Women's perceptions regarding financial planning with specific reference to investment
- Authors: Dao, Thi Anh Thu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Finance, Personal , Investments -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Financial planning industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021185
- Description: Investment planning (as one of the key components of financial planning) is seen as an important solution to investment problems and challenges. Previous research however indicated that compare to men, women are not as confident and knowledgeable about financial and investment matters. As a result, women do not conduct investment planning until it is often too late and when they are confronted with a financial crisis or a life predicament such as a divorce or death. Given the lack of research attention focusing on women's perceptions of financial and investment planning in South Africa, and in particular the Eastern Cape, the objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence women‟s Perceived successful investment planning in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. After conducting a comprehensive literature study, seven factors (independent variables) namely Values, Attitudes, Time horizon, Personal life cycle, Risks and Returns, Investment Knowledge, were identified as influencing the Perceived successful investment planning (dependent variable) of women. Various hypotheses were formulated to be tested in the empirical investigation. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were tested among 207 respondents. The Exploratory Factor Analysis, as well as the Cronbach‟s alpha coeffient analysis, revelead that Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values are important factors that influence the women‟s Perceived successful investment planning. As a result of these analyses, the hypotheses had to be reformulated. In order to establish whether correlations existed between the various factors investigated in this study, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated. Positive correlations were found between all the variables, except between Values and Personal life cycle and between Values and Perceived successful investment planning. To analyse the association in which the effects of the independent variables (Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values) have on the dependent variable (Perceived successful investment planning) of this study, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Only one independent variable emerged as having a significant influence on Perceived successful investment planning of women, namely Investment knowledge. In order to investigate the influence of the various demographic variables on the dependent variable, an Analysis of Variance was performed. No significant differences were found between the selected demographic variables, namely Age, Ethnic group, Marital status, Education and Investment experience and the independent variables or dependent variable of this study. By investigating the influence of women‟s Perceived successful investment planning, this study has added to the body of knowledge of both financial and investment planning. Based on the empirical results of this study, several recommendations have been made in an attempt to assist women to make better investment decisions and manage their investment planning more effectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Dao, Thi Anh Thu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Finance, Personal , Investments -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Financial planning industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021185
- Description: Investment planning (as one of the key components of financial planning) is seen as an important solution to investment problems and challenges. Previous research however indicated that compare to men, women are not as confident and knowledgeable about financial and investment matters. As a result, women do not conduct investment planning until it is often too late and when they are confronted with a financial crisis or a life predicament such as a divorce or death. Given the lack of research attention focusing on women's perceptions of financial and investment planning in South Africa, and in particular the Eastern Cape, the objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence women‟s Perceived successful investment planning in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. After conducting a comprehensive literature study, seven factors (independent variables) namely Values, Attitudes, Time horizon, Personal life cycle, Risks and Returns, Investment Knowledge, were identified as influencing the Perceived successful investment planning (dependent variable) of women. Various hypotheses were formulated to be tested in the empirical investigation. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were tested among 207 respondents. The Exploratory Factor Analysis, as well as the Cronbach‟s alpha coeffient analysis, revelead that Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values are important factors that influence the women‟s Perceived successful investment planning. As a result of these analyses, the hypotheses had to be reformulated. In order to establish whether correlations existed between the various factors investigated in this study, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated. Positive correlations were found between all the variables, except between Values and Personal life cycle and between Values and Perceived successful investment planning. To analyse the association in which the effects of the independent variables (Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values) have on the dependent variable (Perceived successful investment planning) of this study, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Only one independent variable emerged as having a significant influence on Perceived successful investment planning of women, namely Investment knowledge. In order to investigate the influence of the various demographic variables on the dependent variable, an Analysis of Variance was performed. No significant differences were found between the selected demographic variables, namely Age, Ethnic group, Marital status, Education and Investment experience and the independent variables or dependent variable of this study. By investigating the influence of women‟s Perceived successful investment planning, this study has added to the body of knowledge of both financial and investment planning. Based on the empirical results of this study, several recommendations have been made in an attempt to assist women to make better investment decisions and manage their investment planning more effectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Women farmers' representation in Botswana Agrinews Magazine
- Authors: Morupisi, Joseph
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mass media and women -- Botswana , Women in agriculture -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6567 , vital:21112
- Description: The Government of Botswana recognises the important role that women can play in the economic development of the country, particularly in the agricultural sector, with respect to food security at both household and national levels. The study sought to investigate how women in agriculture are represented in the Botswana Agrinews Magazine. Moreover, it sought to establish whether, and how, messages conveyed to audience by the Botswana Agrinews Magazine promote any type of social or economic interaction between farming communities, individuals and/or government and other stakeholders. The sources of data were the articles that reported on women farmers from the sample of the Botswana Agrinews Magazine, over 24 months, that is, from January 2012 to December 2013. This magazine under study is a government publication targeting the broad Botswana farming community. Critical discourse analysis revealed that women farmers participated in events associated with commercial horticultural farming, dry land farming (field crop production), in the arable farming sector, at Consumer Fairs and Regional Agricultural shows for Commercial Farmers respectively, as well as in pastoral farming sector events at Agricultural shows. They also participated in the arable farming sector agricultural activities for commercial horticultural farmers and those for subsistence dry land farming. Furthermore, the results revealed that women farmers encountered constraints in the different ventures, they undertook in both arable and pastoral farming. However, the reports showed that they received support from the government and/or other stakeholders to counteract their constraints. Furthermore, the analysis identified the coverage on the themes of (1) arable farming, (2) pastoral farming, (3) integrated farming, and (4) attitudes of both women in agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture workers, which promoted women farmers’ participation in the agricultural sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Morupisi, Joseph
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mass media and women -- Botswana , Women in agriculture -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6567 , vital:21112
- Description: The Government of Botswana recognises the important role that women can play in the economic development of the country, particularly in the agricultural sector, with respect to food security at both household and national levels. The study sought to investigate how women in agriculture are represented in the Botswana Agrinews Magazine. Moreover, it sought to establish whether, and how, messages conveyed to audience by the Botswana Agrinews Magazine promote any type of social or economic interaction between farming communities, individuals and/or government and other stakeholders. The sources of data were the articles that reported on women farmers from the sample of the Botswana Agrinews Magazine, over 24 months, that is, from January 2012 to December 2013. This magazine under study is a government publication targeting the broad Botswana farming community. Critical discourse analysis revealed that women farmers participated in events associated with commercial horticultural farming, dry land farming (field crop production), in the arable farming sector, at Consumer Fairs and Regional Agricultural shows for Commercial Farmers respectively, as well as in pastoral farming sector events at Agricultural shows. They also participated in the arable farming sector agricultural activities for commercial horticultural farmers and those for subsistence dry land farming. Furthermore, the results revealed that women farmers encountered constraints in the different ventures, they undertook in both arable and pastoral farming. However, the reports showed that they received support from the government and/or other stakeholders to counteract their constraints. Furthermore, the analysis identified the coverage on the themes of (1) arable farming, (2) pastoral farming, (3) integrated farming, and (4) attitudes of both women in agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture workers, which promoted women farmers’ participation in the agricultural sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Wireless industrial intelligent controller for a non-linear system
- Authors: Fernandes, John Manuel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science) , Linear systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9021 , vital:26457
- Description: Modern neural network (NN) based control schemes have surmounted many of the limitations found in the traditional control approaches. Nevertheless, these modern control techniques have only recently been introduced for use on high-specification Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and usually at a very high cost in terms of the required software and hardware. This ‗intelligent‘ control in the sector of industrial automation, specifically on standard PLCs thus remains an area of study that is open to further research and development. The research documented in this thesis examined the effectiveness of linear traditional control schemes such as Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), Lead and Lead-Lag control, in comparison to non-linear NN based control schemes when applied on a strongly non-linear platform. To this end, a mechatronic-type balancing system, namely, the Ball-on-Wheel (BOW) system was designed, constructed and modelled. Thereafter various traditional and intelligent controllers were implemented in order to control the system. The BOW platform may be taken to represent any single-input, single-output (SISO) non-linear system in use in the real world. The system makes use of current industrial technology including a standard PLC as the digital computational platform, a servo drive and wireless access for remote control. The results gathered from the research revealed that NN based control schemes (i.e. Pure NN and NN-PID), although comparatively slower in response, have greater advantages over traditional controllers in that they are able to adapt to external system changes as well as system non-linearity through a process of learning. These controllers also reduce the guess work that is usually involved with the traditional control approaches where cumbersome modelling, linearization or manual tuning is required. Furthermore, the research showed that online-learning adaptive traditional controllers such as the NN-PID controller which maintains the best of both the intelligent and traditional controllers may be implemented easily and with minimum expense on standard PLCs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Fernandes, John Manuel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science) , Linear systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9021 , vital:26457
