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Action research case studies of participatory materials development in two community contexts in Zambia

  • Authors: Lupele, Justin Kalaba
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Community development -- Zambia -- Case studies Environmental education -- Zambia -- Case studies Sustainable development -- Zambia -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003298
  • Description: This research reports on two action research case studies of participatory materials development in two rural community contexts in Zambia, namely Chiawa and Nalusanga. It aims to explore and articulate the relationships between community-based environmental education and participatory materials development in the WWF Zambia Education Project context; clarify participatory materials development processes by identifying the roles of different ‘actors’ in these processes and identify and analyse the contextual and other factors that may influence development and use of environmental education materials in rural communities. These aims were explored by means of a number of action research cycles of inquiry in the two communities. The study also articulates the significance of considering ambivalent globalising influences such as international conferences, debates, overseas development aid, national policies and how these shape and influence materials development work in a local context. In order to gain more insight into the local contexts, I developed contextual profiles on the two communities. These capture the contextual factors that influenced the participatory materials development processes. They include issues such as language, ethnicity, literacy, power relations and the local social economy, amongst others. Although this study has been predominately guided by the socially critical orientation to research and education, I have drawn on aspects of other research orientations. I have also explored some of the emerging critiques of the socially critical orientation. The findings of this study reveal the different roles participants can play in participatory materials development; participatory materials development processes as a learning process; the dynamics of participation in an African context; the role of language and literacy in materials development; the need for open-ended process models of learning amongst adult learners and the importance of merging expert and local knowledge in participatory materials development. This study opens up possibilities for further exploration of participatory materials development processes within the WWF ZEP context and beyond.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

Africa: Media

  • Authors: Garman, Anthea
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158752 , vital:40225 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC146281
  • Description: Those are our twin concerns as we move into this new moment in human history which is being called the "Information Society" or the "Information Age".
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An analysis of digital photojournalistic practices: a study of the Sowetan's photographic department

  • Authors: Allan, Christopher
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003071 , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
  • Description: Photojournalism in South Africa is in the process of undergoing a shift from an analogue past to a fully digital future. This shift to digital has already been completed by many of the newspapers in the United States of America and Europe, and the new technology is seen to have made fundamental differences in the way that journalists do their job. This thesis attempts to explore the differences brought about, as well as the problems experienced by the photographic department at the Sowetan newspaper as a result of the shift to digital. How the development of technology has affected the photojournalist throughout is focused upon in a brief history of photojournalism and examples of how technology has shaped different aspects of journalism in both a positive and negative manner is considered. Exactly what digital photography is, how it has been integrated into American Photographic departments and the changes that the new technology has prompted are also explained. The manipulation of images in the past as well as the relative ease of digital manipulation are covered and concerns are raised about the future implications of digital manipulation. By conductlng participant observation and holding interviews, research data was compiled which allowed conclusions to be drawn about the impact that the shift to digital had had on the Sowetan photographic department. Intentional and unintentional consequences were expected and revealed in the research. The job of the photojournalist and photographic editor was found to have changed but perhaps not as dramatically as expected. Third world factors such as crime, poverty and lack of education were discovered to have resulted in problems that differed noticeably from those experienced by American and European photographic departments. Some expected difficulties were not experienced at all, while other major obstacles, specifically the repairs that must constantly be made to the digital cameras, continue to hamper the operations of the new digital department. Some understanding of the problems that might be encountered by future photojournalism departments that are considering making the shift to digital are arrived at, in the hope that they may be foreseen and overcome.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An analysis of factors that inhibit small and medium enterprises from exporting their products to South Africa's most important trading partners

