A framework to elicit user requirements for information systems: a localised participatory approach from Southern Africa
- Authors: Tyukala, Mkhululi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Information technology -- Africa, Southern , User-centered system design -- Africa, Southern , Management information systems -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4546 , vital:20615
- Description: The “What” and “Why” in information system development in resource restricted environments is already well covered in literature. However, the “How” to do it still has not been explored. This thesis reports on the development of a locally flavoured participatory user requirements elicitation framework for the development of information systems in resource restricted environments. It uses existing participatory design practices, user requirements elicitation literature and local participatory norms and traditions to achieve this. In doing so, it takes a step towards the way information systems could be developed in resource restricted environments. The topic of this thesis is mainly motivated by the recent calls in existing literature for developing countries to start developing their own information systems in order to address their own requirements. Accordingly, and to lay a foundation towards the realisation of this goal, this research is positioned within the user requirements elicitation region of information systems development. Current user requirements elicitation methods use traditional methods where experts/designers ask system users questions through interviews or learn about their environment through observations. This research proposes a shift from this approach to one that not only views users as equal partners in the elicitation process but in the whole information systems development process. This is in the spirit of participatory design, which was developed in Scandinavia more than four decades ago. Further, recent research in participatory design emphasises the importance of its contextual nature and concedes that there is no single best practice for participatory design in information systems that applies to all contexts. This research explores the information systems development discourse in resource restricted environments in Africa. Its purpose is to enhance understanding of the local contexts, thus providing new insights on how to develop a framework that speaks to local challenges using norms and traditions in order to develop information systems that address local requirements. Thus, the main contribution of this research lies in laying a foundation for a locally flavoured participatory approach for information systems development in resource restricted environments. It contributes to the existing information systems development, participatory design and user requirements elicitation body of knowledge by developing a framework for participatory user requirements elicitation. In addition, it contributes to the participatory design body of knowledge by introducing an age-old African participatory decisionmaking approach to the academic participatory design community. In doing so, it adopts the meaning of participation from an African value system point of view, which is something that has only been previously explored in the Nordic countries and North America. Finally, recommendations for the application, limitations and avenues for further research are incorporated into the findings of this research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A mathematics rendering model to support chat-based tutoring
- Authors: Haskins, Bertram Peter
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Intelligent tutoring systems , Educational innovations , Tutors and tutoring
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020567
- Description: Dr Math is a math tutoring service implemented on the chat application Mxit. The service allows school learners to use their mobile phones to discuss mathematicsrelated topics with human tutors. Using the broad user-base provided by Mxit, the Dr Math service has grown to consist of tens of thousands of registered school learners. The tutors on the service are all volunteers and the learners far outnumber the available tutors at any given time. School learners on the service use a shorthand language-form called microtext, to phrase their queries. Microtext is an informal form of language which consists of a variety of misspellings and symbolic representations, which emerge spontaneously as a result of the idiosyncrasies of a learner. The specific form of microtext found on the Dr Math service contains mathematical questions and example equations, pertaining to the tutoring process. Deciphering the queries, to discover their embedded mathematical content, slows down the tutoring process. This wastes time that could have been spent addressing more learner queries. The microtext language thus creates an unnecessary burden on the tutors. This study describes the development of an automated process for the translation of Dr Math microtext queries into mathematical equations. Using the design science research paradigm as a guide, three artefacts are developed. These artefacts take the form of a construct, a model and an instantiation. The construct represents the creation of new knowledge as it provides greater insight into the contents and structure of the language found on a mobile mathematics tutoring service. The construct serves as the basis for the creation of a model for the translation of microtext queries into mathematical equations, formatted for display in an electronic medium. No such technique currently exists and therefore, the model contributes new knowledge. To validate the model, an instantiation was created to serve as a proof-of-concept. The instantiation applies various concepts and techniques, such as those related to natural language processing, to the learner queries on the Dr Math service. These techniques are employed in order to translate an input microtext statement into a mathematical equation, structured by using mark-up language. The creation of the instantiation thus constitutes a knowledge contribution, as most of these techniques have never been applied to the problem of translating microtext into mathematical equations. For the automated process to have utility, it should perform on a level comparable to that of a human performing a similar translation task. To determine how closely related the results from the automated process are to those of a human, three human participants were asked to perform coding and translation tasks. The results of the human participants were compared to the results of the automated process, across a variety of metrics, including agreement, correlation, precision, recall and others. The results from the human participants served as the baseline values for comparison. The baseline results from the human participants were compared with those of the automated process. Krippendorff’s α was used to determine the level of agreement and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the level of correlation between the results. The agreement between the human participants and the automated process was calculated at a level deemed satisfactory for exploratory research and the level of correlation was calculated as moderate. These values correspond with the calculations made as the human baseline. Furthermore, the automated process was able to meet or improve on all of the human baseline metrics. These results serve to validate that the automated process is able to perform the translation at a level comparable to that of a human. The automated process is available for integration into any requesting application, by means of a publicly accessible web service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A virtual-community-centric model for coordination in the South African public sector