- Description: Modern neural network (NN) based control schemes have surmounted many of the limitations found in the traditional control approaches. Nevertheless, these modern control techniques have only recently been introduced for use on high-specification Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and usually at a very high cost in terms of the required software and hardware. This ‗intelligent‘ control in the sector of industrial automation, specifically on standard PLCs thus remains an area of study that is open to further research and development. The research documented in this thesis examined the effectiveness of linear traditional control schemes such as Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), Lead and Lead-Lag control, in comparison to non-linear NN based control schemes when applied on a strongly non-linear platform. To this end, a mechatronic-type balancing system, namely, the Ball-on-Wheel (BOW) system was designed, constructed and modelled. Thereafter various traditional and intelligent controllers were implemented in order to control the system. The BOW platform may be taken to represent any single-input, single-output (SISO) non-linear system in use in the real world. The system makes use of current industrial technology including a standard PLC as the digital computational platform, a servo drive and wireless access for remote control. The results gathered from the research revealed that NN based control schemes (i.e. Pure NN and NN-PID), although comparatively slower in response, have greater advantages over traditional controllers in that they are able to adapt to external system changes as well as system non-linearity through a process of learning. These controllers also reduce the guess work that is usually involved with the traditional control approaches where cumbersome modelling, linearization or manual tuning is required. Furthermore, the research showed that online-learning adaptive traditional controllers such as the NN-PID controller which maintains the best of both the intelligent and traditional controllers may be implemented easily and with minimum expense on standard PLCs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Wireless ICT monitoring for hydroponic agriculture
- Authors: Ndame, Loic Andre Stephane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mobile apps -- South Africa , Hydroponics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3605 , vital:20445
- Description: It is becoming increasingly evident that agriculture is playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of South Africa. The agricultural sector is important because it contributes approximately 2% to the gross domestic product of the country. However, many factors impact on the sustainability of traditional agriculture in South Africa. Unpredictable climatic conditions, land degradation and a lack of information and awareness of innovative farming solutions are among the factors plaguing the South African agricultural landscape. Various farming techniques have been looked at in order to mitigate these challenges. Among these interventions are the introduction of organic agriculture, greenhouse agriculture and hydroponic agriculture, which is the focus area of this study. Hydroponic agriculture is a method of precision agriculture where plants are grown in a mineral nutrient solution instead labour- intensive activity that requires an incessant monitoring of the farm environment in order to ensure a successful harvest. Hydroponic agriculture, however, presents a number of challenges that can be mitigated by leveraging the recent mobile Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) breakthroughs. This dissertation reports on the development of a wireless ICT monitoring application for hydroponic agriculture: HydroWatcher mobile app. HydroWatcher is a complex system that is composed of several interlacing parts and this study will be focusing on the development of the mobile app, the front-end of the system. This focus is motivated by the fact that in such systems the front-end, being the part that the users interact with, is critical for the acceptance of the system. However, in order to design and develop any part of HydroWatcher, it is crucial to understand the context of hydroponic agriculture in South Africa. Therefore, complementary objectives of this study are to identify the critical factors that impact hydroponic agriculture as well as the challenges faced by hydroponic farmers in South Africa. Thus, it leads to the elicitation of the requirements for the design and development of HydroWatcher. This study followed a mixed methods approach, including interviews, observations, exploration of hydroponic farming, to collect the data, which will best enable the researcher to understand the activities relating to hydroponic agriculture. A qualitative content analysis was followed to analyse the data and to constitute the requirements for the system and later to assert their applicability to the mobile app. HydroWatcher proposes to couple recent advances in mobile technology development, like the Android platform, with the contemporary advances in electronics necessary for the creation of wireless sensor nodes, as well as Human Computer interaction guidelines tailored for developing countries, in order to boost the user experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ndame, Loic Andre Stephane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mobile apps -- South Africa , Hydroponics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3605 , vital:20445
- Description: It is becoming increasingly evident that agriculture is playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of South Africa. The agricultural sector is important because it contributes approximately 2% to the gross domestic product of the country. However, many factors impact on the sustainability of traditional agriculture in South Africa. Unpredictable climatic conditions, land degradation and a lack of information and awareness of innovative farming solutions are among the factors plaguing the South African agricultural landscape. Various farming techniques have been looked at in order to mitigate these challenges. Among these interventions are the introduction of organic agriculture, greenhouse agriculture and hydroponic agriculture, which is the focus area of this study. Hydroponic agriculture is a method of precision agriculture where plants are grown in a mineral nutrient solution instead labour- intensive activity that requires an incessant monitoring of the farm environment in order to ensure a successful harvest. Hydroponic agriculture, however, presents a number of challenges that can be mitigated by leveraging the recent mobile Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) breakthroughs. This dissertation reports on the development of a wireless ICT monitoring application for hydroponic agriculture: HydroWatcher mobile app. HydroWatcher is a complex system that is composed of several interlacing parts and this study will be focusing on the development of the mobile app, the front-end of the system. This focus is motivated by the fact that in such systems the front-end, being the part that the users interact with, is critical for the acceptance of the system. However, in order to design and develop any part of HydroWatcher, it is crucial to understand the context of hydroponic agriculture in South Africa. Therefore, complementary objectives of this study are to identify the critical factors that impact hydroponic agriculture as well as the challenges faced by hydroponic farmers in South Africa. Thus, it leads to the elicitation of the requirements for the design and development of HydroWatcher. This study followed a mixed methods approach, including interviews, observations, exploration of hydroponic farming, to collect the data, which will best enable the researcher to understand the activities relating to hydroponic agriculture. A qualitative content analysis was followed to analyse the data and to constitute the requirements for the system and later to assert their applicability to the mobile app. HydroWatcher proposes to couple recent advances in mobile technology development, like the Android platform, with the contemporary advances in electronics necessary for the creation of wireless sensor nodes, as well as Human Computer interaction guidelines tailored for developing countries, in order to boost the user experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Whither South Africa – neoliberalism or an embodied communitarian indigenous ethic?
- Authors: Konik, Inga
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neoliberalism -- South Africa Communitarianism , Literature and society South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21656 , vital:29729
- Description: This thesis offers a critique of neoliberal transformation in South Africa, which process results in growing social inequality and political apathy among citizens. Many scholars have made political-economic and historical analyses of the neoliberal transition, emphasizing structural changes at work at a ‘macro’ level. However, little attention has been paid to changes that have taken place in South Africa at the ‘micro’ level – changes to individual subjectivity and gender codes. That said, the thesis opens by summarizing the above mentioned political-economic accounts of neoliberalism in South Africa, because such works are indispensable to understanding how the regime is embedded within and buttressed by major global institutions. Yet, to achieve a holistic grasp of ‘neoliberal South Africa,’ more is needed. A sociological investigation into the impact of neoliberalism on ordinary people’s self-identification uncovers deep cultural reasons for the continued perpetuation of this unjust political-economic system. Only if it can be understood why people comply with the system in the face of suffering, can effective counter-measures be proposed and implemented over time. This thesis is inherently transdisciplinary. The approach rejects the privileging of one discipline over others, and likewise cautions against collapsing or dissolving disciplines into one another. Instead, recognizing the valuable contribution that each discipline can make to critical scrutiny of a particular issue, a form of methodological transversalism is used to bring different disciplines into dialogue with one another. Following this interplay of structural and subjective analysis, the thesis uncovers the role that consumerism plays in the political neutralization of South Africans. Consumer culture, tied as it is to profitable accumulation, instigates the neoliberal ‘values’ of economistic calculation, competition, and social atomization. This ethos is inculcated in individuals, both at work and during leisure hours. Moreover, consumerism derives much of its power from its ‘sexual sell,’ the creation of fashionable and ‘exemplary’ models of masculinity and femininity. In South Africa, these hegemonic gender models serve to instill competitive individualism while derogating indigenous values. The thesis proposes that in order to counter neoliberal hegemony in South Africa, and begin reclaiming the cultural autonomy of its peoples, it is important to invigorate indigenous communitarian practices and norms. The original contribution of this thesis consists in placing the African ethos of ubuntu in transversal dialogue with global ecological feminist voices. Both political perspectives reinforce a liberatory alternative vision for a future based on principles of embodied relationality, care giving and protection of community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Konik, Inga
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neoliberalism -- South Africa Communitarianism , Literature and society South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21656 , vital:29729
