The design of an aquaculture facility on the Keiskamma River at Hamburg, Province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Scholtz, Jeanne
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Aquaculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5280 , vital:20836
- Description: This dissertation addresses the nature and potential of an intrusive architectural typology in a sensitive river estuary environment through an understanding of the functional design principles of an Aquaculture plant. Furthermore the research engages with cultural, historical and sociological objectives to celebrate the historical landscape. Hamburg is caught between its value as a historic wilderness and it's need to establish and maintain an economy to alleviate poverty. The project is conceived as a provocation and speculation on how these two demands may be hybridized as an alternative to the typical conservationist practices applied. Proposing a type of hybrid ecology where industry and endemic wildlife can not only co-exist but also be mutually beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Scholtz, Jeanne
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Aquaculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5280 , vital:20836
- Description: This dissertation addresses the nature and potential of an intrusive architectural typology in a sensitive river estuary environment through an understanding of the functional design principles of an Aquaculture plant. Furthermore the research engages with cultural, historical and sociological objectives to celebrate the historical landscape. Hamburg is caught between its value as a historic wilderness and it's need to establish and maintain an economy to alleviate poverty. The project is conceived as a provocation and speculation on how these two demands may be hybridized as an alternative to the typical conservationist practices applied. Proposing a type of hybrid ecology where industry and endemic wildlife can not only co-exist but also be mutually beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The novel as cultural and historical archive: an examination of Marlene van Niekerk's Agaat (2006)
- Authors: Carvalho, Alyssa May
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Van Niekerk, Marlene , South Africa Fiction , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8454 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1224 , Van Niekerk, Marlene , South Africa Fiction , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century
- Description: This research engages with a contemporary theoretical debate in the literary field, namely the ability of fictional texts to contribute to archival records. Contemporary research in archival discourse suggests that there are many intersections between fiction and the archive. Using Hamilton and others’ seminal text Refiguring the Archive (2002) and Pasco’s “Literature as Historical Archive” (2004) as point of departure, this dissertation offers an analysis of the South African English translation of Marlene van Niekerk’s Agaat (2004, translated 2006). In both form and function, the novel is viewed as a simulation of an archive. In Agaat, Van Niekerk has compiled a fictional archive of two indigenous South African cultures through her portrayal of the two main characters: Afrikaner culture during apartheid as embedded in the focalization of Milla de Wet and remnants of Khoi and/or San culture as emerge from the fictionalised subjectivity of her coloured housekeeper-nurse, Agaat. Through a conceptual and theoretical exploration of archival discourse, I argue that literary texts, such as Van Niekerk’s novel, have the potential to refigure (or creatively redefine) the archive and to enhance its scope and relevance, especially as South Africa undergoes transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Carvalho, Alyssa May
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Van Niekerk, Marlene , South Africa Fiction , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8454 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1224 , Van Niekerk, Marlene , South Africa Fiction , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century
- Description: This research engages with a contemporary theoretical debate in the literary field, namely the ability of fictional texts to contribute to archival records. Contemporary research in archival discourse suggests that there are many intersections between fiction and the archive. Using Hamilton and others’ seminal text Refiguring the Archive (2002) and Pasco’s “Literature as Historical Archive” (2004) as point of departure, this dissertation offers an analysis of the South African English translation of Marlene van Niekerk’s Agaat (2004, translated 2006). In both form and function, the novel is viewed as a simulation of an archive. In Agaat, Van Niekerk has compiled a fictional archive of two indigenous South African cultures through her portrayal of the two main characters: Afrikaner culture during apartheid as embedded in the focalization of Milla de Wet and remnants of Khoi and/or San culture as emerge from the fictionalised subjectivity of her coloured housekeeper-nurse, Agaat. Through a conceptual and theoretical exploration of archival discourse, I argue that literary texts, such as Van Niekerk’s novel, have the potential to refigure (or creatively redefine) the archive and to enhance its scope and relevance, especially as South Africa undergoes transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Perceptions on future fulfilment of visually impaired adolescent learners at the Khanyisa Special School
- Authors: Ciyana, Nontobeko Minica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Special education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9538 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/683 , Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Special education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This research focuses on the perceptions of future fulfilment of visually impaired adolescent learners at the Khanyisa Special School. The qualitative research was undertaken at the selected special school, which is situated in Nelson Mandela Bay in the western region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, with ten learners, ten parents and five teachers as participants. The concluding chapter suggests ways and recommendations to assist the visually impaired adolescent learners at the Khanyisa Special School financially and academically.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Ciyana, Nontobeko Minica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Special education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9538 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/683 , Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Children with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Special education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This research focuses on the perceptions of future fulfilment of visually impaired adolescent learners at the Khanyisa Special School. The qualitative research was undertaken at the selected special school, which is situated in Nelson Mandela Bay in the western region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, with ten learners, ten parents and five teachers as participants. The concluding chapter suggests ways and recommendations to assist the visually impaired adolescent learners at the Khanyisa Special School financially and academically.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A study of the art object as performative
- Authors: Minkley, Emma Smith
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Arts -- Miscellanea Art objects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12042 , vital:27022
- Description: My research project explores conventions in art-making and viewing via the notion of the performative art object. The performative (derived from J.L. Austin and Judith Butler’s formulations of the word) is here used predominantly as a term to denote a generative, experiential and iterative process (in this case outlined by art theorist Barbara Bolt) in which intuitive or playful actions of both artist and spectator dictate the route of research. The project, following an A/r/tographical cycle of theoriapraxis-poesis (or theory/research - doing/learning - art/making) as defined by Rita Irwin, thus investigates the relations inherent between artists, spectators or viewers, and objects, and how these may change according to the spaces they are conceived in; from art gallery to urban “non-art” environments. It deals with the inclusion of process or performativity within, or in relation to the art object and how this take on the traditionally static object may have the capacity to change how artworks are envisaged, and more significantly, how they are received, in terms of the effects they (in combination with the viewer) have on the world around them. Blurred in the context of performativity, the art object may become a means of documenting process and in a sense may act as a ‘prop’ for artistic research. This enquiry has involved the study of process and play, as related to creative practice, via a series of object-based events or interventions (including gallery exhibitions and other “non-art” events initiated by the artist outside of conventional art-related space) which have been documented and included in the theoretical research as a means of providing a first-hand narrative of theoretical ideas put into practice. Here Diana Taylor’s understanding of interrelated modes of storing and enacting knowledge as posed in the notion of the archive and repertoire has been utilised as a means of collecting and collating performative and ephemeral research. These events/interventions have further served as a means of gauging viewer interaction and participation, thus actively involving the viewer in the creative act. Jacques Rancière’s notion of the emancipated spectator is here utilised to activate the role of the viewer. In this regard, Martin Heidegger’s concept of handiness or handling serves as a means of “emancipating” spectators by encouraging tactile viewership. It is my intent to open up or reveal new modes of thinking or doing within the viewer when he or she enters a state of performative play within these events. Here the status of the art object is challenged and in this way has the potential to subvert or confront problematic repetitions, both in the identity of the viewer and the space occupied in each event.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Minkley, Emma Smith
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Arts -- Miscellanea Art objects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12042 , vital:27022
