The management of conflict between employees: a case study of an information technology company in Johannesburg
- Authors: Monakali, Robin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Conflict management -- Case studies Interpersonal relations Personnel management -- Psychological aspects Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41997 , vital:36616
- Description: The global working environment has transformed significantly over the last two decades, with rapid advancements in technology and information as well as the levels of diversity in the workplace. This process of adaptation, the failure to adapt or weaknesses in adaptation can be an underlying cause of conflict within organizations. For an organization to be successful, there must be effective conflict management techniques in place in order to resolve or keep the conflict at a minimum. The aim of this exploratory case study was to therefore explore the management of conflict between employees in an Information Technology company in Johannesburg. The human needs theory, which states that the deprivation of human needs is a major source of conflict, was used as the theoretical framework guiding this study. A mixed methods approach, also known as methodological triangulation, was used, which involved combining qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to achieve triangulation of data. The qualitative research method that was used comprised individual semi-structured interviews with two Human Resources managers and the quantitative research method involved the completion of self-administered questionnaires by 94 employees of the IT company. The researcher used a purposive sampling design for the interviews and simple random sampling for the questionnaires. Ethics permission for this research was received from Nelson Mandela University’s Research Ethics Committee and the study was conducted in accordance with the university’s Policy on Research Ethics. The findings of this study have revealed that the type of conflict mainly experienced in this organization was employee conflict, due to interpersonal clashes relating to personality differences. The employees were unanimous that conflict can have both a positive and negative effect. The interviews confirmed that the IT company makes use of negotiation and mediation to resolve workplace conflict, with the literature review providing evidence that negotiation and mediation are useful means of managing conflict between employees. However, the results from the completed questionnaires revealed that employees attempt to manage conflict by avoiding the conflict, which could be due to employees having limited awareness of the organization’s procedures to address conflict. This study can therefore potentially be beneficial to organizations and assist the latter in developing conflict management skills and practices, which can enhance organizational performance, productivity and employee retention.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The living and learning experiences of Nelson Mandela University students residing in off-campus residence accommodation
- Authors: Mzileni, Pedro Mihlali
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Student housing -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning Learning, Psychology of Motivation in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41697 , vital:36573
- Description: This research study investigated the living and learning experiences of Nelson Mandela University students who reside in off-campus student accommodation. The university is located in the suburb of Summerstrand in the city of Port Elizabeth (PE) and it is one of the large universities in South Africa with a student population of 27 311 students by 2017. With only 3285 beds in its on-campus residence system, the university can only cater for 12% of students on site. The rest of the student population, which is the majority, resides in offcampus residences and private accommodation. The off-campus accommodation system of the university consists of accredited and nonaccredited off-campus residences. The non-accredited residences are privately owned houses that are based in the upper-income area of Summerstrand whilst the accredited residences are big properties that are also privately owned but are administratively managed by the university and they are based in the low-income area of North End. The study used Tinto’s Theory of Student Integration to frame the investigation and it found that PE resembles elements of an apartheid city that is divided along class and gender patterns. This spatial structure of the city affects the governance and administrative systems of the university, such as commuting, and they affect the materiality of student’s learning experiences. This criticality brings a different understanding of ‘studentification’ when it occurs in a developing country’s context wherein the different demographics of students shape how it becomes visible in a university city that is engulfed which socio-political problems of violence and crime. This brings diverse traditions of studying higher education in a post-apartheid setting where student accommodation is viewed as a need emanating from student vulnerability within the context of enrolment massifications, infrastructure limitations, and the privatization of living structures.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The legalisation of prostitution in South Africa
- Authors: Vaveki, Vuyani Patrick
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Prostitution|xLaw and legislation , Sex and law -- South Africa Prostitution -- South Africa Women -- Legal status, laws, etc
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43698 , vital:37034
- Description: Prostitution or Sex work has been a crime in the country for a number of decades. In earlier years sex work was not explicitly crminalised and the government relied on various laws to regulate and deal with sex work. With the passage of time sex work was formally regulated and dealt with specifically as a criminal offence by legislation. Those legislative measures still exist to ensure that sex work remains a crime in South Africa. Courts have on a number of occasion been tasked to consider the status of sex workers in the context of the human rights provided for by the Constitution of the Republic (both the interim and the final). In the two seminal cases of S v Jordan and others and Kylie v CCMA the courts approached the status of sex workers on the basis that even sex workers are entitled to the human rights enshrined in the Constitution. The Constitutional Court in Jordan, however refused to decriminalise sex work for those purposes holding that it is for the legislature to decide the issue of decriminalisation. Various interest groups have lobbied for the decriminalisation of sex work in order to give meaning to Constitutional rights of sex workers. The criminalisation of sex work appears to be a case of the state legislating morality and interfering with private individual matters. With a bad history of state interference in private affairs of individuals this practise should be guarded against in the Constitutional dispensation. Criminal law as such should have no application in private instances that cause no harm to any other person or state interests. It appears that the continued criminalisation of sex work is increasingly appearing to be without proper justification and as such it is recommended that the country adopts the New Zealand model of decriminalisation. This will ensure that the rights of sex workers are duly respected.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The legal consequences of unprotected strikes