- Description: This thesis offers a critique of neoliberal transformation in South Africa, which process results in growing social inequality and political apathy among citizens. Many scholars have made political-economic and historical analyses of the neoliberal transition, emphasizing structural changes at work at a ‘macro’ level. However, little attention has been paid to changes that have taken place in South Africa at the ‘micro’ level – changes to individual subjectivity and gender codes. That said, the thesis opens by summarizing the above mentioned political-economic accounts of neoliberalism in South Africa, because such works are indispensable to understanding how the regime is embedded within and buttressed by major global institutions. Yet, to achieve a holistic grasp of ‘neoliberal South Africa,’ more is needed. A sociological investigation into the impact of neoliberalism on ordinary people’s self-identification uncovers deep cultural reasons for the continued perpetuation of this unjust political-economic system. Only if it can be understood why people comply with the system in the face of suffering, can effective counter-measures be proposed and implemented over time. This thesis is inherently transdisciplinary. The approach rejects the privileging of one discipline over others, and likewise cautions against collapsing or dissolving disciplines into one another. Instead, recognizing the valuable contribution that each discipline can make to critical scrutiny of a particular issue, a form of methodological transversalism is used to bring different disciplines into dialogue with one another. Following this interplay of structural and subjective analysis, the thesis uncovers the role that consumerism plays in the political neutralization of South Africans. Consumer culture, tied as it is to profitable accumulation, instigates the neoliberal ‘values’ of economistic calculation, competition, and social atomization. This ethos is inculcated in individuals, both at work and during leisure hours. Moreover, consumerism derives much of its power from its ‘sexual sell,’ the creation of fashionable and ‘exemplary’ models of masculinity and femininity. In South Africa, these hegemonic gender models serve to instill competitive individualism while derogating indigenous values. The thesis proposes that in order to counter neoliberal hegemony in South Africa, and begin reclaiming the cultural autonomy of its peoples, it is important to invigorate indigenous communitarian practices and norms. The original contribution of this thesis consists in placing the African ethos of ubuntu in transversal dialogue with global ecological feminist voices. Both political perspectives reinforce a liberatory alternative vision for a future based on principles of embodied relationality, care giving and protection of community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Visualising M-learning system usage data
- Authors: Kamuhanda, Dany
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Database management Information visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11015 , vital:26876
- Description: Data storage is an important practice for organisations that want to track their progress. The evolution of data storage technologies from manual methods of storing data on paper or in spreadsheets, to the automated methods of using computers to automatically log data into databases or text files has brought an amount of data that is beyond the level of human interpretation and comprehension. One way of addressing this issue of interpreting large amounts of data is data visualisation, which aims to convert abstract data into images that are easy to interpret. However, people often have difficulty in selecting an appropriate visualisation tool and visualisation techniques that can effectively visualise their data. This research proposes the processes that can be followed to effectively visualise data. Data logged from a mobile learning system is visualised as a proof of concept to show how the proposed processes can be followed during data visualisation. These processes are summarised into a model that consists of three main components: the data, the visualisation techniques and the visualisation tool. There are two main contributions in this research: the model to visualise mobile learning usage data and the visualisation of the usage data logged from a mobile learning system. The mobile learning system usage data was visualised to demonstrate how students used the mobile learning system. Visualisation of the usage data helped to convert the data into images (charts and graphs) that were easy to interpret. The evaluation results indicated that the proposed process and resulting visualisation techniques and tool assisted users in effectively and efficiently interpreting large volumes of mobile learning system usage data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kamuhanda, Dany
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Database management Information visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11015 , vital:26876
- Description: Data storage is an important practice for organisations that want to track their progress. The evolution of data storage technologies from manual methods of storing data on paper or in spreadsheets, to the automated methods of using computers to automatically log data into databases or text files has brought an amount of data that is beyond the level of human interpretation and comprehension. One way of addressing this issue of interpreting large amounts of data is data visualisation, which aims to convert abstract data into images that are easy to interpret. However, people often have difficulty in selecting an appropriate visualisation tool and visualisation techniques that can effectively visualise their data. This research proposes the processes that can be followed to effectively visualise data. Data logged from a mobile learning system is visualised as a proof of concept to show how the proposed processes can be followed during data visualisation. These processes are summarised into a model that consists of three main components: the data, the visualisation techniques and the visualisation tool. There are two main contributions in this research: the model to visualise mobile learning usage data and the visualisation of the usage data logged from a mobile learning system. The mobile learning system usage data was visualised to demonstrate how students used the mobile learning system. Visualisation of the usage data helped to convert the data into images (charts and graphs) that were easy to interpret. The evaluation results indicated that the proposed process and resulting visualisation techniques and tool assisted users in effectively and efficiently interpreting large volumes of mobile learning system usage data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Violence: an exploratory study of the lived experiences of violent re-offending youth
- Authors: O'Connell, Tracy
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Criminal psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violent crimes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecological Systems Theory -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violent offenders -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5236 , vital:20823
- Description: Although much research has been conducted on violence, its effects, and which circumstances put an individual at risk of becoming a potential victim, there is a paucity of studies that focus on the perpetrators of violence. Much of the literature available on this subject is dated, providing information which is already dated and, frequently no longer relevant. This research has sought to explore and understand violent crimes from the psychological and emotional standpoint of the individual who perpetrated them. One objective of the study was to facilitate the development of a profile of youths who chronically commit crime, and more specifically crimes of violence. This study utilised the qualitative research design of Phenomenology, which allows for the exploration of the phenomena from the perspective of the participants. The sample for this study consisted of five male individuals who are currently incarcerated in a correctional institution situated in the Eastern Cape. The sample was chosen according to the non-probability purposive-sampling technique, based on their relevance to the study. The selected male offenders from the correctional institution ages ranged between 18 and 31. Specific criteria were identified against which participants were measured in order to be selected to participate in the research. Data was obtained from the participants via a questionnaire, a journal, and semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher. Other data for the study was obtained from official documents. The study was embedded in the ecological theory of Bronfenbrenner, which provided the psychological framework in which to explain and understand the results of the study and the development of violence. The major findings of this study include; growing up violently, the reasons for violence, justificationa and perseptions of violence, society and the culture of 10 violence, and the environmental impact. These findings will contribute to the development of treatment programmes, which better facilitate the reformation and rehabilitation of criminals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: O'Connell, Tracy
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Criminal psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violent crimes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecological Systems Theory -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violent offenders -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5236 , vital:20823
- Description: Although much research has been conducted on violence, its effects, and which circumstances put an individual at risk of becoming a potential victim, there is a paucity of studies that focus on the perpetrators of violence. Much of the literature available on this subject is dated, providing information which is already dated and, frequently no longer relevant. This research has sought to explore and understand violent crimes from the psychological and emotional standpoint of the individual who perpetrated them. One objective of the study was to facilitate the development of a profile of youths who chronically commit crime, and more specifically crimes of violence. This study utilised the qualitative research design of Phenomenology, which allows for the exploration of the phenomena from the perspective of the participants. The sample for this study consisted of five male individuals who are currently incarcerated in a correctional institution situated in the Eastern Cape. The sample was chosen according to the non-probability purposive-sampling technique, based on their relevance to the study. The selected male offenders from the correctional institution ages ranged between 18 and 31. Specific criteria were identified against which participants were measured in order to be selected to participate in the research. Data was obtained from the participants via a questionnaire, a journal, and semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher. Other data for the study was obtained from official documents. The study was embedded in the ecological theory of Bronfenbrenner, which provided the psychological framework in which to explain and understand the results of the study and the development of violence. The major findings of this study include; growing up violently, the reasons for violence, justificationa and perseptions of violence, society and the culture of 10 violence, and the environmental impact. These findings will contribute to the development of treatment programmes, which better facilitate the reformation and rehabilitation of criminals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Views of HIV and AIDS amongst rural secondary school youth: an exploratory study
- Daniels, Brendon Mara Laurence
- Authors: Daniels, Brendon Mara Laurence
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Study and teaching Communicable diseases -- Prevention High school students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11460 , vital:26928