  • Authors: Muller, Franciscus Fredricus
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Export marketing -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:10932 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/197 , Export marketing -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa
  • Description: The research problem addressed in this study was concerned with the identification of factors that inhibit Small and Medium Enterprises from exporting their products to South Africa’s most important trading partners. To achieve this objective, a theoretical study was conducted to establish what literature reveals to be the most important trading partners, and the problems which businesses experience when they export their products to these destinations from the Eastern Cape. The information obtained in the literature study was analysed, and, in order to resolve the main problem, the research questionnaire was divided into four parts. • Part 1 consisted of biographical questions. • Part 2 consisted of questions aimed at establishing the reasons why organisations embarked on exporting. • Part 3 was concerned with what the respondents perceived as barriers to their export operations. • Part 4 was concerned with strategic decisions and the minimising of risk. The empirical results obtained indicate that, although inhibiting factors are a reality in exporting, these remain secondary to general market forces of supply and demand. It was shown that inhibiting factors do not play as big a role in the export process as the literature suggests.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An analysis of the effective management of growth in a selected business in the body-in-white automotive industry, to improve employee relations

  • Authors: Southwood, Paul Harcourt
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Personnel management -- South Africa , Career development -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:10933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/198 , Personnel management -- South Africa , Career development -- South Africa
  • Description: Body-In-White business forms part of the automotive industry. The industry is highly specialized and usually operates under tremendous pressure due to the competition within the industry as a result of an oligopolistic market, limited resources, short lead times and the contractual nature of the industry. The selected business has grown steadily over the last five years in terms of the number of employees that have been employed. It is said that employees are a business’s most important asset. How effectively a business is managed during growth and the relationship management has with the employees during that period are critical to a business in maintaining a competitive advantage. Effective management and sound employee relations could ensure the longterm profitability and sustainability of the business. This paper is intended to analyse the selected business to determine how effectively the business is managed and the state of employee relations within the business. Various aspects to effective management and employee relations are presented through a literature study in order to identify the means required to manage effectively and to promote and maintain sound employee relations. A two-pronged approach was undertaken in the applied research. Firstly, a survey with the aid of a structured questionnaire was undertaken among the management of the selected business to gather information. A second survey also with the aid of a structured questionnaire was undertaken among all the employees. The purpose of the two different questionnaires was to make an analysis of the business and to determine whether management and the employees held the same views, or differed on related topics. Mostly management indicated that managerial effectiveness is critical to remaining competitive. Employees indicated that management does not plan and organise an orderly workflow and that employees rely on their overtime remuneration. There was a general agreement by management and employees that more than one person attends to human resource related issues. Effective human resource planning is not enforced to maintain a motivated workforce, as human resource policies and procedures do not pay special attention to employee relations. Among the main findings, the study revealed that while there are some aspects of effective management lacking in the business, the business is mostly managed effectively. However, not enough attention is paid to effective human resource management, as training and development programs for management and employees are lacking and certain human resource issues need to be addressed.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An analysis of the factors that influence effectiveness in information technology student project teams

  • Authors: Patrellis, Yiota
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Project management , Teams in the workplace , Organizational effectiveness
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Information Technology)
  • Identifier: vital:10800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/199 , Information technology -- Management , Project management , Teams in the workplace , Organizational effectiveness
  • Description: More and more organizations are making use of teamwork. Effective teams are also important from an Information Technology (IT) perspective, since teamwork forms an integral part of all software development activities. It is therefore extremely important that IT students are able to work together as an effective team. These statements lead to the following questions – How can IT student project teams be effective and what obstacles need to be overcome in order to ensure effectiveness? This dissertation reports on an exploratory study of second and third year IT project teams and exposes factors that lead to ineffectiveness. Firstly, the problems experienced by the groups seem to have the largest detrimental effect on effective team functioning. Secondly, the project mark is also affected by the priority issue that is associated with the particular task. Thirdly, the issues of time management, communication, conflict management, compromise, social loafing and group cohesion also play an important role in team effectiveness. This dissertation sets out to prove that the key to "effectiveness" lies in empowering the student to deal with all possible dilemmas that may be faced when working in teams in the tertiary team situation. The benefits of these actions will hopefully lead to the realization of “effectiveness” in the tertiary team situation and ultimately, in the student’s work environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An analysis of the potential for the marketing of ostrich meat in S.A