- Authors: Van Blerk, Caro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Strikes and lockouts -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Strikes and lockouts -- South Africa Strikes and lockouts Labor laws and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43688 , vital:37030
- Description: The purpose of a strike is to ensure that the employer‘s business remains at a standstill until the demands of workers are met1.Workers have tried to increase the effect that strikes would have on the employer, as to obtaining their demands, through resorting to violence, violating property of employer and other people. Our collective bargaining system could be seen as contributing to low wages, and thelack of a balloting requirement. The Labour Relations Act (LRA)2 gives effect to the right to strikes and the circumstances under which it might lose its protected status3. There are certain requirements that need to be met to ensure strikes are protected and once they are not adhered to, there are detrimental consequences. This leads to the high levels of violent unprotected strike action in the country, which has a negative impact on our social and economic abilities as a country. This study investigates the different areas, and analyses all factors associated with unprotected strikes.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The Kinshasa-based Kin ArtStudio in the Democratic Republic of Congo: visual arts spaces and the potential to challenge global art's representative and legitimizing mechanisms
- Authors: Tshilumba Mukendi, Jean-Sylvain
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Space (Art) , Art -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Art and globalization , Postcolonialism and the arts -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Arts, Modern -- 21st century , Arts publicity , Arts, Modern -- 21st century -- Economic aspects , Arts, Modern -- 21st century -- Social aspects , Bondo, Vitshois Mwilambwe , Kin ArtStudio , Beauté Congo – 1926-2015 – Congo Kitoko
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115050 , vital:34073
- Description: The emergence of visual art spaces over the past few decades on the African continent invites art practitioners, historians and critics to re-examine the conditions of production, diffusion and reception of contemporary art of Africa. In this thesis I critically engage with these conditions in relation to artworks and practices of the Democratic Republic of Congo, considering the curatorial logic that has governed the ‘global art world’. I focus on the Kin ArtStudio as my main case study. I undertook research within this art space in 2016, from the 10th of April to the 15th of June, and again from the 16th of July to the 12th of September. My position as a participant observer turned out to be as engaging as informative. The Kin ArtStudio is a Kinshasa-based visual art platform founded in 2011 by the Congolese artist Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo. It was established out of the will to empower emerging artists in that specific context, and facilitate the negotiation that the legitimization of their creations entails in today’s global art and cultural dynamics. In order to evaluate the stakes of such negotiation, I start with reviewing the existing mechanisms, trends and networks that have legitimized visual art productions of the Democratic Republic of Congo on a global stage, as exemplified by the Beauté Congo – Congo Kitoko exhibition (2015). Then, my enquiry evolves towards specificity, towards the immediacy and the subjectivity that characterize Kinshasa's urban and socio-cultural context, and visual art practices therein. Subjectivity also applies to my four months immersive experience with that art space. Drawing from my observations, setbacks, hopes and recent academic and practical debates around contemporary art practices on the African continent, the role those art spaces can play in the curatorship, circulation, reception and commodification of contemporary art productions cannot be underestimated. While operating in lasting postcolonial settings, they are going through the negotiation of their global and translocal situatedness, which can in turn lead to new legitimizing narratives. These will more appropriately inform understandings of contemporary art practices of Africa, challenging the identifying prism sustained by the ‘global art world’.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The invasion ecology of Nymphaea mexicana Zucc. (Mexican Water lily) in South Africa
- Authors: Naidu, Prinavin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nymphaea Mexicana zuccarini , Nymphaea , Nymphaea -- Biological control -- South Africa , Water lilies , Nymphaea -- Ecology -- South Africa , Water lilies -- Biological control -- South Africa , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa , Aquatic weeds -- Biological control -- South Africa , Water lilies -- Ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92920 , vital:30763
- Description: The Mexican water lily, Nymphaea mexicana Zuccarini, is an aquatic perennial, native to southern USA and Mexico, and has been introduced to South Africa via the ornamental plant trade. This species has rapid growth rates and becomes weedy in dams, ponds and rivers. It is currently listed as a NEM:BA category 1b invasive plant in South Africa. One possible management measure for this weed is biological control, but it is a novel target because no biological control programme has been initiated against it anywhere in the world. This study is intended as a baseline for the biological control programme against this plant in South Africa. Assessing the population structure and mode of reproduction of invasive alien plants is an imperative aid to determining if biological control is a suitable management option. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers, I compared the amount of genetic variability and differentiation of N. mexicana in its native range (USA), and invasive range (South Africa). Results indicated a large genetic distance between populations in the USA and South Africa, compared to populations within each country. The genetic variability of the invasive populations was higher than that found in the native distribution. This could be due to hybridization in the introduced range, and/or multiple introductions from different source populations. Differences in the morphology of N. mexicana plants in the invasive range and South Africa were also observed which confirm the results of the genetic analyses. I also assessed the reproductive mode of N. mexicana cultivars/hybrids by conducting breeding system experiments and field pollinator studies. Results indicated that the cultivars are sterile, suggesting that the primary mode of reproduction is asexual via fragmentation of tubers. The main pollinators that were found to be associated with the cultivars in South Africa were honeybees, sweat bees, flies and beetles. These insect groups were the same as those that were observed in another study which was conducted on the pollinators associated with the pure N. mexicana in the native range in southern USA. Mechanical and chemical control of N. mexicana and its multiple genotypes have been applied but have not been efficient due to the fast regeneration of shoots, especially in summer. Therefore, these two management options are not long–term solutions and will also be costly due to the widespread occurrence of the hybrids in South Africa. Thus the only cost–effective, environmentally friendly, self–sustainable and long–term management option is biological control. The significant divergence between native and invasive populations of N. mexicana, as well as the possibility of numerous invasive cultivars, may limit future prospects of biological control of this species. However the differences in the root structures between native South African waterlilies, such as N. lotus and N. nouchali, and the introduced waterlilies, such as N. mexicana and its associated hybrids, may play a pivotal role in the success of biological control of the N. mexicana hybrid complex in South Africa. Natural enemies which feed on the hard tuberous roots of N. mexicana and its hybrids, as opposed to the soft bulbs of the native N. nouchali and N. lotus, should be prioritised.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The Intsomi Ambassadors: using communicative ecologies to enhance home literacy practices amongst working class parents in Grahamstown