- Description: The HIV and AIDS epidemic continues to affect communities worldwide particularly so in South Africa. Youth, also the so-called Coloured youth, continue to remain at risk of infection, in spite of having been exposed to information about HIV and AIDS. This study explores the views of Coloured secondary school youth in a rural town in the Eastern Cape, on HIV and AIDS. Fifteen secondary school learners, both boys and girls, from Grades 10 to 12 were purposively selected. This qualitative study, framed within an interpretivist paradigm, draws on a phenomenological methodology. The data was generated from using drawing and focus group interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The research adhered to ethical principles and trustworthiness was ensured. Constructivism and Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological systems theory were used to frame the study and to make meaning of the findings. In response to the primary research question, What views do Coloured youth attending a secondary school in a rural town have of HIV and AIDS?, five themes emerged, namely: individuals spread HIV, impoverished family life increases youth vulnerability to HIV, youth under pressure from peers knowingly engage in risky behaviour, misconceptions fuel the epidemic, and HIV and AIDS “captures the community in its net”. Drawing on the findings and in response to the secondary research question, What guidelines can be developed to assist educators to facilitate learners taking action against the spread of HIV and AIDS?, several guidelines were developed. They suggest that teachers should use participatory pedagogies to engage secondary school learners when teaching HIV and AIDS, build self-esteem in their learners, assist learners in dealing with peer pressure, engage learners in erasing misconceptions, and enable learners to break free from being “caught in the net” of HIV and AIDS. Collectively these guidelines could enable learners to take action in protecting themselves and their community against the spread of the HI virus. The study concludes that the views that Coloured secondary school learners from a rural town have about HIV and AIDS show their awareness of the realities of the epidemic affecting the individual, the family, the school and their community. They have constructed their views of HIV and AIDS in a way which shows their understanding of the complexities of the epidemic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Daniels, Brendon Mara Laurence
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Study and teaching Communicable diseases -- Prevention High school students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11460 , vital:26928
- Description: The HIV and AIDS epidemic continues to affect communities worldwide particularly so in South Africa. Youth, also the so-called Coloured youth, continue to remain at risk of infection, in spite of having been exposed to information about HIV and AIDS. This study explores the views of Coloured secondary school youth in a rural town in the Eastern Cape, on HIV and AIDS. Fifteen secondary school learners, both boys and girls, from Grades 10 to 12 were purposively selected. This qualitative study, framed within an interpretivist paradigm, draws on a phenomenological methodology. The data was generated from using drawing and focus group interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The research adhered to ethical principles and trustworthiness was ensured. Constructivism and Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological systems theory were used to frame the study and to make meaning of the findings. In response to the primary research question, What views do Coloured youth attending a secondary school in a rural town have of HIV and AIDS?, five themes emerged, namely: individuals spread HIV, impoverished family life increases youth vulnerability to HIV, youth under pressure from peers knowingly engage in risky behaviour, misconceptions fuel the epidemic, and HIV and AIDS “captures the community in its net”. Drawing on the findings and in response to the secondary research question, What guidelines can be developed to assist educators to facilitate learners taking action against the spread of HIV and AIDS?, several guidelines were developed. They suggest that teachers should use participatory pedagogies to engage secondary school learners when teaching HIV and AIDS, build self-esteem in their learners, assist learners in dealing with peer pressure, engage learners in erasing misconceptions, and enable learners to break free from being “caught in the net” of HIV and AIDS. Collectively these guidelines could enable learners to take action in protecting themselves and their community against the spread of the HI virus. The study concludes that the views that Coloured secondary school learners from a rural town have about HIV and AIDS show their awareness of the realities of the epidemic affecting the individual, the family, the school and their community. They have constructed their views of HIV and AIDS in a way which shows their understanding of the complexities of the epidemic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Variation in selected solid wood properties of young pinus patula from diverse sites in the Mpumalanga escarpment area in South Africa
- Authors: Muller, Barry Glen
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pinus patula -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Wood -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5509 , vital:20872
- Description: The objectives of this study were to study wood property variation in Pinus patula from different physiographic sites, the interrelationship between wood properties and the effects of some forest site factors on wood properties and their within-tree variation. The wood properties considered were density, transverse shrinkage, grain angle and stiffness (modulus of elasticity). Ten trees were taken from each of seventeen sites selected during a previous study of soil ecology and tree growth patterns on the escarpment of Mpumalanga in South Africa. This is a complex physiographic region with several different growth sites within a relatively small geographical area. The key finding of the study was that the effect of radial distance from the pith (i.e. the age of the tree) was highly significant and accounted for most of the variation of the trees sampled. Although the effect of site on the selected wood properties was highly significant, its effect accounted for a relatively small percentage of the total variation in each case. Consequently, solid wood processors must take into account the large variation within a tree when implementing strategies to minimise the downgrade of timber as result of excessive board distortion and/or inferior strength. There were significant correlations between wood density and density slope, radial shrinkage, shrinkage ratio and stiffness and also significant correlations between wood stiffness and density slope and radial shrinkage. Density and grain angle both showed significant correlations with the most important climatic factors. ‘Growth days’ (which is an index reflecting the number of days per year when soil moisture is not a limiting factor for plant growth) was identified as one of the principal growth factors influencing the selected wood properties, because of it’s strong relationships with wood density, density slope, grain angle and stiffness. Regression models were developed to predict wood density and grain angle from growth variables. The results show that those wood properties that correlate with geographic representable site variables can be included in site classification and evaluation systems, to assist in predicting growth in terms of volume yield and wood quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Muller, Barry Glen
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pinus patula -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Wood -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5509 , vital:20872
- Description: The objectives of this study were to study wood property variation in Pinus patula from different physiographic sites, the interrelationship between wood properties and the effects of some forest site factors on wood properties and their within-tree variation. The wood properties considered were density, transverse shrinkage, grain angle and stiffness (modulus of elasticity). Ten trees were taken from each of seventeen sites selected during a previous study of soil ecology and tree growth patterns on the escarpment of Mpumalanga in South Africa. This is a complex physiographic region with several different growth sites within a relatively small geographical area. The key finding of the study was that the effect of radial distance from the pith (i.e. the age of the tree) was highly significant and accounted for most of the variation of the trees sampled. Although the effect of site on the selected wood properties was highly significant, its effect accounted for a relatively small percentage of the total variation in each case. Consequently, solid wood processors must take into account the large variation within a tree when implementing strategies to minimise the downgrade of timber as result of excessive board distortion and/or inferior strength. There were significant correlations between wood density and density slope, radial shrinkage, shrinkage ratio and stiffness and also significant correlations between wood stiffness and density slope and radial shrinkage. Density and grain angle both showed significant correlations with the most important climatic factors. ‘Growth days’ (which is an index reflecting the number of days per year when soil moisture is not a limiting factor for plant growth) was identified as one of the principal growth factors influencing the selected wood properties, because of it’s strong relationships with wood density, density slope, grain angle and stiffness. Regression models were developed to predict wood density and grain angle from growth variables. The results show that those wood properties that correlate with geographic representable site variables can be included in site classification and evaluation systems, to assist in predicting growth in terms of volume yield and wood quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Validity and accuracy of self-reported drug allergies
- Authors: Grant, Elzaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Drug allergy , Medical history taking
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3295 , vital:20421
- Description: Purpose: Pharmacists must ensure the safe and effective use of medication, but often have only the documented patient history to guide assessment of therapy. There is a lack of information on the incidence of claimed drug allergies or the validity of these self-reported drug allergies in the South African population. Mislabelling of patients as being allergic to medication often deprives them of important therapeutic drugs and alternative agents may be more dangerous, less effective and more costly (Hung et al., 1994). The aim of the research was therefore to determine the incidence of drug allergies in patients admitted to a private hospital and to assess the validity of these self-reported drug allergies. Methods: A descriptive, non-experimental study design was used. Data was collected using a concurrent, cross-sectional approach and collected from patients admitted to hospital using Medical Chart Reviews and researcher-led, questionnaire based interviews. During the seven month sampling period, 693 patients were identified with one or more self-reported drug allergies. A subset of 99 patients (14.2%) consented to a researcher-led interview. The allergies were assigned to one of three groups based on the history: (i) High probability: signs and symptoms typical of an immunological reaction. (ii) Low probability: signs and symptoms of the reaction were predictable reactions or side effects of the drug. (iii) Unknown status: no information concerning the reaction history was available. Results: A total of 953 allergies were identified in the 693 patients, with a ratio of drug allergy to patient of 1.4:1. The majority of claimed allergies were to penicillin (39.2%), opioid analgesics (17.6%), other antimicrobials, including co-trimoxazole (13.5%), NSAIDs (9.9%) and unspecified “sulphur” allergy (8.7%). Descriptions of the “allergic” reactions were only recorded on 8.9% (62, n=693) of the reviewed charts. Only 56.5% (35, n=62) of the symptoms recorded as “allergy” were indicative of the event being allergic or immunological in nature. In total, 1.3% (9, n=693) of the patients with a self-reported allergy received the allergen while in hospital. In three cases this was the result of a pharmacist overlooking the recorded allergy, and dispensing the allergen to the patient. A total of 118 allergies were identified in the 99 interviewed patients, with a ratio of drug allergy to patient of 1.2:1. Inaccurate allergy history was found in 9.1% (9, n=99) of the interviewed patients. Overall, the majority of self-reported drug allergies (67.8%) had a “high probability” of being a true drug allergy. Allergies that were assigned into the high probability group were: penicillin (74.1%), co-trimoxazole (91.7%), NSAID‟s (55.6%) and 75.0% of opioids. Conclusion: In summary, the validity of self-reported drug allergies need to be determined before excluding medication from a patient‟s treatment options. Detailed descriptions can assist in the evaluation of self-reported allergies which would be advantageous to both prescribers and patients. Pharmacists need to play a bigger role in ensuring accurate documentation of drug allergy history, with detailed descriptions, in order to ensure safe and effective drug use within the hospital environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Grant, Elzaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Drug allergy , Medical history taking
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3295 , vital:20421