  • Authors: Wessels, Philippus Lodewikus
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Ostriches -- South Africa , Ostrich products industry -- South Africa , Meat industry and trade -- South Africa , Marketing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:10930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/202 , Ostriches -- South Africa , Ostrich products industry -- South Africa , Meat industry and trade -- South Africa , Marketing
  • Description: The research program addressed in this study was to do an analysis of the potentials of the marketing of ostrich meat in the South African market. Being the world leader in the ostrich industry, the research’s emphasis was to establish reasons why the meat industry does not explore the South African meat market. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of the current situation was undertaken and used as a theoretical model to analyse the current situation in the market as well as in the ostrich industry. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify some critical issues that have an influence on the potential of the domestic market. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved using the Internet and World Wide Web, print media, personal interviews and telephonic interviews. The result of the literature study was finally combined with the results of the empirical study and some recommendations were made. The recommendations were applicable to the ostrich industry in so far that implementing some plans for the meat industry can have serious consequences for the other products of the ostrich industry
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An assessment of bait availability, utilization and management guidelines in Eastern Cape estuaries

  • Authors: Jooste, Jakobus Gerrit
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Upogebia african -- Effects of sediments on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fishing baits -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:11073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/334 , Upogebia african -- Effects of sediments on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fishing baits -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: Aspects around the management of benthic soft sediment bait organisms, with special focus on the mud prawn (Upogebia africana) of eastern Cape estuaries was investigated. The recreational linefishery of the Gamtoos estuary was described, and compared to previous studies. Target fish species was identified, and a large dependency on bait sourced from estuaries needed for the capture of these species was noted, especially for spotted grunter (Pomadasys commersonnii). A comparison between bait use, success and the natural diet of target fish species was also made. The structure and distribution of sediments in the old channel mud banks was described and compared with historical data. The influence of sediments on mud prawn distribution was investigated, but no significant interactions were found at the study site. The impacts of once-off pumping and digging events, and monthly trampling on the sediments and mud prawn population was studied over a 7-month period. Initial removal rates as well as recovery time varied significantly between the two collection methods, while the largest decline in prawn numbers (to zero) with no recovery visible after seven months was caused by trampling. All disturbances caused some alteration in sediment composition, but not to such an extent that the sediments became unfavorable for mud prawns. Trampling did, however, result in the compaction of sediments to such a degree that prawns could not construct burrows. Issues around current removal quotas of bait species as well as the creation of a small-scale commercial (SSC) bait selling operation at Swartkops estuary were critically evaluated, and suggestions for the future removal rates of mud prawns based on production export calculations were made. The distribution, size, sex ratios and number of gravid females occurring along a tidal gradient as well as along horizontal gradient of the mud bank during growth (January – March) and reproductive (September – October) periods was investigated. Changes in the distribution of females between the two study periods were significant, while the distribution of reproductively active females were closely linked to the low water mark (Lower tidal levels). Females occurring in this zone were also significantly larger than females occurring towards the back of the study site. Some minor changes along the horizontal gradient were also observed. The sediment compos ition of the mud bank was found not to play a role in this distribution, leading to the suggestion that exposure to ebb and flood tide currents could influence female prawn distributions. Management recommendations based on these observations were made.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An assessment of selected non-water benefits of the Working for Water Programme in the Eastern and Southern Cape