- Authors: Gush, Cathy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Communication in economic development -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Literacy -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Literacy programs -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Intsomi Project
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71459 , vital:29855
- Description: Utilising theories of Communication for Development, the research explores how literacy practices in the homes of a group of working class, English second language parents in Grahamstown are affected by the introduction of new literacy material and insights Furthermore, it discusses how, and through which forms of media, these observed dynamics and changes in practice are best communicated to similar households. The issue of children's literacy development in South Africa is of serious concern, in particular the role that parents play and the level of support they give through home literacy practices. The context is one in which South African children have performed very poorly with regard to literacy levels in international benchmark testing as well as in national assessments. The summary report on the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) found that some of the factors contributing to these poor results were the lack of reading resources in homes, as well as the lack of strong home-school partnerships in which parents took up the role of co-educators, or even of primary educators at the preschool stage. A group of parents employed by Rhodes University at the Grade 1 - 5 levels signed up to be the recipients of a programme supporting the literacy development of their primary and pre-primary school children. The Intsomi Project is run by the Rhodes Community Engagement Office as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Education Initiative and provides close to 100 families with weekly reading material and educational games for their children, as well as workshops on the use of these materials and how they might benefit the children. Following a Participatory Action Research approach, a “vanguard” group of parent participants, known as the Intsomi Ambassadors, developed their role as literacy activists, becoming co-creators of media messages that utilised and built on the first stage of their communication within the group. The research explored how the principles and techniques of development support communication, and those of communicative ecologies, could be applied to explore, enhance and disseminate those qualitative changes in behaviour within households that positively affect children’s literacy development. In the process, it aimed to explore whether media representations that reflect the stories of parents trying out new literacy practices can create authentic, endogenous messages that resonate with people in similar circumstances, and can stimulate debate around the issue.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The interests of justice in bail proceedings
- Authors: Ntontela, Mahlubandile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Criminal procedure -- South Africa , Bail Preventive detention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42683 , vital:36680
- Description: Bail in the South African context is a very contentious issue. Over the years, courts have had to develop principles for the purposes of granting or refusing bail. The interim Constitution of 1994 placed an onus on the State to adduce evidence that interests of justice justified the accused’s incarceration pending trial. After the escalation of crime in the 1990’s and the subsequent public outcry, the Legislature introduced guiding principles as to what would constitute interests of justice in bail proceedings. These principles did not differ much from what the courts had developed over the years leading to the constitutional dispensation. The inquisitorial nature of the bail proceedings was further entrenched by the amendments as they tasked the courts to determine what would be in the interests of justice in every bail enquiry. The legislative amendments further introduced what was termed the reverse onus provisions which were heavily criticised at the time of their introduction. These provisions placed an onus on the accused to adduce evidence to satisfy the courts that the interests of justice were in favour of their release in serious offences, and further adduce exceptional circumstances in respect of very serious offences. It is argued in this research that, despite the development and the codification of the interests of justice concept over the years, the duty of the courts to uphold the constitutional values should not be neglected by the courts when determining what would be in the interests of justice in bail proceedings. The standard by which the courts are to uphold the concept of interests of justice in bail proceedings should reflect the task that has been placed on the courts and not on the parties to the proceedings, when reaching a just and equitable decision in bail proceedings.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The interaction between oil price shocks, currency volatility and stock market prices: evidence from South Africa
- Authors: Tshivhase, Mikovhe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Petroleum products -- Prices , Accounting and price fluctuations , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Stock exchanges , Economics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43834 , vital:37051
- Description: Crude oil is an essential and strategic commodity in modern economies. Therefore, energy price fluctuations have the potential of affecting the economic welfare of a country. For instance, they have the potential to undermine the government’s attainment of its economic growth targets (National Treasury, 2016:2). The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) also considers oil price movements to be one of the major threats to currency volatility and the continued attainment of its inflation targets of about (3-6, per cent), as evidenced by numerous recent statements by its monetary policy committee (SARB, 2016:5-13). This study used co-integration tests to investigate the interaction between oil price shocks, exchange rates and stock market prices in South Africa over the period 1 January 2011 to 1 April 2018. The study employed the Johansen co-integration test. The results found no long run co-integration between oil prices, exchange rate and stock market prices. Therefore, this study adopted the VAR model for causality tests. Using the VAR model, this study found the existence of a unidirectional causality between stock prices and oil prices, with stock prices leading the oil prices changes. The all share index, resources and financials index were found to be significant variables to explain oil prices. This result is consistent with the business cycle view, which states that oil price fluctuations are mainly driven by demand factors. Furthermore, strong world output growth trends especially in emerging markets, could give rise to an upward surge in oil prices. The study also found that there is a weak correlation between stock price and exchange rate in South Africa. This is consistent with the asset approach. The findings of this study add to the already largely debated theories that seek to explain the relationship between the oil prices, exchange rates and stock market prices. The recommendation of this research is that, policy makers, researchers and investment bankers or fund managers who have interest or trade these financial instruments, may have to consider the role of stock market prices in the various sectors of the economy in their models for forecasting the path of the oil prices and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate trend.