The leadership style of Richard Branson: a psychobiography
- Authors: Fourie, Megan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods , Transformational leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49838 , vital:41807
- Description: Transformational leadership (TFL) is a leadership theory that describes how leaders create change through their ability to inspire and motivate followers toward self-improvement and innovation that benefits the individual, the group, and the organisation as a whole.This psychobiographical research study explored the leadership style of Richard Branson by using Bass’s theory of transformational leadership. An exploratory-descriptive design was utilised to examine Branson’s life history. He was selected for the study through non-probability purposive sampling based on his history as an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur. Primary and secondary sources of historical and biographical data were used in the data collection process. The data was then processed using thematic analysis against the theoretical framework of transformational leadership. From an ethical perspective, the researcher took care to avoid the misrepresentation of the subject, thus balancing objective research with respect for the psychobiographical content and minimising the risk of doing harm. The findings demonstrated that Branson’s leadership style consists of, and corresponds to a large extent, to the four components of TFL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Fourie, Megan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods , Transformational leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49838 , vital:41807
- Description: Transformational leadership (TFL) is a leadership theory that describes how leaders create change through their ability to inspire and motivate followers toward self-improvement and innovation that benefits the individual, the group, and the organisation as a whole.This psychobiographical research study explored the leadership style of Richard Branson by using Bass’s theory of transformational leadership. An exploratory-descriptive design was utilised to examine Branson’s life history. He was selected for the study through non-probability purposive sampling based on his history as an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur. Primary and secondary sources of historical and biographical data were used in the data collection process. The data was then processed using thematic analysis against the theoretical framework of transformational leadership. From an ethical perspective, the researcher took care to avoid the misrepresentation of the subject, thus balancing objective research with respect for the psychobiographical content and minimising the risk of doing harm. The findings demonstrated that Branson’s leadership style consists of, and corresponds to a large extent, to the four components of TFL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The leadership style of Richard Branson: a psychobiography
- Authors: Fourie, Megan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50557 , vital:42221
- Description: Transformational leadership (TFL) is a leadership theory that describes how leaders create change through their ability to inspire and motivate followers toward self-improvement and innovation that benefits the individual, the group, and the organisation as a whole.This psychobiographical research study explored the leadership style of Richard Branson by using Bass’s theory of transformational leadership. An exploratory-descriptive design was utilised to examine Branson’s life history. He was selected for the study through non-probability purposive sampling based on his history as an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur. Primary and secondary sources of historical and biographical data were used in the data collection process. The data was then processed using thematic analysis against the theoretical framework of transformational leadership. From an ethical perspective, the researcher took care to avoid the misrepresentation of the subject, thus balancing objective research with respect for the psychobiographical content and minimising the risk of doing harm. The findings demonstrated that Branson’s leadership style consists of, and corresponds to a large extent, to the four major components of TFL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Fourie, Megan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50557 , vital:42221
- Description: Transformational leadership (TFL) is a leadership theory that describes how leaders create change through their ability to inspire and motivate followers toward self-improvement and innovation that benefits the individual, the group, and the organisation as a whole.This psychobiographical research study explored the leadership style of Richard Branson by using Bass’s theory of transformational leadership. An exploratory-descriptive design was utilised to examine Branson’s life history. He was selected for the study through non-probability purposive sampling based on his history as an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur. Primary and secondary sources of historical and biographical data were used in the data collection process. The data was then processed using thematic analysis against the theoretical framework of transformational leadership. From an ethical perspective, the researcher took care to avoid the misrepresentation of the subject, thus balancing objective research with respect for the psychobiographical content and minimising the risk of doing harm. The findings demonstrated that Branson’s leadership style consists of, and corresponds to a large extent, to the four major components of TFL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Explored Vygotsky’s concept of mediation in a biliteracy project in the foundation phase of a township school
- Authors: Frans, Nompumelelo Grace
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Literacy -- South Africa -- Case studies , Education, Elementary -- South Africa -- Case studies , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Case studies , Vygotskiĭ, L S (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934 , Biliteracy Project (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147204 , vital:38602
- Description: The research reported on in this thesis explored teacher mediation when a biliteracy approach through task-based teaching and learning is used in a Foundation Phase classroom in a township school in the Eastern Cape. It is an action research aimed at understanding and systematically investigating how and what it means to work with bilingual mediation to ensure cognition, with emphasis on task design, facilitation for cognition, mediation forms and language use. This thesis was motivated by three issues that are still not being adequately addressed: the low level of cognitive work in South African schools, the failure to use the home languages of children throughout schooling as a medium of instruction and assessment (while providing excellent access to English as subject), and a top-down approach to both policy development and teacher professionalisation. These three issues drove me to explore theories that can help address them, and that is how I came to rely mostly on mediation, biliteracy and a task-based approach to teaching. For this research, on data handling I prepared and taught six lessons, but only three of the six lessons were recorded, transcribed and analysed for empirical data. I chose data handling, as in my previous experience I found it to include all the mathematical problem-solving