- Description: My research project explores conventions in art-making and viewing via the notion of the performative art object. The performative (derived from J.L. Austin and Judith Butler’s formulations of the word) is here used predominantly as a term to denote a generative, experiential and iterative process (in this case outlined by art theorist Barbara Bolt) in which intuitive or playful actions of both artist and spectator dictate the route of research. The project, following an A/r/tographical cycle of theoriapraxis-poesis (or theory/research - doing/learning - art/making) as defined by Rita Irwin, thus investigates the relations inherent between artists, spectators or viewers, and objects, and how these may change according to the spaces they are conceived in; from art gallery to urban “non-art” environments. It deals with the inclusion of process or performativity within, or in relation to the art object and how this take on the traditionally static object may have the capacity to change how artworks are envisaged, and more significantly, how they are received, in terms of the effects they (in combination with the viewer) have on the world around them. Blurred in the context of performativity, the art object may become a means of documenting process and in a sense may act as a ‘prop’ for artistic research. This enquiry has involved the study of process and play, as related to creative practice, via a series of object-based events or interventions (including gallery exhibitions and other “non-art” events initiated by the artist outside of conventional art-related space) which have been documented and included in the theoretical research as a means of providing a first-hand narrative of theoretical ideas put into practice. Here Diana Taylor’s understanding of interrelated modes of storing and enacting knowledge as posed in the notion of the archive and repertoire has been utilised as a means of collecting and collating performative and ephemeral research. These events/interventions have further served as a means of gauging viewer interaction and participation, thus actively involving the viewer in the creative act. Jacques Rancière’s notion of the emancipated spectator is here utilised to activate the role of the viewer. In this regard, Martin Heidegger’s concept of handiness or handling serves as a means of “emancipating” spectators by encouraging tactile viewership. It is my intent to open up or reveal new modes of thinking or doing within the viewer when he or she enters a state of performative play within these events. Here the status of the art object is challenged and in this way has the potential to subvert or confront problematic repetitions, both in the identity of the viewer and the space occupied in each event.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Depressive disorders and chronic comorbid disease states: a pharmacoepidemiological evaluation
- Authors: Kritiotis, Lia Costas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/653 , Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Description: The treatment of Depressive Disorders in patients with chronic comorbid disease states warrants careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio pertaining to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the antidepressant being considered, against the physiological susceptibilities of the patient; potential drug-drug interactions and depressive symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Depressive Disorders and the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbid disease states in a depressed South African study population; and to comment on the appropriateness of antidepressants prescribed to these patients. This retrospective drug utilisation study consisted of two parts: the first part focused on the prevalence of the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbidities in a depressed South African population (N = 21 171). The three most prevalent chronic comorbid disease states were Hypertension (52.87 percent), Lipid Disorders (20.40 percent) and Arthritis (16.70 percent). The second part of the study included an assessment of the antidepressants prescribed to depressed patients in 2004 (N = 6 150). Emphasis was placed on the suitability of antidepressants selected for depressed adult patients (18 years of age and older) with comorbid Hypertension, Lipid Disorders or Arthritis. SSRIs were prescribed most frequently to the depressed patients during 2004 (59.67 percent). SSRIs are the suggested first-line treatments for depressed patients with multiple chronic comorbid disease states. However, of the SSRIs, fluoxetine has the least favourable pharmacokinetic profile and was found to be the antidepressant prescribed most often. Amitriptyline, which was the TCA prescribed most frequently, produces the greatest degree of anticholinergic, sedative and hypotensive effects, relative to other agents in the same antidepressant class. Thus, it is not recommended as a first-line antidepressant, especially in depressed patients with comorbidities. This study identifies potential areas of intervention regarding antidepressant prescribing in depressed individuals with chronic comorbid disease states and offers recommendations to promote the selection of optimal, individualised drug treatment strategies for these patients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kritiotis, Lia Costas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/653 , Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Description: The treatment of Depressive Disorders in patients with chronic comorbid disease states warrants careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio pertaining to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the antidepressant being considered, against the physiological susceptibilities of the patient; potential drug-drug interactions and depressive symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Depressive Disorders and the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbid disease states in a depressed South African study population; and to comment on the appropriateness of antidepressants prescribed to these patients. This retrospective drug utilisation study consisted of two parts: the first part focused on the prevalence of the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbidities in a depressed South African population (N = 21 171). The three most prevalent chronic comorbid disease states were Hypertension (52.87 percent), Lipid Disorders (20.40 percent) and Arthritis (16.70 percent). The second part of the study included an assessment of the antidepressants prescribed to depressed patients in 2004 (N = 6 150). Emphasis was placed on the suitability of antidepressants selected for depressed adult patients (18 years of age and older) with comorbid Hypertension, Lipid Disorders or Arthritis. SSRIs were prescribed most frequently to the depressed patients during 2004 (59.67 percent). SSRIs are the suggested first-line treatments for depressed patients with multiple chronic comorbid disease states. However, of the SSRIs, fluoxetine has the least favourable pharmacokinetic profile and was found to be the antidepressant prescribed most often. Amitriptyline, which was the TCA prescribed most frequently, produces the greatest degree of anticholinergic, sedative and hypotensive effects, relative to other agents in the same antidepressant class. Thus, it is not recommended as a first-line antidepressant, especially in depressed patients with comorbidities. This study identifies potential areas of intervention regarding antidepressant prescribing in depressed individuals with chronic comorbid disease states and offers recommendations to promote the selection of optimal, individualised drug treatment strategies for these patients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The coping orientation and self-esteem of black learners enrolled in under-resourced schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Ogle, Zimbini
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012591 , Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: It is common knowledge that the delivery of a high quality, well-resourced educational service to learners enrolled in state schools in the Eastern Cape has ground to a halt and this lack of service delivery has now become a pervasive problem. South African education has to a large extent failed to meet the needs of Black learners. Schools, like other contexts of childhood and adolescence are intimate places where youths construct identities, build a sense of self, read how society views them, develop the capacity to sustain relations and forge the skills to initiate change. These are the contexts where youth grow or shrink. Buildings in disrepair are not, therefore, merely a distraction; they are identity producing and selfdefining. There has been much debate on the topic of self-esteem and its relationship to school performance and academic achievement. Previous studies have highlighted that selfesteem and resilience do play a role in academic achievement. Despite the many challenges facing learners in under-resourced schools, many learners have overcome such challenges and achieved academic success. This study aimed to explore and describe the coping orientation and self-esteem of Black learners enrolled in under-resourced state schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. An exploratory, descriptive survey design was employed and eighty-five research participants completed the Orientation to Life Questionnaire 29 Item (OLQ 29 Item), Battle‟s Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory Form AD (CFSEI Form AD) and a biographical questionnaire. Key findings revealed fairly high mean scores on the OLQ 29 Item and low total self-esteem scores. The General, Social and Personal self-esteem of the learners were found to be average. The results also revealed that learners with a high sense of coherence are likely to have high self-esteem; hence high sense of coherence is better explained by high self-esteem and low sense of coherence is better explained by low selfesteem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ogle, Zimbini
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012591 , Educational psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-esteem -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Right to education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Public schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: It is common knowledge that the delivery of a high quality, well-resourced educational service to learners enrolled in state schools in the Eastern Cape has ground to a halt and this lack of service delivery has now become a pervasive problem. South African education has to a large extent failed to meet the needs of Black learners. Schools, like other contexts of childhood and adolescence are intimate places where youths construct identities, build a sense of self, read how society views them, develop the capacity to sustain relations and forge the skills to initiate change. These are the contexts where youth grow or shrink. Buildings in disrepair are not, therefore, merely a distraction; they are identity producing and selfdefining. There has been much debate on the topic of self-esteem and its relationship to school performance and academic achievement. Previous studies have highlighted that selfesteem and resilience do play a role in academic achievement. Despite the many challenges facing learners in under-resourced schools, many learners have overcome such challenges and achieved academic success. This study aimed to explore and describe the coping orientation and self-esteem of Black learners enrolled in under-resourced state schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. An exploratory, descriptive survey design was employed and eighty-five research participants completed the Orientation to Life Questionnaire 29 Item (OLQ 29 Item), Battle‟s Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory Form AD (CFSEI Form AD) and a biographical questionnaire. Key findings revealed fairly high mean scores on the OLQ 29 Item and low total self-esteem scores. The General, Social and Personal self-esteem of the learners were found to be average. The results also revealed that learners with a high sense of coherence are likely to have high self-esteem; hence high sense of coherence is better explained by high self-esteem and low sense of coherence is better explained by low selfesteem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Ernesto "Che" Guevara : a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Kolesky, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1512 , Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically done on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. Since his death, his image has become a symbol for revolution within popular culture. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Guevara’s life. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyze the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Guevara was fiercely loyal to his cause, at the expense of the lives of many Cuban citizens as well as his own family, whom he spent little time with. He justified this with his firmly held belief that the end justified the means and that he was always fighting for the greater good. He quite literally dedicated his life to his cause, which is the reason that he has become a modern day symbol for revolution. It is however unfortunate that this came at such a great personal expense.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kolesky, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1512 , Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically done on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. Since his death, his image has become a symbol for revolution within popular culture. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Guevara’s life. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyze the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Guevara was fiercely loyal to his cause, at the expense of the lives of many Cuban citizens as well as his own family, whom he spent little time with. He justified this with his firmly held belief that the end justified the means and that he was always fighting for the greater good. He quite literally dedicated his life to his cause, which is the reason that he has become a modern day symbol for revolution. It is however unfortunate that this came at such a great personal expense.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Characterization of chromatic dispersion in single mode fibre
