Main thesis title: Onderwysers se belewing van multikulturele onderwys
- Authors: Strydom, Louise
- Date: 1999-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60003 , vital:62732
- Description: The South African Schools’ Act of 1996 terminated segregated education in South Africa. Multi-cultural education has become a reality in the new democratic South Africa. As a result of this major shift in policy, the researcher probed for an answer to the following question: “How does the teacher, especially the teacher already in service, experience this new situation regarding multi-cultural education?” To find an answer to this question, a literature study and empirical research, making use of a representative sample of respondents in the Southern Cape, were undertaken. The researcher has personally experienced the challenges of having to adapt from a mono-cultural teaching environment to a multi-cultural teaching environment at school level, hence a further interest in this research problem. Relevant terminology was highlighted and a brief historical synopsis of the course that multi-cultural education took in Western societies such as the USA, Canada, Australia and Britain was studied. These sources were utilised to draw a comparison with the South African situation. A concise synopsis of the history of multi-cultural education in South Africa was also undertaken to highlight the complexity of the educational situation presently being experienced in South Africa. The empirical research, with a target group representing teachers in the Southern Cape, was undertaken by means of a self-compiled questionnaire to make an analysis of teachers’ attitudes, expectations and perceptions of multi-cultural education as experienced in the classroom. The information obtained from the respondents indicated a generally positive attitude towards multi-cultural education amongst teachers. A great need for in-service training also became evident. xvi The researcher has thus made recommendations regarding in-service training that she thinks is of utmost importance. The practical problems that were highlighted during the research, make a vital contribution towards the successful implementation of multi-cultural education in South Africa. , Thesis (DEd) -- Faculty of Education, 1999
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999-04
- Authors: Strydom, Louise
- Date: 1999-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60003 , vital:62732
- Description: The South African Schools’ Act of 1996 terminated segregated education in South Africa. Multi-cultural education has become a reality in the new democratic South Africa. As a result of this major shift in policy, the researcher probed for an answer to the following question: “How does the teacher, especially the teacher already in service, experience this new situation regarding multi-cultural education?” To find an answer to this question, a literature study and empirical research, making use of a representative sample of respondents in the Southern Cape, were undertaken. The researcher has personally experienced the challenges of having to adapt from a mono-cultural teaching environment to a multi-cultural teaching environment at school level, hence a further interest in this research problem. Relevant terminology was highlighted and a brief historical synopsis of the course that multi-cultural education took in Western societies such as the USA, Canada, Australia and Britain was studied. These sources were utilised to draw a comparison with the South African situation. A concise synopsis of the history of multi-cultural education in South Africa was also undertaken to highlight the complexity of the educational situation presently being experienced in South Africa. The empirical research, with a target group representing teachers in the Southern Cape, was undertaken by means of a self-compiled questionnaire to make an analysis of teachers’ attitudes, expectations and perceptions of multi-cultural education as experienced in the classroom. The information obtained from the respondents indicated a generally positive attitude towards multi-cultural education amongst teachers. A great need for in-service training also became evident. xvi The researcher has thus made recommendations regarding in-service training that she thinks is of utmost importance. The practical problems that were highlighted during the research, make a vital contribution towards the successful implementation of multi-cultural education in South Africa. , Thesis (DEd) -- Faculty of Education, 1999
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999-04
The impact of talent management on profitability at Business Connexion
- Authors: Mbulawa, Xolani
- Date: 2013-11
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53337 , vital:45139
- Description: Human resource is seen as one of the key organisational factors for business success. The latest focus in the business arena has been how talent can be optimised to improve business success. When one reflects and looks back from the 1940s to the 1980s, it is clear that HR was not seen as a business unit that could impact profitability. It is clear in the literature that from the 1900s HR has evolved to being a business partner and a catalyst to improving financial performance within organisations. This has predominately been driven by HR ensuring the attraction and retention of high potential employees who can contribute to profits. The study’s focal point is whether talent management components impact profitability. The selected talent management components for this study are namely talent strategy, talent recruitment, talent development, performance management, talent retention, and succession planning. A strong belief exist that poor implementation of talent management components impedes on companies reaching optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this study will argue the importance of talent management components as a strategic obligation in the current competitive war for talent. Business reality demands that companies should ensure having current and future talent needs addressed if they want to stay competitive. The war for talent has led to companies fighting for high potential talent, not only through remuneration packages ,but taking into account other talent management components that encompasses aspects such as work-life balance, better performance management linked to rewards and incentives , challenging work, succession planning etc. The researcher took a view to have this study done within BCX who is an employer of the researcher. The hypothesis utilised is the application of talent management components as an approach and process to facilitate profitability within BCX. Research shows that most companies are taking talent management very serious and are fully aware of its impact to productivity and profitability. Businesses in the service industry identified that implementing talent management processes and approaches is vital to competitive edge and profitability. However many companies are still struggling to reach the real understanding of what it meant by talent management. The research data indicates that most respondents are fully aware of the importance of these components. However at BCX, either they are unaware, uncertain on some of the talent components within the company and are unsure of the existence of these components and their impact to profitability. The literature reviewed in chapter two deliberates talent management components assessed in the questionnaire as imperative in contributing to profitability. Business Connexion does not implement these components to the extent of success. However some of the components are well implemented and managed such as performance management. Managers at Business Connexion to some extent have conflicting views of how the company is implementing these components and on their impact to profitability. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-11
- Authors: Mbulawa, Xolani
- Date: 2013-11
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53337 , vital:45139
- Description: Human resource is seen as one of the key organisational factors for business success. The latest focus in the business arena has been how talent can be optimised to improve business success. When one reflects and looks back from the 1940s to the 1980s, it is clear that HR was not seen as a business unit that could impact profitability. It is clear in the literature that from the 1900s HR has evolved to being a business partner and a catalyst to improving financial performance within organisations. This has predominately been driven by HR ensuring the attraction and retention of high potential employees who can contribute to profits. The study’s focal point is whether talent management components impact profitability. The selected talent management components for this study are namely talent strategy, talent recruitment, talent development, performance management, talent retention, and succession planning. A strong belief exist that poor implementation of talent management components impedes on companies reaching optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this study will argue the importance of talent management components as a strategic obligation in the current competitive war for talent. Business reality demands that companies should ensure having current and future talent needs addressed if they want to stay competitive. The war for talent has led to companies fighting for high potential talent, not only through remuneration packages ,but taking into account other talent management components that encompasses aspects such as work-life balance, better performance management linked to rewards and incentives , challenging work, succession planning etc. The researcher took a view to have this study done within BCX who is an employer of the researcher. The hypothesis utilised is the application of talent management components as an approach and process to facilitate profitability within BCX. Research shows that most companies are taking talent management very serious and are fully aware of its impact to productivity and profitability. Businesses in the service industry identified that implementing talent management processes and approaches is vital to competitive edge and profitability. However many companies are still struggling to reach the real understanding of what it meant by talent management. The research data indicates that most respondents are fully aware of the importance of these components. However at BCX, either they are unaware, uncertain on some of the talent components within the company and are unsure of the existence of these components and their impact to profitability. The literature reviewed in chapter two deliberates talent management components assessed in the questionnaire as imperative in contributing to profitability. Business Connexion does not implement these components to the extent of success. However some of the components are well implemented and managed such as performance management. Managers at Business Connexion to some extent have conflicting views of how the company is implementing these components and on their impact to profitability. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-11