- Authors: Thomas, Godwin Dogara Ayenajeh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Electronic data processing -- Distributed processing , Interprofessional relations , Virtual work teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021073
- Description: Organizations face challenges constantly owing to limited resources. As such, to take advantage of new opportunities and to mitigate possible risks they look for new ways to collaborate, by sharing knowledge and competencies. Coordination among partners is critical in order to achieve success. The segmented South African public sector is no different. Driven by the desire to ensure proper service delivery in this sector, various government bodies and service providers play different roles towards the attainment of common goals. This is easier said than done, given the complexity of the distributed nature of the environment. Heterogeneity, autonomy, and the increasing need to collaborate provoke the need to develop an integrative and dynamic coordination support service system in the SA public sector. Thus, the research looks to theories/concepts and existing coordination practices to ground the process of development. To inform the design of the proposed artefact the research employs an interdisciplinary approach championed by coordination theory to review coordination-related theories and concepts. The effort accounts for coordination constructs that characterize and transform the problem and solution spaces. Thus, requirements are explicit towards identifying coordination breakdowns and their resolution. Furthermore, how coordination in a distributed environment is supported in practice is considered from a socio-technical perspective in an effort to account holistically for coordination support. Examining existing solutions identified shortcomings that, if addressed, can help to improve the solutions for coordination, which are often rigidly and narrowly defined. The research argues that introducing a mediating technological artefact conceived from a virtual community and service lenses can serve as a solution to the problem. By adopting a design-science research paradigm, the research develops a model as a primary artefact to support coordination from a collaboration standpoint. The suggestions from theory and practice and the unique case requirement identified through a novel case analysis framework form the basis of the model design. The proposed model support operation calls for an architecture which employs a design pattern that divides a complex whole into smaller, simpler parts, with the aim of reducing the system complexity. Four fundamental functions of the supporting architecture are introduced and discussed as they would support the operation and activities of the proposed collaboration lifecycle model geared towards streamlining coordination in a distributed environment. As part of the model development knowledge contributions are made in several ways. Firstly, an analytical instrument is presented that can be used by an enterprise architect or business analyst to study the coordination status quo of a collaborative activity in a distributed environment. Secondly, a lifecycle model is presented as meta-process model with activities that are geared towards streamlining the coordination of dynamic collaborative activities or projects. Thirdly, an architecture that will enable the technical virtual community-centric, context-aware environment that hosts the process-based operations is offered. Finally, the validation tool that represents the applied contribution to the research that promises possible adaptation for similar circumstances is presented. The artefacts contribute towards a design theory in IS research for the development and improvement of coordination support services in a distributed environment such as the South African public sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An incentive motivational approach to enhance successful delivery of construction projects
- Authors: Ndihokubwayo, Ruben
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Construction industry -- Management , Project management , Construction industry -- Public relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9727 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020649
- Description: The South African construction industry is faced with challenges which impede on successful project delivery. While incentives have been recognised as motivational tools for individual employees to achieve certain goals, the South African construction industry has not fully exploited the various avenues to initiate motivational approaches aligned with project objectives to enhance successful delivery of construction projects. This study is therefore aimed at exploring which monetary and non-monetary incentives would compel construction and consultant team members to improve successful project delivery. The study adopted a deductive approach whereby hypotheses were formulated based on motivation theories and applied them in construction project team situations. In this regard, the extensive literature related to motivation theories such as the hierarchy of needs, incentives, organisational commitment, and teamwork environment were reviewed. A web survey was adopted for the empirical data gathering by means of a questionnaire e-mailed to nationwide selected construction and consultant firms. Data analysis was done by means of ranking, paired sample test, T-Test, ANOVA test, Mann- Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis test of association, and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The reliability test was done using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of reliability. In total, 164 respondents participated in the study. It was revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between mean rankings of motivational factors, and organisational commitment was perceived as the most important motivational factor that compelled construction and consultant team members to achieve project success. There was no statistically significant difference between various demographics (gender, qualification, and experience) pertaining to self-development needs, organisational commitment, and teamwork environment motivational factors, except