An automotive carbon dioxide air-conditioning system with heat pump

  • Authors: Böttcher, Christof
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation , Heat pumps
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Mechanical Engineering)
  • Identifier: vital:10811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/206 , Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation , Heat pumps
  • Description: The refrigerant circuits of car air-conditioning systems are fitted with so-called open type compressors, because there is only a lip seal preventing the refrigerant from leaking from the compressor housing to the atmosphere. In addition, the cycle uses damping elements between the compressor and the other components on the suction and pressure lines to reduce vibration and noise transfer from the engine to the car body. Both the lip seal and damping elements result in loss of refrigerant as they are made from elastomers and leak with age, and, under high temperature conditions inside the engine room, these elements also allow a relatively high permeation of the refrigerant gas to the atmosphere. With very high refrigerant losses in the older R12 -cooling cycles and the damage caused by this gas to the ozone layer in the stratosphere, the Montreal protocol phased out this refrigerant and the car industry was forced to revert completely to R134a until 1994/95. R134a has no ozone depletion potential, but it has a direct global warming potential, and, therefore, leakages also have to be minimised. R134a has, because of its molecular size, a high permeation potential and, hence, all the refrigerant hoses are lined internally. Unfortunately, these hoses also leak with age and significant refrigerant loss will occur [1] R134a can therefore only be viewed as a solution until an alternative refrigerant with no direct global warming potential has been developed. Candidates for new refrigerants are natural substances such as hydrocarbons or carbon dioxide [2]. Unfortunately, both substances have disadvantages and their use is restricted to special cases, for e.g. hydrocarbons are flammable and are not used in car air-conditioners, but in Germany it is used as a refrigerant in household refrigerators with hermetic cycles. What makes the implementation of carbon dioxide (CO2) difficult are the high system pressures and the low critical point [3].
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An empirical, in-depth investigation into service creation in H.323 Version 4 Networks

  • Authors: Penton, Jason Barry
  • Date: 2003 , 2013-05-24
  • Subjects: Computer programming , Computer networks , Computer network protocols
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007637 , Computer programming , Computer networks , Computer network protocols
  • Description: Over the past few years there has been an increasing tendency to carry voice on IP networks as opposed to the PSTN and other switched circuit networks. Initially this trend was favoured due to reduced costs but occurred at the expense of sacrificing the quality of the voice communications. Switched circuit networks have therefore remained the preferred carrier-grade voice communication network, but this is again changing. The advancement in improved quality of service (QoS) of real-time traffic on the IP network is a contributing factor to the anticipated future of the IP network supplying carrier-grade voice communications. Another contributing factor is the possibility of creating a new range of innovative, state-of-the-art telephony and communications services that acquire leverage through the intelligence and flexibility of the IP network. The latter has yet to be fully explored. Various protocols exist that facilitate the transport of voice and other media on IP networks. The most well known and widely supported of these is H.323. This work presents and discusses H.323 version 4 service creation. The work also categorises the various H.323 services and presents the mechanisms provided by H.323 version 4 that have facilitated the development of the three services I have developed, EmailReader, Telgo323 and CANS.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An entrepreneurial framework for deciding on the implementation of large format digital printing internationally

  • Authors: Adendorff, Christian Michael
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Success in business , Business -- Technological innovations , Digital printing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002785 , Entrepreneurship , Success in business , Business -- Technological innovations , Digital printing
  • Description: This study focuses on entrepreneurs within the SME sector using large format digital printing (LFDP) because of the changes in technology that influences the decisionmaking processes of the entrepreneur in the purchasing of a new LFDP. These fast changes are likely to continue and can cause technologies to become obsolete overnight. The entrepreneurs within the LFDP industry find themselves in the midst of these fast changes and are faced with a dilemma. On the one hand, they need to make sure that the technology used produces consistent and quality products. On the other hand, the entrepreneur needs to ensure an optimal return on investments. From the literature and the findings of the study, the researcher recommends a change to an existing model on a consultant involvement purchase of high technology products, which is then adapted to integrate resource-forecasting areas together with timing and type of information required as well as external environment scanning. The existing model’s focus is on the individual’s ability to make decisions based on their own knowledge. However, by integrating technology forecasting components, and scanning the business environment and resource forecasting needed the decision-maker will be better equipped to make decisions that also takes into account the external environment. This will also allow them to plan and manage growth in a systematic way. Therefore the proposed model takes into account individual capabilities and technology forecasting components that can facilitate the decision-making process. The adapted model on decision-making clearly delineates that the combination of entrepreneurial qualities and technology forecasting techniques in the LFDP industry will ultimately assist the entrepreneur on various levels in deciding on a new LFDP.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An epidemiological study of childhood asthma care by general practitioners in the Nelson Mandela Metropole