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The integration of graduate attributes into the curriculum at undergraduate level: a case of Central University of Technology, Free State
- Authors: Sibuqashe, Mziwakhe Ramos
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Free State , Education, Higher -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Free State Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Aims and objectives College teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43490 , vital:36897
- Description: Universities across the world have always endeavoured to develop quality graduates who are competitive throughout the world. In attempt to develop these students, universities have introduced generic skills or graduate attributes that should be taught along with disciplinary skills. Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is one of the universities that has developed the generic skills for their students. This study is aimed at determining the extent to which these graduate attributes are integrated into the undergraduate curriculum. For the higher education system to provide quality graduates, curriculum development teaching and assessment practices should be of high quality as well. Teaching and assessment practices should be such that students are encouraged to produce their own knowledge. This can be achieved if teaching and assessment activities are constructively aligned to each other. By aligning assessment and teaching activities constructively students are encouraged to engage in deep learning and thus the quality of students improves. Qualitative research was conducted using CUT as the case. Interviews were conducted with Heads of Department, lecturers and students across eight departments in four faculties. Previous examination papers, the student assessment manuals and study guides were analysed to determine the extent to which graduate attributes were integrated into curriculum The findings of this study indicated that academics treat graduate attributes as outcomes that are disengaged from the course specific outcomes. It was also discovered that academics perceived the integration of graduate attributes as just another added responsibility on top of their overloaded job. This thesis concludes by making recommendations regarding methods of addressing the concerns of academics and students to enhance seamless integration of graduate attributes into the curriculum.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The integration of effluent treatment using constructed wetlands, with crop production and aquaculture
- Authors: de Jong, Martyn
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Recycling (Waste, etc.) , Brewery waste , Sewage -- Purification , Beets , Mozambique tilapia
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95767 , vital:31197
- Description: Breweries are major consumers of water and produce nutrient rich wastewater. Therefore, it is important to research technologies that optimise the reuse and recycling of this waste. This study compared different constructed wetlands (CWs) in terms of their potential for cleaning brewery effluent and simultaneously producing crops Beta vulgaris and fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Filling and draining times (FDT; 15 min, 30 min and 60 min) in tidal CWs were compared in Experiment 1. The 15 min FDT (6.52 ± 0.09 mg/l) and 30 min FDT (5.74 ± 0.09 mg/l) had higher dissolved oxygen (DO) than the 60 min FDT (5.40 ± 0.09 mg/l; p<0.05). This resulted in the 15 and 30 min FDT treatments reaching ammonia effluent discharge standards sooner than the 60 min FDT. Total plant harvest increased with increasing FDT; therefore, 15 min FDT was used as the FDT in tidal treatments in the following experiments. The aerated CW (5.81 ± 0.07 mg/l) and tidal CW (5.67 ± 0.07 mg/l) treatments had higher DO concentrations than the unaerated CW treatment (3.76 ± 0.07 mg/l; p<0.05) in Experiment 2. This resulted in lower ammonia concentrations on day 5 in the aerated and tidal CWs compared with the unaerated treatment (p<0.05). The tidal CW (23.97 ± 2.57 kg) had a total harvest that was approximately four times higher than the unaerated CW (p<0.05), which had the highest frequency of chlorosis and plant mortality; and was unable to treat ammonia to discharge standards. In Experiment 3, the aerated and tidal CW were compared with municipal-water as water sources for aquaculture. There were no differences in fish growth (p > 0.05). However, there were differences in water quality; with the municipal treatment having the lowest pH, EC and nitrate concentration (p<0.05); but all water quality parameters remained in a range suitably for fish production. Due to the tidal CW having the highest plant harvest and lowest frequency of chlorosis and mortality; it was the most suitable CW technology to clean the brewery effluent, and to produce B. vulgaris and water that could be used downstream in aquaculture.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The informal economy as a catalyst for development in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality
- Authors: Manzana, Noludwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40933 , vital:36271
- Description: In South Africa, the informal economy is expected to play a significant role, mainly because informal employment is relatively high in comparison to formal employment. The South African economy is characterised by a sluggish pace of job creation in the formal sector and a high rate of unemployment. The literature reveals that in recent years, small towns in South Africa have become key hubs for service delivery and the economic activity involved in the receipt and processing thereof. As such, these towns are viewed as essential to the implementation of the developmental local goals of South Africa’s government. In relation to this view, the established strand relates to the small-town growth and development potential with the core theme of local economic development. Raymond Mhlaba informal trading has become an economic alternative for some community members. In order to ensure the optimal efficiency of informal businesses there is a need to understand the needs of informal traders and the contributions made by the informal sector in their lives. There is a tremendous potential within the informal business sector for it to become a major role player in sustaining the livelihoods of many people, but the efficiency of these informal businesses needs to be improved by removing some of the constraints which hinder their effective functioning. These constraints include crime, transport, municipal services and financial support with the assistance from Local Eco-nomic Development (LED) to enhance a competitive, increasing sustainable growth and to ensure that growth within a local area is inclusive. This research therefore assesses the role of the informal economy as a catalyst for development in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. In addition, the findings will be useful for local municipalities within the district to fully comprehend the views of municipal legislations and informal traders with regard to policies and practices, as well as their impact on enabling the development of local municipalities through the informal economy. Lastly, the research findings will also enrich the knowledge base on informal trading in local municipalities and may be useful information regarding the development of a more sustainable regulatory approach to informal economy in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of the real business cycle shocks on aggregate demand in South Africa
