Developing a performance measurement tool to monitor the performance of a public sector agency : a balanced scorecard approach
- Authors: Lisani, Ncedo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South Africa. Economic Development Department , South Africa. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism , Performance -- Measurement , Performance -- Management , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017515
- Description: The world has seen unparalleled pressure put on the public sector to improve the speed and quality of service delivery, whilst simultaneously employing measures to cut the costs. South Africa and the Eastern Cape have not been immune to this as there have been complaints and demonstrations from various national and provincial stakeholders demanding more and improved services. The Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) in particular has employed the services of public entities in its quest to realise government’s socio-economic developmental objectives and ease some of the service delivery pressures. These agencies are unfortunately struggling to deliver and the Department is unable to play the oversight role it is legislatively mandated to carry out. The main reason for this seem to be the lack of the capacity to objectively track and measure the performance of these agencies. As they say “you cannot manage what you cannot measure”. This is despite the fact that there is a shareholders’ compact and many other measures in place to enable performance monitoring. Also, the public sector is known to have inherent and unique performance management challenges like broad and vague objectives which lead to too many measurements, a propensity to focus on the “easy to measure” but often irrelevant indicators at the expense of critical outcomes and a short-term orientation that is usually fuelled by political expediency. Against this background, this study sought to make use of a comprehensive and dynamic performance monitoring framework, namely the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), to explore its potential use in assisting government to monitor the performance of public agencies, in particular the Development Finance Institutions (DFI) in South Africa. The proposed framework helps government to focus on the performance drivers of future value, and what decisions and actions are necessary to achieve critical outcomes. The aim of the study therefore is to develop an adjusted BSC framework to monitor the activities of a public sector agency and thus demonstrate how a BSC framework could be used to monitor a public agency by the government department. The study is evaluative in nature and is divided into three sections. Section one is presented as an Evaluation Report. It sets the scene, discusses briefly the key theoretical concepts, outlines the research methods used and presents the findings followed by a discussion and recommendations. Section two delves into the literature in more detail, providing a more extensive review of the literature that informed the investigation, whilst section three provides a more extensive description of the research methodology employed in the study. To achieve the aims of the study, the research drew from the work of various authors in the field including that of Bigliardi, Dormio and Galati, 2011; Bititci, Garengo, Dörfler, and Nudurupati, 2012; Julyan, 2011; Kaplan and Norton, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2001, 2004 and 2006; Niven, 2003 and 2008 and Northcott and Taulapapa, 2012. Also, five BSC perspectives - including the programme specific “equity” perspective - were used to develop an interview schedule. These were used to formulate the key performance objectives and indicators, based on the stakeholder’s responses. These respondents have experience within the programme as administrators, beneficiaries and funders. The research employed purposive sampling with semi-structured in-depth interviews and document analysis as primary and secondary instruments for data collection. In essence, five officials from the agency, one from DEDEAT and two co-operatives participated in the research. The results indicate a general appreciation of and gravitation towards outcome based measures, even though the government culture of focusing on outputs is still prevalent. The results of the study indicated that, generally, a government - public agency BSC based performance monitoring framework would have the following features: Customer objectives and programme mission as the main goal and this will provides clarity at all levels on who the customers are and what are their primary requirements. Clear, visible and stringent financial controls as the agency is administering public resources. Few carefully selected processes and systems that have a direct and positive impact on the customer objectives. Deliberate and consistent efforts to promote the participation of designated groups in the economy of the country. Comprehensive indicators on capacity building as “mission based-organisations rely heavily on skills, dedication and alignment of staff”. Overall, the study concludes that the make-up of the BSC is beneficial to the public sector and in monitoring the public sector agencies for the following reasons: It helps the agency to focus on customers and their needs. It forces the agency to engage and communicate strategic intention with both internal and external stakeholders and thus synchronize competing stakeholder needs. It forces the agency to limit the number of indicators and therefore select the few value adding measures that are aligned to customer outcomes. Through its cause and effect relationship, the agency is compelled to align all the resources, activities and processes to the main goal of the entity. All these help to minimize the principal agent problem, as the use of the BSC can bring clarity on strategy and expectations, provided it is supported with regular communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Lisani, Ncedo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South Africa. Economic Development Department , South Africa. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism , Performance -- Measurement , Performance -- Management , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017515
- Description: The world has seen unparalleled pressure put on the public sector to improve the speed and quality of service delivery, whilst simultaneously employing measures to cut the costs. South Africa and the Eastern Cape have not been immune to this as there have been complaints and demonstrations from various national and provincial stakeholders demanding more and improved services. The Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) in particular has employed the services of public entities in its quest to realise government’s socio-economic developmental objectives and ease some of the service delivery pressures. These agencies are unfortunately struggling to deliver and the Department is unable to play the oversight role it is legislatively mandated to carry out. The main reason for this seem to be the lack of the capacity to objectively track and measure the performance of these agencies. As they say “you cannot manage what you cannot measure”. This is despite the fact that there is a shareholders’ compact and many other measures in place to enable performance monitoring. Also, the public sector is known to have inherent and unique performance management challenges like broad and vague objectives which lead to too many measurements, a propensity to focus on the “easy to measure” but often irrelevant indicators at the expense of critical outcomes and a short-term orientation that is usually fuelled by political expediency. Against this background, this study sought to make use of a comprehensive and dynamic performance monitoring framework, namely the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), to explore its potential use in assisting government to monitor the performance of public agencies, in particular the Development Finance Institutions (DFI) in South Africa. The proposed framework helps government to focus on the performance drivers of future value, and what decisions and actions are necessary to achieve critical outcomes. The aim of the study therefore is to develop an adjusted BSC framework to monitor the activities of a public sector agency and thus demonstrate how a BSC framework could be used to monitor a public agency by the government department. The study is evaluative in nature and is divided into three sections. Section one is presented as an Evaluation Report. It sets the scene, discusses briefly the key theoretical concepts, outlines the research methods used and presents the findings followed by a discussion and recommendations. Section two delves into the literature in more detail, providing a more extensive review of the literature that informed the investigation, whilst section three provides a more extensive description of the research methodology employed in the study. To achieve the aims of the study, the research drew from the work of various authors in the field including that of Bigliardi, Dormio and Galati, 2011; Bititci, Garengo, Dörfler, and Nudurupati, 2012; Julyan, 2011; Kaplan and Norton, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2001, 2004 and 2006; Niven, 2003 and 2008 and Northcott and Taulapapa, 2012. Also, five BSC perspectives - including the programme specific “equity” perspective - were used to develop an interview schedule. These were used to formulate the key performance objectives and indicators, based on the stakeholder’s responses. These respondents have experience within the programme as administrators, beneficiaries and funders. The research employed purposive sampling with semi-structured in-depth interviews and document analysis as primary and secondary instruments for data collection. In essence, five officials from the agency, one from DEDEAT and two co-operatives participated in the research. The results indicate a general appreciation of and gravitation towards outcome based measures, even though the government culture of focusing on outputs is still prevalent. The results of the study indicated that, generally, a government - public agency BSC based performance monitoring framework would have the following features: Customer objectives and programme mission as the main goal and this will provides clarity at all levels on who the customers are and what are their primary requirements. Clear, visible and stringent financial controls as the agency is administering public resources. Few carefully selected processes and systems that have a direct and positive impact on the customer objectives. Deliberate and consistent efforts to promote the participation of designated groups in the economy of the country. Comprehensive indicators on capacity building as “mission based-organisations rely heavily on skills, dedication and alignment of staff”. Overall, the study concludes that the make-up of the BSC is beneficial to the public sector and in monitoring the public sector agencies for the following reasons: It helps the agency to focus on customers and their needs. It forces the agency to engage and communicate strategic intention with both internal and external stakeholders and thus synchronize competing stakeholder needs. It forces the agency to limit the number of indicators and therefore select the few value adding measures that are aligned to customer outcomes. Through its cause and effect relationship, the agency is compelled to align all the resources, activities and processes to the main goal of the entity. All these help to minimize the principal agent problem, as the use of the BSC can bring clarity on strategy and expectations, provided it is supported with regular communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A teaching case study of the strategic alignment of business strategy and information technology strategy at Nedbank
- Authors: Tsoaeli, Tebalo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nedbank Banks and banking -- South Africa Business planning Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001883
- Description: In today’s business world, a lot of organizations are investing heavily in Information Technology (IT) in order to develop a competitive edge. According to Loukis, Sapounas and Milionis (2009:85) “firms all over the world make significant investments in IT aiming to increase their efficiency and effectiveness”. According to Cline and Guynes (2001:10), “during the last 30 years, IT has become an increasingly integral part of business operations”. Most of the times, organizations fail to get real value from the investments made in IT. This is mainly due to the fact that organizations fail to realize the value brought about by aligning IT strategy with Business strategy. Hu and Huang (2004:60) state that “each year organizations invest in IT to improve their competitive advantage and ultimately their business performance; however, more often than not, the anticipated benefits of IT investments fail to materialize due to misalignment of or lack of alignment, between the business and IT strategies”. Henderson and Venkatraman (1999:475) emphasize that “alignment is a desired state for organizations investing in IT that is not always achieved, as it often entails a radical change in the way managers consider IT”. It is through the alignment of IT strategy and Business strategy that organizations are able to realize the value brought about by investing in IT. Papp (2001:20)illustrates that “misalignment can cause problems with not only the development and integration of business and IT strategies, but can actually prevent IT from being fully leveraged to its maximum potential within an organization”. An organization that realizes the value of aligning IT strategy and Business strategy is able to develop a competitive advantage over its competitors. According to Daneshvar and Ramesh (2010:1) “each organization is aware of the special effects, benefits and implication of IT in business performance and also its capacity in building sustainable competitive advantages”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tsoaeli, Tebalo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nedbank Banks and banking -- South Africa Business planning Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001883