  • Authors: Wickens, Nicolas John
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Asthma in children -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Metropole , Epidemiology -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Metropole , Physicians (General practice) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Metropole
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Biomedical Technology)
  • Identifier: vital:10825 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/124 , Asthma in children -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Metropole , Epidemiology -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Metropole , Physicians (General practice) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Metropole
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to measure and evaluate GPs' practices, perceptions, and beliefs with regard to chronic childhood asthma management and to identify GPs' attitudes towards practice guidelines in particular the SACAWG (South African Childhood Asthma Work Group) guideline (Motala et al., 2000). In 2001 a single period cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 GPs in the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM) which comprised the Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, and Despatch regions. GPs in clinical practice in the NMM were identified from the register of the Health Professions Council (HPC) CD-ROM (2000). The register contains names and professional information on all physicians in South Africa who have completed or in the process of completing requirements to practice medicine. GPs meeting the following criteria were identified: (1) primary self-designated practice specialty of general practice; (2) practice location in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, and Despatch areas; and (3) engaged in direct patient care. The HPC register contained listings for 300 GPs that matched the study criteria. Data were collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire. Questionnaires with a return envelope were mailed to the GPs' practices. Questionnaires were returned by 89 of the 300 eligible NMM GPs, reflecting a 29,7 % response rate. A 43-item Chronic Childhood Asthma Management questionnaire was developed and validated to assess the delivery of asthma care by GPs in the NMM. Forty-four per cent of the respondents reported performing spirometry on patients with newly diagnosed asthma as part of their initial evaluation. For patients with moderate persistent asthma prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) varied by patient age, with 57,4% of physicians routinely prescribing them for patients < 5 years, compared with 76,5% of physicians prescribing them for patients 5 years. Awareness of the SACAWG guidelines among these GPs was high, with 76,8% reporting that they have heard of the guidelines, and 59,4% reporting having read them. 14,5 per cent of the GPs reported developing written treatment plans for patients with moderate or severe asthma. To achieve the best results with their asthma patients, 68,1% of the physicians reported that patient compliance was imperative, 49,3% reported education as the most important, pharmacotherapy / good products was reported as most important by 29,0% of the group, environmental control was cited by 18,8% of the GPs. Several aspects of the SACAWG guidelines appear to have been incorporated into clinical practice by GPs in the NMM, whereas other recommendations do not appear to have been readily adopted. This information suggests areas for intervention to improve primary care for asthma in the NMM.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An evaluation of and comparison between job satisfaction levels of first-line supervisors and middle-level managers in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area

  • Authors: Xiphu, Lizeka Cynthia
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Supervisors -- Job satisfaction , Middle managers -- Job satisfaction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:10881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/166 , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Supervisors -- Job satisfaction , Middle managers -- Job satisfaction
  • Description: South African organizations operate in a changing environment. The ultimate criterion of organisational effectiveness is whether the organisation survives in its environment. Political, social, technological and economic changes constantly challenge businesses to adopt new approaches in this strive for survival. These challenges affect the roles, and possibly the job satisfaction levels of first-line supervisors and middle-level managers. In this paper, the writer aimed to study and compare job satisfaction levels of first-line supervisors and middle-level managers in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. The effects of job satisfaction, or the lack thereof must be clearly identifiable to the top managers. These can either be positive or negative. In the case of positive effects, managers must strive to maintain the conditions that contribute to the positive effects of job satisfaction. In the study it was observed that middle-level managers scored higher and therefore they had higher overall job satisfaction levels than first-line supervisors. The job satisfaction levels of the first-line supervisors are found to be lower in all the areas that were stated as factors affecting job satisfaction. These areas were the personality job fit, the job content, the job context, the organisational environment and the macro environment. The companies therefore have a task of improving the job satisfaction levels in these areas. The writer recommends that organisations in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area take a closer look at the job satisfaction levels of their first-line supervisors. These managers' job satisfaction levels need to be improved from being just satisfactory to being excellent. It is mentioned in the theoretical study that firstline supervisors are very important in organisations, as they are the link between upper management and the employees. Their roles are multi-faceted as they have important functions to fulfil in the operation and ultimately success of the organization.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An evaluation of mentoring to develop a strategy for facilitating the objectives of the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998)