age groups, which displayed a statistically significant difference in self-development needs and teamwork environment. There was a statistically significant difference between mean rankings of monetary and non-monetary incentives, and non-monetary incentives were preferred to monetary incentives in achieving higher performance. There was no statistically significant difference between various demographics (gender, age, qualification, and experience in the construction industry) of construction and consultant team members pertaining to monetary and non-monetary incentives. There was no statistically significant difference between mean rankings of primary project objectives aligned with monetary incentives, where time was perceived as the most important. There was no statistically significant difference between various demographics (gender, qualification, and experience in the construction industry) of construction and consultant team members pertaining to project objectives aligned with incentives, except age groups which displayed a statistically significant difference in project objectives aligned with monetary and non-monetary incentives. Two models have been developed based on the PCA results of project objectives aligned with monetary and non-monetary incentives. Each model consisted of four parts, namely project objectives, demographic information, short-run project-based interventions, and long-run interventions. The PCA results showed monetary incentives could be a useful project-based intervention mechanism in the short-run to achieve secondary project objectives, such as the provision of work opportunities to SMMEs. In the long-run, this confirms the usefulness of the CIDB initiative consisting of the provision of work opportunities to SMMEs through the National Contractor Development Programme (NCDP) guidelines. The PCA results showed non-monetary incentives could be a useful project-based intervention mechanism in the short-run to achieve primary project objectives, such as quality. In the long-run, a continuous improvement mechanism by various construction industry stakeholders is deemed necessary to maintain project delivery standards.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Building Information Modelling as a catalyst for an Integrated Construction Project Delivery culture in South Africa
- Authors: Froise, Timothy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa , Construction projects -- South Africa , Acculturation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9716 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020872
- Description: The importance of technology in construction partnering agreements has been recognised as a vital part of integrated project delivery (IPD) philosophy. Building information modelling (BIM) is increasingly being used by consultants in South Africa during the design phase of construction projects. However, its use is generally not aimed at an integrated project delivery approach, but rather as a tool to generate documentation, as BIM is generally more efficient than traditional computer aided design (CAD) software. For the full benefits of BIM to be realised, a greater degree of acculturation is required between construction project organisations (CPOs). The current cultures of CPOs are separationist in nature and tend to inhibit acculturation within the industry. BIM provides a central source of information that can improve communications between CPOs and foster a collaborative culture. The research examines IPD and BIM in the South African context and investigates how BIM can contribute to IPD. A survey was conducted among registered contractors from the three top grades and architecture practices from two regions in South Africa. The survey was placed in context by a case study that analysed the use of BIM and the resulting communication network seen in a public works project using typical procurement methods. The associated problems with the current accepted paradigm are illuminated by the research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Laser bending of commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy plates: mechanisms analysis and characterisation of mechanical properties
- Authors: Mjali, Kadephi Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Materials -- Mechanical properties , Bending , Titanium-aluminum alloys
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021147
- Description: The processing of materials has become a specialist field and the industry will continue to grow due to rising costs in labour and raw materials which has forced many automotive industry suppliers to invest heavily in this field. In order to be relevant and competitive in today’s industrial world, companies in South Africa are now forced to dedicate billions of rands in profits to research and development. Metals like titanium are finding favour with automotive and aviation companies in pursuit of savings in fuel consumption. This saving is achieved by reducing weight on aircraft and automobiles yet still meeting acceptable and improved structural integrity. In-depth research into the behaviour of various materials under varying loading conditions is therefore essential. The study on the processing of commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy plates focuses on the development of process parameters for bending the material using a 4kW Nd: YAG laser to an approximate radius of curvature of 120mm. The resulting mechanical properties of laser formed plates are then compared to those obtained from mechanically formed samples. The titanium parent material was used to benchmark the performance of formed samples. The effect of process parameters on the mechanical properties and structural integrity also formed part of this study. To obtain the bending parameters for laser forming, various combinations of processing speeds and laser powers were used. The line energy is dependent on the power and scanning velocity parameters and these are shown in table 1. The laser power, line energy and scanning velocity were the main parameters controlled in this study and the beam diameter remained unchanged. Residual stress analysis, micro-hardness and fatigue life testing were carried out to analyse mechanical properties and the structural integrity of the plate samples. Microstructural analysis was also done to observe changes in the material as a result of the forming processes. From the results it is evident that laser forming is beneficial to the hardness of titanium but detrimental to the fatigue life at higher line energies. Residual stress analysis showed the amount of stress within the study samples increased with each forming operation. This information was vital in the analysis of the fatigue life of titanium. A fatigue life prediction model was developed from this study and it shed some light on the behaviour of titanium in fatigue testing. The model could be used to predict fatigue life when no fatigue data is available for commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy plates. In conclusion, this study helped establish parameters that could be used to bend titanium while the analysis of mechanical properties showed the limits of working with this alloy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Mechanisms, analysis and characterisation of mechanical properties of laser formed commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy plates