- Authors: Wassin, Shukree
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Fiber optics Electromagnetic waves , Electromagnetic waves -- Transmission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47807 , vital:40379
- Description: In this dissertation, an investigation of chromatic dispersion is presented. The Pulse delay and phase Shift chromatic dispersion characterization techniques were used for conducting the measurements. The experiments were performed in a modern optical fibre research laboratory and chromatic dispersion measurements were carried out on several lengths of G.652 and G.655 single mode fibres. The pulse delay characterization technique measures the time of flight between two modulated optical signals whilst propagating along the fibre under test. During phase shift experiments, the group delay is obtained by measuring the relative phase difference as a function of wavelength, between adjacent sinusoidal light signals. The pulse delay and phase shift characterization techniques illustrated excellent agreement in the measured! chromatic Dispersion coefficients along the G.652 standard single mode! fibre as well as the G.655 positive and negative non-zero dispersion shifted fibre. It was found that the measurement accuracy improved as the fibre length increased. A periodic shift between the modulated optical signals, propagating along the fibre was experimentally observed. It is to be remarked that the longer wavelength signals propagated faster along the G.655 positive non-zero dispersion shifted fibre in comparison to its transmission within the G.655 negative non-zero dispersion shifted fibre. Furthermore, it was found that the sinusoidal signal shifted towards the left along the G.655 negative NZDSF fibre whilst the shift occurred towards the right along the G.655 positive NZDSF fibre. Generally, the shift arising along the G.655 fibres was found to be smaller than the shift seen throughout the G.652 fibres. Towards the end of this study, a chromatic dispersion compensation system was designed and tested. Once characterization of the compensation link was completed, it was experimentally illustrated that the chromatic dispersion across the system was successfully reduced. Finally, a sum of squares of error statistical test showed that the phase shift technique is more accurate in comparison to the pulse delay method. This result was found to be in good agreement with published work found in literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Wassin, Shukree
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Fiber optics Electromagnetic waves , Electromagnetic waves -- Transmission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47807 , vital:40379
- Description: In this dissertation, an investigation of chromatic dispersion is presented. The Pulse delay and phase Shift chromatic dispersion characterization techniques were used for conducting the measurements. The experiments were performed in a modern optical fibre research laboratory and chromatic dispersion measurements were carried out on several lengths of G.652 and G.655 single mode fibres. The pulse delay characterization technique measures the time of flight between two modulated optical signals whilst propagating along the fibre under test. During phase shift experiments, the group delay is obtained by measuring the relative phase difference as a function of wavelength, between adjacent sinusoidal light signals. The pulse delay and phase shift characterization techniques illustrated excellent agreement in the measured! chromatic Dispersion coefficients along the G.652 standard single mode! fibre as well as the G.655 positive and negative non-zero dispersion shifted fibre. It was found that the measurement accuracy improved as the fibre length increased. A periodic shift between the modulated optical signals, propagating along the fibre was experimentally observed. It is to be remarked that the longer wavelength signals propagated faster along the G.655 positive non-zero dispersion shifted fibre in comparison to its transmission within the G.655 negative non-zero dispersion shifted fibre. Furthermore, it was found that the sinusoidal signal shifted towards the left along the G.655 negative NZDSF fibre whilst the shift occurred towards the right along the G.655 positive NZDSF fibre. Generally, the shift arising along the G.655 fibres was found to be smaller than the shift seen throughout the G.652 fibres. Towards the end of this study, a chromatic dispersion compensation system was designed and tested. Once characterization of the compensation link was completed, it was experimentally illustrated that the chromatic dispersion across the system was successfully reduced. Finally, a sum of squares of error statistical test showed that the phase shift technique is more accurate in comparison to the pulse delay method. This result was found to be in good agreement with published work found in literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The influence of organisational culture on the happiness of employees in the ICT industry
- Authors: Lama Ndai, Arnaud
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa , Job satisfaction , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9318 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020609
- Description: Based on the increasing importance that information and communication technologies (ICT) plays in most global economies, the high demand for ICT employees and the influence of organisational culture on the success of ICT businesses, the purpose of this study was to provide ICT managers with ways to retain and keep their employees satisfied and happy in their jobs. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify and empirically test the influence of various factors of organisational culture on Happiness and Job satisfaction of employees in the ICT industry in South Africa. After completing a comprehensive literature review, it appeared that limited research had been conducted on the happiness of employees in the ICT industry. Numerous factors were identified as influencing happiness; however, due to the difficulty to assess some of these factors, this study only focused on the influence of organisational culture on the happiness and in return the job satisfaction of employees. All the factors influencing organisational culture were reviewed in the literature and 13 independent variables were identified and hypothesised to influence the mediating variable Happiness and the dependent variable Job satisfaction. All the variables in this study were clearly conceptualised and operationalised. Valid and reliable items sourced from various measuring instruments used in previous studies, were used to operationalise theses variables. Furthermore, numerous items were self-generated from secondary sources. A convenience sampling method was used to identify the respondents and a structured questionnaire was completed online by respondents. The data collected from 187 usable questionnaires was subjected to various statistical analyses using the software program Statistica. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to assess the validity of the dependent variable Job satisfaction and the mediating variable Happiness of this study, whereas an Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to assess the validity of the independent variables. To confirm the reliability of all the variables investigated, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated. Due to the large number of variables and the small number of respondents, conducting a factor analysis on the independent variables was not possible. This problem was solved by the use of the item parcelling method. After the item parcelling was conducted and the factor analysis conducted, only seven out of the 13 factors loaded together as expected. All the parcels measuring these factors did not load together as expected and where necessary these factors were renamed and operationalised again. The sample data was summarised using descriptive statistics. The majority of respondents reported that they were satisfied with their jobs and almost half of the respondents reported being happy with their lives. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to establish the degree of relationship between the factors investigated in this study. After the Multiple Regression Analysis was conducted, it was found that three independent variables influence the Happiness of employees in the ICT industry, namely, Customer focus, Strategic direction and intent and Family orientation and atmosphere. Happiness was also found to have a positive influence on the Job satisfaction of ICT employees. The influence of various selected demographic variables on the dependent, mediating and independent variables was investigated by means of an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance between the differences in means scores was measured using the Bonferroni Post-hoc test. The Population group of the respondents, the Years of service and their Age group were found to significantly influence some of the independent variables and mediating variables investigated in this study. No relationship was found between any demographic variables and the dependent variable Job satisfaction. Limited studies on the influence of organisational culture on the happiness of nemployees and more particularly those in the ICT industry were found in the literature. This study has made a contribution to the field of happiness research by understanding the factors influencing the happiness and job satisfaction of employees in the ICT industry. As a result, the study presents recommendations and suggestions to assist ICT businesses to improve their organisational culture and at the same time enhance the happiness and job satisfaction of their employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Lama Ndai, Arnaud
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa , Job satisfaction , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9318 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020609