Possible futures for the African built environment towards 2050
- Authors: Adendorff, Gillian Lorraine
- Date: 2014-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53325 , vital:45136
- Description: Purpose –The purpose of this thesis is to develop four scenarios for Africa’s built environment over the nextfortyyears: The ”Angel” or “Good Governance”Scenario,in which positive elements become a realisation for Africa’s built environment and are conjointly favourable; The “Dwarf” or “Uneven African Development”Scenario, in which key driving forces unfold inan uneven pattern, or have a differentiated impact on Africa’s built environment; The “Elf” or Bad Governance Scenario,in which less good governance prevails, but where a fortunate built environment and securemanagement allowsAfrica to become competitive and benefit from satisfactory economic growth;and The “Hobgoblin” or “Business and Governance as usual” Scenario,in which negative regional drivers of change corrode positive policies and initiatives in a manner which compounds the pre-existing threats of Africa’s built environment development.Design/Methodology/Approach –The goal of this thesis is not only to affirm what is already known and knowable regardingwhat is happening right now at the intersections of Africa and its built environment development, but also to explore the many ways in which environmental scanning and built environment development could co-involve,both push and inhibit each other,in the future. Thereafter, this thesis beginsto examine what possible paths may be implicatedfor Africa’s poor and vulnerable built environment. Scenario planning is a methodology designed to help researchers, organisations and even nations alike through this creative process. This thesis begins to identifydriversof change, and then combines these driversin different ways to create a set of scenarios regardinghow the future built environment of Africa could evolve.Practical implications –This thesis provides a useful insight regardingdrivers for change for Africa’s built environment,and how to anticipate these changes in the mostcurrentScenario planning.Originality/Value –This thesis addressesthe future of Africa’s built environment from a decision maker’s point of view over the next 40 years. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-04
- Authors: Adendorff, Gillian Lorraine
- Date: 2014-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53325 , vital:45136
- Description: Purpose –The purpose of this thesis is to develop four scenarios for Africa’s built environment over the nextfortyyears: The ”Angel” or “Good Governance”Scenario,in which positive elements become a realisation for Africa’s built environment and are conjointly favourable; The “Dwarf” or “Uneven African Development”Scenario, in which key driving forces unfold inan uneven pattern, or have a differentiated impact on Africa’s built environment; The “Elf” or Bad Governance Scenario,in which less good governance prevails, but where a fortunate built environment and securemanagement allowsAfrica to become competitive and benefit from satisfactory economic growth;and The “Hobgoblin” or “Business and Governance as usual” Scenario,in which negative regional drivers of change corrode positive policies and initiatives in a manner which compounds the pre-existing threats of Africa’s built environment development.Design/Methodology/Approach –The goal of this thesis is not only to affirm what is already known and knowable regardingwhat is happening right now at the intersections of Africa and its built environment development, but also to explore the many ways in which environmental scanning and built environment development could co-involve,both push and inhibit each other,in the future. Thereafter, this thesis beginsto examine what possible paths may be implicatedfor Africa’s poor and vulnerable built environment. Scenario planning is a methodology designed to help researchers, organisations and even nations alike through this creative process. This thesis begins to identifydriversof change, and then combines these driversin different ways to create a set of scenarios regardinghow the future built environment of Africa could evolve.Practical implications –This thesis provides a useful insight regardingdrivers for change for Africa’s built environment,and how to anticipate these changes in the mostcurrentScenario planning.Originality/Value –This thesis addressesthe future of Africa’s built environment from a decision maker’s point of view over the next 40 years. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-04
Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and employee engagement in a leading South African car rental company
- Authors: Mtati, Yanela
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53330 , vital:45134
- Description: The car rental industry in South Africa is a highly competitive sector. The industry’s players are constantly faced with the challenge of finding ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to deliver the best service to their customers, hence ensuring they retain customer loyalty, growth and securing future profitability. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower prices, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising profitability. To overcome this challenge, together with Barloworld, Avis has implemented various employment engagement strategies with the aim of attracting, empowering, and retaining an engaged workforce. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage. More specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. In order to remain competitive, Avis realised that their employees area source of competitive advantage. In the year 2013, Avis packaged and introduced EVP as a human resources strategy towards winning an engaged workforce. Some of the objectives for taking on this strategy were to increase job satisfaction and motivation amongst employees and thus result in higher job performance. The main purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the introduction of EVP had on employee engagement at Avis. Introducing a structured EVP plan within this organisation was aimed to increase employee engagement and thus, this study aimed to measure the impact of this intervention. A literature review was conducted to expand on the various definitions of EVP, employee engagement and the elements that influence and impact these variables. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of the EVP elements, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on the organisational success. The population comprised of 142employeesand 65% a response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that in general employees are engaged and committed to the vision of the organisation. It also indicated that the introduction of EVP improved the manner in which employees’ viewed their leaders and created a leadership culture that was conducive to the success of the organisation. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between EVP, employee motivation, leadership culture, employee retention, compensation and employee engagement. This study provided direction and feedback in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2014.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
- Authors: Mtati, Yanela
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53330 , vital:45134
- Description: The car rental industry in South Africa is a highly competitive sector. The industry’s players are constantly faced with the challenge of finding ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to deliver the best service to their customers, hence ensuring they retain customer loyalty, growth and securing future profitability. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower prices, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising profitability. To overcome this challenge, together with Barloworld, Avis has implemented various employment engagement strategies with the aim of attracting, empowering, and retaining an engaged workforce. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage. More specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. In order to remain competitive, Avis realised that their employees area source of competitive advantage. In the year 2013, Avis packaged and introduced EVP as a human resources strategy towards winning an engaged workforce. Some of the objectives for taking on this strategy were to increase job satisfaction and motivation amongst employees and thus result in higher job performance. The main purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the introduction of EVP had on employee engagement at Avis. Introducing a structured EVP plan within this organisation was aimed to increase employee engagement and thus, this study aimed to measure the impact of this intervention. A literature review was conducted to expand on the various definitions of EVP, employee engagement and the elements that influence and impact these variables. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of the EVP elements, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on the organisational success. The population comprised of 142employeesand 65% a response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that in general employees are engaged and committed to the vision of the organisation. It also indicated that the introduction of EVP improved the manner in which employees’ viewed their leaders and created a leadership culture that was conducive to the success of the organisation. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between EVP, employee motivation, leadership culture, employee retention, compensation and employee engagement. This study provided direction and feedback in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2014.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