- Description: Purpose: Pharmacists must ensure the safe and effective use of medication, but often have only the documented patient history to guide assessment of therapy. There is a lack of information on the incidence of claimed drug allergies or the validity of these self-reported drug allergies in the South African population. Mislabelling of patients as being allergic to medication often deprives them of important therapeutic drugs and alternative agents may be more dangerous, less effective and more costly (Hung et al., 1994). The aim of the research was therefore to determine the incidence of drug allergies in patients admitted to a private hospital and to assess the validity of these self-reported drug allergies. Methods: A descriptive, non-experimental study design was used. Data was collected using a concurrent, cross-sectional approach and collected from patients admitted to hospital using Medical Chart Reviews and researcher-led, questionnaire based interviews. During the seven month sampling period, 693 patients were identified with one or more self-reported drug allergies. A subset of 99 patients (14.2%) consented to a researcher-led interview. The allergies were assigned to one of three groups based on the history: (i) High probability: signs and symptoms typical of an immunological reaction. (ii) Low probability: signs and symptoms of the reaction were predictable reactions or side effects of the drug. (iii) Unknown status: no information concerning the reaction history was available. Results: A total of 953 allergies were identified in the 693 patients, with a ratio of drug allergy to patient of 1.4:1. The majority of claimed allergies were to penicillin (39.2%), opioid analgesics (17.6%), other antimicrobials, including co-trimoxazole (13.5%), NSAIDs (9.9%) and unspecified “sulphur” allergy (8.7%). Descriptions of the “allergic” reactions were only recorded on 8.9% (62, n=693) of the reviewed charts. Only 56.5% (35, n=62) of the symptoms recorded as “allergy” were indicative of the event being allergic or immunological in nature. In total, 1.3% (9, n=693) of the patients with a self-reported allergy received the allergen while in hospital. In three cases this was the result of a pharmacist overlooking the recorded allergy, and dispensing the allergen to the patient. A total of 118 allergies were identified in the 99 interviewed patients, with a ratio of drug allergy to patient of 1.2:1. Inaccurate allergy history was found in 9.1% (9, n=99) of the interviewed patients. Overall, the majority of self-reported drug allergies (67.8%) had a “high probability” of being a true drug allergy. Allergies that were assigned into the high probability group were: penicillin (74.1%), co-trimoxazole (91.7%), NSAID‟s (55.6%) and 75.0% of opioids. Conclusion: In summary, the validity of self-reported drug allergies need to be determined before excluding medication from a patient‟s treatment options. Detailed descriptions can assist in the evaluation of self-reported allergies which would be advantageous to both prescribers and patients. Pharmacists need to play a bigger role in ensuring accurate documentation of drug allergy history, with detailed descriptions, in order to ensure safe and effective drug use within the hospital environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Using vehicle activated signs as an integrated measure to improve road safety in South Africa
- Authors: Swanepoel, Charl
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Traffic signs and signals -- South Africa , Electronic traffic controls
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3745 , vital:20460
- Description: Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific technology, namely Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), to contribute to the overall improvement of road safety on a national level in South Africa were investigated, with particular emphasis on the improvement of road safety through the reduction of fatal road traffic crashes. VAS are part of a range of measures that can be used to curb vehicle speeds, similar to conventional measures like speed cameras and traffic calming devices. VAS technology has seen limited use in South extrapolation of results from SCC’s VAS effectiveness study, and the application of these results to the South African road safety and road user statistics for the one year period March 2011 to March 2012. Key factors relating to speed and general driver obedience were also taken into consideration. It was established that the use of VAS would lead to a moderate reduction in the number of fatal road traffic crashes that occur annually, which in turn holds financial and socio-economic benefits for South Africa. A comparison of selected products available from two South African based electronic road sign manufacturing companies with conventional VAS was also carried out, focussing on product function, use and cost. It has been concluded that it would be technically and economically feasible to introduce VAS on the South African road network to improve the prevailing road safety situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Swanepoel, Charl
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Traffic signs and signals -- South Africa , Electronic traffic controls
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3745 , vital:20460
- Description: Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific technology, namely Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), to contribute to the overall improvement of road safety on a national level in South Africa were investigated, with particular emphasis on the improvement of road safety through the reduction of fatal road traffic crashes. VAS are part of a range of measures that can be used to curb vehicle speeds, similar to conventional measures like speed cameras and traffic calming devices. VAS technology has seen limited use in South extrapolation of results from SCC’s VAS effectiveness study, and the application of these results to the South African road safety and road user statistics for the one year period March 2011 to March 2012. Key factors relating to speed and general driver obedience were also taken into consideration. It was established that the use of VAS would lead to a moderate reduction in the number of fatal road traffic crashes that occur annually, which in turn holds financial and socio-economic benefits for South Africa. A comparison of selected products available from two South African based electronic road sign manufacturing companies with conventional VAS was also carried out, focussing on product function, use and cost. It has been concluded that it would be technically and economically feasible to introduce VAS on the South African road network to improve the prevailing road safety situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Using experience from previous failed implementations to improve future lean implementation strategy
- Authors: Hiles, Charmelle Amanda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- Management Production planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11047 , vital:26880
- Description: The main objective of the study was to ascertain the presence of the identified critical success factors for lean sustainability in a chemical manufacturing company in Port Elizabeth. The critical success factors that formed part of the research included leadership involvement and commitment, management involvement and commitment, employee engagement and organisational culture. The methodology used was one of a positivistic approach. A questionnaire was utilized and the responses were analyzed using various statistical methods. Based on the results from the analysis, recommendations and conclusions could be drawn. The inferential results of the study indicated that all the critical success factors identified for this study were present within the organisation. However, there were still a large percentage of respondents that remained neutral across all the questions which could indicate reasons why previous attempts in lean implementation failed. The recommendations provided were based on the findings of the study. An implementation strategy was identified and outlined. This strategy and recommendations will assist in providing a sound platform for a sustainable lean initiative within the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Using experience from previous failed implementations to improve future lean implementation strategy
- Authors: Hiles, Charmelle Amanda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- Management Production planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11047 , vital:26880
- Description: The main objective of the study was to ascertain the presence of the identified critical success factors for lean sustainability in a chemical manufacturing company in Port Elizabeth. The critical success factors that formed part of the research included leadership involvement and commitment, management involvement and commitment, employee engagement and organisational culture. The methodology used was one of a positivistic approach. A questionnaire was utilized and the responses were analyzed using various statistical methods. Based on the results from the analysis, recommendations and conclusions could be drawn. The inferential results of the study indicated that all the critical success factors identified for this study were present within the organisation. However, there were still a large percentage of respondents that remained neutral across all the questions which could indicate reasons why previous attempts in lean implementation failed. The recommendations provided were based on the findings of the study. An implementation strategy was identified and outlined. This strategy and recommendations will assist in providing a sound platform for a sustainable lean initiative within the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Uphando ngokuphononongwa kwabalinganiswa ngokobume bengqondo kwiincwadi ezikhethiweyo zikaSaule u'Vuleka mhlaba no Umthetho kamthetho'
- Authors: Sokiya, Liliswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Saule, N. -- Criticism and interpretation , Xhosa literature -- History and criticism
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8585 , vital:26409
- Description: Impatho-mbi nabalinganiswa iba ngunobangela wokuphazamiseka kwengqodo zabalinganiswa. Umlinganiswa uthi nokuba uhleli azibone sele enezinye iingcinga, ngcinga ezo ziphazamisa ubomi bakhe. Izinto eziphazamisa umlinganiswa ebalini kukutyholwa ngezinto angazaziyo. Iyashiyana indlela abalinganiswa abachaphazeleka ngayo ngenxa yolu phazamiseko, loo nto ikhokelele ekubeni benze izinto ezingafaniyo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sokiya, Liliswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Saule, N. -- Criticism and interpretation , Xhosa literature -- History and criticism
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8585 , vital:26409
- Description: Impatho-mbi nabalinganiswa iba ngunobangela wokuphazamiseka kwengqodo zabalinganiswa. Umlinganiswa uthi nokuba uhleli azibone sele enezinye iingcinga, ngcinga ezo ziphazamisa ubomi bakhe. Izinto eziphazamisa umlinganiswa ebalini kukutyholwa ngezinto angazaziyo. Iyashiyana indlela abalinganiswa abachaphazeleka ngayo ngenxa yolu phazamiseko, loo nto ikhokelele ekubeni benze izinto ezingafaniyo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Unfair labour practice relating to promotion in the public education sector
- Authors: Tsheko, Toto
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Unfair labor practices , Mediation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6050 , vital:21034
- Description: This topic deals with unfair labour practice relating to promotion and will focus mainly on the public education sector. The Labour Relations Act of 1956 and 1995, with respect to the concept of unfair labour practice, will be analysed. It is through this discussion that one appreciates how the concept of unfair labour practices has evolved in South African law. An attempt is made to define promotion and in this regard reference is made to cases decided upon by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) or the Labour Court (LC). Furthermore, promotion is defined within the context of public education and applicable legislation. Due regard must be to the employment relationship between the employer and the employee as well as compare the current employee’s job with the job applied to. Unfair conduct by the employer will be discussed within the context of promotion. The prerogative of the employer will be discussed with reference to case law and that discussion will include an analysis of various principles with regard to procedural and substantive fairness. Various remedies provided for in dispute resolution mechanism in line with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 and relevant case laws will also be discussed. The last chapter deals with how to strike a balance between employee rights (that is educators) and the rights of learners, in the context of promotion disputes. In this regard reference to case laws will be made. In general the topic will deal with unfair labour practice, definition of promotion including promotion of educators, unfair conduct of the employer, onus of proof, remedies and striking the balance between the rights of the learners and educators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Tsheko, Toto