- Authors: Mjali, Kadephi Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Materials -- Mechanical properties , Bending , Titanium-aluminum alloys
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021083
- Description: The processing of materials has become a specialist field and the industry will continue to grow due to rising costs in labour and raw materials which has forced many automotive industry suppliers to invest heavily in this field. In order to be relevant and competitive in today’s industrial world, companies in South Africa are now forced to dedicate billions of rands in profits to research and development. Metals like titanium are finding favour with automotive and aviation companies in pursuit of savings in fuel consumption. This saving is achieved by reducing weight on aircraft and automobiles yet still meeting acceptable and improved structural integrity. In-depth research into the behaviour of various materials under varying loading conditions is therefore essential. The study on the processing of commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy plates focuses on the development of process parameters for bending the material using a 4kW Nd: YAG laser to an approximate radius of curvature of 120mm. The resulting mechanical properties of laser formed plates are then compared to those obtained from mechanically formed samples. The titanium parent material was used to benchmark the performance of formed samples. The effect of process parameters on the mechanical properties and structural integrity also formed part of this study. To obtain the bending parameters for laser forming, various combinations of processing speeds and laser powers were used. The line energy is dependent on the power and scanning velocity parameters and these are shown in table 1. The laser power, line energy and scanning velocity were the main parameters controlled in this study and the beam diameter remained unchanged. Residual stress analysis, micro-hardness and fatigue life testing were carried out to analyse mechanical properties and the structural integrity of the plate samples. Microstructural analysis was also done to observe changes in the material as a result of the forming processes. From the results it is evident that laser forming is beneficial to the hardness of titanium but detrimental to the fatigue life at higher line energies. Residual stress analysis showed the amount of stress within the study samples increased with each forming operation. This information was vital in the analysis of the fatigue life of titanium. A fatigue life prediction model was developed from this study and it shed some light on the behaviour of titanium in fatigue testing. The model could be used to predict fatigue life when no fatigue data is available for commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy plates. In conclusion, this study helped establish parameters that could be used to bend titanium while the analysis of mechanical properties showed the limits of working with this alloy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The training of artisans for house building projects in South Western Nigeria
- Authors: Oni, Oluwole Joseph
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Skilled labor -- Nigeria , Artisans -- Training of -- Nigeria , Construction industry -- Employees -- Training of -- Nigeria , Training needs -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020625
- Description: The current shortage of artisans in the Nigerian house construction sector has constrained the productivity of the sector and exacerbated the nation‟s housing problem. The persistent neglect of the artisan training system has negatively impacted on the stock of artisans available for house construction projects. Nigeria‟s large and fast-growing population of over 140 million with an estimated growth rate of 3.2 percent has engendered increased investment in shelter provision; especially by individuals and families due to fast rising housing rentals- mainly in the urban centres. Past policies have not adequately addressed the realities of the skills crisis occasioned by inadequate and neglected apprenticeship training and poorly developed vocational education and training systems. The fallout of this is manifested in the difficulties faced by developers in sourcing suitably qualified and experienced artisans for house construction projects. In response to this challenge, an upsurge of migrant artisans and craftsmen from neighbouring West African nations like Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana to Nigeria has occurred in the recent times. They were attracted by building contracting firms to fill the gap created by inadequate artisan supply that is currently being experienced locally. This development is totally unacceptable as it exacerbates the overarching socio-economic problems in Nigeria, especially the already high unemployment rate which is estimated to be 23.9 percent. This study has consequently investigated the inadequate training of house construction artisans in South Western Nigeria; evolving interventions and developing a strategic model for improving the artisan training system to ensure an adequate and sustainable artisan supply in the house construction sector. The model incorporates best practices, rethinking strategies and integrated approaches in mitigating the identified challenges. The model is underpinned by reviewed literature and empirical findings. Quantitative surveys and interviews were utilised as the data sources. The research findings show that the factors which negatively impact on the artisan training system in the house construction sector include: the poor image of artisans in society; lack of recruitment strategies for attracting potential artisans; inadequate policy framework for training and employment; a faulty and rigid National Qualification Framework (NQF); the non-participation of employers in training; a poor funding mechanism; a weak regulatory framework and corrupt practices in training administration. Recommendations for addressing the inadequate training of artisans include education policy reforms to give priority to vocational education; a new regime of funding for vocational education and training; a review of the National Qualification Framework to integrate the vocational colleges with the university system; a reform of the regulatory framework; public re-orientation on the societal image of the artisans; adoption of a new approach of public- private partnership in artisan training; the provision of incentives schemes to attract potential artisans and the appropriation of the proposed model for an integrated approach to addressing the challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014