- Description: In today’s business world, a lot of organizations are investing heavily in Information Technology (IT) in order to develop a competitive edge. According to Loukis, Sapounas and Milionis (2009:85) “firms all over the world make significant investments in IT aiming to increase their efficiency and effectiveness”. According to Cline and Guynes (2001:10), “during the last 30 years, IT has become an increasingly integral part of business operations”. Most of the times, organizations fail to get real value from the investments made in IT. This is mainly due to the fact that organizations fail to realize the value brought about by aligning IT strategy with Business strategy. Hu and Huang (2004:60) state that “each year organizations invest in IT to improve their competitive advantage and ultimately their business performance; however, more often than not, the anticipated benefits of IT investments fail to materialize due to misalignment of or lack of alignment, between the business and IT strategies”. Henderson and Venkatraman (1999:475) emphasize that “alignment is a desired state for organizations investing in IT that is not always achieved, as it often entails a radical change in the way managers consider IT”. It is through the alignment of IT strategy and Business strategy that organizations are able to realize the value brought about by investing in IT. Papp (2001:20)illustrates that “misalignment can cause problems with not only the development and integration of business and IT strategies, but can actually prevent IT from being fully leveraged to its maximum potential within an organization”. An organization that realizes the value of aligning IT strategy and Business strategy is able to develop a competitive advantage over its competitors. According to Daneshvar and Ramesh (2010:1) “each organization is aware of the special effects, benefits and implication of IT in business performance and also its capacity in building sustainable competitive advantages”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Newspaper coverage of the 2016 #feesmustfall students' protests in Eastern Cape universities : a content analysis of daily dispatch
- Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Journalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Press -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9894 , vital:35115
- Description: This study evaluated the coverage of the 2016 #FeeMustFall students’ protests in Eastern Cape Universities by the Daily Dispatch, which is a daily newspaper published in the Eastern Cape Province. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed through content analysis of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions among selected students of the University of Fort Hare were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 31 stories were published by the Daily Dispatch Newspaper during the period of the protest. The tone of the stories suggested that the Daily Dispatch Newspaper was objective in its reportage. Furthermore, framing analysis of the stories showed that conflict news frame was most prominent in the #FeeMustFall students’ protest stories followed by the attribution of responsibility and human-interest frames. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussions revealed that the type of news frame used for the #FeeMustFall student’s protest stories influenced the thoughts and perceptions of readers as the news frames generated similar audience frames. These findings confirm the views highlighted by the agenda setting and framing theories, which underpin this study. This study indicates that news framing plays a significant role in readers’ perception and as well, defines the way information is presented by readers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Journalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Press -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9894 , vital:35115
- Description: This study evaluated the coverage of the 2016 #FeeMustFall students’ protests in Eastern Cape Universities by the Daily Dispatch, which is a daily newspaper published in the Eastern Cape Province. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed through content analysis of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions among selected students of the University of Fort Hare were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 31 stories were published by the Daily Dispatch Newspaper during the period of the protest. The tone of the stories suggested that the Daily Dispatch Newspaper was objective in its reportage. Furthermore, framing analysis of the stories showed that conflict news frame was most prominent in the #FeeMustFall students’ protest stories followed by the attribution of responsibility and human-interest frames. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussions revealed that the type of news frame used for the #FeeMustFall student’s protest stories influenced the thoughts and perceptions of readers as the news frames generated similar audience frames. These findings confirm the views highlighted by the agenda setting and framing theories, which underpin this study. This study indicates that news framing plays a significant role in readers’ perception and as well, defines the way information is presented by readers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Effects of loading time and lairage duration on pig behaviour, sex and lairage time on pork physio-chemical characteristics
- Authors: Ntlatywa, Bongiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pork -- Quality Meat -- Quality Loading and unloading
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12270 , vital:39225
- Description: The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of loading time, transportation unloading and lairage period, their subsequent effect on responses behaviour and the effect of sex and lairage period on the meat quality of cross breeds reared in commercial farm. The first part of the study assessed the behaviour of pigs during loading at the farm, offloading and in the lairages. A total of 900 pigs from 5 trips (180 per trip) were monitored on behaviour from farm to slaughter plant. The pigs were transported to a commercial abattoir which is 120 km distance, travelling for 2 hours from the farm. The results revealed that time spent in loading pigs was more than when offloading pigs. The frequency of slipping or falling-off in pigs was high (18percent) than voluntary movement (8percent) during loading times (χ2 >0.05) that when off-loading. A significant difference was determined on the avoidance (χ2=0.03), mounting behaviour (χ2 =0.01) and vocal sound (χ2 =0.02) during loading time on each observation day. Furthermore there was no significant difference determined on the time and day of observation in the lairages. These results also reveal that the avoidance behaviour was the highest (47percent) while fighting (34percent) and vocalizing were the least compared to other behaviour during the first 30 minutes after arrival at the abattoir. Moreover, the lying behaviour was found to have highest frequency (15percent) on day 6 compared to other sampling days. These results reveal that time of loading pigs had an influence on pigs’ behaviour before slaughter and consequently that affected physiological features and meat quality. The second section of the study assessed sex and the different lairage time effects on the pork quality attributes. A total of fifty four pigs, 22 weeks old of different sex (26 boars x 28 gilts) reared on a commercial farm and transported to the abattoir on the same day was used in this study. At the abattoir, pigs were grouped according to lairage periods of 17 hours (Group1; 13 gilts and 14 boars) and 36 hours (Group 2; 15 gilts and 12 boars). Results showed no significant difference on the sex of pigs (P >0.05) and meat pH. However, lairage time influenced the thawing loss (P= 0.02) of meat and also the interactions of sex by lairage had a significant difference (P= 0.04) on meat tenderness. There was a positive significant correlation found between sex and meat attributes values were high in boars (r= 0.61) than in gilts (r = 0.49). A negative correlation between a*and WBSF on lairage group1 (r= -0.52) was determined while on group 2 there was a positive correlation between a* and b* (r=0.49). This study suggest that a proper timing on farm feed withdrawal in combination with a sufficient lairage at the slaughter plant may result in better carcass and meat quality traits. Communication among producers and abattoirs is critical when planning the fasting and lairage times in order to elude carcass and technological pork quality complications. To conclude, there is influence caused by time of loading in stressing pigs before transportation and slaughter as aggressive behaviour showed and also lairage time affected meat quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntlatywa, Bongiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pork -- Quality Meat -- Quality Loading and unloading
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12270 , vital:39225
- Description: The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of loading time, transportation unloading and lairage period, their subsequent effect on responses behaviour and the effect of sex and lairage period on the meat quality of cross breeds reared in commercial farm. The first part of the study assessed the behaviour of pigs during loading at the farm, offloading and in the lairages. A total of 900 pigs from 5 trips (180 per trip) were monitored on behaviour from farm to slaughter plant. The pigs were transported to a commercial abattoir which is 120 km distance, travelling for 2 hours from the farm. The results revealed that time spent in loading pigs was more than when offloading pigs. The frequency of slipping or falling-off in pigs was high (18percent) than voluntary movement (8percent) during loading times (χ2 >0.05) that when off-loading. A significant difference was determined on the avoidance (χ2=0.03), mounting behaviour (χ2 =0.01) and vocal sound (χ2 =0.02) during loading time on each observation day. Furthermore there was no significant difference determined on the time and day of observation in the lairages. These results also reveal that the avoidance behaviour was the highest (47percent) while fighting (34percent) and vocalizing were the least compared to other behaviour during the first 30 minutes after arrival at the abattoir. Moreover, the lying behaviour was found to have highest frequency (15percent) on day 6 compared to other sampling days. These results reveal that time of loading pigs had an influence on pigs’ behaviour before slaughter and consequently that affected physiological features and meat quality. The second section of the study assessed sex and the different lairage time effects on the pork quality attributes. A total of fifty four pigs, 22 weeks old of different sex (26 boars x 28 gilts) reared on a commercial farm and transported to the abattoir on the same day was used in this study. At the abattoir, pigs were grouped according to lairage periods of 17 hours (Group1; 13 gilts and 14 boars) and 36 hours (Group 2; 15 gilts and 12 boars). Results showed no significant difference on the sex of pigs (P >0.05) and meat pH. However, lairage time influenced the thawing loss (P= 0.02) of meat and also the interactions of sex by lairage had a significant difference (P= 0.04) on meat tenderness. There was a positive significant correlation found between sex and meat attributes values were high in boars (r= 0.61) than in gilts (r = 0.49). A negative correlation between a*and WBSF on lairage group1 (r= -0.52) was determined while on group 2 there was a positive correlation between a* and b* (r=0.49). This study suggest that a proper timing on farm feed withdrawal in combination with a sufficient lairage at the slaughter plant may result in better carcass and meat quality traits. Communication among producers and abattoirs is critical when planning the fasting and lairage times in order to elude carcass and technological pork quality complications. To conclude, there is influence caused by time of loading in stressing pigs before transportation and slaughter as aggressive behaviour showed and also lairage time affected meat quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A phenomenological investigation of the experience of "connected breathing"
- Authors: Van Wyk, Edmund
- Date: 1983
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21110 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6439
- Description: My interest in "Connected Breathing" began with my own experience of this technique during a Gestalt workshop. It had a profound impact on me. I knew practically nothing about the theory, or lack of a theory, but my interest had been aroused. In my reading on the subject later, I was struck by the incongruence between my experience and what I read I was supposed to be experiencing. This led me "zu der Sache selbst." By using the phenomenological method, this study then is an attempt to come to an essential description of the experience of "Connected Breathing" and to make some evaluation of its usefulness as a psychotherapeutic technique. "Connected Breathing" is the main technique of the “Rebirthing”movement. It is, therefore, necessary to give some account of the development and theory, if any, of this movement. "Rebirthing" does not claim to be a psychotherapy. However, its technique of "Connected Breathing" does seem to have much in common with the techniques used by various established somatic psychotherapies. A brief overview of the development of some of these psychotherapies and their emphasis on breathing techniques is, therefore, also essential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Van Wyk, Edmund