  • Authors: Berry, David Michael
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Mentoring in business , Employees -- Training of -- Evaluation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech (Human Resource Management)
  • Identifier: vital:10858 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/127 , Mentoring in business , Employees -- Training of -- Evaluation
  • Description: The research problem in this study was to identify what mentoring strategies organisations can use to facilitate the objectives of the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998). To achieve this objective a nine-phase theoretical model for organisational mentoring was presented. The presentation of the theoretical model consisted of the following three sub-processes: -The first consisted of a survey of literature related to the development of the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998) and the implications of the Act for organisations: The second comprised surveying the literature dealing specifically with the impact of mentoring programmes on career development, organisational success and career satisfaction, particularly in terms of employees from designated groups; The third surveyed the literature dealing with various mentoring strategies and models used by organisations for facilitating management development. The theoretical model served as a basis for drawing up a survey questionnaire to establish the extent to which individuals at different levels in the organisations agree with the theoretical model developed in the study. The survey questionnaire was sent to a random sample of individuals employed in the automobile industries of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality and the Buffalo City Metropole. The empirical results obtained from the survey indicated a strong concurrence with the theoretical organisational mentoring model presented in the study. These results were included in the theoretical model, leading to the development of an integrated model for organisational mentoring. From the survey literature and the study it became evident that if organisations plan to introduce mentoring strategies that will contribute towards facilitating their employment equity objectives, it is necessary to ensure that a transformational culture exists. Many South African organisations are currently experiencing problems in recruiting, training and retaining individuals from designated groups. The introduction of a mentoring programme based on the integrated model for organisational mentoring cannot be considered as the sole strategy for alleviating these problems and for facilitating management development to achieve the objectives of the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998). However, when this programme is effectively managed and incorporated into the overall development programme of an organisation committed to transformation, the potential to ease these problems and achieve the objectives of the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998) is greatly enhanced.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An evaluation of the effectiveness of change management models utilised by organisations in the East Cape motor industry cluster

  • Authors: Flesch, Devin Edward
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Motor industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Human Resources Management)
  • Identifier: vital:10856 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/125 , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Motor industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: There has never been an age in which change did not take place. However, the increase in the unpredictability of many factors of the 21st century means that organisations are susceptible to, and must embrace change. This results in an increase in the pace at which organisations may have to deal with change. This research study evaluates the interventions considered to bring about optimal change within organisations. In order to complete this study it was necessary to address the fundamentals of change management, tools utilised to manage change and the current theoretical models that assist organisations in managing change. The study took place within the Eastern Cape as it is regarded as the second fastest growing economy in South Africa. The researcher used the automotive cluster as the population for the study as it is the largest industry within the Eastern Cape. Based on the theoretical findings of a literature survey a questionnaire was developed and distributed to a randomly selected sample in the automotive cluster. The objective of the questionnaire was to evaluate the theory used and to develop a process model of change management. The results of the empirical study were statistically analysed and interpreted. Among the most important findings of the research was the fact that organisations in the Eastern Cape do not follow any specific theoretical model for managing change and very few organisations have a formal change management policy. Although the respondents to the survey acknowledged that it is imperative to engender an awareness of change management principles, especially among top management, the majority does not adhere to this principle because it is too time consuming! This research study highlights a number of areas where the management of change can be improved and presents a practical process model that can be adapted and used by the majority of organisations within the East Cape Motor Industry Cluster.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An evaluation of the social welfare policy of the Eastern Cape provincial government