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Unfair labor practices , Mediation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6050 , vital:21034
- Description: This topic deals with unfair labour practice relating to promotion and will focus mainly on the public education sector. The Labour Relations Act of 1956 and 1995, with respect to the concept of unfair labour practice, will be analysed. It is through this discussion that one appreciates how the concept of unfair labour practices has evolved in South African law. An attempt is made to define promotion and in this regard reference is made to cases decided upon by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) or the Labour Court (LC). Furthermore, promotion is defined within the context of public education and applicable legislation. Due regard must be to the employment relationship between the employer and the employee as well as compare the current employee’s job with the job applied to. Unfair conduct by the employer will be discussed within the context of promotion. The prerogative of the employer will be discussed with reference to case law and that discussion will include an analysis of various principles with regard to procedural and substantive fairness. Various remedies provided for in dispute resolution mechanism in line with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 and relevant case laws will also be discussed. The last chapter deals with how to strike a balance between employee rights (that is educators) and the rights of learners, in the context of promotion disputes. In this regard reference to case laws will be made. In general the topic will deal with unfair labour practice, definition of promotion including promotion of educators, unfair conduct of the employer, onus of proof, remedies and striking the balance between the rights of the learners and educators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Unfair discrimination in recruitment practices
- Authors: Brand, Hugo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Employment interviewing , Discrimination in employment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021197
- Description: The focus of this paper is to emphasize the importance for every employer to avoid unfair discrimination during the recruitment process and to value diversity in the workplace. This is not only a legal requirement, but also gives an employer the best chance of getting the right person for the job. It is crucial to understand that job applicants are mostly people that employer’s do not actually employ, but might be able to make an unfair discrimination claim against the employer if the claimant believes he/she was not selected for a job because the employer discriminated against them unlawfully in the recruitment process. When writing the job description and a person specification, the employer should state clearly what tasks the person will have to execute and what skills will be needed for the job. Job descriptions should accurately describe the genuine essential duties and inherent requirements of the job. Personnel specifications should accurately describe the relevant, non-discriminatory and objectively justifiable requirements to be met by the post-holder. Specifications should not have any requirements that are not directly related to the job and it is important for employers to provide evidence that each recruitment and screening practice is job-related and consistent with business necessity. Employers are advised to devise and implement recruitment procedures and guidelines for all staff and applicants involved in the process of recruitment and to ensure that these incorporate the principles of the organisation’s equal opportunity principles. Employers should administer recruitment and other selection procedures without regard to race, colour, national origin, sex, religion, age and disability. Even though South Africa is now governed by a new democratic order, historical workplace inequalities still need to be addressed. Not only compelled to redress inequalities by the Constitution, the South African government was motivated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to enact laws that would prohibit discrimination and promote the economic advancement of the majority. Recruitment tests or selection procedures must be job-related and its results appropriate for the employer’s purpose. If a recruitment procedure screens out a protected group, the employer should determine whether there is an equally effective alternative selection procedure that has less adverse impact and, if so, adopt the alternative procedure. The justification of discrimination in recruitment practices and affirmative action is only meaningful if it is targeted towards particular aims. One of the more important defences against unfair discrimination in the workplace is the general fairness defence. The general fairness defence is considered to be an applicable defence based on fairness in situations where the two statutory exceptions do not apply. This means than when one looks at the concept of unfair discrimination it implies that discrimination may be justified in certain circumstances Legislation prohibits discrimination on various grounds especially throughout the process of recruitment and selection. There are limited exceptions to the general principle that it is unlawful to use gender, race, religion or sexual orientation as a criterion in the recruitment process. These exceptions are known as genuine occupational qualifications and the specifications for jobs should be carefully examined to ensure that there are no factors contained that are indirectly discriminatory. Focus must be placed on avoiding indirect discrimination in job factors. In the early stages of the recruitment process, an employee specification should be written that describes the type of person the employer seeks to be appointed in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and personal attributes. The imposition of inappropriate or unsuccessfully high standards or criteria may indirectly discriminate against people from a particular minority or racial group or religion. Employees must have the necessary skills to demand employment equity status especially where a designated employer does not have sufficient affirmative action employees and is obliged to rectify the situation. However, this does not mean that affirmative action applicants must be chosen above non-affirmative action employees. The principle of reversed discrimination stands firm if the motivation for appointing a particular person is based on a genuine desire to promote diversity, to apply affirmative action and to increase the numbers of people from a disadvantaged group in employment, or to create a more balanced workforce.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Brand, Hugo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Employment interviewing , Discrimination in employment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021197
- Description: The focus of this paper is to emphasize the importance for every employer to avoid unfair discrimination during the recruitment process and to value diversity in the workplace. This is not only a legal requirement, but also gives an employer the best chance of getting the right person for the job. It is crucial to understand that job applicants are mostly people that employer’s do not actually employ, but might be able to make an unfair discrimination claim against the employer if the claimant believes he/she was not selected for a job because the employer discriminated against them unlawfully in the recruitment process. When writing the job description and a person specification, the employer should state clearly what tasks the person will have to execute and what skills will be needed for the job. Job descriptions should accurately describe the genuine essential duties and inherent requirements of the job. Personnel specifications should accurately describe the relevant, non-discriminatory and objectively justifiable requirements to be met by the post-holder. Specifications should not have any requirements that are not directly related to the job and it is important for employers to provide evidence that each recruitment and screening practice is job-related and consistent with business necessity. Employers are advised to devise and implement recruitment procedures and guidelines for all staff and applicants involved in the process of recruitment and to ensure that these incorporate the principles of the organisation’s equal opportunity principles. Employers should administer recruitment and other selection procedures without regard to race, colour, national origin, sex, religion, age and disability. Even though South Africa is now governed by a new democratic order, historical workplace inequalities still need to be addressed. Not only compelled to redress inequalities by the Constitution, the South African government was motivated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to enact laws that would prohibit discrimination and promote the economic advancement of the majority. Recruitment tests or selection procedures must be job-related and its results appropriate for the employer’s purpose. If a recruitment procedure screens out a protected group, the employer should determine whether there is an equally effective alternative selection procedure that has less adverse impact and, if so, adopt the alternative procedure. The justification of discrimination in recruitment practices and affirmative action is only meaningful if it is targeted towards particular aims. One of the more important defences against unfair discrimination in the workplace is the general fairness defence. The general fairness defence is considered to be an applicable defence based on fairness in situations where the two statutory exceptions do not apply. This means than when one looks at the concept of unfair discrimination it implies that discrimination may be justified in certain circumstances Legislation prohibits discrimination on various grounds especially throughout the process of recruitment and selection. There are limited exceptions to the general principle that it is unlawful to use gender, race, religion or sexual orientation as a criterion in the recruitment process. These exceptions are known as genuine occupational qualifications and the specifications for jobs should be carefully examined to ensure that there are no factors contained that are indirectly discriminatory. Focus must be placed on avoiding indirect discrimination in job factors. In the early stages of the recruitment process, an employee specification should be written that describes the type of person the employer seeks to be appointed in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and personal attributes. The imposition of inappropriate or unsuccessfully high standards or criteria may indirectly discriminate against people from a particular minority or racial group or religion. Employees must have the necessary skills to demand employment equity status especially where a designated employer does not have sufficient affirmative action employees and is obliged to rectify the situation. However, this does not mean that affirmative action applicants must be chosen above non-affirmative action employees. The principle of reversed discrimination stands firm if the motivation for appointing a particular person is based on a genuine desire to promote diversity, to apply affirmative action and to increase the numbers of people from a disadvantaged group in employment, or to create a more balanced workforce.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Understanding workplace bullying in SMME's of South Africa
- Authors: Bruère, Hildé
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace -- South Africa , Business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020092
- Description: Workplace bullying is a modern day problem which employers cannot afford to ignore. The impact on both the business (or organisation) and individual is of such a nature that research is needed to understand it better and to determine the extent to which it is present in the business or organisation. Research thus far covered the prevalence, consequences and causes of bullying in the organisation. Various methods to counteract and prevent it have been investigated, but with reference to the South African context knowledge is lacking. This study focuses on workplace bullying in SMMEs as very little research has been done in this field. The purpose of this study is to be able to provide a framework for managers as to how to deal, prevent and minimise workplace bullying in SMMEs of South Africa. A convenient sample was selected and information was gathered by means of a questionnaire. A quantitative study was executed and the prevalence of bullying in the SMMEs was established and a number of independent variables were tested. The independent variables researched were managerial training, awareness training, a corporate anti-bullying policy, risk assessment and mediation. The main findings were that bullying in SMMEs is indeed prevalent, but that the independent variables did not deliver significant correlations. The practical implications for managers are that strategies and tools used in larger organisations are not applicable in SMMEs. The workplace environment of the SMME is unique and different methods and tools must be identified and applied in combatting workplace bullying. The contribution of this study is that managers in South Africa across the broad industrial spectrum must realise that bullying is prevalent and that corporate policies and measures must be put in place to address it. It can no longer be ignored and further research on the subject must be encouraged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bruère, Hildé
