process to be credible and trustworthy for internal audit stakeholders to know that the internal audit activity conforms with the Standards and Code of Ethics, which in turn allows the stakeholders to rely on assurances and advice provided by the internal audit activity. The objective of this study was to determine the potential existence of a conflict of interest and or bias, in fact or in appearance, when reciprocal peer reviews are performed by people working within the same district and who are familiar with each other. A qualitative research method was followed to achieve the objective of this study and answer the primary research question. A single case study approach was followed in this study using municipalities in the Overberg District to answer the primary research question, with a purposive sampling method used to select relevant participants for the study. Participants were the Audit Committee members, the Municipal Managers, and the Chief Audit Executives from the municipalities in the Overberg District. An interview guide was administered by the researcher to collect the primary research data through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were electronically recorded after permission was obtained from each participant, and each interview session was also transcribed. The primary data collected was then analysed using the In vivo coding method. Each interview transcript was manually analysed to identify key words, phrases or statements that agreed or disagreed with the IIA’s guidance pronouncements in relation to the performance of external quality assessments, with a specific focus on the use of reciprocal peer reviews. The findings of this study indicated that most participants did not perceive reciprocal peer reviews performed by persons working within the same district to be without bias and or conflict of interest, in fact or in appearance because of familiarities and close relations that exist between persons working in the same district in the same sector. The findings revealed that participants would consider the process and results of reciprocal peer reviews to be credible and trustworthy if they were conducted across the district or even across the provincial borders. The findings further showed that participants perceived a full external assessment to be the most reliable and trustworthy method to be used because of the external assessors or assessment teams having the necessary training, knowledge, and experience to perform external quality assessments which give the credibility and trustworthiness that is required for the external quality assessment process.. , Thesis (MCOM) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economics Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The determinants of entrepreneurship in African countries
- Authors: Malungane, Neo
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Determinants , Entrepreneurship -- African countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59677 , vital:62349
- Description: This research investigates the determinants of entrepreneurship by examining the statistical relationships between entrepreneurship and macroeconomic, human capital, and institutional quality variables in 50 African countries utilising data from 2000-2018. The study intended to contribute to existing literature with new knowledge on the discipline since there is limited literature on African countries. The Generalised Methods of Moments technique was employed to examine the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable using Stata software. The study findings indicate that domestic credit to the private sector, education and training, the rule of law, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, regulatory quality have a significant effect on entrepreneurship. The remaining selected variables are insignificant. These findings suggest that smooth access to credit through business loans, trade credits, and other accounts receivables from financial institutions as the primary funding mechanism for businesses. Further encouraging entrepreneurship, the African government should ensure that education and training, particularly entrepreneurial education, is available to all inhabitants. Improving existing laws and regulations and enacting new effective laws and regulations that align with the current African business climate is recommended to protect existing and infant businesses by governing the entire entrepreneurial environment. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Malungane, Neo
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Determinants , Entrepreneurship -- African countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59677 , vital:62349
- Description: This research investigates the determinants of entrepreneurship by examining the statistical relationships between entrepreneurship and macroeconomic, human capital, and institutional quality variables in 50 African countries utilising data from 2000-2018. The study intended to contribute to existing literature with new knowledge on the discipline since there is limited literature on African countries. The Generalised Methods of Moments technique was employed to examine the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable using Stata software. The study findings indicate that domestic credit to the private sector, education and training, the rule of law, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, regulatory quality have a significant effect on entrepreneurship. The remaining selected variables are insignificant. These findings suggest that smooth access to credit through business loans, trade credits, and other accounts receivables from financial institutions as the primary funding mechanism for businesses. Further encouraging entrepreneurship, the African government should ensure that education and training, particularly entrepreneurial education, is available to all inhabitants. Improving existing laws and regulations and enacting new effective laws and regulations that align with the current African business climate is recommended to protect existing and infant businesses by governing the entire entrepreneurial environment. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The effect of factor endowment on BRICS countries export diversification
- Authors: Olisa,Onyiyechukwu Rebecca
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Factor proportions , Brics countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60037 , vital:62787