  • Authors: Plaatjies, René
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Social policy -- Evaluation , Social service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public welfare -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:10778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011328 , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Social policy -- Evaluation , Social service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public welfare -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: A background of serious disparities in past welfare policies, legislation and programmes, necessitated the need for a far-reaching new social welfare policy in South Africa. The adoption of the White Paper for Social Welfare by Parliament in February 1997, set the path for the new social developmental approach to social welfare, dealing with key substantive issues in addressing the restructuring of social welfare services, programmes and social security. The Eastern Cape Province is one of the poorer provinces in South Africa. Negative radio and print media reports on social welfare in the province in the past three years has made it clear that serious problems and disparities face the provincial department. Several of these media reports highlighted issues relating to poor service delivery and unacceptable conditions of underdevelopment and poverty still prevailing in the province. The Eastern Cape Welfare Department has been plagued by fraud and corruption, and in a report of the Eastern Cape legislature’s standing committee on welfare in 2001, it was found that fraudulent activities, corruption and misconduct by government officials are still prevalent in the welfare department. The objective of this research was to assess whether the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (Welfare) is implementing this new social developmental approach to social welfare, as set out in the 1997 White Paper for Social Welfare.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An evaluation of the Xenopus laevis liver slice model to study the toxic effects of microcystin

  • Authors: Coates, Nadya
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Zenopus laevis , Microcystis aeruginosa -- Toxicology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:11069 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/307 , Zenopus laevis , Microcystis aeruginosa -- Toxicology
  • Description: Blooms of cyanobacteria have increased in occurrence in the past three decades and have been reported to cause severe problems for animals and humans, leading to death in extreme instances. The majority of poisonings that have taken place have been attributed to a hepatotoxin produced by the species Microcystis aeruginosa, namely microcystin. The appearance of a cyanobacterial bloom does not give any indication as to its toxicity and therefore, it is imperative that simple, yet sensitive, bioassays are developed to overcome this problem. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of microcystin-LR on the liver of Xenopus laevis both in vitro and in vivo. This animal provides an opportunity to study the long-term hepatotoxic effects of the toxin compared to in vitro studies performed with mice and rats. The use of the liver slice model system as a potential bioassay to study the effects of microcystin-LR on Xenopus laevis liver was evaluated. Liver slices were cultured in RPMI- 1640 culture medium for periods ranging from 30 hours to 10 days and the liver slices were exposed to toxin concentrations ranging from 1nM to 500nM. The use of frog liver slices to study the longer-term effects of low-dose exposure to microcystin-LR was evaluated by observing the ultrastructural changes within hepatocytes using transmission electron microscopy, the release of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase into the surrounding culture medium, as well as using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5- diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay to determine the viability of the liver slices in culture. The amount of lipid peroxidation in the liver slices after exposure to microcystin-LR was assessed using the Thiobarbituric Acid Test. Results showed the frog liver slice culture system to be an inadequate method to evaluate the hepatotoxic effects of microcystin-LR. An in vivo assessment of the effects of microcystin-LR on Xenopus laevis was carried out using a total of 9 frogs (3 groups of 3 frogs). Frogs received a single intraperitoneal dose of 120mg/kg of microcystin-LR and were sacrificed at 8 and 24 hours post exposure. Microcystin-LR caused no significant change in serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, hepatosomatic index (liver weight as a percentage body weight), glutathione peroxidase activity, glycogen or lipid peroxidation. There was, however, an increase in glutathione sii transferase activity in the liver. The presence of the toxin in the liver was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. This study suggests that Xenopus laevis has, in some way, adapted to detoxifying aquatic toxins in the environment.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2003

An exploration into the reasons for the resignation of ex-employees from the University of Port Elizabeth against international indicators in employee retention