- Description: Based on the increasing importance that information and communication technologies (ICT) plays in most global economies, the high demand for ICT employees and the influence of organisational culture on the success of ICT businesses, the purpose of this study was to provide ICT managers with ways to retain and keep their employees satisfied and happy in their jobs. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify and empirically test the influence of various factors of organisational culture on Happiness and Job satisfaction of employees in the ICT industry in South Africa. After completing a comprehensive literature review, it appeared that limited research had been conducted on the happiness of employees in the ICT industry. Numerous factors were identified as influencing happiness; however, due to the difficulty to assess some of these factors, this study only focused on the influence of organisational culture on the happiness and in return the job satisfaction of employees. All the factors influencing organisational culture were reviewed in the literature and 13 independent variables were identified and hypothesised to influence the mediating variable Happiness and the dependent variable Job satisfaction. All the variables in this study were clearly conceptualised and operationalised. Valid and reliable items sourced from various measuring instruments used in previous studies, were used to operationalise theses variables. Furthermore, numerous items were self-generated from secondary sources. A convenience sampling method was used to identify the respondents and a structured questionnaire was completed online by respondents. The data collected from 187 usable questionnaires was subjected to various statistical analyses using the software program Statistica. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to assess the validity of the dependent variable Job satisfaction and the mediating variable Happiness of this study, whereas an Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to assess the validity of the independent variables. To confirm the reliability of all the variables investigated, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated. Due to the large number of variables and the small number of respondents, conducting a factor analysis on the independent variables was not possible. This problem was solved by the use of the item parcelling method. After the item parcelling was conducted and the factor analysis conducted, only seven out of the 13 factors loaded together as expected. All the parcels measuring these factors did not load together as expected and where necessary these factors were renamed and operationalised again. The sample data was summarised using descriptive statistics. The majority of respondents reported that they were satisfied with their jobs and almost half of the respondents reported being happy with their lives. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to establish the degree of relationship between the factors investigated in this study. After the Multiple Regression Analysis was conducted, it was found that three independent variables influence the Happiness of employees in the ICT industry, namely, Customer focus, Strategic direction and intent and Family orientation and atmosphere. Happiness was also found to have a positive influence on the Job satisfaction of ICT employees. The influence of various selected demographic variables on the dependent, mediating and independent variables was investigated by means of an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance between the differences in means scores was measured using the Bonferroni Post-hoc test. The Population group of the respondents, the Years of service and their Age group were found to significantly influence some of the independent variables and mediating variables investigated in this study. No relationship was found between any demographic variables and the dependent variable Job satisfaction. Limited studies on the influence of organisational culture on the happiness of nemployees and more particularly those in the ICT industry were found in the literature. This study has made a contribution to the field of happiness research by understanding the factors influencing the happiness and job satisfaction of employees in the ICT industry. As a result, the study presents recommendations and suggestions to assist ICT businesses to improve their organisational culture and at the same time enhance the happiness and job satisfaction of their employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Monetary policy transparency in Sub-Saharan Africa evidence and lessons
- Nhavira, John Davison Gondwe
- Authors: Nhavira, John Davison Gondwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Africa, Sub-Saharan , Banks and banking, Central -- Africa, Sub-Saharan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5262 , vital:20827
- Description: This research deals with achieving and maintaining price stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through the practice of monetary-policy transparency (MPT). On the one hand, MPT refers to a monetary strategy whereby the central bank is insulated from political influence and made accountable to society through disclosure of its policies, procedures, economic models, data and forecasts, operations and political practices (such as objectives, personnel independence, and the like). On the other hand, price stability refers to achieving and maintaining low and stable levels of inflation conducive for long-term planning and poverty alleviation. The primary objective of this research was to investigate MPT in SSA as it represents a powerful means whereby economic agents’ expectations may be coordinated and managed by the central bank to achieve its societal, objective function of low inflation. The empirical evidence shows that, first, a dependent central bank is more likely to slip into hyperinflation. Second, a SADC (2008) model central bank law is not independent enough to be used as a benchmark for any central bank or as a charter for a regional central bank. Third, the degree of central bank independence in SSA is relatively lower than that in industrialised economies. Fourth, the determinants of MPT in SSA are trade openness, and financial depth that are important factors influencing policy-makers to adopt monetary-policy transparency. Fifth, MPT is associated with a decline in the inflation rate. Sixth, MPT had no significant effect on economic output, whilst trade openness was positively associated with real GDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nhavira, John Davison Gondwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Africa, Sub-Saharan , Banks and banking, Central -- Africa, Sub-Saharan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5262 , vital:20827
- Description: This research deals with achieving and maintaining price stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through the practice of monetary-policy transparency (MPT). On the one hand, MPT refers to a monetary strategy whereby the central bank is insulated from political influence and made accountable to society through disclosure of its policies, procedures, economic models, data and forecasts, operations and political practices (such as objectives, personnel independence, and the like). On the other hand, price stability refers to achieving and maintaining low and stable levels of inflation conducive for long-term planning and poverty alleviation. The primary objective of this research was to investigate MPT in SSA as it represents a powerful means whereby economic agents’ expectations may be coordinated and managed by the central bank to achieve its societal, objective function of low inflation. The empirical evidence shows that, first, a dependent central bank is more likely to slip into hyperinflation. Second, a SADC (2008) model central bank law is not independent enough to be used as a benchmark for any central bank or as a charter for a regional central bank. Third, the degree of central bank independence in SSA is relatively lower than that in industrialised economies. Fourth, the determinants of MPT in SSA are trade openness, and financial depth that are important factors influencing policy-makers to adopt monetary-policy transparency. Fifth, MPT is associated with a decline in the inflation rate. Sixth, MPT had no significant effect on economic output, whilst trade openness was positively associated with real GDP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Boundary demarcation and community identity concerns: an investigation of the Matatiele boundary dispute
- Authors: Tyabazayo, Phumlani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Matatiele , Identity politics -- South Africa -- Matatiele , Matatiele (South Africa) -- Boundaries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8357 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021019
- Description: This treatise explores the Matatiele boundary demarcation dispute and, in particular, the role that unmet basic human needs play in this dispute. The subject of identity is also explored. In 2006, the government of South Africa decided that Matatiele should no longer be part of the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and instead should be incorporated into the province of the Eastern Cape. This decision divided the community of Matatiele into two groups; one was pro-KZN and the other, pro-Eastern Cape. In 2008, violence broke out between these two groups. The government’s decision and the resulting violence have created a situation of protracted conflict in the community of Matatiele with rivalries and antagonism being part of the fabric of the society. This treatise attempts to analyse this conflict and link it to the theory of basic human needs as advocated by conflict theorists such as John Burton and Johan Gultang. Human needs theorists hold the view that unmet psychological and physical needs are sources of social conflict and can lead to protracted conflict. This treatise also explores the efficacy of problem-solving workshops and referendums as conflict-resolution techniques for boundary demarcation disputes. The data were collected from unstructured, in-depth interviews with a sample of eleven respondents. The data indicate that there is a nexus between this conflict and the theory of basic human needs and that community-identity concerns are central to this dispute. The findings of this study suggest that the conflict is multi-faceted and that the underlying causes can be attributed to unmet human needs. The data was analysed using the grounded theory approach. This allowed the key causes of the conflict to be identified and subsequently informed the recommendations presented in the conclusion of this treatise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tyabazayo, Phumlani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Matatiele , Identity politics -- South Africa -- Matatiele , Matatiele (South Africa) -- Boundaries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8357 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021019
- Description: This treatise explores the Matatiele boundary demarcation dispute and, in particular, the role that unmet basic human needs play in this dispute. The subject of identity is also explored. In 2006, the government of South Africa decided that Matatiele should no longer be part of the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and instead should be incorporated into the province of the Eastern Cape. This decision divided the community of Matatiele into two groups; one was pro-KZN and the other, pro-Eastern Cape. In 2008, violence broke out between these two groups. The government’s decision and the resulting violence have created a situation of protracted conflict in the community of Matatiele with rivalries and antagonism being part of the fabric of the society. This treatise attempts to analyse this conflict and link it to the theory of basic human needs as advocated by conflict theorists such as John Burton and Johan Gultang. Human needs theorists hold the view that unmet psychological and physical needs are sources of social conflict and can lead to protracted conflict. This treatise also explores the efficacy of problem-solving workshops and referendums as conflict-resolution techniques for boundary demarcation disputes. The data were collected from unstructured, in-depth interviews with a sample of eleven respondents. The data indicate that there is a nexus between this conflict and the theory of basic human needs and that community-identity concerns are central to this dispute. The findings of this study suggest that the conflict is multi-faceted and that the underlying causes can be attributed to unmet human needs. The data was analysed using the grounded theory approach. This allowed the key causes of the conflict to be identified and subsequently informed the recommendations presented in the conclusion of this treatise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Property development: a lead-time management framework