- Description: Historically, the expansion of a nation’s export portfolio has always been considered as an important agenda for economic growth, regardless of the nation’s abundant factor of production. In recent decades, the shift in attention of developing nations from export concentration towards export diversification has increased. This is because of the increasing volatility of exports across the globe. This study is therefore conducted to determine the effect of land, human and capital endowments on the BRICS countries’ export diversification. This study utilises the data from the individual BRICS countries from 1995 to 2019 and makes use of the ARDL model, the ridge, lasso, elastic net regressions and quantile regression to determine the long-run and short-run effects. The results of this study show that in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa land endowment promotes export diversification in the long-run. In the short-run it promotes export concentration in Brazil, Russia, India and China. Human endowment promotes export diversification in China in both the long-run and the short-run. For Brazil and South Africa, human endowment only promotes export diversification in the short-run and not the long-run. For Russia and India, in the short-run human endowment promotes export diversification, in the long-run it depends on the regression method utilised. Capital endowment promotes export diversification in Brazil, India, China and South Africa in the short-run. In the long-run depending on the methods, capital endowment promotes export diversification in Brazil, Russia and China. In India and South Africa, capital endowment promotes export concentration and not export diversification in the long-run. This therefore implies that, for the individual BRICS countries, policy makers need to implement the appropriate policies that will enable the positive effect of factor endowment on export diversification, in either/both the long-run and the short-run. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economics Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Olisa,Onyiyechukwu Rebecca
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Factor proportions , Brics countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60037 , vital:62787
- Description: Historically, the expansion of a nation’s export portfolio has always been considered as an important agenda for economic growth, regardless of the nation’s abundant factor of production. In recent decades, the shift in attention of developing nations from export concentration towards export diversification has increased. This is because of the increasing volatility of exports across the globe. This study is therefore conducted to determine the effect of land, human and capital endowments on the BRICS countries’ export diversification. This study utilises the data from the individual BRICS countries from 1995 to 2019 and makes use of the ARDL model, the ridge, lasso, elastic net regressions and quantile regression to determine the long-run and short-run effects. The results of this study show that in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa land endowment promotes export diversification in the long-run. In the short-run it promotes export concentration in Brazil, Russia, India and China. Human endowment promotes export diversification in China in both the long-run and the short-run. For Brazil and South Africa, human endowment only promotes export diversification in the short-run and not the long-run. For Russia and India, in the short-run human endowment promotes export diversification, in the long-run it depends on the regression method utilised. Capital endowment promotes export diversification in Brazil, India, China and South Africa in the short-run. In the long-run depending on the methods, capital endowment promotes export diversification in Brazil, Russia and China. In India and South Africa, capital endowment promotes export concentration and not export diversification in the long-run. This therefore implies that, for the individual BRICS countries, policy makers need to implement the appropriate policies that will enable the positive effect of factor endowment on export diversification, in either/both the long-run and the short-run. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economics Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The factors influencing professional commitment and job performance of pharmacists in the Nelson Mandela Bay within the Covid-19 environment
- Authors: Sayster, Gary
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Professional ethics , Pharmacists (Nelson Mandela Bay) , COVID-19 (Disease)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60232 , vital:63986
- Description: Job performance and professional commitment are potent drivers of organisational efficiency and overall organisational prosperity, respectively. The severe lack in research regarding these constructs in relation to the pharmaceutical industry or to pharmacists specifically, provided the prime opportunity for the present research to fill this gap. The aim of the present research was therefore to determine the factors influencing professional commitment and job performance in pharmacists in Nelson Mandela Bay, given the Covid-119 environment. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the present study and involved the distribution of a likert—scale questionnaire measuring the dependent variables – professional commitment and job performance and the independent variables – work stress, job commitment, self-esteem and emotional intelligence. A total of 142 surveys were analysed, signalling a response rate of 94.6 67 %. The key findings of the statical analysis show that work stress is negatively related to affective professional commitment and job performance. Job commitment was positively related to job performance and affective professional commitment and self-esteem have a directly positive effect on affective professional commitment. Social skills and self-motivation (as components of emotional intelligence) had a positive relationship with job performance and professional commitment, respectively. Based on these findings, several managerial implications and recommendations were offered. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Sayster, Gary
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Professional ethics , Pharmacists (Nelson Mandela Bay) , COVID-19 (Disease)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60232 , vital:63986
- Description: Job performance and professional commitment are potent drivers of organisational efficiency and overall organisational prosperity, respectively. The severe lack in research regarding these constructs in relation to the pharmaceutical industry or to pharmacists specifically, provided the prime opportunity for the present research to fill this gap. The aim of the present research was therefore to determine the factors influencing professional commitment and job performance in pharmacists in Nelson Mandela Bay, given the Covid-119 environment. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the present study and involved the distribution of a likert—scale questionnaire measuring the dependent variables – professional commitment and job performance and the independent variables – work stress, job commitment, self-esteem and emotional intelligence. A total of 142 surveys were analysed, signalling a response rate of 94.6 67 %. The key findings of the statical analysis show that work stress is negatively related to affective professional commitment and job performance. Job commitment was positively related to job performance and affective professional commitment and self-esteem have a directly positive effect on affective professional commitment. Social skills and self-motivation (as components of emotional intelligence) had a positive relationship with job performance and professional commitment, respectively. Based on these findings, several managerial implications and recommendations were offered. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12