- Date: 1983
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21110 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6439
- Description: My interest in "Connected Breathing" began with my own experience of this technique during a Gestalt workshop. It had a profound impact on me. I knew practically nothing about the theory, or lack of a theory, but my interest had been aroused. In my reading on the subject later, I was struck by the incongruence between my experience and what I read I was supposed to be experiencing. This led me "zu der Sache selbst." By using the phenomenological method, this study then is an attempt to come to an essential description of the experience of "Connected Breathing" and to make some evaluation of its usefulness as a psychotherapeutic technique. "Connected Breathing" is the main technique of the “Rebirthing”movement. It is, therefore, necessary to give some account of the development and theory, if any, of this movement. "Rebirthing" does not claim to be a psychotherapy. However, its technique of "Connected Breathing" does seem to have much in common with the techniques used by various established somatic psychotherapies. A brief overview of the development of some of these psychotherapies and their emphasis on breathing techniques is, therefore, also essential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
An investigation of short-chain fatty acid profiles and influential gastrointenstinal microbiota associated with irritable bowel syndrome
- Authors: Theunissen, Reza
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Fatty acids in human nutrition , Gastrointestinal system
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020943
- Description: Microbiota are present in large numbers and as a diverse population within the gastrointestinal tract. There are approximately 400 different species of microbiota which may be beneficial, harmful or both, but each play an important role in the regulation and modulation of the hosts’ bowel processes (McOrist et al. 2008; Dethlefsen et al. 2008). Many of these colon microbiota allow for saccharolytic fermentation of non-digestible dietary fibres and carbohydrates into by-products and intermediates, followed by a subsequent conversion into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (mainly n-butyric acid, propionic acid and acetic acid) each of which play an important role in maintaining colon homeostasis (Topping & Clifton 2001). A balance of ‘good’ microbiota (e.g., Bacteroides spp./ Bifidobacteria spp.) and ‘bad’ microbiota (e.g., Veilonellae) and the optimal production of various SCFAs within the gut could possibly allow for proper functioning of the large intestine and assist in decreasing the onset of various colonic disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The sample group for the study consists of male and female patients, with an average age of 40 to 50 years old, whom of which have been diagnosed with either constipation IBS (C-IBS) or diarrhoea IBS (D-IBS) via the Rome III criteria system for IBS diagnosis. DNA and SCFA extractions were optimised for human stool, colonic fluid and tissue biopsy sample obtained from the aforementioned patients. Optimization steps allowed for starting material with high analysis integrity. Different methods of microbiota analysis, such as ARISA, were investigated; however, real-time qPCR was selected as the best method to identify and quantify specific microbiota. Extracted SCFAs were separated via gas chromatography and identified and quantified via Mass Spectrometry. Significant changes in microbial content and SCFA profiles were found to be associated with healthy and IBS patients. Results obtained would however be influenced by external factors typical of clinical studies of this nature. This study allows for opportunities for future research into understanding IBS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Theunissen, Reza
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Fatty acids in human nutrition , Gastrointestinal system
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020943
- Description: Microbiota are present in large numbers and as a diverse population within the gastrointestinal tract. There are approximately 400 different species of microbiota which may be beneficial, harmful or both, but each play an important role in the regulation and modulation of the hosts’ bowel processes (McOrist et al. 2008; Dethlefsen et al. 2008). Many of these colon microbiota allow for saccharolytic fermentation of non-digestible dietary fibres and carbohydrates into by-products and intermediates, followed by a subsequent conversion into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (mainly n-butyric acid, propionic acid and acetic acid) each of which play an important role in maintaining colon homeostasis (Topping & Clifton 2001). A balance of ‘good’ microbiota (e.g., Bacteroides spp./ Bifidobacteria spp.) and ‘bad’ microbiota (e.g., Veilonellae) and the optimal production of various SCFAs within the gut could possibly allow for proper functioning of the large intestine and assist in decreasing the onset of various colonic disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The sample group for the study consists of male and female patients, with an average age of 40 to 50 years old, whom of which have been diagnosed with either constipation IBS (C-IBS) or diarrhoea IBS (D-IBS) via the Rome III criteria system for IBS diagnosis. DNA and SCFA extractions were optimised for human stool, colonic fluid and tissue biopsy sample obtained from the aforementioned patients. Optimization steps allowed for starting material with high analysis integrity. Different methods of microbiota analysis, such as ARISA, were investigated; however, real-time qPCR was selected as the best method to identify and quantify specific microbiota. Extracted SCFAs were separated via gas chromatography and identified and quantified via Mass Spectrometry. Significant changes in microbial content and SCFA profiles were found to be associated with healthy and IBS patients. Results obtained would however be influenced by external factors typical of clinical studies of this nature. This study allows for opportunities for future research into understanding IBS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The adoption of a police and judicial co-operation regime for the African Union
- Authors: Fazekas, Boglar
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Law enforcement -- Africa , Judicial assistance -- Africa , Criminal justice, Administration of -- Africa , Crime prevention -- International cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4440 , vital:20601
- Description: In 1991 the Treaty enacting the African Economic Community (AEC)1 was signed by the African Heads of State and Government.2 The AEC aims to establish regional free markets that would then be transformed into a continent-wide single market in six subsequent stages enabling the free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital until 2025 at the latest.3 However, to make sure that the free movement of persons in Africa would not also become a "free flow of criminals", the installation of a common market will require intensified police and judicial co-operation, information exchange and external border controls. 1 Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community adopted by the Heads of State and Government of Member States of the Organisation of African Unity in Abuja, Nigeria, 3 June 1991. 2 Art. 6(1) Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. 3 Arts. 4(2)(h) and 4(2)(i) Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. Furthermore, the age of globalisation calls into question the traditional concepts of sovereignty. Nowadays individual states are often unable to supervise their complete territory and battle to guard their borders against unwanted goods, people and ideas. Many facets of globalisation - including fast technological development and social and economic interaction - encourage governments to cooperate in order to try to achieve objectives that, acting on their own, they may not believe they can accomplish. Or to express the same thought in its negative sense: to fight unwanted consequences of this development, acting on their own, the states may not be able to achieve. This means that sooner or later the African States will have to address the problem of how to develop a police and judicial regime in criminal matters in order to fight against organised transnational crime. The question therefore is not whether the African States should engage in police and judicial co-operation, but rather what form it should take. The aim of this master treatise is to define the cornerstones of a possible future adoption of a police and judicial regime for the African Union (AU). There are numerous police and judicial co-operations around the world of various types so to make the task more manageable this treaty looks at the European Union (EU) in some detail and uses it as an example or as a guideline to sketch out a possible development of a police and judicial co-operation within the AU. This is for the reason that the EU has succeeded in creating a sophisticated regime of police and judicial co-operation and thus serves as a model of how co-operation levels can be created, handled, and preserved. The EU also serves as an example of how certain obstacles can make co-operation difficult or even prevent efforts for an effective transnational police and judicial co-operation. However, the current EU is the result of the specific circumstances in which its Member States and organs have responded to the economic and political changes they have been faced with. The AU has to operate amidst a political setting and various other circumstances that are very different. As a result the police and judicial co-operation regime of the AU will be very different from the EU model. This treatise argues that due to the vast number of participating states in the AU and the AU's decision-making practice, the continental level is not an appropriate point of departure for the AU to adopt a police and judicial co-operation regime. Police and judicial co-operation within the AU will at first have to be pursued at a sub-regional level. The co-operation should start at the already subdivided Regional Economic Communities (RECs) established by the AEC. Only in time, if at all, will the sub-regional markets be prepared to merge into a continent-wide integration. This is why at the present time the AU will have to accept a mere supervising and stimulating part in pursuing the ultimate objective of developing a police and judicial co-operation on a continent-wide level. Furthermore, this treatise assesses that the huge number of economic, social, and political challenges impair the AU's action ability with the result that it will not be able to establish a supranational legal body comparable to that of the EU in the near future. Also, the African Heads of State and Government are too interested in keeping their sovereign powers to themselves. This is why in Africa integration is more likely to be achieved with an intergovernmental approach. Therefore, police and judicial co-operation should first be exercised by means of informal meetings of the Interior and Justice Ministers and any resulting acts should be classified as (traditional) public international law. This is not to imply that the AU has no role to play here, for said meetings will have to be coordinated and supervised. In order to do justice to its supervising role it is necessary to empower the organs of the AU. This treatise analyses that for the AU to establish an efficient institutional framework, it is extremely important that the Assembly's monopoly over proposing legislation and establishing new organs is changed. Consensus decisions between fifty-four Member States would in an optimal case be replaced by a system where no organ is in total control. Finally, this treatise emphasises the necessity to push ahead with the development of the regional free markets as envisioned by the AEC. Similar to the development in the EU, this will bring about new challenges in combating new types of transnational crimes. This treatise demonstrates that this challenge might bring the necessary momentum to formally introduce police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters, usually a high policy area, on the agenda of the AU. In conclusion, this treatise shows that co-operation in such a sensitive area as security policy first and foremost needs a sufficient amount of trust between the decision makers of the involved states. To develop this necessary trust and the processes building upon this, this treatise argues that a regular meeting between the Interior and Justice Ministers, either inside or outside the framework of the AU, should be launched. Through these meetings the AU could gradually develop a platform for discussion in the area of criminal law and thereby slowly intensify its information exchange and operational co-operation. The history of the EU has shown that the development of a supranational legal system first and foremost requires mutual trust in each other's respective legal systems. Trust is generated by communication in an informal atmosphere. Therefore, this treatise argues that a colloquial intergovernmental co-operation within the field of criminal law is the correct approach for the AU to develop a police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Fazekas, Boglar
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Law enforcement -- Africa , Judicial assistance -- Africa , Criminal justice, Administration of -- Africa , Crime prevention -- International cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4440 , vital:20601