- Authors: Stander, Ruan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Planned communities -- South Africa Land subdivision -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12703 , vital:27110
- Description: Property development is a complex activity, with a series of stages involving many players with differing objectives, all operating within the building cycle context and its interaction with business and credit cycles. Before developers commit to acquiring land and sign a building contract, they first evaluate the market to establish a project’s viability, and secure finance and planning consents. (Cadman and Topping, 1995: 27). The residential property developer must have a fair knowledge of the changes in the economy and be able to interpret data collected. This knowledge is critical in order to make good business decisions and for future project planning. Understanding the economic variables and the impact these have on households, provides knowledge to the consumer to assist with financial planning and future investment options (Vogel, 2012: 14). Currently, everyone is aware of the huge negative impact of the global economic crisis, especially concerning international investment companies in western countries. Many businesses have ceased operations and some investment banks have experienced large scale bankruptcy due to the economic crisis and resulting recession. The Chinese economy suffered losses in the crisis as well (Yiping, 2011: 6). Even though the export industry experienced a huge negative impact in the economic crisis, the Chinese government announced that GDP growth remained at 8.7% in 2009. The highest contributor towards the Chinese GDP growth was the real estate industry (Yiping, 2011: 6). Presently in China, the real estate industry is a new economic growth point and the main industry in its Gross Domestic Product. Currently, the real estate market in China is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges (Yiping, 2011: 6). From the above-mentioned statement by Yiping (2011: 6), it is evident that property development plays a major role in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of global economies worldwide as well as in South Africa and that change in the supply and demand value of property impacts the performance of the property market. In times of property booms, the property market escalates and there is an under supply of property. This makes it a seller’s market, which stimulates the economy, as was the case during the period of 2004 to 2008. When the property bust hit in 2009, the world experienced an inevitable downturn in economic markets. This was known as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and was due to various factors such as: increased interest rates; increase of stricter mortgage bond approvals; recession and other possible financial regulatory factors. A downturn in property prices became evident and property development was negatively impacted (Reed, Sims and Cadman, 2015). This impact on the property sector caused a relative over supply of property, making it a limited buyer’s market and forced real estate agents, property developers and owners to decrease the price of property thus negatively affecting the GDP of the economy. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature as well as an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted with the use of a quantitative statistical approach. In this study, research questionnaires as a data collection tool were distributed to members of the sample population. The primary objective of the study was to develop a framework for the successful delivery of residential developments in South Africa, especially in the context of time. A descriptive survey was conducted among professional property development practitioners, real estate agencies, conveyancers and project managers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Stander, Ruan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Planned communities -- South Africa Land subdivision -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12703 , vital:27110
- Description: Property development is a complex activity, with a series of stages involving many players with differing objectives, all operating within the building cycle context and its interaction with business and credit cycles. Before developers commit to acquiring land and sign a building contract, they first evaluate the market to establish a project’s viability, and secure finance and planning consents. (Cadman and Topping, 1995: 27). The residential property developer must have a fair knowledge of the changes in the economy and be able to interpret data collected. This knowledge is critical in order to make good business decisions and for future project planning. Understanding the economic variables and the impact these have on households, provides knowledge to the consumer to assist with financial planning and future investment options (Vogel, 2012: 14). Currently, everyone is aware of the huge negative impact of the global economic crisis, especially concerning international investment companies in western countries. Many businesses have ceased operations and some investment banks have experienced large scale bankruptcy due to the economic crisis and resulting recession. The Chinese economy suffered losses in the crisis as well (Yiping, 2011: 6). Even though the export industry experienced a huge negative impact in the economic crisis, the Chinese government announced that GDP growth remained at 8.7% in 2009. The highest contributor towards the Chinese GDP growth was the real estate industry (Yiping, 2011: 6). Presently in China, the real estate industry is a new economic growth point and the main industry in its Gross Domestic Product. Currently, the real estate market in China is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges (Yiping, 2011: 6). From the above-mentioned statement by Yiping (2011: 6), it is evident that property development plays a major role in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of global economies worldwide as well as in South Africa and that change in the supply and demand value of property impacts the performance of the property market. In times of property booms, the property market escalates and there is an under supply of property. This makes it a seller’s market, which stimulates the economy, as was the case during the period of 2004 to 2008. When the property bust hit in 2009, the world experienced an inevitable downturn in economic markets. This was known as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and was due to various factors such as: increased interest rates; increase of stricter mortgage bond approvals; recession and other possible financial regulatory factors. A downturn in property prices became evident and property development was negatively impacted (Reed, Sims and Cadman, 2015). This impact on the property sector caused a relative over supply of property, making it a limited buyer’s market and forced real estate agents, property developers and owners to decrease the price of property thus negatively affecting the GDP of the economy. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature as well as an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted with the use of a quantitative statistical approach. In this study, research questionnaires as a data collection tool were distributed to members of the sample population. The primary objective of the study was to develop a framework for the successful delivery of residential developments in South Africa, especially in the context of time. A descriptive survey was conducted among professional property development practitioners, real estate agencies, conveyancers and project managers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An investigation of urban agriculture projects as a local economic development mechanism to alleviate poverty in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Khomo, Phumelelo Edwin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Prevention , Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Economic aspects , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1596 , Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Prevention , Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Economic aspects , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Description: Around the globe, towns and cities are growing rapidly in developing countries due to migration. The rate of urban growth outweighs job creation and the ability of most governments to provide basic services and infrastructure. The process of migration often precipitates into high levels of poverty and hunger, leading many urban dwellers to engage in agricultural activities to help themselves in satisfying their food need. The context of the research area is the NMBM townships where urban agriculture projects are taking place. There are three urban agriculture projects that were selected for this study and these are located in three different townships within the NMBM. Two of these projects are located in the Port Elizabeth area, which are the Emmanuel Haven Hydroponics Project, which is located in Motherwell Township, and the Walmer Hydroponics Co-operative that is in Walmer Township. The third project is located in the Uitenhage area near Kwa Nobuhle Township and that is the Tinarha Agriculture Tourism Initiative (TATI). The discussion in this research focuses on the NMBM poverty alleviation projects in the form of urban agriculture as a key driver of LED. The discussion also focuses on different factors that are required for urban agriculture projects to be effective and sustainable in the NMBM. Five project participants from each project responded to a structured questionnaire. Two municipal officials, the Agricultural Technician and the Urban Agriculture Director were interviewed and responded to a separate structured questionnaire. The third official, Assistant Director for Economic Development and Recreational Services was not interviewed but completed a questionnaire. The aim of the interviews was to determine the following from the project participants: (i) The impact of the projects in their livelihood; (ii) The role of the projects in creating employment; (iii) The views of the project participants regarding the sustainability of the projects. vi The aim of the interviews was to determine the following from the municipal managers: (i) The approach of the NMBM to urban agriculture initiatives as a LED strategy; (ii) The role of NMBM to ensure sustainability of the urban agriculture projects. The theoretical base that underpins this research hinges on four theoretical approaches: the basic needs approach, the people-centred development approach, the participation approach and the sustainable development approach. The research method that was chosen for this study is qualitative method included the following data collection instruments a literature review, a documentary analysis, a survey using questionnaires and interviews with project participants and municipal officials responsible for urban agriculture in the NMBM. The literature review formed the conceptual basis against which the information gained from documentary analysis, interviews and questionnaires were analysed. The projects that participated in the study were formed, amongst others, to alleviate poverty, thereby serving one of the basic needs which is food. Food is one of the basic needs in terms of Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Needs. The data collected in this study revealed that the three projects helped the project participants a great deal in meeting their basic needs, especially the food need. Therefore, there is a direct connection between the Basic Needs theory and the rationale behind the formation of these projects. In conclusion, the researcher has been able to draw a link between the theoretical underpinnings of the study and the practice as represented by experiences of the group sample. The researcher has also been able to demonstrate how the aims and the objectives of the study have been met.