skills which involve addition subtraction, analysing and comparing information. It also offered opportunities for language use, and meaningful interactive co-construction and acquiring of knowledge in the process of teaching and learning. This turned into a form of theory-driven action research, which was also developmental. I was critically reflective on my practices, and my facilitation for cognition and how I use language to make cognition possible. I also looked at the types of activities that I gave learners to help reach maximum development. The data collected from the classroom interactions, shows how I, in some instances, would take decisions, implement them and then find them not to be effective. It also shows some of the challenges I came across, from myself and the learners. Learners challenges were, unfamiliarity with the systematic build-up of data handling, filling in tables, transferring information from one form into a different form, and constructing and analysing bar graphs. This was part of pedagogynot the policy, which indicated inadequate teacher development. This could be because data handling is allocated minimal weighting from the CAPS document, and teachers do not go as in depth as they need to in dealing with data handling. My challenge was to prepare the grade 3 class for more data handling encounters in the higher grades. I had to ensure they grasped data handling concepts in their mother tongue before the switch to English as LoLT, as prescribed by policy. Learners proved to have little or no knowledge with regards to data handling concepts, which meant I had to start from the basics, as I had nothing to build on, and then progress to grade 3 level in one year. This study suggests that for any concept that has to be taught, cognition must be a priority, and strategies on how to facilitate that needs to be well thought out. Teachers need to be aware of theories that can positively impact on their practices. Teacher development is key to improvement of education, especially in the Eastern Cape. That cannot be done in isolation, but in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Frans, Nompumelelo Grace
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Literacy -- South Africa -- Case studies , Education, Elementary -- South Africa -- Case studies , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Case studies , Vygotskiĭ, L S (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934 , Biliteracy Project (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147204 , vital:38602
- Description: The research reported on in this thesis explored teacher mediation when a biliteracy approach through task-based teaching and learning is used in a Foundation Phase classroom in a township school in the Eastern Cape. It is an action research aimed at understanding and systematically investigating how and what it means to work with bilingual mediation to ensure cognition, with emphasis on task design, facilitation for cognition, mediation forms and language use. This thesis was motivated by three issues that are still not being adequately addressed: the low level of cognitive work in South African schools, the failure to use the home languages of children throughout schooling as a medium of instruction and assessment (while providing excellent access to English as subject), and a top-down approach to both policy development and teacher professionalisation. These three issues drove me to explore theories that can help address them, and that is how I came to rely mostly on mediation, biliteracy and a task-based approach to teaching. For this research, on data handling I prepared and taught six lessons, but only three of the six lessons were recorded, transcribed and analysed for empirical data. I chose data handling, as in my previous experience I found it to include all the mathematical problem-solving skills which involve addition subtraction, analysing and comparing information. It also offered opportunities for language use, and meaningful interactive co-construction and acquiring of knowledge in the process of teaching and learning. This turned into a form of theory-driven action research, which was also developmental. I was critically reflective on my practices, and my facilitation for cognition and how I use language to make cognition possible. I also looked at the types of activities that I gave learners to help reach maximum development. The data collected from the classroom interactions, shows how I, in some instances, would take decisions, implement them and then find them not to be effective. It also shows some of the challenges I came across, from myself and the learners. Learners challenges were, unfamiliarity with the systematic build-up of data handling, filling in tables, transferring information from one form into a different form, and constructing and analysing bar graphs. This was part of pedagogynot the policy, which indicated inadequate teacher development. This could be because data handling is allocated minimal weighting from the CAPS document, and teachers do not go as in depth as they need to in dealing with data handling. My challenge was to prepare the grade 3 class for more data handling encounters in the higher grades. I had to ensure they grasped data handling concepts in their mother tongue before the switch to English as LoLT, as prescribed by policy. Learners proved to have little or no knowledge with regards to data handling concepts, which meant I had to start from the basics, as I had nothing to build on, and then progress to grade 3 level in one year. This study suggests that for any concept that has to be taught, cognition must be a priority, and strategies on how to facilitate that needs to be well thought out. Teachers need to be aware of theories that can positively impact on their practices. Teacher development is key to improvement of education, especially in the Eastern Cape. That cannot be done in isolation, but in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A Comparative Study of Bootstrapping Techniques for Inventory Control
- Authors: Frederick, Lauren
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer bootstrapping -- Inventory control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48335 , vital:40849
- Description: Setting correct inventory levels is an important business consideration in order to minimise inventory investment while at the same time ensuring sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demand. Inventory management has a significant impact on both financial and customer service aspects of a business. Selecting appropriate inventory levels requires that products’ lead time demand be accurately estimated in order to calculate the reorder point. The purpose of this study was to empirically determine whether bootstrapping methods used to estimate the lead time demand distribution and reorder point calculation could match or even outperform a standard parametric approach. The two bootstrapping methods compared in this research included variations of those presented by Bookbinder and Lordahl [1989] and do Rego and de Mesquita [2015]. These were compared to the standard parametric approach common in practice which makes use of the Normal distribution for modelling lead time demand. The three reorder point calculation methods were each incorporated into the inventory policy simulations using data supplied by a South African automotive spare parts business. The simulations covered a period of twelve months and were repeated for multiple service levels ranging from 70 to 99 percent. Results of the simulations were compared at a high level as well as for groups of items identified using segmentation techniques which considered different item demand and lead time characteristics. Key findings were that the Normal approximation method was far superior in terms of the service level metric, while the variation of the Bookbinder and Lordahl [1989] method adopted in this study presented possible cost benefits at lower service levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Frederick, Lauren