The use of a rapid incineration field test for determining soil organic carbon in the Southern Cape Region
- Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
- Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
- Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
- Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
Professional, personal and corporate ethics challenges during infrastructure delivery
- Authors: Dyariwe, Abongile
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53300 , vital:45131
- Description: Purpose of this treatise: This study is aimed at investigating whether there is a lack of professional- and, personal ethics, and a lack of enforcing corporate ethics from the Built environment professionals working for Eskom ECOU. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach used for the study was mainly quantitative. The quantitative methods used were descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods (Kruskal- Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U Test). The selected sample for the study was categorised as internal stakeholders (i.e. employees that are permanently employed by Eskom) and external stakeholders (i.e. people that are employed by Eskom on a contract basis as quantity surveying, project management and engineering consultants) The scope of the study was to determine whether there are professional-, personal- and corporate ethical challenges in client organisations. A literature review was conducted; and all the relevant literature relating to professional-, personal- and corporate ethics in client organisations was collated, and then used to develop a questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to internal and external stakeholders, who were involved during infrastructural delivery in client organisations, in order to acquire different views on ethical perceptions. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analysed, and used to test if the hypotheses were supported or not. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the demographic profile does not have any significant influence on the ratings of internal and external stakeholders’ perceptions of the lack of professional and personal ethics – or on the enforcement of corporate ethics. Furthermore, this study also revealed that there is no significant difference in the ethical perceptions of internal and external stakeholders, on the enforcement of a professional and corporate ethical culture. Lastly, only in the personal ethics section there is a significant difference in ethical perception. In relation to the statement of the problem, the findings of this study revealed that internal and external stakeholders’ lack of professional- and personal ethics and the enforcement of corporate ethics are largely unknown. Research limitations: This study was limited to only Built environment professionals (including service providers) working for Eskom ECOU. Practical implications: The study revealed that there are ethical challenges in client organisations, even though they might be largely unknown. This clearly shows that construction industry professionals are all susceptible to unethical behaviour. Therefore, Eskom ECOU should refrain from only focusing on unethical behaviour by contractors and consulting firms; and it should also look at the client’s Built environment professionals; because there is evidence that they are also suspect during infrastructural delivery. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Dyariwe, Abongile
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53300 , vital:45131
- Description: Purpose of this treatise: This study is aimed at investigating whether there is a lack of professional- and, personal ethics, and a lack of enforcing corporate ethics from the Built environment professionals working for Eskom ECOU. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach used for the study was mainly quantitative. The quantitative methods used were descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods (Kruskal- Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U Test). The selected sample for the study was categorised as internal stakeholders (i.e. employees that are permanently employed by Eskom) and external stakeholders (i.e. people that are employed by Eskom on a contract basis as quantity surveying, project management and engineering consultants) The scope of the study was to determine whether there are professional-, personal- and corporate ethical challenges in client organisations. A literature review was conducted; and all the relevant literature relating to professional-, personal- and corporate ethics in client organisations was collated, and then used to develop a questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to internal and external stakeholders, who were involved during infrastructural delivery in client organisations, in order to acquire different views on ethical perceptions. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analysed, and used to test if the hypotheses were supported or not. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the demographic profile does not have any significant influence on the ratings of internal and external stakeholders’ perceptions of the lack of professional and personal ethics – or on the enforcement of corporate ethics. Furthermore, this study also revealed that there is no significant difference in the ethical perceptions of internal and external stakeholders, on the enforcement of a professional and corporate ethical culture. Lastly, only in the personal ethics section there is a significant difference in ethical perception. In relation to the statement of the problem, the findings of this study revealed that internal and external stakeholders’ lack of professional- and personal ethics and the enforcement of corporate ethics are largely unknown. Research limitations: This study was limited to only Built environment professionals (including service providers) working for Eskom ECOU. Practical implications: The study revealed that there are ethical challenges in client organisations, even though they might be largely unknown. This clearly shows that construction industry professionals are all susceptible to unethical behaviour. Therefore, Eskom ECOU should refrain from only focusing on unethical behaviour by contractors and consulting firms; and it should also look at the client’s Built environment professionals; because there is evidence that they are also suspect during infrastructural delivery. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
Main thesis title 2021: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Mashinini, Peter Madindwa
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53340 , vital:45138
- Description: Ti6Al4V alloy usage is increasing due to high demand from the aerospace and automotive industries as well as the field of medical implants. Therefore, identifying the most effective joining technique is critically important to ensure that optimum life can be achieved by welded components. This is especially important for the aerospace industry where fatigue life of the welded joints is vital. This research identified two relatively new joining technologies for Titanium sheet, namely, Friction Stir Welding (FSW),a solid-state process, and Laser Beam Welding (LBW),a fusion joining process. It was therefore vitalto conduct a systematic study of these two processes and compare results to illustrate which process attributes to static and dynamic properties. This investigation was accomplished by varying the process heat input for both FSW and LBW. The main parameters used to control process heat input were rotational-and traverse speed for FSW and laser power and traverse speed for LBW. In FSW, a reaction torque was used to describe the process energy in order to achieve the plasticised material condition. Preliminary work was done to establish the influencing factors for a successful weld which included tool optimisation but process optimisation was not discussed in elaborative detail. In LBW, traverse speed was identified as the critical control parameter to ensure good weld penetration. Weld width was recorded as it showed strong correlation to heat input rates. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
- Authors: Mashinini, Peter Madindwa
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53340 , vital:45138
- Description: Ti6Al4V alloy usage is increasing due to high demand from the aerospace and automotive industries as well as the field of medical implants. Therefore, identifying the most effective joining technique is critically important to ensure that optimum life can be achieved by welded components. This is especially important for the aerospace industry where fatigue life of the welded joints is vital. This research identified two relatively new joining technologies for Titanium sheet, namely, Friction Stir Welding (FSW),a solid-state process, and Laser Beam Welding (LBW),a fusion joining process. It was therefore vitalto conduct a systematic study of these two processes and compare results to illustrate which process attributes to static and dynamic properties. This investigation was accomplished by varying the process heat input for both FSW and LBW. The main parameters used to control process heat input were rotational-and traverse speed for FSW and laser power and traverse speed for LBW. In FSW, a reaction torque was used to describe the process energy in order to achieve the plasticised material condition. Preliminary work was done to establish the influencing factors for a successful weld which included tool optimisation but process optimisation was not discussed in elaborative detail. In LBW, traverse speed was identified as the critical control parameter to ensure good weld penetration. Weld width was recorded as it showed strong correlation to heat input rates. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
Perceptions regarding corporate citizenship behaviour in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muzvidziwa, Itai
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53396 , vital:45144