- Description: In 1991 the Treaty enacting the African Economic Community (AEC)1 was signed by the African Heads of State and Government.2 The AEC aims to establish regional free markets that would then be transformed into a continent-wide single market in six subsequent stages enabling the free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital until 2025 at the latest.3 However, to make sure that the free movement of persons in Africa would not also become a "free flow of criminals", the installation of a common market will require intensified police and judicial co-operation, information exchange and external border controls. 1 Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community adopted by the Heads of State and Government of Member States of the Organisation of African Unity in Abuja, Nigeria, 3 June 1991. 2 Art. 6(1) Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. 3 Arts. 4(2)(h) and 4(2)(i) Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. Furthermore, the age of globalisation calls into question the traditional concepts of sovereignty. Nowadays individual states are often unable to supervise their complete territory and battle to guard their borders against unwanted goods, people and ideas. Many facets of globalisation - including fast technological development and social and economic interaction - encourage governments to cooperate in order to try to achieve objectives that, acting on their own, they may not believe they can accomplish. Or to express the same thought in its negative sense: to fight unwanted consequences of this development, acting on their own, the states may not be able to achieve. This means that sooner or later the African States will have to address the problem of how to develop a police and judicial regime in criminal matters in order to fight against organised transnational crime. The question therefore is not whether the African States should engage in police and judicial co-operation, but rather what form it should take. The aim of this master treatise is to define the cornerstones of a possible future adoption of a police and judicial regime for the African Union (AU). There are numerous police and judicial co-operations around the world of various types so to make the task more manageable this treaty looks at the European Union (EU) in some detail and uses it as an example or as a guideline to sketch out a possible development of a police and judicial co-operation within the AU. This is for the reason that the EU has succeeded in creating a sophisticated regime of police and judicial co-operation and thus serves as a model of how co-operation levels can be created, handled, and preserved. The EU also serves as an example of how certain obstacles can make co-operation difficult or even prevent efforts for an effective transnational police and judicial co-operation. However, the current EU is the result of the specific circumstances in which its Member States and organs have responded to the economic and political changes they have been faced with. The AU has to operate amidst a political setting and various other circumstances that are very different. As a result the police and judicial co-operation regime of the AU will be very different from the EU model. This treatise argues that due to the vast number of participating states in the AU and the AU's decision-making practice, the continental level is not an appropriate point of departure for the AU to adopt a police and judicial co-operation regime. Police and judicial co-operation within the AU will at first have to be pursued at a sub-regional level. The co-operation should start at the already subdivided Regional Economic Communities (RECs) established by the AEC. Only in time, if at all, will the sub-regional markets be prepared to merge into a continent-wide integration. This is why at the present time the AU will have to accept a mere supervising and stimulating part in pursuing the ultimate objective of developing a police and judicial co-operation on a continent-wide level. Furthermore, this treatise assesses that the huge number of economic, social, and political challenges impair the AU's action ability with the result that it will not be able to establish a supranational legal body comparable to that of the EU in the near future. Also, the African Heads of State and Government are too interested in keeping their sovereign powers to themselves. This is why in Africa integration is more likely to be achieved with an intergovernmental approach. Therefore, police and judicial co-operation should first be exercised by means of informal meetings of the Interior and Justice Ministers and any resulting acts should be classified as (traditional) public international law. This is not to imply that the AU has no role to play here, for said meetings will have to be coordinated and supervised. In order to do justice to its supervising role it is necessary to empower the organs of the AU. This treatise analyses that for the AU to establish an efficient institutional framework, it is extremely important that the Assembly's monopoly over proposing legislation and establishing new organs is changed. Consensus decisions between fifty-four Member States would in an optimal case be replaced by a system where no organ is in total control. Finally, this treatise emphasises the necessity to push ahead with the development of the regional free markets as envisioned by the AEC. Similar to the development in the EU, this will bring about new challenges in combating new types of transnational crimes. This treatise demonstrates that this challenge might bring the necessary momentum to formally introduce police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters, usually a high policy area, on the agenda of the AU. In conclusion, this treatise shows that co-operation in such a sensitive area as security policy first and foremost needs a sufficient amount of trust between the decision makers of the involved states. To develop this necessary trust and the processes building upon this, this treatise argues that a regular meeting between the Interior and Justice Ministers, either inside or outside the framework of the AU, should be launched. Through these meetings the AU could gradually develop a platform for discussion in the area of criminal law and thereby slowly intensify its information exchange and operational co-operation. The history of the EU has shown that the development of a supranational legal system first and foremost requires mutual trust in each other's respective legal systems. Trust is generated by communication in an informal atmosphere. Therefore, this treatise argues that a colloquial intergovernmental co-operation within the field of criminal law is the correct approach for the AU to develop a police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of teacher leadership : a case study in a Namibian urban primary school
- Authors: Zokka, Thomas Kayele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Teacher participation in administration -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Education, Elementary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001809
- Description: After independence in 1990, Namibian schools were required by the new government to shift from a hierarchical organisational structure with authoritarian leadership to a more democratic type of leadership that offers teachers the opportunity to participate in school leadership and in decision-making processes. This shift is suggested in a number of national policies in Namibia that highlight the sharing of leadership within the organization and, in particular, the sharing of leadership with teachers. As such, teacher leadership is a manifestation of distributed leadership which emphasizes that leadership can be located in the position of the principal but can spread over many people who work in a school at various levels. While teacher leadership is well researched in developed countries, it is under researched in Namibia. Against this backdrop, the purpose of my study was to explore the concept and practice of teacher leadership as an organizational phenomenon in a case study school in the Ncuncuni circuit of the Kavango region in Namibia. It also examined the factors that enabled and inhibited the practice of teacher leadership. My study was conducted within a qualitative interpretive paradigm and it adopted a case study approach in one school. The study used the following instruments to collect data: a closed questionnaire, document analysis, observations and individual interviews. The primary participants were the principal and three teachers, while the entire school teaching staff constituted my secondary participants. Quantitative data was analysed manually using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically using a model of teacher leadership (Grant, 2008). The findings of my study indicated that while the concept of teacher leadership was new to all participants, they had a common sense understanding of it. Although teachers in the study understood teacher leadership in a range of different ways, the overarching idea of the whole school was that teachers lead both in and outside the classroom. My study also found that teachers in the school practiced teacher leadership across the entire four zones. These included how teacher leadership was practiced inside the classroom and how teachers worked as leaders with colleagues and learners beyond their classroom in curricular and extra-curricular activities. It also included how teachers led outside their classroom in whole school development as well as how teachers led beyond their schools in the community. Teacher leadership was strong in the first three zones and weaker in the fourth zone, which constituted an example of 'successful teacher leadership' (Harris and Muijs, 2005). There were factors that promoted teacher leadership in the case study school such as a supportive culture and ongoing professional development. Factors that constrained the practice of teacher leadership were also evident like the SMT who used its power at times to control teachers' decisions and a lack of time also emerged as a barrier that impeded teachers from taking leadership roles because they already had full teaching programmes. Even though there were some barriers to teacher leadership, a dispersed distributed leadership context prevailed at the case study school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zokka, Thomas Kayele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Teacher participation in administration -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Education, Elementary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001809
- Description: After independence in 1990, Namibian schools were required by the new government to shift from a hierarchical organisational structure with authoritarian leadership to a more democratic type of leadership that offers teachers the opportunity to participate in school leadership and in decision-making processes. This shift is suggested in a number of national policies in Namibia that highlight the sharing of leadership within the organization and, in particular, the sharing of leadership with teachers. As such, teacher leadership is a manifestation of distributed leadership which emphasizes that leadership can be located in the position of the principal but can spread over many people who work in a school at various levels. While teacher leadership is well researched in developed countries, it is under researched in Namibia. Against this backdrop, the purpose of my study was to explore the concept and practice of teacher leadership as an organizational phenomenon in a case study school in the Ncuncuni circuit of the Kavango region in Namibia. It also examined the factors that enabled and inhibited the practice of teacher leadership. My study was conducted within a qualitative interpretive paradigm and it adopted a case study approach in one school. The study used the following instruments to collect data: a closed questionnaire, document analysis, observations and individual interviews. The primary participants were the principal and three teachers, while the entire school teaching staff constituted my secondary participants. Quantitative data was analysed manually using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically using a model of teacher leadership (Grant, 2008). The findings of my study indicated that while the concept of teacher leadership was new to all participants, they had a common sense understanding of it. Although teachers in the study understood teacher leadership in a range of different ways, the overarching idea of the whole school was that teachers lead both in and outside the classroom. My study also found that teachers in the school practiced teacher leadership across the entire four zones. These included how teacher leadership was practiced inside the classroom and how teachers worked as leaders with colleagues and learners beyond their classroom in curricular and extra-curricular activities. It also included how teachers led outside their classroom in whole school development as well as how teachers led beyond their schools in the community. Teacher leadership was strong in the first three zones and weaker in the fourth zone, which constituted an example of 'successful teacher leadership' (Harris and Muijs, 2005). There were factors that promoted teacher leadership in the case study school such as a supportive culture and ongoing professional development. Factors that constrained the practice of teacher leadership were also evident like the SMT who used its power at times to control teachers' decisions and a lack of time also emerged as a barrier that impeded teachers from taking leadership roles because they already had full teaching programmes. Even though there were some barriers to teacher leadership, a dispersed distributed leadership context prevailed at the case study school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Cloud computing for competitive advantage: A case of rural SMEs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mpongwana , Mbongo Mhlanga