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace -- South Africa , Business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020092
- Description: Workplace bullying is a modern day problem which employers cannot afford to ignore. The impact on both the business (or organisation) and individual is of such a nature that research is needed to understand it better and to determine the extent to which it is present in the business or organisation. Research thus far covered the prevalence, consequences and causes of bullying in the organisation. Various methods to counteract and prevent it have been investigated, but with reference to the South African context knowledge is lacking. This study focuses on workplace bullying in SMMEs as very little research has been done in this field. The purpose of this study is to be able to provide a framework for managers as to how to deal, prevent and minimise workplace bullying in SMMEs of South Africa. A convenient sample was selected and information was gathered by means of a questionnaire. A quantitative study was executed and the prevalence of bullying in the SMMEs was established and a number of independent variables were tested. The independent variables researched were managerial training, awareness training, a corporate anti-bullying policy, risk assessment and mediation. The main findings were that bullying in SMMEs is indeed prevalent, but that the independent variables did not deliver significant correlations. The practical implications for managers are that strategies and tools used in larger organisations are not applicable in SMMEs. The workplace environment of the SMME is unique and different methods and tools must be identified and applied in combatting workplace bullying. The contribution of this study is that managers in South Africa across the broad industrial spectrum must realise that bullying is prevalent and that corporate policies and measures must be put in place to address it. It can no longer be ignored and further research on the subject must be encouraged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Ultra-high precision machining of contact lens polymers
- Authors: Olufayo, Oluwole Ayodeji
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contact lenses , Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3001 , vital:20385
- Description: Contact lens manufacture requires a high level of accuracy and surface integrity in the range of a few nanometres. Amidst numerous optical manufacturing techniques, single-point diamond turning is widely employed in the making of contact lenses due to its capability of producing optical surfaces of complex shapes and nanometric accuracy. For process optimisation, it is ideal to assess the effects of various conditions and also establish their relationships with the surface finish. Presently, there is little information available on the performance of single point diamond turning when machining contact lens polymers. Therefore, the research work undertaken herewith is aimed at testing known facts in contact lens diamond turning and investigating the performance of ultra-high precision manufacturing of contact lens polymers. Experimental tests were conducted on Roflufocon E, which is a commercially available contact lens polymer and on Precitech Nanoform Ultra-grind 250 precision machining. Tests were performed at varying cutting feeds, speed and depth of cut. Initial experimental tests investigated the influence of process factors affecting surface finish in the UHPM of lenses. The acquired data were statistically analysed using Response Surface Method (RSM) to create a model of the process. Subsequently, a model which uses Runge-Kutta’s fourth order non-linear finite series scheme was developed and adapted to deduce the force occurring at the tool tip. These forces were also statistically analysed and modelled to also predict the effects process factors have on cutting force. Further experimental tests were aimed at establishing the presence of the triboelectric wear phenomena occurring during polymer machining and identifying the most influential process factors. Results indicate that feed rate is a significant factor in the generation of high optical surface quality. In addition, the depth of cut was identified as a significant factor in the generation of low surface roughness in lenses. The influence some of these process factors had was notably linked to triboelectric effects. This tribological effect was generated from the continuous rubbing action of magnetised chips on the cutting tool. This further stresses the presence of high static charging during cutting. Moderately humid cutting conditions presented an adequate means for static charge control and displayed improved surface finishes. In all experimental tests, the feed rate was identified as the most significant factor within the range of cutting parameters employed. Hence, the results validated the fact that feed rate had a high influence in polymer machining. The work also established the relationship on how surface roughness of an optical lens responded to monitoring signals and parameters such as force, feed, speed and depth of cut during machining and it generated models for prediction of surface finishes and appropriate selection of parameters. Furthermore, the study provides a molecular simulation analysis for validating observed conditions occurring at the nanometric scale in polymer machining. This is novel in molecular polymer modelling. The outcome of this research has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge and has provided basic information in the area of precision manufacturing of optical components of high surface integrity such as contact lenses. The application of the research findings presented here cuts across various fields such as medicine, semi-conductors, aerospace, defence, telecom, lasers, instrumentation and life sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Olufayo, Oluwole Ayodeji
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contact lenses , Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3001 , vital:20385
- Description: Contact lens manufacture requires a high level of accuracy and surface integrity in the range of a few nanometres. Amidst numerous optical manufacturing techniques, single-point diamond turning is widely employed in the making of contact lenses due to its capability of producing optical surfaces of complex shapes and nanometric accuracy. For process optimisation, it is ideal to assess the effects of various conditions and also establish their relationships with the surface finish. Presently, there is little information available on the performance of single point diamond turning when machining contact lens polymers. Therefore, the research work undertaken herewith is aimed at testing known facts in contact lens diamond turning and investigating the performance of ultra-high precision manufacturing of contact lens polymers. Experimental tests were conducted on Roflufocon E, which is a commercially available contact lens polymer and on Precitech Nanoform Ultra-grind 250 precision machining. Tests were performed at varying cutting feeds, speed and depth of cut. Initial experimental tests investigated the influence of process factors affecting surface finish in the UHPM of lenses. The acquired data were statistically analysed using Response Surface Method (RSM) to create a model of the process. Subsequently, a model which uses Runge-Kutta’s fourth order non-linear finite series scheme was developed and adapted to deduce the force occurring at the tool tip. These forces were also statistically analysed and modelled to also predict the effects process factors have on cutting force. Further experimental tests were aimed at establishing the presence of the triboelectric wear phenomena occurring during polymer machining and identifying the most influential process factors. Results indicate that feed rate is a significant factor in the generation of high optical surface quality. In addition, the depth of cut was identified as a significant factor in the generation of low surface roughness in lenses. The influence some of these process factors had was notably linked to triboelectric effects. This tribological effect was generated from the continuous rubbing action of magnetised chips on the cutting tool. This further stresses the presence of high static charging during cutting. Moderately humid cutting conditions presented an adequate means for static charge control and displayed improved surface finishes. In all experimental tests, the feed rate was identified as the most significant factor within the range of cutting parameters employed. Hence, the results validated the fact that feed rate had a high influence in polymer machining. The work also established the relationship on how surface roughness of an optical lens responded to monitoring signals and parameters such as force, feed, speed and depth of cut during machining and it generated models for prediction of surface finishes and appropriate selection of parameters. Furthermore, the study provides a molecular simulation analysis for validating observed conditions occurring at the nanometric scale in polymer machining. This is novel in molecular polymer modelling. The outcome of this research has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge and has provided basic information in the area of precision manufacturing of optical components of high surface integrity such as contact lenses. The application of the research findings presented here cuts across various fields such as medicine, semi-conductors, aerospace, defence, telecom, lasers, instrumentation and life sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Transformation adaptation: developing a framework for donor organisation support of climate change adaptation in resource poor communities
- Authors: Dada, Rehana
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Human beings -- Effect of climate on , Acclimatization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4158 , vital:20560
- Description: Poor communities already face severe challenges in meeting their basic needs, whether because of poor income opportunities, inadequate service delivery, or degraded ecosystems that can no longer support the needs of people. Non profit organisations who provide support for development are also challenged by financial restrictions and social and political structures that prevent or limit project development. Climate change is understood to have the most severe impact on the most vulnerable communities and sectors of communities by reducing the availability and accessibility of basic resources such as water, food and energy, impacting severely on human health and wellbeing, and further reducing the capacity of ecosystems to support livelihoods. This will add a layer of significant new complications to the ability of poor communities to maintain or improve standards of living, and further challenge non profit organisations that support such communitiesAnticipatory adaptation to climate change can reduce some of the impacts of climate change, and also address some key development stresses. This thesis aims to provide a framework that is relevant for supporting adaptation to climate change within the context of resource poor communities in a developing country. Non profit organisations and donor agencies could support success and autonomy in adaptation processes by making provision for locally defined understanding of adaptation, and locally determined processes and programmes. This can be taken further into implementation of programming that addresses local short term development priorities alongside, or as part of long term adaptation work. The research followed a number of steps involving a multitude of techniques including literature review, interviews, a survey, consultation with an expert group, further consultation with stakeholders, and a final electronic review. Its outcome is a strategy that can be used to support climate change adaptation in resource poor communities. A definition for adaptation is proposed as an interpretation of adaptation