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Khomo, Phumelelo Edwin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Prevention , Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Economic aspects , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1596 , Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Prevention , Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Economic aspects , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Description: Around the globe, towns and cities are growing rapidly in developing countries due to migration. The rate of urban growth outweighs job creation and the ability of most governments to provide basic services and infrastructure. The process of migration often precipitates into high levels of poverty and hunger, leading many urban dwellers to engage in agricultural activities to help themselves in satisfying their food need. The context of the research area is the NMBM townships where urban agriculture projects are taking place. There are three urban agriculture projects that were selected for this study and these are located in three different townships within the NMBM. Two of these projects are located in the Port Elizabeth area, which are the Emmanuel Haven Hydroponics Project, which is located in Motherwell Township, and the Walmer Hydroponics Co-operative that is in Walmer Township. The third project is located in the Uitenhage area near Kwa Nobuhle Township and that is the Tinarha Agriculture Tourism Initiative (TATI). The discussion in this research focuses on the NMBM poverty alleviation projects in the form of urban agriculture as a key driver of LED. The discussion also focuses on different factors that are required for urban agriculture projects to be effective and sustainable in the NMBM. Five project participants from each project responded to a structured questionnaire. Two municipal officials, the Agricultural Technician and the Urban Agriculture Director were interviewed and responded to a separate structured questionnaire. The third official, Assistant Director for Economic Development and Recreational Services was not interviewed but completed a questionnaire. The aim of the interviews was to determine the following from the project participants: (i) The impact of the projects in their livelihood; (ii) The role of the projects in creating employment; (iii) The views of the project participants regarding the sustainability of the projects. vi The aim of the interviews was to determine the following from the municipal managers: (i) The approach of the NMBM to urban agriculture initiatives as a LED strategy; (ii) The role of NMBM to ensure sustainability of the urban agriculture projects. The theoretical base that underpins this research hinges on four theoretical approaches: the basic needs approach, the people-centred development approach, the participation approach and the sustainable development approach. The research method that was chosen for this study is qualitative method included the following data collection instruments a literature review, a documentary analysis, a survey using questionnaires and interviews with project participants and municipal officials responsible for urban agriculture in the NMBM. The literature review formed the conceptual basis against which the information gained from documentary analysis, interviews and questionnaires were analysed. The projects that participated in the study were formed, amongst others, to alleviate poverty, thereby serving one of the basic needs which is food. Food is one of the basic needs in terms of Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Needs. The data collected in this study revealed that the three projects helped the project participants a great deal in meeting their basic needs, especially the food need. Therefore, there is a direct connection between the Basic Needs theory and the rationale behind the formation of these projects. In conclusion, the researcher has been able to draw a link between the theoretical underpinnings of the study and the practice as represented by experiences of the group sample. The researcher has also been able to demonstrate how the aims and the objectives of the study have been met.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Enhancing the organisational culture at Spar Eastern Cape: a case study
- Authors: Dick, Siyolo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teams in the workplace -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chain stores -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020804
- Description: SPAR Eastern Cape is a special organisation. It is an extraordinary place to work and have fun at. The organisation celebrated its twentieth “birthday” in 2013. Operating in a very difficult sector, this business has done extremely well in establishing itself as one of the leading businesses in the Eastern Cape. The success of this incredible business is driven by employees from all levels. With an extreme conviction in the apothegm that “none of us is as smart as all of us”, the organisation is built around high performance teams through a unique culture called: Amafela Ndawonye (referred to as Amafela hereafter). “Amafela” has been in operation at SPAR Eastern Cape since the organisation’s inauguration in 1993. Organisational cultures are dynamic. Organisational cultures shift, incrementally and constantly, in response to external and internal changes. Trying to assess an organisational culture is therefore complicated by the reality that one is trying to hit a moving target. However, a possibility exists that culture enhancement can be managed as a continuous process rather than big shifts (often in response to a crisis). A stable destination with regards to organisational culture should never be reached. The culture of an organisation should always be learning and developing. This prompted the researcher to ask the question, as an organisation responds to internal and external changes; can it lose its relevancy in the process? The primary objective of this research is to determine whether the commitment to the culture of “Amafela” and relevancy thereof at SPAR Eastern Cape is declining. The first step in achieving this objective was an in-depth theoretical study. The second step, and in order to achieve this objective, was an empirical survey conducted to canvas the opinions of (N= 149) respondents at SPAR Eastern Cape. The main findings of this research conducted at SPAR Eastern Cape can be summarised as follows: The organisational culture was assessed according to how respondents interpret the organisation’s existing organisational culture, and thus underlining areas in need of enhancement. In general the outcome of the survey exhibited that a large number of employees at SPAR Eastern Cape denoted that the culture of “Amafela” is still strong and is still relevant in the organisation. In this research, good to excellent levels of consistency for all eleven factors of “Amafela” were achieved. The items are therefore parallel in the test. Organisational leaders will influence the function of the people within the organisation. Moreover, leadership will set the present and future course of the company. This research articulates a correlation between leadership and “Amafela” factors. The eleven dimensions of the “Amafela” factors ranked according from favourable to less favourable. Customer focus emerged as the factor which most respondents agreed and strongly agreed with. It can be concluded then, that the culture of “Amafela Ndawonye” at SPAR Eastern Cape has the full support of the employees and is still relevant in the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Dick, Siyolo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teams in the workplace -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chain stores -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020804
- Description: SPAR Eastern Cape is a special organisation. It is an extraordinary place to work and have fun at. The organisation celebrated its twentieth “birthday” in 2013. Operating in a very difficult sector, this business has done extremely well in establishing itself as one of the leading businesses in the Eastern Cape. The success of this incredible business is driven by employees from all levels. With an extreme conviction in the apothegm that “none of us is as smart as all of us”, the organisation is built around high performance teams through a unique culture called: Amafela Ndawonye (referred to as Amafela hereafter). “Amafela” has been in operation at SPAR Eastern Cape since the organisation’s inauguration in 1993. Organisational cultures are dynamic. Organisational cultures shift, incrementally and constantly, in response to external and internal changes. Trying to assess an organisational culture is therefore complicated by the reality that one is trying to hit a moving target. However, a possibility exists that culture enhancement can be managed as a continuous process rather than big shifts (often in response to a crisis). A stable destination with regards to organisational culture should never be reached. The culture of an organisation should always be learning and developing. This prompted the researcher to ask the question, as an organisation responds to internal and external changes; can it lose its relevancy in the process? The primary objective of this research is to determine whether the commitment to the culture of “Amafela” and relevancy thereof at SPAR Eastern Cape is declining. The first step in achieving this objective was an in-depth theoretical study. The second step, and in order to achieve this objective, was an empirical survey conducted to canvas the opinions of (N= 149) respondents at SPAR Eastern Cape. The main findings of this research conducted at SPAR Eastern Cape can be summarised as follows: The organisational culture was assessed according to how respondents interpret the organisation’s existing organisational culture, and thus underlining areas in need of enhancement. In general the outcome of the survey exhibited that a large number of employees at SPAR Eastern Cape denoted that the culture of “Amafela” is still strong and is still relevant in the organisation. In this research, good to excellent levels of consistency for all eleven factors of “Amafela” were achieved. The items are therefore parallel in the test. Organisational leaders will influence the function of the people within the organisation. Moreover, leadership will set the present and future course of the company. This research articulates a correlation between leadership and “Amafela” factors. The eleven dimensions of the “Amafela” factors ranked according from favourable to less favourable. Customer focus emerged as the factor which most respondents agreed and strongly agreed with. It can be concluded then, that the culture of “Amafela Ndawonye” at SPAR Eastern Cape has the full support of the employees and is still relevant in the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Strategies to improve the representation of black women in senior levels within the South African banking industry
- Authors: Peacock, Brenda Thandiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women bankers -- South Africa Bank management -- Women -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Minorities -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19695 , vital:28936