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Economic aspects , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50415 , vital:42166
- Description: The emergence of new ICTs over the past decades has had a substantial impact on commerce and to societies in general. However, the high costs and the relevant skills and expertise that are associated with the implementation and maintenance of the latest ICTs impedes SMEs from taking full advantage of their use. The introduction and adoption of cloud computing has addressed some of these challenges for SMEs. Despite this, SMEs in rural South Africa have not fully adopted or realized the advantages of cloud computing, which could be owing to a number of factors.The aim of this study was to explore how rural SMEs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa can leverage on the capabilities of cloud computing for competitive advantage. The study adopted an interpretivist, quantitative approach to identifying the enablers and barriers of cloud computing adoption. The research population was defined as all the SMEs that operate outside of Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipalities. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used as non-probability sampling methods. Data was collected from the participants using a structured self-administered online questionnaire. The Technology-Organization-Environment framework was used as a basis in formulating the research theoretical framework, focusing on technological, organizational and environmental elements that could potentially influence adoption of cloud computing by rural SMEs. Microsoft Power BI was used to present demographic information as well as descriptive statistics for the factors included in the proposed research model. IBM SPSS 22 was used for correlation and linear regression analysis. The review of related literature revealed that access to markets, access to finance, inadequate public infrastructure and lack of skilled resources are some of the major challenges that rural SMEs face. This study found seven of the statistically examined factors to be significant predictors of cloud adoption by rural Eastern Cape SMEs. These are market demand, use of online-based marketing, having formal business plans, reliable electricity, awareness of SaaS, use of basic Internet-based services such as email and websites as well as Internet costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mpongwana , Mbongo Mhlanga
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Economic aspects , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50415 , vital:42166
- Description: The emergence of new ICTs over the past decades has had a substantial impact on commerce and to societies in general. However, the high costs and the relevant skills and expertise that are associated with the implementation and maintenance of the latest ICTs impedes SMEs from taking full advantage of their use. The introduction and adoption of cloud computing has addressed some of these challenges for SMEs. Despite this, SMEs in rural South Africa have not fully adopted or realized the advantages of cloud computing, which could be owing to a number of factors.The aim of this study was to explore how rural SMEs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa can leverage on the capabilities of cloud computing for competitive advantage. The study adopted an interpretivist, quantitative approach to identifying the enablers and barriers of cloud computing adoption. The research population was defined as all the SMEs that operate outside of Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipalities. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used as non-probability sampling methods. Data was collected from the participants using a structured self-administered online questionnaire. The Technology-Organization-Environment framework was used as a basis in formulating the research theoretical framework, focusing on technological, organizational and environmental elements that could potentially influence adoption of cloud computing by rural SMEs. Microsoft Power BI was used to present demographic information as well as descriptive statistics for the factors included in the proposed research model. IBM SPSS 22 was used for correlation and linear regression analysis. The review of related literature revealed that access to markets, access to finance, inadequate public infrastructure and lack of skilled resources are some of the major challenges that rural SMEs face. This study found seven of the statistically examined factors to be significant predictors of cloud adoption by rural Eastern Cape SMEs. These are market demand, use of online-based marketing, having formal business plans, reliable electricity, awareness of SaaS, use of basic Internet-based services such as email and websites as well as Internet costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An assessment of the service quality expectations and perceptions of the patients of Awali Hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain
- Authors: Luke, Gary Joseph
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Awali Hospital Hospitals, Proprietary -- Bahrain Hospital care -- Quality control -- Bahrain Hospital care -- Evaluation -- Bahrain Customer services -- Rating of -- Bahrain Quality assurance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003850
- Description: The quality of service from a hospital is the number one factor that will either turn a customer/patient away or make one for life. More and more hospitals are competing for greater shares in the market and customer-driven quality management is becoming the preferred method for improving their performance. Awali hospital is a private hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is a small 35-bed hospital that offers private medical services to the public. The hospital was originally built to serve the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery workers but later opened its doors to the public. With the introduction of private patients came higher expectations of quality and higher demands on the overall services. A number of service quality shortfalls were identified over the years but never identified quantitatively by a patient evaluation survey. An English and Arabic version of the questionnaire based on SERVQUAL (Zeithaml, Parasuraman and Berry, 1988) was developed and placed in Awali hospital to test these service quality shortfalls. This study intends to evaluate these areas by answering questions about the relevant areas of service provided by the hospital. It measured patient satisfaction by looking at human aspects of service (responsiveness, reliability, empathy and assurance) with only one factor of the instrument being devoted to the non-human aspect of care rendered (tangibles). The SERVQUAL instrument has five dimensions that were measured by 21 pairs of item statements. One statement from each pair reflects perceptions, the other expectations. Measurement was accomplished by subtracting expectation from perceptions resulting in a service quality score. Positive or zero scores would reflect ideal or adequate service quality offered by the hospital. A negative score would be indicative of a service experience that did not meet customer expectations. Using the SERVQUAL questionnaire provided, quantifiable reasoning to the research questions in each dimension could be obtained so that precision, objectivity and rigour replaced hunches, experience and intuition as a means of investigating problem areas. Customers were first asked to supply some additional demographic information, for example gender, number of hospital visits, nationality, patient type (Bapco worker, general practitioner referred or private) and type of visit (inpatient, outpatient or both). They werethen asked to rate the hospital service on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from Strongly Agree (7) to Strongly Disagree (1). At the end of the questionnaire was space to write open comments. In total 600 paper questionnaires were distributed in the hospital, 300 English and 300 Arabic. Another 150 electronic questionnaires via emails were sent to refinery workers. Of the total 750 questionnaires distributed 162 were returned of which 156 (or 21.6%) could be statistically analysed. The empirical data results showed that the perception scores were significantly different at the p < 0.05 level from expectation scores. All the service quality differences (SQ=P-E) were negatively scored. This indicated that patients were not satisfied in all five dimensions of services offered by the hospital. Of the five dimensions responsiveness had the largest difference with assurance and reliability following with no significant differences between them. The demographic information revealed some interesting differences between the groups. Of all the demographic groups the most significant differences were between groups, “patient types” and “types of visit”, which showed differences between private patients and refinery workers and patients who used the hospital only as an outpatient and patients who used both services, outpatient and inpatient. In terms of the managerial implications, it was recommended that Awali hospital look to closing Gaps 1-4 of the SERVQUAL gap model which would result in closing the consumer gap, Gap 5. A process model for continuous measurement and improvement of service quality was recommended that looks at asking questions about how the hospital is performing. By adopting some of the recommendations identified in the research questions, Awali hospital could improve their quality of service, and as a consequence, their customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Luke, Gary Joseph
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Awali Hospital Hospitals, Proprietary -- Bahrain Hospital care -- Quality control -- Bahrain Hospital care -- Evaluation -- Bahrain Customer services -- Rating of -- Bahrain Quality assurance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003850
- Description: The quality of service from a hospital is the number one factor that will either turn a customer/patient away or make one for life. More and more hospitals are competing for greater shares in the market and customer-driven quality management is becoming the preferred method for improving their performance. Awali hospital is a private hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is a small 35-bed hospital that offers private medical services to the public. The hospital was originally built to serve the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery workers but later opened its doors to the public. With the introduction of private patients came higher expectations of quality and higher demands on the overall services. A number of service quality shortfalls were identified over the years but never identified quantitatively by a patient evaluation survey. An English and Arabic version of the questionnaire based on SERVQUAL (Zeithaml, Parasuraman and Berry, 1988) was developed and placed in Awali hospital to test these service quality shortfalls. This study intends to evaluate these areas by answering questions about the relevant areas of service provided by the hospital. It measured patient satisfaction by looking at human aspects of service (responsiveness, reliability, empathy and assurance) with only one factor of the instrument being devoted to the non-human aspect of care rendered (tangibles). The SERVQUAL instrument has five dimensions that were measured by 21 pairs of item statements. One statement from each pair reflects perceptions, the other expectations. Measurement was accomplished by subtracting expectation from perceptions resulting in a service quality score. Positive or zero scores would reflect ideal or adequate service quality offered by the hospital. A negative score would be indicative of a service experience that did not meet customer expectations. Using the SERVQUAL questionnaire provided, quantifiable reasoning to the research questions in each dimension could be obtained so that precision, objectivity and rigour replaced hunches, experience and intuition as a means of investigating problem areas. Customers were first asked to supply some additional demographic information, for example gender, number of hospital visits, nationality, patient type (Bapco worker, general practitioner referred or private) and type of visit (inpatient, outpatient or both). They werethen asked to rate the hospital service on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from Strongly Agree (7) to Strongly Disagree (1). At the end of the questionnaire was space to write open comments. In total 600 paper questionnaires were distributed in the hospital, 300 English and 300 Arabic. Another 150 electronic questionnaires via emails were sent to refinery workers. Of the total 750 questionnaires distributed 162 were returned of which 156 (or 21.6%) could be statistically analysed. The empirical data results showed that the perception scores were significantly different at the p < 0.05 level from expectation scores. All the service quality differences (SQ=P-E) were negatively scored. This indicated that patients were not satisfied in all five dimensions of services offered by the hospital. Of the five dimensions responsiveness had the largest difference with assurance and reliability following with no significant differences between them. The demographic information revealed some interesting differences between the groups. Of all the demographic groups the most significant differences were between groups, “patient types” and “types of visit”, which showed differences between private patients and refinery workers and patients who used the hospital only as an outpatient and patients who used both services, outpatient and inpatient. In terms of the managerial implications, it was recommended that Awali hospital look to closing Gaps 1-4 of the SERVQUAL gap model which would result in closing the consumer gap, Gap 5. A process model for continuous measurement and improvement of service quality was recommended that looks at asking questions about how the hospital is performing. By adopting some of the recommendations identified in the research questions, Awali hospital could improve their quality of service, and as a consequence, their customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The strategic alignment maturity of business and information technology at Volkswagen South Africa