- Description: Corporate Citizenship (CC) has risen as a conspicuous term in the literature dealing with the social role of business. Citizenship‟s focal point is the rights and responsibilities of all members of the community. CC can be defined as the extent to which organisations undertake the compulsory economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities imposed on them by their stakeholders. CC recognises organisations as legal persons with certain rights and responsibilities as members of a community. The upsurge in undertaking acts of social responsibility illustrates that CC tends to be a strategic measurement that investors use to consciously align ethical concerns with publicly held organisations. In Zimbabwe, some organisations have made some progress towards CC - yet a long journey lies ahead in promoting CC by both the private sector and the Government of Zimbabwe. Against this background, the following research question was addressed in this study: What are the perceptions regarding CC behaviour in Zimbabwe? This study has been motivated by the knowledge gap on CC as a dynamic and contextual response to internal and external environmental pressures and the shift in community expectations concerning the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of businesses in Zimbabwe. The main objective of this study was to investigate perceptions regarding corporate citizenship behaviour in Zimbabwe. A hypothetical model shows various factors that may influence perceptions regarding CC behaviour in Zimbabwe. Three independent variables (internal factors, external factors and personal factors) were identified as variables that may influence perceptions regarding CC behaviour. The mediating variable (perceptions regarding CC behaviour) was also identified as a variable that have potential to affect the dependent variables (organisational performance, competitiveness, image and sustainability). Furthermore, seven null-hypotheses were developed to test the relationship between the independent, mediating and dependent variables. All these variables were clearly defined and operationalised with various items obtained from measuring instruments used in other similar studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
- Authors: Muzvidziwa, Itai
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53396 , vital:45144
- Description: Corporate Citizenship (CC) has risen as a conspicuous term in the literature dealing with the social role of business. Citizenship‟s focal point is the rights and responsibilities of all members of the community. CC can be defined as the extent to which organisations undertake the compulsory economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities imposed on them by their stakeholders. CC recognises organisations as legal persons with certain rights and responsibilities as members of a community. The upsurge in undertaking acts of social responsibility illustrates that CC tends to be a strategic measurement that investors use to consciously align ethical concerns with publicly held organisations. In Zimbabwe, some organisations have made some progress towards CC - yet a long journey lies ahead in promoting CC by both the private sector and the Government of Zimbabwe. Against this background, the following research question was addressed in this study: What are the perceptions regarding CC behaviour in Zimbabwe? This study has been motivated by the knowledge gap on CC as a dynamic and contextual response to internal and external environmental pressures and the shift in community expectations concerning the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of businesses in Zimbabwe. The main objective of this study was to investigate perceptions regarding corporate citizenship behaviour in Zimbabwe. A hypothetical model shows various factors that may influence perceptions regarding CC behaviour in Zimbabwe. Three independent variables (internal factors, external factors and personal factors) were identified as variables that may influence perceptions regarding CC behaviour. The mediating variable (perceptions regarding CC behaviour) was also identified as a variable that have potential to affect the dependent variables (organisational performance, competitiveness, image and sustainability). Furthermore, seven null-hypotheses were developed to test the relationship between the independent, mediating and dependent variables. All these variables were clearly defined and operationalised with various items obtained from measuring instruments used in other similar studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
An investigation into the causes of high demand for leave at B. J. Vorster Hospital
- Authors: Mene, Xolani Stephen
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53312 , vital:45140
- Description: Due to the high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital; staff members, especially the nursing staff, tend to be on leave for long periods and sometimes be absent without leave. In some instances they request extensions to their leaves when they are already on leave. They do not report back for duties at the end of the leave period instead they provide reasons which warrant that the leave be extended. Subsequently, nurses who are on duty have to continue working because there is no-one to relieve the mand work needs to be done. A threatening situation which could lead to patients being left unattended tends to emerge under these circumstances. Hence in some instances nurses are called from other clinics to assist. Some employees absent themselves without leave and management does not appear to be taking action against such conduct. This leads to poor quality of health care in nursing which is a matter of concern to the community, to management and to the policy-makers. A qualitative research method was used in this study, in order to investigate the cause for high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital. Data collection was undertaken through interviews. The study found that the high demand for leave is attributed to fatigue resulting from huge workloads, claims of entitlement to leave, need to extend weekends due to family responsibilities. The study recommends that the management of leave and the current amount of leave days allocated to staff be reconsidered taking into account the relevant legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the prevailing conditions in the hospital. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2015.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
- Authors: Mene, Xolani Stephen
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53312 , vital:45140
- Description: Due to the high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital; staff members, especially the nursing staff, tend to be on leave for long periods and sometimes be absent without leave. In some instances they request extensions to their leaves when they are already on leave. They do not report back for duties at the end of the leave period instead they provide reasons which warrant that the leave be extended. Subsequently, nurses who are on duty have to continue working because there is no-one to relieve the mand work needs to be done. A threatening situation which could lead to patients being left unattended tends to emerge under these circumstances. Hence in some instances nurses are called from other clinics to assist. Some employees absent themselves without leave and management does not appear to be taking action against such conduct. This leads to poor quality of health care in nursing which is a matter of concern to the community, to management and to the policy-makers. A qualitative research method was used in this study, in order to investigate the cause for high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital. Data collection was undertaken through interviews. The study found that the high demand for leave is attributed to fatigue resulting from huge workloads, claims of entitlement to leave, need to extend weekends due to family responsibilities. The study recommends that the management of leave and the current amount of leave days allocated to staff be reconsidered taking into account the relevant legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the prevailing conditions in the hospital. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2015.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
The Effectiveness of Eskom’s transmission project team lationships in the delivery process
- Authors: Mpetshwa, Noninzi
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53318 , vital:45137
- Description: Eskom Holding is a public limited liability company that supplies electricity. It supplies approximately ninety-nine percent of the electricity used in South Africa, and approximately forty-five percent of that used in Africa. Eskom generates, transmits and distributes electricity to its customers. The Project Execution Department is a department in the Transmission Division that executes the capital and refurbishment of projects. The objective of the study was to discover the opinion of the project team members, on whether there is a lack of project-team efficiency in delivering the projects on time, and within the budget. Descriptive research methodology was used to investigate the objectives of the research. The data were obtained through the structured questionnaires that were hand-delivered and emailed. The research is limited to the Project Execution and Procurement Department in the Transmission Division. The research excludes the Capital Expansion Department (CED) project (Medupi, Kusile and Power Development Projects). The findings of the study showed that, Eskom’s Transmission Project Execution and Commercial Departments need to work hand-in-hand. This will avoid any unnecessary procurement delays which would have an impact on project delivery time. Continuous communication among the project team members could improve the efficiency and serve to build good relationships. Currently, projects are delivered late and over budget. This situation could lead to the outsourcing of departments or even to the redeployment of Senior Management. It would also have a negative impact on the cost and supply of electricity to the country. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
- Authors: Mpetshwa, Noninzi