- Authors: Mesatywa, Msa Pumelela
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business cycles -- South Africa , Economic indicators -- South Africa Macroeconomics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42407 , vital:36653
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the real business cycle shocks on aggregate demand in South Africa. These shocks consist of government expenditure, oil prices, technology (proxied by research and development), labour productivity, and droughts. The theoretical framework is presented consisting of the literature review and empirical review. The Neo-classical, Keynesian and Structuralist theories are explained in the literature review. Furthermore, the empirical section consists of previous studies from developed and developing countries, and as well as studies conducted in South Africa based on the topic of this study. The Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model approach was used to find the influence between economic growth, government expenditures, oil prices, technology shock (proxy research and development), labour productivity and droughts in South Africae using quarterly data from 1995 to 2017. The Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter was used to extract the shocks and to test their influence on economic growth. The NARDL technique uses a single reduced form of equation to examine the long run relationship of the variables as opposed to other models. The NARDL technique is also suitable to use to test co-integration and does not require the underlying variables to be integrated of similar order. The results from the NARDL bounds test showed that there is a long run relationship for government expenditure, oil prices, technology, labour productivity and droughts. Furthermore, the labour productivity shock tends out to be the larger shock affecting South Africa’s economy. This study will provide policy recommendations on how to improve and increase labour productivity in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of multinational corporations in promoting foreign direct investment in the South African business environment
- Authors: Van der Berg, Jan Gabriel Mara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Business enterprises Business Organisations Industrial promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44213 , vital:37131
- Description: One of the major driving forces behind international trade over the past thirty years has been Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Due to the importance of FDI, a vast amount of research has been conducted on the various elements that make up FDI. There has also been widespread research done to measure the impact of FDI on host countries, and attempts have been made to determine the long-term benefits thereof. Despite the existent research on FDI, there is a dearth of literature on the unique situation in South Africa (due to the country’s fragmented past) and the impact of FDI on the South African economy. This study attempts to address this research gap and to add to the existent body of knowledge on FDI market entry. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of multinational corporations (MNCs) in promoting the entry of FDIs in South Africa, and the effectiveness of these investments in the South African business environment. The comprehensive literature review in this study included a discussion of the background to the pre- and post-apartheid South African economy, and the various efforts made by the South African government to facilitate sustainable economic growth through various economic policies. FDI was identified as one of the four major indicators of economic growth and was therefore investigated as a concept, strategy and driver of change. The South African marketing environment was analysed in order to assist in the identification of variables that are conducive to FDI. The final section of the literature review utilised three cases to better illustrate and understand the different challenges, market entry strategies and long-term implications of FDI. In this study, the independent variables (international marketing environment, stakeholder intervention, government considerations, resources and FDI incentives) were identified as influencing the mediating variable (FDI market entry strategy) and the dependent variables (competitiveness, sustainability, trade agreements and commitment of traders). These independent variables were selected to construct a hypothesised model and the research hypotheses. To this end, an empirical investigation was conducted, the measuring instrument used in this investigation was a questionnaire, which was assembled with the help of insights gained from secondary sources. The study respondents were selected through convenience sampling. A total of 210 respondents participated in the study, and 165 useable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The data collected for this study was subjected to five phases of analysis: exploratory factor analysis to assess validity; Cronbach’s alpha was used to test for internal consistency reliability; descriptive statistics to describe the fundamental features of the data by providing a statistical summary and analysis; and the nine hypotheses pertaining to the relationships between different variables were assessed using inferential statistical procedures, Pearson’s product correlation and regression analysis. This led to the adaptation of the hypothesised model and the hypotheses so as to indicate the changes resulting from the EFA. The findings of this study reveals that external stakeholder intervention as well as FDI incentives and resources effectively influence FDI market entry strategy in the South African business environment. The study results further reveal that the promotion of FDI market entry strategy positively influences competitiveness, sustainability, trade agreements and commitment of traders in the South African business environment. For MNCs to be successful in the expansion of FDI market entry strategy in the South African business environment, the study recommends that it is important to consider the availability of potential local partners, proximity to trading routes, reduction of the costs involved in supplying the market, the effect of tariff barriers and a competitive domestic economy. It is further recommended that MNCs need to focus on the utilisation of reliable and effective equipment in order to enable the productive management of operations in the South African business environment. The study also recommends the South African business environment as a strategic