- Description: The main purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate strategies to improve the representation of black females in senior levels within the South African banking industry. This was done through investigating the challenges that black women face in their career advancement within the banking industry and the strategies which currently exist and can be implemented to improve this representation. In as much as the research is aimed at seeking strategies to improve black women representation in senior positions, it also seeks to understand the barriers experienced by black women in different levels within the industry as these levels serve as a pipeline for senior management. This problem was addressed through answering the research objectives. The research objectives were achieved through conducting a literature review to explore the existing research topic and conducting an empirical study. Empirical evidence was obtained through conducting semi-structured interviews with seven black women who are currently working in the banking sector. Semi-structured interviews were used due to the target population being specific to black women as well as the need to acquire in-depth knowledge from black women of their experiences in climbing the corporate ladder in the sector. The key findings of the research found that the participant’s perception was that black women were at the bottom, that black women were displaying behaviours that were inhibiting their progress to senior positions. The study also found that black women struggled to advance to senior positions due to different challenges that they encountered. The study is finalised by the participants providing recommendations in terms of how the representation of black women could be improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Peacock, Brenda Thandiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women bankers -- South Africa Bank management -- Women -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Minorities -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19695 , vital:28936
- Description: The main purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate strategies to improve the representation of black females in senior levels within the South African banking industry. This was done through investigating the challenges that black women face in their career advancement within the banking industry and the strategies which currently exist and can be implemented to improve this representation. In as much as the research is aimed at seeking strategies to improve black women representation in senior positions, it also seeks to understand the barriers experienced by black women in different levels within the industry as these levels serve as a pipeline for senior management. This problem was addressed through answering the research objectives. The research objectives were achieved through conducting a literature review to explore the existing research topic and conducting an empirical study. Empirical evidence was obtained through conducting semi-structured interviews with seven black women who are currently working in the banking sector. Semi-structured interviews were used due to the target population being specific to black women as well as the need to acquire in-depth knowledge from black women of their experiences in climbing the corporate ladder in the sector. The key findings of the research found that the participant’s perception was that black women were at the bottom, that black women were displaying behaviours that were inhibiting their progress to senior positions. The study also found that black women struggled to advance to senior positions due to different challenges that they encountered. The study is finalised by the participants providing recommendations in terms of how the representation of black women could be improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Simulation and visualization platform integrated under hardware control systems for a reconfigurable process control
- Zata, Ngonidzashe Munyaradzi, Fernandes, John Manuel
- Authors: Zata, Ngonidzashe Munyaradzi , Fernandes, John Manuel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mechatronics -- Students Engineering students User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13349 , vital:27177
- Description: Simulation and visualization platform integrated under hardware control systems for a reconfigurable process control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zata, Ngonidzashe Munyaradzi , Fernandes, John Manuel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mechatronics -- Students Engineering students User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13349 , vital:27177
- Description: Simulation and visualization platform integrated under hardware control systems for a reconfigurable process control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Investigating the relationship between the social phenomenon of Facebook and narcissistic socio-cultural tendencies
- Authors: Zdanow, Carla
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Facebook (Electronic resource) , Narcissism , Self , Culture , Online social networks -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8377 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1445 , Facebook (Electronic resource) , Narcissism , Self , Culture , Online social networks -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa
- Description: Narcissism is increasingly being regarded as one of the biggest socio-cultural problems of the contemporary era. Indeed, recent studies by Baldwin and Stroman (2007) and Buffardi and Campbell (2008), among others, have advanced that new media technologies – in particular social networking websites – have significantly exacerbated the rise and spread of narcissism in contemporary society. Based on this premise, namely that social media provide the perfect platform for the promotion of self-infatuation, this research project will provide a critical analysis of the potential influence of social media in the development of a widespread narcissistic socio-cultural condition. In this regard, claims that increasingly consumerist, individualist and media-saturated societies are nurturing a culture of extreme narcissism, vanity and entitlement, will be examined in relation to an increase in the use of consumerorientated new media technologies. In particular, by examining the structural components of the popular social networking site, Facebook, this treatise will highlight the connection between the use of this form of new media and the engenderment of an acutely consumerist and narcissistic subjectivity – namely, commodity narcissism. That is, by examining the growth of narcissism from the 1940s through to the new millennium, the role of the media, and most recently new media technologies, in the promotion of commodity narcissism will be examined as factors of particular significance in the formation of contemporary subjectivity. In relation to this, the impact of commodity narcissism on the perpetuation and propagation of capitalist isolation, alienation and insecurity will be investigated with a view to exploring the potential impact of such narcissism on the efficacy of the democratic process. Finally, some remedial measures, which co-opt rather than negate such social media, will be proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Zdanow, Carla
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Facebook (Electronic resource) , Narcissism , Self , Culture , Online social networks -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8377 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1445 , Facebook (Electronic resource) , Narcissism , Self , Culture , Online social networks -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa
- Description: Narcissism is increasingly being regarded as one of the biggest socio-cultural problems of the contemporary era. Indeed, recent studies by Baldwin and Stroman (2007) and Buffardi and Campbell (2008), among others, have advanced that new media technologies – in particular social networking websites – have significantly exacerbated the rise and spread of narcissism in contemporary society. Based on this premise, namely that social media provide the perfect platform for the promotion of self-infatuation, this research project will provide a critical analysis of the potential influence of social media in the development of a widespread narcissistic socio-cultural condition. In this regard, claims that increasingly consumerist, individualist and media-saturated societies are nurturing a culture of extreme narcissism, vanity and entitlement, will be examined in relation to an increase in the use of consumerorientated new media technologies. In particular, by examining the structural components of the popular social networking site, Facebook, this treatise will highlight the connection between the use of this form of new media and the engenderment of an acutely consumerist and narcissistic subjectivity – namely, commodity narcissism. That is, by examining the growth of narcissism from the 1940s through to the new millennium, the role of the media, and most recently new media technologies, in the promotion of commodity narcissism will be examined as factors of particular significance in the formation of contemporary subjectivity. In relation to this, the impact of commodity narcissism on the perpetuation and propagation of capitalist isolation, alienation and insecurity will be investigated with a view to exploring the potential impact of such narcissism on the efficacy of the democratic process. Finally, some remedial measures, which co-opt rather than negate such social media, will be proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation into the use of guidelines and patterns in the interaction design process
- Authors: Cowley, Niel Lester Orr
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1062 , Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Design guidelines are used in interaction design (IxD) for physical design and for evaluating the usability of designs and interactive products. Guidelines are widely used for physical design and evaluation, but have a number of problems. IxD patterns have been proposed as an alternative to guidelines, as they are claimed to have several advantages over guidelines. A small number of empirical studies provide evidence that patterns are beneficial when used in IxD. Additional research on the usefulness of IxD patterns is required. The primary research question investigated in this thesis was thus: How useful are IxD patterns as physical design and evaluation aids in IxD, as compared to design guidelines? The role of guidelines and patterns as design and evaluation aids in IxD was investigated and a comparison of guidelines and patterns, based on a set of guideline and pattern properties, was conducted. The concept of pattern and guideline usefulness was explored and a research agenda for guidelines and patterns was identified, together with a set of research questions for an empirical study. The empirical study of the use of patterns for evaluation, redesign and new design, as compared to guidelines, was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2004. The participants were a purposive sample of post-graduate Computing students, who were regarded as novice interaction designers. Two equivalent groups were formed, one that used patterns and one that used guidelines. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used as evaluation aids. Guidelines and patterns were identified as effective tools for identifying and explaining usability issues and design features. Best-effort matched sets of guidelines and patterns produced substantially different result sets when used to identify issues and features, with fairly low overlap. A substantial evaluator effect was observed for the use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation, and the results obtained were similar to those obtained by Molich et al. in their Comparative Usability Evaluation (CUE) studies. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for evaluation. Patterns were found to be more effective than guidelines for redesign. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used for new design. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for new design. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for redesign and new design. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for design. There was no statistically significant difference between the perceived usefulness of the format, content, ease of learning, and usefulness as personal and shared design languages, of guidelines and patterns. Both participant groups were equally agreeable to using guidelines and patterns in the future. The perceived usefulness of pattern collections was found to depend on the usability of the collection interface and the content quality of the patterns. The results of the empirical study thus provided empirical evidence that patterns were as useful as guidelines for evaluation and new design, and were perceived as positively as guidelines were. Patterns were found to be superior to guidelines for redesign. Patterns can therefore be used with a measure of confidence as early stage design aids for physical design and evaluation in the future. In addition to these findings, a number of opportunities for further research were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cowley, Niel Lester Orr