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53318 , vital:45137
- Description: Eskom Holding is a public limited liability company that supplies electricity. It supplies approximately ninety-nine percent of the electricity used in South Africa, and approximately forty-five percent of that used in Africa. Eskom generates, transmits and distributes electricity to its customers. The Project Execution Department is a department in the Transmission Division that executes the capital and refurbishment of projects. The objective of the study was to discover the opinion of the project team members, on whether there is a lack of project-team efficiency in delivering the projects on time, and within the budget. Descriptive research methodology was used to investigate the objectives of the research. The data were obtained through the structured questionnaires that were hand-delivered and emailed. The research is limited to the Project Execution and Procurement Department in the Transmission Division. The research excludes the Capital Expansion Department (CED) project (Medupi, Kusile and Power Development Projects). The findings of the study showed that, Eskom’s Transmission Project Execution and Commercial Departments need to work hand-in-hand. This will avoid any unnecessary procurement delays which would have an impact on project delivery time. Continuous communication among the project team members could improve the efficiency and serve to build good relationships. Currently, projects are delivered late and over budget. This situation could lead to the outsourcing of departments or even to the redeployment of Senior Management. It would also have a negative impact on the cost and supply of electricity to the country. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
A study on staff provisioning using the Peter Morkel Model with reference to a selected school in the Amathole East District
- Authors: Qaba, Loyiso Siyabulela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55161 , vital:49171
- Description: The Post-Provisioning Model (PPM) is a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) used by the Department of Education to optimize the distribution of available educator resources to public schools. The Department of Education adopted the PPM to distribute the total available posts to all public schools in an “equitable, transparent and resource-efficient manner. The PPM is a formula-driven model that primarily allocates educators, as human capital, to public schools based on learner enrolment numbers. In addition to allocating teaching staff, the PPM allocates the School Management Team (SMT) to each school. The outcome of the PPM formula is called the Post-Provisioning Norm (PPN). The implementation of the PPM has presented various challenges in the management of public schools. The primary aims of this study were to investigate any possible weaknesses of the PPM and to critically evaluate and explore school managers’ views of the PPM in the management of public schools. For the purposes of this study a probability sampling procedure was used. The participants were chosen from the principals within the Department of Education in Amathole East District. The literature review undertaken and the field research findings in the fourth chapter revealed that there is a gap between the ideals of the PPM and its implementation. It was found that there was a poor understanding of the technical aspects of the PPM formula among senior managers of public schools. There is evidence of equitable quantitative distribution of posts through the PPM. However, it was discovered that the PPM does not take into account the distribution of qualified educators. Hence, some of the allocated posts in public schools were often filled by under-qualified or non-qualified staff. The appointment of qualified educators was skewed. Further findings of this study revealed, amongst others, the inability of the PPM to provide for and promote the needs of a diverse curriculum in rural areas, and the inability to factor in and balance the variable that some public schools raise more money in school fees, which enables the advantaged schools to employ additional educators. The primary recommendations of this study are that principals be trained, on an annual basis, on the workings of the PPM and that the South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 should be amended to grant authority to the Head of Department of the province to appoint and deploy qualified educators to public schools. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Qaba, Loyiso Siyabulela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55161 , vital:49171
- Description: The Post-Provisioning Model (PPM) is a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) used by the Department of Education to optimize the distribution of available educator resources to public schools. The Department of Education adopted the PPM to distribute the total available posts to all public schools in an “equitable, transparent and resource-efficient manner. The PPM is a formula-driven model that primarily allocates educators, as human capital, to public schools based on learner enrolment numbers. In addition to allocating teaching staff, the PPM allocates the School Management Team (SMT) to each school. The outcome of the PPM formula is called the Post-Provisioning Norm (PPN). The implementation of the PPM has presented various challenges in the management of public schools. The primary aims of this study were to investigate any possible weaknesses of the PPM and to critically evaluate and explore school managers’ views of the PPM in the management of public schools. For the purposes of this study a probability sampling procedure was used. The participants were chosen from the principals within the Department of Education in Amathole East District. The literature review undertaken and the field research findings in the fourth chapter revealed that there is a gap between the ideals of the PPM and its implementation. It was found that there was a poor understanding of the technical aspects of the PPM formula among senior managers of public schools. There is evidence of equitable quantitative distribution of posts through the PPM. However, it was discovered that the PPM does not take into account the distribution of qualified educators. Hence, some of the allocated posts in public schools were often filled by under-qualified or non-qualified staff. The appointment of qualified educators was skewed. Further findings of this study revealed, amongst others, the inability of the PPM to provide for and promote the needs of a diverse curriculum in rural areas, and the inability to factor in and balance the variable that some public schools raise more money in school fees, which enables the advantaged schools to employ additional educators. The primary recommendations of this study are that principals be trained, on an annual basis, on the workings of the PPM and that the South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 should be amended to grant authority to the Head of Department of the province to appoint and deploy qualified educators to public schools. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
An exploration of the (re)production of femininity in netball spaces: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Phuza, Nobubele
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55150 , vital:49163
- Description: Since its introduction in 1920, Netball has reflected and reinforced appropriate ideas of female physicality and a culturally valued femininity. It is socially accepted as an appropriate sport for women evidenced by its promotion for girls in schools, the number of teams, clubs and leagues in existence and the invisibility of men’s netball in the media and society. Existing literature from Australian and New Zealand scholars in the sociology of sport and leisure consistently makes the argument that the meaning of femininity and the expected attributes thereof, are powerfully presented in the bodily performances that occur in netball. “You learn to be a woman, female bonding, female submission and the like. All while seeming to do nothing but throw a ball around.” The aim of this dissertation is to contextualize the conversation around femininity and netball for South Africa, specifically Nelson Mandela Bay. The research focuses on how netball remains an island of femininity in the sea of masculine sport. I draw on individual interviews with twelve (12) competitive netball players and ethnographic field work to examine the meaning of femininity in netball and women’s affinity to it. Using a Bourdieusian-feminist lens, I explain netball spaces as subfields of sport, structured by the configuration of valued capital(s). The findings revealed femininity as a valued capital in netball. It was a compliant femininity, characterised by the need to be aesthetically pleasing, levels of modesty, religiosity and pseudo-fragility. As players accrued netball femininity, they internalized associated dispositions as their own, a habitus. They would transmit and redeposit the habitus through interactions in the field during training sessions and matches. To this end, the dissertation also revealed that the reproduction of femininity in netball was a function of habitus and the reciprocal relationship between bodies and space. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Phuza, Nobubele
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55150 , vital:49163