investment destination for the promotion of FDI market entry strategy as it offers low production costs in particular trading locations. This study has contributed to the field of FDI and the FDI market entry strategies employed by MNCs in South Africa. The research findings identified the international marketing (SLEPTS) factors through an assessment of the South African marketing environment, as these factors are deemed important for FDI to occur. The study also highlights the critical international marketing factors that could be used to improve local conditions through a mixture of incentives and policy re-alignment, so as to be more conducive to attracting large scale FDI. The hypothesised model developed for this study contributed to identifying the influence of external stakeholders on the successful market entry of FDI into South Africa, a critical element that MNCs usually only identify after market entry is complete. Evidence from the study shows that the South African government should direct FDI incentives towards those sectors in the economy that stand to benefit the most from the spill-over effects of FDI, in order to maximise the impact of FDI on the local economy. The research also indicates that elements such as restrictive legislation and government corruption may, to a certain degree, hinder FDI; therefore, these issues need to be addressed through legislation. It is recommended that all local efforts to attract FDI are industry or sector focussed, and that they are guided by government policies towards the greater benefit of the South African economy. Furthermore, the study found that the relationship between the host country and the MNC is critical to achieving sustainability in the long-term; therefore, it is suggested that the South African government improves its relationship with local businesses and MNCs that are looking to invest in South Africa. To conclude, it was found that South Africa has a very important role to play in attracting global FDI to Africa, as it has an accessible market based on geographic location, trade channels and traditional linkages with African and European networks.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of leadership styles on employee commitment in the retail industry
- Authors: Mqomboti, Sakhile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Retail trade -- Management -- South Africa , Retail trade -- Employees -- South Africa , Employee loyalty -- South Africa , Leadership -- Case studies -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/93811 , vital:30947
- Description: Purpose – Companies operating in the South African retail industry have been experiencing a high staff turnover, reported to be standing at 36% (Kelly, 2016). The Edcon Retail Group and Taste Holdings have already indicated their strategic focus on staff turnover reduction in order to achieve their business objectives (Crotty, 2017; Laing, 2017). This research study explained the relationship between the three leadership styles of the Full Range Leadership Theory (FRLT) model developed by Bass and Avolio and three types of commitments from the three component model of Meyer and Allen. The research study was interested in the leadership style that contributes the most to commitment. The effective leadership style may be developed to improve the level of employee commitment in the South African Retail industry. Methodology – The research study used the total population of 300 subordinate employees from four stores of a retail company in the Rustenburg region in the North-West Province of South Africa. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X) instrument was adopted for leadership questionnaire data collection, the three-component model of commitment was adopted for data collection of the commitment questionnaire. Pearson Correlations quantitative data analysis was adopted to explain the relationship of the independent and dependent variables. Multiple Regression quantitative data analysis was adopted to test the strength of the leadership styles on commitment. Findings – The statistical analysis results of Pearson Correlations found weak but significant positive relationship between Transactional leadership style and both Normative and Continuance commitment. A weak but significant positive relationship was found between Transformational leadership style and Normative commitment. A weak but significant positive relationship was found between Passive/Avoidant leadership and continuance commitment. Transformational leadership style showed more strength in contribution to commitment, followed by the Transactional leadership style. Significant – This research study will expand the existing but limited leadership style and commitment body of knowledge in the South African retail industry. The South African retail companies will be able to develop the preferred leadership style by its employees and develop this leadership style in their managers to improve the commitment of their employees.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of institutionalised regulations on the emotional wellbeing of non-traditional gender identifying tertiary graduates
- Authors: Lubbe, Maritza
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gender nonconformity , Transgender people -- Identity Transgender people Transgender youth -- Identity Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40544 , vital:36181
- Description: Trans* experiences have been and are currently still understood within systems that are inherently heteronormatively inclined and which has produced a system that is ideologically driven by the gender binary. Consequently, societies are not designed to accommodate everyone equally, thus forcing non-traditional gender identifying individuals to grapple and adapt to this sometimes seemingly ignorant world. This grappling and adaptation takes various different forms for different people, and thus it is expected that this would elicit a variety of different consequences for emotional wellbeing. One of the formal institutions that has shown sluggish transformation in terms of gender-based transformation is tertiary educational institutions. Here traditional binaries are rooted everywhere from application form information to bathroom use on campus. This study explored the influence living and working in higher educational institutions have had on the emotional wellbeing of Trans* individuals, who have graduated. Along with an acknowledgement of the inherent complexity of gender identity, Trans* in the context of this study can be understood as shorthand used to refer to individuals who identify as transgender, transsexual, and/or gender non-conforming. This exploration was embarked upon through a qualitative research enquiry into the lived realities of Trans* graduates. Instead of a focus on current Trans* students, this study drew on its sample through gender organisations to recruit participants who are recent graduates and openly identify as Trans*. It was deemed appropriate given that graduates may be able to reflect on their overall tertiary experience. Findings indicated that Trans* graduates experienced significantly lowered levels of emotional wellbeing, which tapped into various components of mental health, while they attended these institutions. These included a negative impact on self-esteem, as well as high levels of depression and other mental health concerns. Themes of exclusion and access to transformational power were also uncovered. It was found that intersections of race and gender also influenced participant’s experiences. It was additionally found that Trans* graduates did not exclusively experience the impact of tertiary education systems as impairing, but rather there was also an acknowledgement of the existing efforts and the potential for these spaces to become more inclusive. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence on Trans* experiences, by highlighting the plight of Trans* individuals within tertiary educational institutions.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of hands-on chemistry experimental interventions on the attitudes of grade 9 learners toward natural science