  • Authors: Anderson, Amber Cristal
  • Date: 2003
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:11000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/289
  • Description: South African organisations have not been left untouched by the impact of globalisation on their business practices. In a bid to maintain and improve on their competitive advantage, they have had to embark on initiatives to secure a place in the global economy. Entwined herein is the challenge to embrace a whole new definition of equality and develop their human capital as described in various legislative interventions of the South African Government. This study reflects the outcomes of an exploratory study into the reasons for the resignation of ex-employees from the University of Port Elizabeth, against international indicators in employee retention. The research was based on the premise that an effective and efficient transformation strategy should originate from a tangible understanding of all the socio-behavioural and influencing aspects of employee retention. The results suggest the development of an employee-retention strategy which could facilitate the realisation of the Employment Equity Plan. The objectives of the study were: to provide critical insight into why employees are resigning from the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), to determine the social and developmental expectations of ex-UPE employees while in a transforming organisation, to identify and analyse ex-employees’ perceptions of the implementation of UPE’s Employment Equity Plan, to analyse ex-employees’ perceptions of existing retention practices at UPE, to provide recommendations towards an employee-retention strategy for UPE. The study is exploratory and descriptive in nature, and is quantitatively analysed with limited qualitative inferences. The population consisted of ex-UPE employees who had left the service of the university, from 01 January 2000 to 31 October 2002, by resignation. The period coincided with the implementation phase of the UPE Employment Equity Plan. For the purpose of this study, N=69. Twenty-eight ex-employees were untraceable, therefore n=41. Thirty ex-employees took part in the survey, thus making the sample return 73%. Eight of the respondents were dispersed across three continents other than Africa. The survey instrument, administered as an e-mailed and mailed questionnaire, was selected as the most suitable quantitative research method, because respondents were globally dispersed. Content analysis was selected as the most appropriate technique to produce findings in the qualitative aspect of the research. Where appropriate, descriptive statistics (univariate and bivariate analyses) were applied to describe the variables, the results of which were exhibited as tabular or graphical displays. Inferential statistical analyses (Pearson Chi-square and M-L Chisquare tests) were also conducted.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

An exploration of adolescent risk-taking behaviour : a case study analysis

  • Authors: Dietrich, Valerie
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Teenagers -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Risk-taking (psychology) in adolescence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:10989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/312 , Teenagers -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Risk-taking (psychology) in adolescence
  • Description: Do adolescents of colour really engage in risk-taking behaviours as often generalised by the public? Are they in fact the alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence generation? This study attempts to investigate the conditions influencing the choices adolescents make prior to their engaging in risk-taking behaviours. In the social sciences, concerns over adolescents’ recklessly irresponsible behaviours have deep roots. In 1904 G. Stanley Hall depicted adolescence as misbehaving because of the storms and stresses of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Subsequently, social scientists produced substantial evidence that the storminess of adolescence is largely an over generalisation, which has not been empirically substantiated. In corroboration of this interpretation, this study also indicates that not all adolescents engage in risk-taking behaviour, and those risky individuals do not necessarily engage in all spheres of risk-taking. The majority of the target group only experimented with certain risk behaviours by engaging in them on one occasion only. The specific high school was selected because the researcher knew the learners, as she was an educator there at the time. She was thus reasonably aware of the frequency, the nature and the severity of the risk-taking behaviours of the target group. In general, the most important findings of the study signified a moderate level of participation in risk-taking activities. However, in certain spheres such as cigarette smoking, alcohol usage and sexual intercourse, an extreme participation level was reported. Certain factors such as gender, age, socio-economic conditions, parental (one or both) absence, and the respondents’ attitude towards the specific behaviour, were discovered to have played an influential role in the target group taking risks. Based on the reasons advanced for engaging in risk-taking behaviour, the researcher concluded that the following theories were applicable in explaining the behaviour of the respondents. These theories are the social learning theory, symbolic interactionist theory, social identity, the theory of reasoned action, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The researcher trusts that this study will assist the reader to understand the complex contributing circumstances that the target group has to contend with in making decisions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2003
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