- Description: Since its introduction in 1920, Netball has reflected and reinforced appropriate ideas of female physicality and a culturally valued femininity. It is socially accepted as an appropriate sport for women evidenced by its promotion for girls in schools, the number of teams, clubs and leagues in existence and the invisibility of men’s netball in the media and society. Existing literature from Australian and New Zealand scholars in the sociology of sport and leisure consistently makes the argument that the meaning of femininity and the expected attributes thereof, are powerfully presented in the bodily performances that occur in netball. “You learn to be a woman, female bonding, female submission and the like. All while seeming to do nothing but throw a ball around.” The aim of this dissertation is to contextualize the conversation around femininity and netball for South Africa, specifically Nelson Mandela Bay. The research focuses on how netball remains an island of femininity in the sea of masculine sport. I draw on individual interviews with twelve (12) competitive netball players and ethnographic field work to examine the meaning of femininity in netball and women’s affinity to it. Using a Bourdieusian-feminist lens, I explain netball spaces as subfields of sport, structured by the configuration of valued capital(s). The findings revealed femininity as a valued capital in netball. It was a compliant femininity, characterised by the need to be aesthetically pleasing, levels of modesty, religiosity and pseudo-fragility. As players accrued netball femininity, they internalized associated dispositions as their own, a habitus. They would transmit and redeposit the habitus through interactions in the field during training sessions and matches. To this end, the dissertation also revealed that the reproduction of femininity in netball was a function of habitus and the reciprocal relationship between bodies and space. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
An exploration of the memorandum of understanding between the Mberengwa rural district council and the Mberengwa community : a conflict resolution perspective
- Authors: Pedro, Jean
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55139 , vital:49148
- Description: This study is motivated by a gap in a competent framework to adequately compensate communities whose land are expropriated for public use by the Government of Zimbabwe. It seeks to explore the extent to which the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mberengwa Rural District Council and the affected people of Mberengwa resulted in a fair and adequate compensation which specifically provided for rehabilitated livelihoods. The main objective is to determine whether the compensation was adequate and satisfying for the Mberengwa community and to this end, a qualitative methodology is utilised to collect and analyse data. The findings reveal that the Memorandum of Understanding did not provide for adequate land that adequately compensated for the expropriated land. The affected community also did not benefit from a possible rehabilitation of livelihoods. By the end of the study, the Mberengwa compensation had not been concluded and the programme, which was expected to be completed in October 2015, had not closed. The researcher recommends a competent project management strategy, PRINCE2 to ensure comprehensive planning that ensures stage-based delivery of the agreed compensation products. Another recommendation involved in-depth problem-solving workshops, which involves all affected members to increase the chances of success. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Pedro, Jean
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55139 , vital:49148
- Description: This study is motivated by a gap in a competent framework to adequately compensate communities whose land are expropriated for public use by the Government of Zimbabwe. It seeks to explore the extent to which the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mberengwa Rural District Council and the affected people of Mberengwa resulted in a fair and adequate compensation which specifically provided for rehabilitated livelihoods. The main objective is to determine whether the compensation was adequate and satisfying for the Mberengwa community and to this end, a qualitative methodology is utilised to collect and analyse data. The findings reveal that the Memorandum of Understanding did not provide for adequate land that adequately compensated for the expropriated land. The affected community also did not benefit from a possible rehabilitation of livelihoods. By the end of the study, the Mberengwa compensation had not been concluded and the programme, which was expected to be completed in October 2015, had not closed. The researcher recommends a competent project management strategy, PRINCE2 to ensure comprehensive planning that ensures stage-based delivery of the agreed compensation products. Another recommendation involved in-depth problem-solving workshops, which involves all affected members to increase the chances of success. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
An investigation of the challenges experienced in South Sudan (2004-2011): a military component perspective
- Authors: Mbaakanyi, Christopher
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54794 , vital:47692
- Description: This study deals with the conceptual analysis of the challenges experienced by military peacekeepers in the United Nations (UN) operations. The research focused on the problems that military personnel encountered during the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) between 2005 and 2011. Many findings summarised from the respondents and through documents reviewed elucidated various challenges peacekeepers in UN missions experience. This study’s specific objectives were to assess the necessary preparations that made military peacekeepers operationally ready for the UNMIS Peace Support Operations (PSO); to determine whether there was any pre-deployment training conducted for military peacekeepers during the UNMIS; to investigate whether there were command and control issues in the mission; and finally, to examine whether military peacekeepers were acquainted with the fundamental UN principles and core values. The study used the purposive sampling technique to identify relevant subjects best suited to provide informed feedback through interviews and a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were from Botswana and Malawi, with additional valuable subjects from the different countries who participated in the UNMIS as staff officers, formed units, and observers. The level of operational readiness of individual military personnel was found inconsistent among participants from different countries due to the varying level of attention given to pre-deployment training and planning. Some individuals did not know about the UN core values, principles and critical resolution documents such as the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA), Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that were critical towards operationalising the UNMIS mandate to achieve the operational objectives. The concepts of command and control and reporting procedure continue to cause severe rifts between uniformed personnel and their civilian counterparts. Some of the areas that require further study include the challenges in command and control, vagueness in the rules of engagement, lack of clarity of the chain of leadership in the field area, lack of interoperability of equipment, the necessary operational readiness training, and the development of joint doctrine. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mbaakanyi, Christopher
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54794 , vital:47692
- Description: This study deals with the conceptual analysis of the challenges experienced by military peacekeepers in the United Nations (UN) operations. The research focused on the problems that military personnel encountered during the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) between 2005 and 2011. Many findings summarised from the respondents and through documents reviewed elucidated various challenges peacekeepers in UN missions experience. This study’s specific objectives were to assess the necessary preparations that made military peacekeepers operationally ready for the UNMIS Peace Support Operations (PSO); to determine whether there was any pre-deployment training conducted for military peacekeepers during the UNMIS; to investigate whether there were command and control issues in the mission; and finally, to examine whether military peacekeepers were acquainted with the fundamental UN principles and core values. The study used the purposive sampling technique to identify relevant subjects best suited to provide informed feedback through interviews and a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were from Botswana and Malawi, with additional valuable subjects from the different countries who participated in the UNMIS as staff officers, formed units, and observers. The level of operational readiness of individual military personnel was found inconsistent among participants from different countries due to the varying level of attention given to pre-deployment training and planning. Some individuals did not know about the UN core values, principles and critical resolution documents such as the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA), Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that were critical towards operationalising the UNMIS mandate to achieve the operational objectives. The concepts of command and control and reporting procedure continue to cause severe rifts between uniformed personnel and their civilian counterparts. Some of the areas that require further study include the challenges in command and control, vagueness in the rules of engagement, lack of clarity of the chain of leadership in the field area, lack of interoperability of equipment, the necessary operational readiness training, and the development of joint doctrine. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Assessing the implementation of expanded public works programme in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (2013-2018)
- Authors: Nombebe, Gcobisa
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55107 , vital:49120
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) between 2013 and 2018. This was necessitated by the common trend observed in the country that, despite many interventions to alleviate poverty, the unemployment rate continues to increase, and poverty remains a challenge. The study was qualitative, and it used secondary data to achieve its objectives. The data was sourced from journals, municipal documents, the national Department of Public Works’ publications, newspapers and many other secondary sources. The results revealed that the EPWP performance in BCMM is greatly influenced by effective performance management systems, proper planning, political impact, training and development, and committed leadership. This was perceived as the first attempt towards improving the EPWP aligned employment statistics in BCMM. These results were found to be very important in helping an organisation to achieve employment targets. Furthermore, the municipality should investigate strengthening its consultative processes to involve the public in the job creation and decision-making processes. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Nombebe, Gcobisa