- Authors: Swartbooi Tarryn Beatrix
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Chemistry -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44628 , vital:38168
- Description: The primary purpose of this research was to explore the influence that interactive, hands-on chemistry experiments may have on grade 9 learners’ attitudes toward Natural Sciences. A pragmatic research philosophy was used to best answer the research question which asked “Do hands-on chemistry interventions have a positive effect on grade 9 learners cognitive, affective and behavioural attitude toward Natural Sciences?” and explore the problem statement “The conducting of relevant hands-on chemistry experiments and demonstrations are expected to positively affect learners’ attitudes (cognitive, affective and behavioural), which would in turn motivate learners to further explore science, both in and outside of the classrooms and increase their interest”. The attitudes of learners were studied at two quintile-1 ranked schools both situated in lower socio-economic areas. The main findings that for cognitive attitude from the achievement tests were that Quintile-1 schools based in low socio-economic areas have similar cognitive attitude outcomes (pre-tests, post-tests) except for scientific language. In addition, according to multiple linear regression testing, the hands-on chemistry intervention group (test group) had a more uniform understanding of the scientific topic under study when compared to the traditionally taught group of learners (control group). Key findings from the survey and focus group for affective attitude (School A n=56 and School B n=14) showed that most of the learners responded that science interests them. They also responded that they wanted science club as a permanent fixture at their school and enjoyed doing experiments practically. Main findings for the behavioural attitudes from the focus group and survey were that hands on chemistry experiments motivated grade 9 learners to select Physical Sciences in grade 10 and it also encouraged them to want follow a career in science. From the survey responses it was inferred that learners’ behavioural attitude (BA) toward science was positively affected by science demonstrations and experiments.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of grade 3 teachers’ self-efficacy on the teaching of isixhosa home language reading-comprehension: recommendations for an indigenous mother-tongue based teaching framework
- Authors: Makeleni, Sive
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Reading comprehension Xhosa language -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16632 , vital:40738
- Description: This thesis aimed to examine the extent to which Grade 3 teachers’ self-efficacy influence the teaching of IsiXhosa Home Language reading comprehension. The study was conducted in the Buffalo City Metro Education District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Social Cognitive theory was adopted as a theoretical framework for this study. The study employed a mixed methods approach, wherein qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Concurrent triangulation was adopted as a research design. In the quantitative phase one hundred and twelve (112) Grade 3 teachers participated through filling in questionnaires. Whilst, in the qualitative phase six (6) teachers were interviewed. Quantitative data was analysed through using descriptive/inferential statistics for the appropriate variables of data, and QUAL analysis of data, using thematic analysis related to the relevant narrative data. The findings both quantitative and qualitative reveal that the teachers spend most of their time in teaching phonics, phonemic awareness and vocabulary and less time on teaching reading comprehension. The teachers feel that the prescribed Curriculum and Policy Statement that does not accommodate indigeneity and languageness of IsiXhosa Language suppresses their innovativeness and creativeness in teaching IsiXhosa Home Language reading comprehension. The teachers highlighted the orthographic uniqueness of IsiXhosa language as one of the gaps in the curriculum. The majority of the teachers believe that Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement IsiXhosa Home Language Foundation Phase (CAPS), is back-translated from another language. Hence, the teachers feel unease to implement the curriculum as it is. Such conceptual gaps identified, negatively affected the teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching IsiXhosa Home Language reading comprehension. Also revealing in the findings are the teachers’ use of assessment as a mere compliance strategy. The findings also reveal that the teachers’ self-efficacy is affected by contextual factors. The study therefore recommends a decolonised IsiXhosa-sensitive Curriculum and Policy Statement that reflects the indigeneity and the languageness of IsiXhosa. The study further recommends an indigenous mother -tongue based framework of teaching IsiXhosa Home Language in the Foundation Phase
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of financial socialisation agents on young professionals’ financial literacy levels
- Authors: Saayman, Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Finance -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Financial literacy -- South Africa Finance, Personal -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43001 , vital:36723
- Description: This study is focused on the levels of financial literacy of young professionals because they are exiting university with high levels of debt and may have low levels of financial literacy as students. These young professionals enter the workforce and face complex financial decisions where they are expected to be able to make independent and sound financial decisions. They have access to all types of financial products and services and have increased levels of household debt as well as the need to fund an ageing population, such as their parents. The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence financial socialisation agents have on the financial literacy levels of young professionals. The financial socialisation agents that are investigated are parents, peers, teachers and employers. These financial socialisation agents use various financial socialisation mechanisms to influence the financial literacy of young professionals. The financial socialisation mechanisms that were identified are teaching practices, modelling of financial behaviour and pocket money (employed by parents), peer communication (employed by peers), and financial instruction (employed by both teachers and employers). An extensive literature review on financial socialisation and financial literacy was conducted. This led to the development of a conceptual framework that is tested empirically. In order to test the conceptual model for the study, a quantitative research approach was adopted. Non-probability snowball and convenience sampling was used to target respondents of the study. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed to employees in the financial industry between the ages of 20 and 35. Of the 300 questionnaires distributed in the Nelson Mandela Bay, 263 were returned and usable, resulting in a response rate of 88 percent. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to test the empirical data, and included the Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and a multiple regression analysis. The results showed that while many respondents (42%) scored between 61 and 80 percent for the questions on financial knowledge. Only 15 percent of respondents scored higher for financial knowledge, namely between 81 and 100 percent. In terms of validity and reliability, most of the factors tested are retained; only subjective financial knowledge and financial attitude are disregarded for further analysis. The descriptive statistics showed that respondents scored a mean of 2.649 for the statements measuring educational allowance, a mean of 2.041 for the statements that measure teaching practices that includes modelling of behaviour, and 59 percent of respondents indicated that the statements that measure teaching practices that include modelling of behaviour was true; only 24 percent of respondents believe the statements regarding peer communication to be true, with the other respondents (42%) being neutral. Most of the respondents believe the statements regarding financial instruction to be true, both for financial instruction from teachers (61%) and employers (46%), and the majority (70%) of respondents believe the factor financial behaviour to be true. Only one hypotheses (H4) was accepted: There was a significant positive relationship between employers and financial literacy. The other three hypotheses (H1, H2 and H3) were rejected. H1 proposed that a significant positive relationship exists between parents and financial literacy, H2 that a significant positive relationship between peers and financial literacy exists, and H3 that a significant positive relationship between teachers and financial literacy exists. This mean that other financial socialisation agents, namely, parents, peers and teachers, did not influence financial literacy. The results show that the mechanism employed by employers, financial instruction, has a significant influence on the objective financial knowledge and financial behaviour of young professionals. Based on the results above, it is recommended that South Africa should prioritise the financial literacy of its youth. Policymakers can do this by providing young adults with financial literacy courses and require employers to provide these courses to their employees. The workshops offered by employers to the respondents of the study resulted in these respondents having higher levels of financial literacy, as H4 proposed and was supported in the results. Therefore, employers should consider providing workshops as part of their benefit package to their employees. These workshops can be about various financial matters, such as retirement planning, debt management, savings and investments, the importance of insurance and assurance, as well as a medical aid and how to apply for credit, such as home loans, credit cards and vehicle assistance. Other options that employers can consider is sending informative emails on a regular basis to their employees. Parents should also have access to financial literacy courses because the study found that parents’ teaching practices, which includes modelling of behaviour, influence the financial behaviour of young professionals. Teachers, through financial instruction, also influence the financial behaviour of young professionals. Therefore, teachers and other educators or education institutions should consider offering formal financial instruction, either on the internet, through financial articles or workshops about budgeting, record keeping of expenses, cost of credit, savings and inflation. Therefore in conclusion, it is important that policymakers and employers consider this research and provide young professionals with the necessary resources to help them make complex financial decisions. This study has contributed to literature by investigating the influence of financial socialisation agents on the financial literacy levels of young professionals in the financial industry specifically. The proposed conceptual model of the study may be useful in determining the influence of financial socialisation agents on financial literacy in the future. The study also advance research on financial socialisation and financial literacy, specifically among youth as there exist no studies that investigate the influence of financial socialisation on the financial literacy levels of young professionals in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of Educational Levels of the Parent School Governing Body Component on their participation in school governance
- Authors: Kombela, Thamsanqa Washington
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: School boards School management teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16555 , vital:40731
- Description: School Governance is focused on the parent component, which is one of the components that make up School Governing Body (SGB). In South Africa, the legislation affords parents numerical majority representation. Strategic positions, such as chairperson and treasurer are assigned to a parent. This aims at affording parents an opportunity to influence school level decisions. However, the extent to which the parent component of SGBs participates meaningfully is consistently questioned, some researchers suspecting parents’ levels of education to negatively influence their quality of participation. Hence this study investigated the influence of Educational Levels of the SGB parent component on their school governance participation, especially in rural primary schools of Buffalo City Metro Education District. This study used Mixed Methods Research Design within Pragmatic Paradigm, using Arstein’s Ladder of Participation as Theoretical Framework. The researcher used a questionnaire as a tool to collect quantitative data and Key Informant Interview (KII) to collect qualitative data. Fourty two (42) parents serving as SGB members in the rural areas of the Buffalo City Metro Education District, ten (10) SGB parent members participated in the interview session. Quantitatively, there is a significant positive relationship between educational attainments of the parents in SGBs and their participation in the appointment of school staff (r = 0.61; p<0.05); there is also a significant positive relationship between educational attainments of the parents in SGBs and their participation in purchasing textbooks and materials for the school (r = 0.73; p<0.05). At face value the qualitative finding seems to agree with quantitative findings regarding the influence of educational level to their partcipation. It becomes moral complex as deeper analysis occured. For instance, some parent SGB members did not participate in roles such as recommending educators and non-teaching staff and the purchasing of school LTSM, not necessarily due to the educational levels. Instead it was because of their rejection of teacher attitude. Also, the parents seemed to reject English, the language used during SGB meetings. Even though the study did not explicitly link educational levels of parent SGB members with their participation. This study recommends that SASA unambiguously determines minimum educational levels, skills, knowledge for parent SGB membership. This study further recommends that SASA embraces explicitly Ubuntu principle in its definition of a parent, to include community members with appropriate minimum educational levels and skills, for participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019