- Authors: Naidoo, Lavendra
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Industrial management -- South Africa Industrial management Business enterprises -- Information technology -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003910
- Description: During the past three decades Information Technology (IT) has been constantly evolving and has emerged into a significant component and enabler of most organisations strategy, to the point that modern day organisations are intrinsically dependent on IT (Peppard and Ward, 2004). Henderson and Venkatraman (1993) advocate that for an organisation to be successful in a dynamic and competitive business environment it is imperative that there is an effective and efficient IT strategy that enables the business strategy and processes. Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA)in 2007 launched its corporate strategy, 1:10:100 – 2010 At the end of this stated period 2010, VWSA achieved several of its objectives, namely surpassing its competitors in passenger vehicle sales volume, improving its customer satisfaction, achieving a higher level of local parts content per unit, developing its people and improving its infrastructure and processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Naidoo, Lavendra
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Industrial management -- South Africa Industrial management Business enterprises -- Information technology -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003910
- Description: During the past three decades Information Technology (IT) has been constantly evolving and has emerged into a significant component and enabler of most organisations strategy, to the point that modern day organisations are intrinsically dependent on IT (Peppard and Ward, 2004). Henderson and Venkatraman (1993) advocate that for an organisation to be successful in a dynamic and competitive business environment it is imperative that there is an effective and efficient IT strategy that enables the business strategy and processes. Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA)in 2007 launched its corporate strategy, 1:10:100 – 2010 At the end of this stated period 2010, VWSA achieved several of its objectives, namely surpassing its competitors in passenger vehicle sales volume, improving its customer satisfaction, achieving a higher level of local parts content per unit, developing its people and improving its infrastructure and processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An analysis of the early ontogeny of Aplocheilichthys johnstoni (Günter, 1893) from a life history perspective
- Authors: Haigh, Eliria H
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Ontogeny -- History , Cyprinodontidae , Aplocheilidae , Fishes -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005060
- Description: The reproductive and developmental styles of Aplocheilichthys johnstoni closely resemble those of other oviparous cyprinodont fishes reported in the literature. Reproductively it sorts to the guild of nonguarding phytophyllic broodhiders, is a daily, fractional spawner of relatively large, adhesive eggs. The length of the embryonic period varies between 14 and 19 days and the larval period can last for up to 30 days. Sexual maturity can be attained at an age of 150 days from fertilization. The embryology is described in detail and close comparison is made with the embryology of other cyprinodonts to highlight possible phylogenetic differences. Major differences with other cyprinodonts are in the rate of development, and heterochronic shifts in the appearance of certain structures in relation to each other. A discussion is included on the nature of development. It is suggested that development proceeds in a gradual stepwise fashion, interspersed with four major saltations, namely, fertilisation, onset of exogenous feeding, sexual maturity and death
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Haigh, Eliria H
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Ontogeny -- History , Cyprinodontidae , Aplocheilidae , Fishes -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005060
- Description: The reproductive and developmental styles of Aplocheilichthys johnstoni closely resemble those of other oviparous cyprinodont fishes reported in the literature. Reproductively it sorts to the guild of nonguarding phytophyllic broodhiders, is a daily, fractional spawner of relatively large, adhesive eggs. The length of the embryonic period varies between 14 and 19 days and the larval period can last for up to 30 days. Sexual maturity can be attained at an age of 150 days from fertilization. The embryology is described in detail and close comparison is made with the embryology of other cyprinodonts to highlight possible phylogenetic differences. Major differences with other cyprinodonts are in the rate of development, and heterochronic shifts in the appearance of certain structures in relation to each other. A discussion is included on the nature of development. It is suggested that development proceeds in a gradual stepwise fashion, interspersed with four major saltations, namely, fertilisation, onset of exogenous feeding, sexual maturity and death
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
Aspects of the ecology of piscivorous birds of Lake Kyle Rhodesia
- Authors: Junor, F J R
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Bird populations -- Zimbabwe , Water birds -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015201
- Description: [From Introduction]. From an early period in the lake's history research was undataken to determine the potential of Kyle as a source of edible fish, In such a study, knowledge of the number and weight of fish consumed by piscivorous birds would seem to be an obvious consideration. Accordingly special investigation was undertaken into the food requirements of fish eating birds which live in the lake area. The method employed, on this occasion, to obtain the required information has differed radically from that more generally used by investigators working with similar objects in view. The common practise has been to examine the stomach contents of a considerable number of birds of the same species, which have been destroyed in order to make information available.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1969
- Authors: Junor, F J R
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Bird populations -- Zimbabwe , Water birds -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015201
- Description: [From Introduction]. From an early period in the lake's history research was undataken to determine the potential of Kyle as a source of edible fish, In such a study, knowledge of the number and weight of fish consumed by piscivorous birds would seem to be an obvious consideration. Accordingly special investigation was undertaken into the food requirements of fish eating birds which live in the lake area. The method employed, on this occasion, to obtain the required information has differed radically from that more generally used by investigators working with similar objects in view. The common practise has been to examine the stomach contents of a considerable number of birds of the same species, which have been destroyed in order to make information available.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1969
A structural investigation of the sulphated polysaccharide of Anathaca dentata (suhr) papenf. and the xylan of Chaetangium erinaceum (turn.) papenf.
- Authors: Russell, Irina
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Polysaccharides , Marine algae -- Composition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013103
- Description: Hot-water extraction of Anatheca dentata, a red seaweed belonging to the family Solieriaceae, yielded a mixture of polysaccharides. Fractionation of this mixture with Cetavlon gave a glucomannan as minor component and a highly sulphated major component, which gave D- and L-galactose, D-xylose and small amounts of 3-0 (underscore)-methylgalactose, pyruvic acid and uronic acid on hydrolysis. All subsequent investigations were carried out on the sulphated major component. The sulphate was not labile to alkali, but was removed with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Periodate oxidation of the polysaccharide before and after desulphation indicated that new a-glycol groups were formed during desulphation. All the xylose units in the polymer were cleaved by periodate and this, together with the fact that the major xylose product from methylation analysis of the desulphated polymer was the 2,3, 4-tri-0 (underscore)-methyl derivative, indicated that the xylose occurs as a non-reducing end-group. Methylation of the desulphated polysaccharide revealed the presence of 1,4- and 1,3- linked D- galactose and 1,4- linked L-galactose units in the polymer. D-Glucuronic acid occurred as non-reducing end-groups. Summary, p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
- Authors: Russell, Irina
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Polysaccharides , Marine algae -- Composition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013103
- Description: Hot-water extraction of Anatheca dentata, a red seaweed belonging to the family Solieriaceae, yielded a mixture of polysaccharides. Fractionation of this mixture with Cetavlon gave a glucomannan as minor component and a highly sulphated major component, which gave D- and L-galactose, D-xylose and small amounts of 3-0 (underscore)-methylgalactose, pyruvic acid and uronic acid on hydrolysis. All subsequent investigations were carried out on the sulphated major component. The sulphate was not labile to alkali, but was removed with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Periodate oxidation of the polysaccharide before and after desulphation indicated that new a-glycol groups were formed during desulphation. All the xylose units in the polymer were cleaved by periodate and this, together with the fact that the major xylose product from methylation analysis of the desulphated polymer was the 2,3, 4-tri-0 (underscore)-methyl derivative, indicated that the xylose occurs as a non-reducing end-group. Methylation of the desulphated polysaccharide revealed the presence of 1,4- and 1,3- linked D- galactose and 1,4- linked L-galactose units in the polymer. D-Glucuronic acid occurred as non-reducing end-groups. Summary, p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
Variability analysis of a sample of potential southern calibration sources
- Authors: Hungwe, Faith
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Southern sky (Astronomy) Radio sources (Astronomy) Active galactic nuclei Very Long Baseline Array (Telescopes) Calibration Radio telescopes -- Southern Hemisphere Radio astronomy -- Southern Hemisphere Radio interferometers Very long baseline interferometry Radio astronomy -- Observations Radio astronomy -- South Africa Radio telescopes -- South Africa Square Kilometer Array (Spacecraft)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005281
- Description: A considerable number of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) surveys have been conducted in the northern hemisphere and very few in the southern hemisphere mostly because of a lack of telescopes and therefore adequate baseline coverage. Thus there is a deficit of calibrator sources in the southern hemisphere. Further, some of the most interesting astronomical objects eg. the galactic centre and the nearest galaxies (the small and large Magellanic Clouds) lie in the southern hemisphere and these require high resolution studies. With a major expansion of radio astronomy observing capability on its way in the southern hemisphere (with the two SKA (Square Kilometre Array) precursors, meerKAT (Karoo Array Telescope) and ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder), leading to the SKA itself) it is clear that interferometry and VLBI in the southern hemisphere need a dense network of calibration sources at different resolutions and a range of frequencies. This work seeks to help redress this problem by presenting an analysis of 31 southern sources to help fill the gaps in the southern hemisphere calibrator distribution. We have developed a multi-parameter method of classifying these sources as calibrators. From our sample of 31 sources, we have 2 class A sources (Excellent calibrators), 16 class B sources (Good calibrators), 9 class C sources (Poor calibrators) and 4 class D sources (Unsuitable calibrators).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hungwe, Faith
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Southern sky (Astronomy) Radio sources (Astronomy) Active galactic nuclei Very Long Baseline Array (Telescopes) Calibration Radio telescopes -- Southern Hemisphere Radio astronomy -- Southern Hemisphere Radio interferometers Very long baseline interferometry Radio astronomy -- Observations Radio astronomy -- South Africa Radio telescopes -- South Africa Square Kilometer Array (Spacecraft)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005281