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55107 , vital:49120
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) between 2013 and 2018. This was necessitated by the common trend observed in the country that, despite many interventions to alleviate poverty, the unemployment rate continues to increase, and poverty remains a challenge. The study was qualitative, and it used secondary data to achieve its objectives. The data was sourced from journals, municipal documents, the national Department of Public Works’ publications, newspapers and many other secondary sources. The results revealed that the EPWP performance in BCMM is greatly influenced by effective performance management systems, proper planning, political impact, training and development, and committed leadership. This was perceived as the first attempt towards improving the EPWP aligned employment statistics in BCMM. These results were found to be very important in helping an organisation to achieve employment targets. Furthermore, the municipality should investigate strengthening its consultative processes to involve the public in the job creation and decision-making processes. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Conflict management and transformation within the Evangelical Bible Church of Kwazulu-Natal
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Constructing an intergrated service excellence model for the South African police service
- Authors: Modise, Motsamai John
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55020 , vital:48823
- Description: This study is set within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The purpose of the study is to construct an integrated service excellence model, in order to improve service quality in the South African Police Service as a whole and to continuously improve service excellence in the assistance provided in the Northern Cape in particular. Furthermore, the study was intended to identify gaps in the quality of services provided by the SAPS to the various communities in the Northern Cape. The development of a service excellence model for the assessment of the services provided by the SAPS is justified, because it is an essential means to improving the services rendered, which will be beneficial to both the SAPS and the community. Service failures negatively impact relationships and marketing efforts and thus complicate service providers’ relationship-building efforts. Therefore, service providers endeavour to restore customers’ post-recovery satisfaction through service recovery efforts to retain their customers. However, the influence that customers’ relationship intentions have on this process has not been considered. Previous research on relationship intention in South Africa focussed only on developing a valid and reliable relationship intention measurement scale. This study employed both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches to validate the research questions and authenticate the problem statement. The triangulation approach allowed the researcher to effectively engage the strengths of both research methodologies. The research findings from the empirical survey were statistically analysed using statistical procedures. The data analysis, derived from the qualitative research approach, involved thematic content analysis. The sample populations for the study comprised ward councillors, selected senior officials and community members. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to respondents. One-on–one interviews were conducted with senior managers as the qualitative component of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Modise, Motsamai John
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55020 , vital:48823
- Description: This study is set within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The purpose of the study is to construct an integrated service excellence model, in order to improve service quality in the South African Police Service as a whole and to continuously improve service excellence in the assistance provided in the Northern Cape in particular. Furthermore, the study was intended to identify gaps in the quality of services provided by the SAPS to the various communities in the Northern Cape. The development of a service excellence model for the assessment of the services provided by the SAPS is justified, because it is an essential means to improving the services rendered, which will be beneficial to both the SAPS and the community. Service failures negatively impact relationships and marketing efforts and thus complicate service providers’ relationship-building efforts. Therefore, service providers endeavour to restore customers’ post-recovery satisfaction through service recovery efforts to retain their customers. However, the influence that customers’ relationship intentions have on this process has not been considered. Previous research on relationship intention in South Africa focussed only on developing a valid and reliable relationship intention measurement scale. This study employed both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches to validate the research questions and authenticate the problem statement. The triangulation approach allowed the researcher to effectively engage the strengths of both research methodologies. The research findings from the empirical survey were statistically analysed using statistical procedures. The data analysis, derived from the qualitative research approach, involved thematic content analysis. The sample populations for the study comprised ward councillors, selected senior officials and community members. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to respondents. One-on–one interviews were conducted with senior managers as the qualitative component of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Evaluating compliance with supply chain management policies in the public sector
- Authors: Mvanana, Siziwe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55064 , vital:49027
- Description: Despite reform processes in the employment of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as a strategic tool in the South African public sector, there are predicaments in SCM policies, especially in the public sector. This notwithstanding, research that demystifies the compliance with SCM policies in the public sector. This study evaluate compliance with Supply Chain Management policies in the public sector. The findings of the study revealed that overall the public sector have adopted and implemented the SCM policies. However, SCM policies are sometimes not always aligned with government policies. The most implemented SCM police was demand management, followed by acquisition management. The least implemented policies were logistics, disposal, risk and performance management. No significant differences were observed among the public sector. The public sector face serious SCM challenges in implementing their SCM policies. These challenges stem from: a lack of training for SCM staff, lack of proper capacity, poor planning, and ineffective black economic empowerment in the public sector. Based on the results, there is a need of training for SCM staff, capacity building, better planning interventions, and more effective black economic empowerment. It should be reiterated that the lack of proper SCM policies and procedures are the root cause of problems in service delivery in South Africa. The study concludes by recommending that SCM practitioners should regularly update their SCM policies, ensure proper compliance with the elements of SCM, as well as to source competencies, skills, and knowledge from higher education institutions and private accredited service providers. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mvanana, Siziwe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55064 , vital:49027
- Description: Despite reform processes in the employment of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as a strategic tool in the South African public sector, there are predicaments in SCM policies, especially in the public sector. This notwithstanding, research that demystifies the compliance with SCM policies in the public sector. This study evaluate compliance with Supply Chain Management policies in the public sector. The findings of the study revealed that overall the public sector have adopted and implemented the SCM policies. However, SCM policies are sometimes not always aligned with government policies. The most implemented SCM police was demand management, followed by acquisition management. The least implemented policies were logistics, disposal, risk and performance management. No significant differences were observed among the public sector. The public sector face serious SCM challenges in implementing their SCM policies. These challenges stem from: a lack of training for SCM staff, lack of proper capacity, poor planning, and ineffective black economic empowerment in the public sector. Based on the results, there is a need of training for SCM staff, capacity building, better planning interventions, and more effective black economic empowerment. It should be reiterated that the lack of proper SCM policies and procedures are the root cause of problems in service delivery in South Africa. The study concludes by recommending that SCM practitioners should regularly update their SCM policies, ensure proper compliance with the elements of SCM, as well as to source competencies, skills, and knowledge from higher education institutions and private accredited service providers. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Investigating the employee turnover of educators in selected schools in the Butterworth Education District
- Authors: Siganagana, Zimkitha
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55229 , vital:49676