that is relevant in this context. The intended end goal of adaptation as defined in this research is a better form of development that : supports a harmonious and respectful relationship between humans and their natural resource base; averts further destructive global change or at the very least prevents it from becoming unmanageable; and manages the impacts of past and ongoing destructive change so that there is lowest possible loss of natural, human, or cultural resources. The term transformative adaptation emerged from the research processes to describe adaptation to climate change that concurrently addresses development challenges, is grounded in community development aspirations, integrates programming work across multiple thematic areas and approaches, and addresses the causes of climate change within adaptation interventions. The following broad guidelines are used to inform programming within the framework of transformative adaptation : Human communities are faced with an enormous challenge resulting from global change and sociopolitical injustices; Well planned anticipatory adaptation can limit exposure and vulnerability to at least some of the projected impacts of climate change; Adaptation to climate change incorporates a reduction of vulnerability to underlying development stresses, alongside a reduction of vulnerability to specific climate change stresses; Existing development work forms the foundation for adaptation interventions, acknowledging the interdependence of social, natural and economic systems and the need to maintain their health; Adaptation decision making is community based, and acknowledges that resource poor communities are best placed to establish their own development needs, drive implementation of interventions in own spaces, and identify own limits to adaptation; Adaptation work incorporates mitigation objectives so that the causes of climate change are addressed as part of the strategy for coping with climate change; Adaptation programming acknowledges the strong interlinkages between, and integrates work across, the thematic areas of water security, food sovereignty, energy security, land security, human wellbeing and livelihood diversity; Adaptation uses a broad set of approaches that spans research, knowledge sharing, advocacy, and investment in technology and infrastructure; There is flexibility in project design and implementation to allow room for experimentation with new concepts, and also to change design as knowledge, understanding, and geophysical, biophysical and sociopolitical conditions change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Dada, Rehana
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Human beings -- Effect of climate on , Acclimatization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4158 , vital:20560
- Description: Poor communities already face severe challenges in meeting their basic needs, whether because of poor income opportunities, inadequate service delivery, or degraded ecosystems that can no longer support the needs of people. Non profit organisations who provide support for development are also challenged by financial restrictions and social and political structures that prevent or limit project development. Climate change is understood to have the most severe impact on the most vulnerable communities and sectors of communities by reducing the availability and accessibility of basic resources such as water, food and energy, impacting severely on human health and wellbeing, and further reducing the capacity of ecosystems to support livelihoods. This will add a layer of significant new complications to the ability of poor communities to maintain or improve standards of living, and further challenge non profit organisations that support such communitiesAnticipatory adaptation to climate change can reduce some of the impacts of climate change, and also address some key development stresses. This thesis aims to provide a framework that is relevant for supporting adaptation to climate change within the context of resource poor communities in a developing country. Non profit organisations and donor agencies could support success and autonomy in adaptation processes by making provision for locally defined understanding of adaptation, and locally determined processes and programmes. This can be taken further into implementation of programming that addresses local short term development priorities alongside, or as part of long term adaptation work. The research followed a number of steps involving a multitude of techniques including literature review, interviews, a survey, consultation with an expert group, further consultation with stakeholders, and a final electronic review. Its outcome is a strategy that can be used to support climate change adaptation in resource poor communities. A definition for adaptation is proposed as an interpretation of adaptation that is relevant in this context. The intended end goal of adaptation as defined in this research is a better form of development that : supports a harmonious and respectful relationship between humans and their natural resource base; averts further destructive global change or at the very least prevents it from becoming unmanageable; and manages the impacts of past and ongoing destructive change so that there is lowest possible loss of natural, human, or cultural resources. The term transformative adaptation emerged from the research processes to describe adaptation to climate change that concurrently addresses development challenges, is grounded in community development aspirations, integrates programming work across multiple thematic areas and approaches, and addresses the causes of climate change within adaptation interventions. The following broad guidelines are used to inform programming within the framework of transformative adaptation : Human communities are faced with an enormous challenge resulting from global change and sociopolitical injustices; Well planned anticipatory adaptation can limit exposure and vulnerability to at least some of the projected impacts of climate change; Adaptation to climate change incorporates a reduction of vulnerability to underlying development stresses, alongside a reduction of vulnerability to specific climate change stresses; Existing development work forms the foundation for adaptation interventions, acknowledging the interdependence of social, natural and economic systems and the need to maintain their health; Adaptation decision making is community based, and acknowledges that resource poor communities are best placed to establish their own development needs, drive implementation of interventions in own spaces, and identify own limits to adaptation; Adaptation work incorporates mitigation objectives so that the causes of climate change are addressed as part of the strategy for coping with climate change; Adaptation programming acknowledges the strong interlinkages between, and integrates work across, the thematic areas of water security, food sovereignty, energy security, land security, human wellbeing and livelihood diversity; Adaptation uses a broad set of approaches that spans research, knowledge sharing, advocacy, and investment in technology and infrastructure; There is flexibility in project design and implementation to allow room for experimentation with new concepts, and also to change design as knowledge, understanding, and geophysical, biophysical and sociopolitical conditions change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Training of officials in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Charles, Kidwell
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Municipal officials and employees -- Training of , Local government -- South Africa -- East London , Customer relations -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7659 , vital:22480
- Description: The impetus that informs the drive for developmental state that promotes growth and development centres on the local capacity of the local sphere of the government to effectively discharge its responsibilities. The essence of this study is to evaluate the training of officials in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and assess the extent to which service delivery has impacted on the lives of the community within this area.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Charles, Kidwell
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Municipal officials and employees -- Training of , Local government -- South Africa -- East London , Customer relations -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7659 , vital:22480
- Description: The impetus that informs the drive for developmental state that promotes growth and development centres on the local capacity of the local sphere of the government to effectively discharge its responsibilities. The essence of this study is to evaluate the training of officials in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and assess the extent to which service delivery has impacted on the lives of the community within this area.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
Towards measuring corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive manufacturing sector
- Authors: Adams, Abulele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainability -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18465 , vital:28648
- Description: This study explored the methods available for measuring corporate sustainability and created an instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) automotive manufacturing sector. The instrument was created based on three components of sustainability which are environment, society and economy. The study went a step further and added a fourth dimension, current trends to design a measuring instrument. The instrument was then applied on participating companies and further refined to improve it. A total of 16 multi-dimensional indicators to measure corporate sustainability were created and applied to 12 companies in the automotive manufacturing sector. The indicators were used to create a composite corporate sustainability index which can be used to compare the corporate sustainability performance of companies. These indicators were created based on theoretical research and fist hand experience observing the automotive manufacturing sector in the NMB. The indicators were applied to companies as a pilot to test whether they are feasible. Following this, the indicators were refined, improved and applied to more companies to measure corporate sustainability performance. The results of the study were the measuring instrument created, the creation of a composite index as well as the application of the instrument on 12 companies to determine whether the instrument was refined enough to detect differences in the corporate sustainability performance of companies. The results are discussed and further recommendations are made for improvements in the creation and application of the instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the NMB automotive manufacturing sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Towards measuring corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive manufacturing sector
- Authors: Adams, Abulele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainability -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18465 , vital:28648
- Description: This study explored the methods available for measuring corporate sustainability and created an instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) automotive manufacturing sector. The instrument was created based on three components of sustainability which are environment, society and economy. The study went a step further and added a fourth dimension, current trends to design a measuring instrument. The instrument was then applied on participating companies and further refined to improve it. A total of 16 multi-dimensional indicators to measure corporate sustainability were created and applied to 12 companies in the automotive manufacturing sector. The indicators were used to create a composite corporate sustainability index which can be used to compare the corporate sustainability performance of companies. These indicators were created based on theoretical research and fist hand experience observing the automotive manufacturing sector in the NMB. The indicators were applied to companies as a pilot to test whether they are feasible. Following this, the indicators were refined, improved and applied to more companies to measure corporate sustainability performance. The results of the study were the measuring instrument created, the creation of a composite index as well as the application of the instrument on 12 companies to determine whether the instrument was refined enough to detect differences in the corporate sustainability performance of companies. The results are discussed and further recommendations are made for improvements in the creation and application of the instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the NMB automotive manufacturing sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015