- Description: A considerable number of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) surveys have been conducted in the northern hemisphere and very few in the southern hemisphere mostly because of a lack of telescopes and therefore adequate baseline coverage. Thus there is a deficit of calibrator sources in the southern hemisphere. Further, some of the most interesting astronomical objects eg. the galactic centre and the nearest galaxies (the small and large Magellanic Clouds) lie in the southern hemisphere and these require high resolution studies. With a major expansion of radio astronomy observing capability on its way in the southern hemisphere (with the two SKA (Square Kilometre Array) precursors, meerKAT (Karoo Array Telescope) and ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder), leading to the SKA itself) it is clear that interferometry and VLBI in the southern hemisphere need a dense network of calibration sources at different resolutions and a range of frequencies. This work seeks to help redress this problem by presenting an analysis of 31 southern sources to help fill the gaps in the southern hemisphere calibrator distribution. We have developed a multi-parameter method of classifying these sources as calibrators. From our sample of 31 sources, we have 2 class A sources (Excellent calibrators), 16 class B sources (Good calibrators), 9 class C sources (Poor calibrators) and 4 class D sources (Unsuitable calibrators).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Exploring how Grade 11 Physical Science learners make sense of the concept of rates of reactions through the inclusion of the indigenous practice of making oshikundu: a Namibian case study
- Nikodemus, Kristof Shingwilila
- Authors: Nikodemus, Kristof Shingwilila
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8154 , vital:21360
- Description: It has been observed that the teaching and learning of the concept of rates of reactions is seen as being difficult for most Namibian learners. Concerns have been expressed in Examiners’ Reports about candidates showing little knowledge of the topic ‘rates of reactions’. Hence, this study sought to explore how indigenous knowledge and practices through a practical activity of making oshikundu, enabled or constrained learner-engagement and sense-making of the concept of rates of reactions in Namibian schools. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, the study tried to describe and understand how learners make sense of their world. Within the interpretive paradigm, a mixed-method case study approach was adopted. It is informed by Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory, which recognises that learning and meaning-making are represented as originating from social interactions among individuals. The research study was conducted in a rural secondary school in the northern part of Namibia with Grade 11 Physical Science learners. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select three learners from the class, as the interview sample. A pre-test was used to gather data on the type of prior knowledge that Grade 11 Physical Science learners had of concepts related to rates of reactions. The pre-test’s content was validated by two Physical Science specialists. Observations were used to explore how learners make sense of rates of reactions during lessons. In addition to observations, interviews and a post-test were used in order to gather data on how the practical activity of making oshikundu enabled or constrained Grade 11 Physical Science: (a) learner engagement and (b) sense-making of the concept of rates of reactions. The findings of the study found that learners were more engaged and participated more fully in class than in previous year when the indigenous practice of making oshikundu was incorporated during the science lessons. The study thus recommends that indigenous knowledge and practices be integrated into Physical Science classrooms for effective teaching and learning and sense making of science concepts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nikodemus, Kristof Shingwilila
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8154 , vital:21360
- Description: It has been observed that the teaching and learning of the concept of rates of reactions is seen as being difficult for most Namibian learners. Concerns have been expressed in Examiners’ Reports about candidates showing little knowledge of the topic ‘rates of reactions’. Hence, this study sought to explore how indigenous knowledge and practices through a practical activity of making oshikundu, enabled or constrained learner-engagement and sense-making of the concept of rates of reactions in Namibian schools. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, the study tried to describe and understand how learners make sense of their world. Within the interpretive paradigm, a mixed-method case study approach was adopted. It is informed by Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory, which recognises that learning and meaning-making are represented as originating from social interactions among individuals. The research study was conducted in a rural secondary school in the northern part of Namibia with Grade 11 Physical Science learners. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select three learners from the class, as the interview sample. A pre-test was used to gather data on the type of prior knowledge that Grade 11 Physical Science learners had of concepts related to rates of reactions. The pre-test’s content was validated by two Physical Science specialists. Observations were used to explore how learners make sense of rates of reactions during lessons. In addition to observations, interviews and a post-test were used in order to gather data on how the practical activity of making oshikundu enabled or constrained Grade 11 Physical Science: (a) learner engagement and (b) sense-making of the concept of rates of reactions. The findings of the study found that learners were more engaged and participated more fully in class than in previous year when the indigenous practice of making oshikundu was incorporated during the science lessons. The study thus recommends that indigenous knowledge and practices be integrated into Physical Science classrooms for effective teaching and learning and sense making of science concepts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The phloem unloading and sucrose-sequestration pathway in the internodal stem tissue of the Saccharum hybrid var. NCo376
- Authors: Gerber, Jacqués
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Saccharum , Sugarcane , Sugar -- Synthesis , Sugar growing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003763
- Description: Internodes 5-8, 10, 13 and 15 of Saccharum sp. var. NCo376 were examined for evidence of symplasmic phloem unloading of sucrose from the phloem, via the bundle sheath to the storage parenchyma. The vascular bundle possesses wellisolated phloem comprised of large diameter sieve elements and small diameter companion cells. A layer of phloem parenchyma surrounds the phloem, except where the phloem abuts the crushed protophloem. Outside this is a sclerenchymatous sheath, directly endarch to a parenchymatous bundle sheath, which is surrounded by storage parenchyma. The bundle sheath is interrupted at the centrifugal pole of the vascular bundle by a phloem fibre cap. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed plasmodesmal fields throughout the bundle sheath and pith tissue. Transmission Electron Microscopy studies provided evidence of plasmodesmal occlusion, but not in all tissues. Aniline blue reactions under UV light indicate the presence of occluded plasmodesmal fields at the phloem parenchyma / sclerenchymatous sheath interface, and in localised regions of cells which are smaller than the surrounding storage parenchyma cells. This suggests a symplasmic transport pathway at these locations, and, based on these positive aniline blue reactions, with regulation via callose-mediated transplasmodesmal transport. Osmotic stress experiments, which included the addition of Ca2+, did not reveal further callose occlusion in the parenchyma, suggesting that the plasmodesmata in these regions may be closed via a noncallosic mechanism. Dye-coupling studies, using Lucifer Yellow (LYCH), which was iontophoretically injected following turgor-pressure equalisation, showed only rare, limited symplastic transport, usually only between the injected cell and one adjacent cell. Most injections did not result in transport of LYCH, suggesting either a lack of plasmodesmal connectivity, occlusion, or gating of any plasmodesmata present. This limited symplasmic transport, combined with the presence of occluded plasmodesmata at the phloem parenchyma / sclerenchymatous sheath interface suggests the presence of a two-domain phloem-unloading pathway. While symplastic transport may occur from the phloem to the sclerenchymatous sheath, further sucrose transport to the storage parenchyma appears to proceed apoplasmically from the sclerenchymatous sheath / bundle sheath interface, and into storage parenchyma cells across the cell wall and cell membrane via specialised sucrose transporters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Gerber, Jacqués
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Saccharum , Sugarcane , Sugar -- Synthesis , Sugar growing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003763
- Description: Internodes 5-8, 10, 13 and 15 of Saccharum sp. var. NCo376 were examined for evidence of symplasmic phloem unloading of sucrose from the phloem, via the bundle sheath to the storage parenchyma. The vascular bundle possesses wellisolated phloem comprised of large diameter sieve elements and small diameter companion cells. A layer of phloem parenchyma surrounds the phloem, except where the phloem abuts the crushed protophloem. Outside this is a sclerenchymatous sheath, directly endarch to a parenchymatous bundle sheath, which is surrounded by storage parenchyma. The bundle sheath is interrupted at the centrifugal pole of the vascular bundle by a phloem fibre cap. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed plasmodesmal fields throughout the bundle sheath and pith tissue. Transmission Electron Microscopy studies provided evidence of plasmodesmal occlusion, but not in all tissues. Aniline blue reactions under UV light indicate the presence of occluded plasmodesmal fields at the phloem parenchyma / sclerenchymatous sheath interface, and in localised regions of cells which are smaller than the surrounding storage parenchyma cells. This suggests a symplasmic transport pathway at these locations, and, based on these positive aniline blue reactions, with regulation via callose-mediated transplasmodesmal transport. Osmotic stress experiments, which included the addition of Ca2+, did not reveal further callose occlusion in the parenchyma, suggesting that the plasmodesmata in these regions may be closed via a noncallosic mechanism. Dye-coupling studies, using Lucifer Yellow (LYCH), which was iontophoretically injected following turgor-pressure equalisation, showed only rare, limited symplastic transport, usually only between the injected cell and one adjacent cell. Most injections did not result in transport of LYCH, suggesting either a lack of plasmodesmal connectivity, occlusion, or gating of any plasmodesmata present. This limited symplasmic transport, combined with the presence of occluded plasmodesmata at the phloem parenchyma / sclerenchymatous sheath interface suggests the presence of a two-domain phloem-unloading pathway. While symplastic transport may occur from the phloem to the sclerenchymatous sheath, further sucrose transport to the storage parenchyma appears to proceed apoplasmically from the sclerenchymatous sheath / bundle sheath interface, and into storage parenchyma cells across the cell wall and cell membrane via specialised sucrose transporters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
'The Most Amazing Show': performative interactions with postelection South African society and culture
- Authors: Scholtz, Brink
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Performing arts , Drama -- Study and teaching , Recreational activities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57538 , vital:26962
- Description: This research investigates contemporary South African performance within the context of prominent social and cultural change following the political transition from an apartheid state to democracy. Specifically, it looks at the relationship between a popular comic variety show The Most Amazing Show (TMAS), and aspects of contemporary South African society and culture, particularly relating to prominent efforts to affect post-election transformation of South African society and culture through the construction of a South African 'rainbow nation'. By analysing TMAS in terms of broader historical, performative and discursive contexts, it engages a relational reading of the performance. The study argues that TMAS both challenges and participates in the manner in which rainbow nation discourse constructs South African society and culture. Firstly, it considers the performance's construction of hybrid South African identities, including white Afrikaans, white English and white masculine identities. It argues that these reconstructions undermine the tendency within rainbow nation discourse to construct cultural hybridity in terms of stereotypically distinct identities. Secondly, it considers TMAS' construction of collective experience and social integration, which subvet1s the often glamorised and superficial representations of social healing and integration that are constructed within rainbow nation discourse. The analysis makes prominent reference to the notion of 'liminality' in order to describe the manner in which TMAS constructs significance within the tension that it establishes between oppositional, and often contradictory, positions. Furthermore, it attempts to establish a link between this notion of liminality and no6ons of theatrical syncretism that are prominent in contemporary South African theatre scholarship, and emphasise processes of signification that are constantly shifting and unstable.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Scholtz, Brink