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the employee turnover of educators in the Butterworth Education District. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to review the literature on human resource management. The motivation of job satisfaction was used to utilise the full potential people so as to ensure quality products and services. This is a very complex issue owing to the wide range of internal and external factors that impact on it. The study employed a literature study to examine the employee turnover. Moreover, the study discussed the types, consequences and factors influencing employee turnover. It also discussed retaining strategies, steps to manage employee turnover and methods to reduce employee turnover. The findings of the study revealed that an overview of human resource management plays a key role in determining the survival, effectiveness and competitiveness of an organisation. Factors influencing employee turnover determine employee turnover, and one of these is the labour market, which is determined by economic conditions. The findings also revealed that the causes and consequences of employee turnover can impact both negatively and positively to the organisation. Thus, the management of the Department of Education should perhaps adopt intervention strategies to control the main factors. In this regard, the study made recommendations for the motivation of educators in carrying out the core business of teaching and learning. This would involve the adequate allocation of all resources and benefits that surround teaching and learning and the introduction of a retention policy, which might encourage qualified and productive employees to continue working for the Department and reduce the unwanted voluntary turnover of valuable employees. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Siganagana, Zimkitha
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55229 , vital:49676
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the employee turnover of educators in the Butterworth Education District. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to review the literature on human resource management. The motivation of job satisfaction was used to utilise the full potential people so as to ensure quality products and services. This is a very complex issue owing to the wide range of internal and external factors that impact on it. The study employed a literature study to examine the employee turnover. Moreover, the study discussed the types, consequences and factors influencing employee turnover. It also discussed retaining strategies, steps to manage employee turnover and methods to reduce employee turnover. The findings of the study revealed that an overview of human resource management plays a key role in determining the survival, effectiveness and competitiveness of an organisation. Factors influencing employee turnover determine employee turnover, and one of these is the labour market, which is determined by economic conditions. The findings also revealed that the causes and consequences of employee turnover can impact both negatively and positively to the organisation. Thus, the management of the Department of Education should perhaps adopt intervention strategies to control the main factors. In this regard, the study made recommendations for the motivation of educators in carrying out the core business of teaching and learning. This would involve the adequate allocation of all resources and benefits that surround teaching and learning and the introduction of a retention policy, which might encourage qualified and productive employees to continue working for the Department and reduce the unwanted voluntary turnover of valuable employees. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Managing the corporate reputation of a transforming organisation: a study of multimedia University of Kenya
- Authors: Mtange, Margaret Mulekani
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55042 , vital:48830
- Description: Universities, like other organisations, are challenged to manage corporate identity and reputation to maintain a competitive edge. Few studies in Africa focus on the impact of internal communication on corporate identity and reputation management during organisational transformation. Thus, this study interrogated how a transforming and complex university in Kenya managed the corporate identity, image and reputation for competitive advantage. The purpose of the study was to establish how Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) management communicated with its employees to nurture the corporate identity, image and reputation during a ten-year period of transformation. The study draws insights from in-depth interviews with 23 university management members, 178 self-administered questionnaires through random stratification of MMU employees, and content review of two MMU strategic plans ranging from 2011 to 2021. The findings suggest that MMU management used formal and interactive channels to create awareness of organisational transformation. These channels included face-to-face engagements, formal meetings and mediated communication through telephone conversations and intranet that facilitated record keeping. The management engaged in top-down and bottom-up communication to build employee trust, while employees expressed reservations of bottom-up information accuracy, suggesting information exclusion. On the contrary, the employees preferred digital and interpersonal channels for internal communication, which included telephone conversations, social media, personal visits by MMU management, and university events. Publicity activities were to disseminate information to prospective students and sponsors through selected private television, vernacular radio, and MMU radio stations, traditional print media, and the MMU website to communicate the MMU brand and image. Employees acknowledged that MMU brands itself as a leader in telecommunication, technology, mechanical, manufacturing, and media training through state-of-the-art equipment, robust faculty, and problem-solving ventures through research. The current study proposes stronger employee involvement, executive packaging and positioning, coaching successful faculty members as brand ambassadors, retraining employees, and employee participation in policy formulation to enhance new culture. In addition, these opositions will enhance the corporate identity, brand, as well as university performance, product quality, policy and processes to enrich the corporate reputation during transformation. The findings challenge university management to actively engage the corporate communication function, emphasise employee participation, and focus on the continual improvement of corporate identity and reputation management practices for competitive advantage. The current study proposes a participative, multi-layered and multi-dimensional communication model for efficient and excellent internal communication. The current study recommends that corporate communication practitioner be strategically positioned to coordinate employee engagement, utilise appropriate communication channels and counsel university management on corporate identity, image and reputation management during organisational transformation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mtange, Margaret Mulekani
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55042 , vital:48830
- Description: Universities, like other organisations, are challenged to manage corporate identity and reputation to maintain a competitive edge. Few studies in Africa focus on the impact of internal communication on corporate identity and reputation management during organisational transformation. Thus, this study interrogated how a transforming and complex university in Kenya managed the corporate identity, image and reputation for competitive advantage. The purpose of the study was to establish how Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) management communicated with its employees to nurture the corporate identity, image and reputation during a ten-year period of transformation. The study draws insights from in-depth interviews with 23 university management members, 178 self-administered questionnaires through random stratification of MMU employees, and content review of two MMU strategic plans ranging from 2011 to 2021. The findings suggest that MMU management used formal and interactive channels to create awareness of organisational transformation. These channels included face-to-face engagements, formal meetings and mediated communication through telephone conversations and intranet that facilitated record keeping. The management engaged in top-down and bottom-up communication to build employee trust, while employees expressed reservations of bottom-up information accuracy, suggesting information exclusion. On the contrary, the employees preferred digital and interpersonal channels for internal communication, which included telephone conversations, social media, personal visits by MMU management, and university events. Publicity activities were to disseminate information to prospective students and sponsors through selected private television, vernacular radio, and MMU radio stations, traditional print media, and the MMU website to communicate the MMU brand and image. Employees acknowledged that MMU brands itself as a leader in telecommunication, technology, mechanical, manufacturing, and media training through state-of-the-art equipment, robust faculty, and problem-solving ventures through research. The current study proposes stronger employee involvement, executive packaging and positioning, coaching successful faculty members as brand ambassadors, retraining employees, and employee participation in policy formulation to enhance new culture. In addition, these opositions will enhance the corporate identity, brand, as well as university performance, product quality, policy and processes to enrich the corporate reputation during transformation. The findings challenge university management to actively engage the corporate communication function, emphasise employee participation, and focus on the continual improvement of corporate identity and reputation management practices for competitive advantage. The current study proposes a participative, multi-layered and multi-dimensional communication model for efficient and excellent internal communication. The current study recommends that corporate communication practitioner be strategically positioned to coordinate employee engagement, utilise appropriate communication channels and counsel university management on corporate identity, image and reputation management during organisational transformation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04