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1062 , Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Design guidelines are used in interaction design (IxD) for physical design and for evaluating the usability of designs and interactive products. Guidelines are widely used for physical design and evaluation, but have a number of problems. IxD patterns have been proposed as an alternative to guidelines, as they are claimed to have several advantages over guidelines. A small number of empirical studies provide evidence that patterns are beneficial when used in IxD. Additional research on the usefulness of IxD patterns is required. The primary research question investigated in this thesis was thus: How useful are IxD patterns as physical design and evaluation aids in IxD, as compared to design guidelines? The role of guidelines and patterns as design and evaluation aids in IxD was investigated and a comparison of guidelines and patterns, based on a set of guideline and pattern properties, was conducted. The concept of pattern and guideline usefulness was explored and a research agenda for guidelines and patterns was identified, together with a set of research questions for an empirical study. The empirical study of the use of patterns for evaluation, redesign and new design, as compared to guidelines, was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2004. The participants were a purposive sample of post-graduate Computing students, who were regarded as novice interaction designers. Two equivalent groups were formed, one that used patterns and one that used guidelines. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used as evaluation aids. Guidelines and patterns were identified as effective tools for identifying and explaining usability issues and design features. Best-effort matched sets of guidelines and patterns produced substantially different result sets when used to identify issues and features, with fairly low overlap. A substantial evaluator effect was observed for the use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation, and the results obtained were similar to those obtained by Molich et al. in their Comparative Usability Evaluation (CUE) studies. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for evaluation. Patterns were found to be more effective than guidelines for redesign. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used for new design. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for new design. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for redesign and new design. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for design. There was no statistically significant difference between the perceived usefulness of the format, content, ease of learning, and usefulness as personal and shared design languages, of guidelines and patterns. Both participant groups were equally agreeable to using guidelines and patterns in the future. The perceived usefulness of pattern collections was found to depend on the usability of the collection interface and the content quality of the patterns. The results of the empirical study thus provided empirical evidence that patterns were as useful as guidelines for evaluation and new design, and were perceived as positively as guidelines were. Patterns were found to be superior to guidelines for redesign. Patterns can therefore be used with a measure of confidence as early stage design aids for physical design and evaluation in the future. In addition to these findings, a number of opportunities for further research were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Small town regeneration as a strategy for rural development : case study of Keiskammahoek
- Authors: Qayi, Sandiswa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa Case studies , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1361 , Rural development -- South Africa Case studies , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the research topic, conceptualising and defining three critical concepts that the research will focus on. The first part deals with the South African understanding of local economic development, rural development, as well as the role of small towns to local economic development. In order to present the role of small towns in rural economic development it is important to define and contextualise the current meaning and understanding of rural development and local economic development. How small towns can promote the role of rural economic development particularly in relation to their surrounding rural villages. The chapter also briefly introduces the small town of Keiskammahoek as research study area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Qayi, Sandiswa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa Case studies , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1361 , Rural development -- South Africa Case studies , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the research topic, conceptualising and defining three critical concepts that the research will focus on. The first part deals with the South African understanding of local economic development, rural development, as well as the role of small towns to local economic development. In order to present the role of small towns in rural economic development it is important to define and contextualise the current meaning and understanding of rural development and local economic development. How small towns can promote the role of rural economic development particularly in relation to their surrounding rural villages. The chapter also briefly introduces the small town of Keiskammahoek as research study area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Genetic algorithm for Artificial Neural Network training for the purpose of Automated Part Recognition
- Authors: Buys, Stefan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Genetic algorithms , Software architecture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008356 , Genetic algorithms , Software architecture
- Description: Object or part recognition is of major interest in industrial environments. Current methods implement expensive camera based solutions. There is a need for a cost effective alternative to be developed. One of the proposed methods is to overcome the hardware, camera, problem by implementing a software solution. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are to be used as the underlying intelligent software as they have high tolerance for noise and have the ability to generalize. A colleague has implemented a basic ANN based system comprising of an ANN and three cost effective laser distance sensors. However, the system is only able to identify 3 different parts and needed hard coding changes made by trial and error. This is not practical for industrial use in a production environment where there are a large quantity of different parts to be identified that change relatively regularly. The ability to easily train more parts is required. Difficulties associated with traditional mathematically guided training methods are discussed, which leads to the development of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based evolutionary training method that overcomes these difficulties and makes accurate part recognition possible. An ANN hybridised with GA training is introduced and a general solution encoding scheme which is used to encode the required ANN connection weights. Experimental tests were performed in order to determine the ideal GA performance and control parameters as studies have indicated that different GA control parameters can lead to large differences in training accuracy. After performing these tests, the training accuracy was analyzed by investigation into GA performance as well as hardware based part recognition performance. This analysis identified the ideal GA control parameters when training an ANN for the purpose of part recognition and showed that the ANN generally trained well and could generalize well on data not presented to it during training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Buys, Stefan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Genetic algorithms , Software architecture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008356 , Genetic algorithms , Software architecture
- Description: Object or part recognition is of major interest in industrial environments. Current methods implement expensive camera based solutions. There is a need for a cost effective alternative to be developed. One of the proposed methods is to overcome the hardware, camera, problem by implementing a software solution. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are to be used as the underlying intelligent software as they have high tolerance for noise and have the ability to generalize. A colleague has implemented a basic ANN based system comprising of an ANN and three cost effective laser distance sensors. However, the system is only able to identify 3 different parts and needed hard coding changes made by trial and error. This is not practical for industrial use in a production environment where there are a large quantity of different parts to be identified that change relatively regularly. The ability to easily train more parts is required. Difficulties associated with traditional mathematically guided training methods are discussed, which leads to the development of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based evolutionary training method that overcomes these difficulties and makes accurate part recognition possible. An ANN hybridised with GA training is introduced and a general solution encoding scheme which is used to encode the required ANN connection weights. Experimental tests were performed in order to determine the ideal GA performance and control parameters as studies have indicated that different GA control parameters can lead to large differences in training accuracy. After performing these tests, the training accuracy was analyzed by investigation into GA performance as well as hardware based part recognition performance. This analysis identified the ideal GA control parameters when training an ANN for the purpose of part recognition and showed that the ANN generally trained well and could generalize well on data not presented to it during training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012