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Performing arts , Drama -- Study and teaching , Recreational activities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57538 , vital:26962
- Description: This research investigates contemporary South African performance within the context of prominent social and cultural change following the political transition from an apartheid state to democracy. Specifically, it looks at the relationship between a popular comic variety show The Most Amazing Show (TMAS), and aspects of contemporary South African society and culture, particularly relating to prominent efforts to affect post-election transformation of South African society and culture through the construction of a South African 'rainbow nation'. By analysing TMAS in terms of broader historical, performative and discursive contexts, it engages a relational reading of the performance. The study argues that TMAS both challenges and participates in the manner in which rainbow nation discourse constructs South African society and culture. Firstly, it considers the performance's construction of hybrid South African identities, including white Afrikaans, white English and white masculine identities. It argues that these reconstructions undermine the tendency within rainbow nation discourse to construct cultural hybridity in terms of stereotypically distinct identities. Secondly, it considers TMAS' construction of collective experience and social integration, which subvet1s the often glamorised and superficial representations of social healing and integration that are constructed within rainbow nation discourse. The analysis makes prominent reference to the notion of 'liminality' in order to describe the manner in which TMAS constructs significance within the tension that it establishes between oppositional, and often contradictory, positions. Furthermore, it attempts to establish a link between this notion of liminality and no6ons of theatrical syncretism that are prominent in contemporary South African theatre scholarship, and emphasise processes of signification that are constantly shifting and unstable.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008
An exploration of the potential for destructive conflict between locals and foreign nationals living in Summerstrand
- Authors: Arkilic, Baris
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Emigration and immigration , Ethnic neighborhoods -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8211 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008708 , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Emigration and immigration , Ethnic neighborhoods -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This treatise explores the potential for destructive conflict between locals and foreign nationals in Summerstrand. In the context of this study, foreign nationals have been defined as people who are from other African countries. This specification was made because it is this particular group that has been victim to violent attacks in South Africa. Those attacks have taken place throughout the country, especially in 2008, in areas that are regarded as ‘townships’ in the South African context. This treatise could be regarded as an unusual product, as it does not explore the dynamics of a township; instead, the focus area is a ‘suburb’. The suburb in question is called ‘Summerstrand’ and it is located in Port Elizabeth. Before the research was conducted, it was assumed that due to the differing dynamics of a suburban area, where people would be wealthier and more educated, the potential of a violent conflict taking place between the two groups (locals and foreign nationals) would be lower. In this treatise, firstly, the topic will be explained more in detail together with an overview of the background to the topic. The background will be discussed in further detail as literature relevant to the field of study will be reviewed and presented in Chapters 2 and 3. The ensuing chapters will elaborate upon how the research has been conducted, after which the findings of the study will be presented to the reader. The last chapter of the treatise offers an analysis of the findings of the study, draws conclusions from the study and offers recommendations in light of the findings of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Arkilic, Baris
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Emigration and immigration , Ethnic neighborhoods -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8211 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008708 , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Emigration and immigration , Ethnic neighborhoods -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This treatise explores the potential for destructive conflict between locals and foreign nationals in Summerstrand. In the context of this study, foreign nationals have been defined as people who are from other African countries. This specification was made because it is this particular group that has been victim to violent attacks in South Africa. Those attacks have taken place throughout the country, especially in 2008, in areas that are regarded as ‘townships’ in the South African context. This treatise could be regarded as an unusual product, as it does not explore the dynamics of a township; instead, the focus area is a ‘suburb’. The suburb in question is called ‘Summerstrand’ and it is located in Port Elizabeth. Before the research was conducted, it was assumed that due to the differing dynamics of a suburban area, where people would be wealthier and more educated, the potential of a violent conflict taking place between the two groups (locals and foreign nationals) would be lower. In this treatise, firstly, the topic will be explained more in detail together with an overview of the background to the topic. The background will be discussed in further detail as literature relevant to the field of study will be reviewed and presented in Chapters 2 and 3. The ensuing chapters will elaborate upon how the research has been conducted, after which the findings of the study will be presented to the reader. The last chapter of the treatise offers an analysis of the findings of the study, draws conclusions from the study and offers recommendations in light of the findings of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Role of Nurse Managers in Ensuring Client Satisfaction within the Primary Health Care Clinics in Buffalo City Health District
- Authors: Yiba,Theodora Nomboniso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Primary health care Nurse administrators
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M. CUR
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16825 , vital:40777
- Description: In Primary Health Care system there are different categories of nurses that have different roles to play within their facilities, such as registered nurses, enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing assistants, operational managers at functional level within the Primary Health Care Clinics and also overall supervisors. The study focus was on operational managers as they are the key role players in quality client care within Primary health Care clinics, King William’s Town in Buffalo City Health District in Eastern Cape Province. The aim of the study was to describe the role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care Clinics at Buffalo City Health District in order to ensure effectiveness of Health Core Standards. The research questions were: The research questions that was addressed in this study Main question: “What is the role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction within Primary Health Care Clinics at Buffalo City Health District?” Sub questions: How do you ensure client safety in your facility? How do you monitor client waiting time in your facility? What strategies can assist in the improvement of client satisfaction in Primary Health care clinics? The objectives were to explore and describe role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction regarding safety within the Primary health Care clinics in Buffalo City Heath District, explore and describe role of nurse managers in client satisfaction about waiting time within Primary Health Care Clinics and to recommend strategies to improve client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care clinics in order to improve client satisfaction. A descriptive, explorative, qualitative, contextual design was used to describe and explore the role of operational manager in ensuring client satisfaction regarding client safety and waiting time within Primary Health Care Clinics. Purposive sampling method was used to select seven operational managers. Six operational managers participated in the study as one of them was bereaved during the interview period. One on one interviews with operational managers was used to collect the data. Data was collected until it reached saturation. Data collected was analyzed using Tesch’s steps of data analysis for qualitative research. vi The results were that the operational managers are performing their roles, but find it difficult to fully satisfy clients as they experience some roles’ related challenges in ensuring client satisfactory services. Related roles’ challenges were unavailability of enough nursing staff to cover all the programmes due to shortage of staff, poor infrastructure in some of the clinics, lack of support and appreciation from some of their supervisors, absenteeism of staff that negatively affect operational manager’s planning and organisation role, failure to deliver medication in time. They recommended some strategies regarding improvement of client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care clinics. The recommendations were, the department of health to fill in nurses and staff vacant posts, facilitation of prompt delivery of medication to Primary Health Care Clinics, the department to attend to poor infrastructure, District office to consider staff satisfactory survey, commitment of clinic supervisors in their monthly visits and the study findings be used when conducting further studies related to ensuring client satisfaction regarding safety and waiting time
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Yiba,Theodora Nomboniso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Primary health care Nurse administrators
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M. CUR
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16825 , vital:40777
- Description: In Primary Health Care system there are different categories of nurses that have different roles to play within their facilities, such as registered nurses, enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing assistants, operational managers at functional level within the Primary Health Care Clinics and also overall supervisors. The study focus was on operational managers as they are the key role players in quality client care within Primary health Care clinics, King William’s Town in Buffalo City Health District in Eastern Cape Province. The aim of the study was to describe the role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care Clinics at Buffalo City Health District in order to ensure effectiveness of Health Core Standards. The research questions were: The research questions that was addressed in this study Main question: “What is the role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction within Primary Health Care Clinics at Buffalo City Health District?” Sub questions: How do you ensure client safety in your facility? How do you monitor client waiting time in your facility? What strategies can assist in the improvement of client satisfaction in Primary Health care clinics? The objectives were to explore and describe role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction regarding safety within the Primary health Care clinics in Buffalo City Heath District, explore and describe role of nurse managers in client satisfaction about waiting time within Primary Health Care Clinics and to recommend strategies to improve client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care clinics in order to improve client satisfaction. A descriptive, explorative, qualitative, contextual design was used to describe and explore the role of operational manager in ensuring client satisfaction regarding client safety and waiting time within Primary Health Care Clinics. Purposive sampling method was used to select seven operational managers. Six operational managers participated in the study as one of them was bereaved during the interview period. One on one interviews with operational managers was used to collect the data. Data was collected until it reached saturation. Data collected was analyzed using Tesch’s steps of data analysis for qualitative research. vi The results were that the operational managers are performing their roles, but find it difficult to fully satisfy clients as they experience some roles’ related challenges in ensuring client satisfactory services. Related roles’ challenges were unavailability of enough nursing staff to cover all the programmes due to shortage of staff, poor infrastructure in some of the clinics, lack of support and appreciation from some of their supervisors, absenteeism of staff that negatively affect operational manager’s planning and organisation role, failure to deliver medication in time. They recommended some strategies regarding improvement of client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care clinics. The recommendations were, the department of health to fill in nurses and staff vacant posts, facilitation of prompt delivery of medication to Primary Health Care Clinics, the department to attend to poor infrastructure, District office to consider staff satisfactory survey, commitment of clinic supervisors in their monthly visits and the study findings be used when conducting further studies related to ensuring client satisfaction regarding safety and waiting time
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019