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer bootstrapping -- Inventory control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48335 , vital:40849
- Description: Setting correct inventory levels is an important business consideration in order to minimise inventory investment while at the same time ensuring sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demand. Inventory management has a significant impact on both financial and customer service aspects of a business. Selecting appropriate inventory levels requires that products’ lead time demand be accurately estimated in order to calculate the reorder point. The purpose of this study was to empirically determine whether bootstrapping methods used to estimate the lead time demand distribution and reorder point calculation could match or even outperform a standard parametric approach. The two bootstrapping methods compared in this research included variations of those presented by Bookbinder and Lordahl [1989] and do Rego and de Mesquita [2015]. These were compared to the standard parametric approach common in practice which makes use of the Normal distribution for modelling lead time demand. The three reorder point calculation methods were each incorporated into the inventory policy simulations using data supplied by a South African automotive spare parts business. The simulations covered a period of twelve months and were repeated for multiple service levels ranging from 70 to 99 percent. Results of the simulations were compared at a high level as well as for groups of items identified using segmentation techniques which considered different item demand and lead time characteristics. Key findings were that the Normal approximation method was far superior in terms of the service level metric, while the variation of the Bookbinder and Lordahl [1989] method adopted in this study presented possible cost benefits at lower service levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of food preparers regarding food preparation in East London, South Africa
- Fundam, Thembeka, van Niekerk, Firstnames
- Authors: Fundam, Thembeka , van Niekerk, Firstnames
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Primary health care Food service management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18400 , vital:42262
- Description: Background: Food preparers and food handlers seem to face difficulties in identifying activities that render food unsafe as a result of food contamination during food preparation. Research has shown that food preparation is a global problem and a potential health risk which can result in food-borne diseases as a result of a lack of knowledge on the principles of hygienic practices and negative attitudes when handling food. Aim: This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that motivate food preparers in safe food preparation. Method: Building on existing work in understanding this phenomenon it asks: A purposive sample of male and female participants who prepare food at home were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire items were developed through focus group interviews and after a pilot study, presented to participants to complete. The items were subjected to principal component analysis (factor analysis), yielding a six-factor solution. The factor means, standard deviations were calculated and reliability was determined for each factor using Cronbach’s alpha as a measure of internal consistency. Group differences were determined through independent samples t-tests and anova. Results: The quantitative analysis demonstrated that food preparers have a fair knowledge and perception of how to prevent contamination. However, their behaviour is various aspects of food preparation might at times put them at risk for contamination. With regards to attitude, when comparing groups, people who prepare food with love and care demonstrated a more positive attitude towards food preparation than those who are less passionate to prepare food. On this basis, hygiene education should focus on the perceived threat to health as cues to action in changing attitudes and adherence to recommendations on hygiene. Conclusion: Further research is required to solicit the views of respondents below the age of 18 with regard to food-handling practices in pre-prepared food to ascertain and prevent further contamination and ensure food safety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Fundam, Thembeka , van Niekerk, Firstnames
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Primary health care Food service management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18400 , vital:42262
- Description: Background: Food preparers and food handlers seem to face difficulties in identifying activities that render food unsafe as a result of food contamination during food preparation. Research has shown that food preparation is a global problem and a potential health risk which can result in food-borne diseases as a result of a lack of knowledge on the principles of hygienic practices and negative attitudes when handling food. Aim: This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that motivate food preparers in safe food preparation. Method: Building on existing work in understanding this phenomenon it asks: A purposive sample of male and female participants who prepare food at home were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire items were developed through focus group interviews and after a pilot study, presented to participants to complete. The items were subjected to principal component analysis (factor analysis), yielding a six-factor solution. The factor means, standard deviations were calculated and reliability was determined for each factor using Cronbach’s alpha as a measure of internal consistency. Group differences were determined through independent samples t-tests and anova. Results: The quantitative analysis demonstrated that food preparers have a fair knowledge and perception of how to prevent contamination. However, their behaviour is various aspects of food preparation might at times put them at risk for contamination. With regards to attitude, when comparing groups, people who prepare food with love and care demonstrated a more positive attitude towards food preparation than those who are less passionate to prepare food. On this basis, hygiene education should focus on the perceived threat to health as cues to action in changing attitudes and adherence to recommendations on hygiene. Conclusion: Further research is required to solicit the views of respondents below the age of 18 with regard to food-handling practices in pre-prepared food to ascertain and prevent further contamination and ensure food safety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
“When the rainbow is enuf”: black postgraduate women’s experiences and perceptions of higher education and institutional culture – a case study of Rhodes University
- Authors: Gamedze, Ayanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Rhodes University , College students, Black -- South Afrca , Women college students, Black -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147215 , vital:38605
- Description: This thesis sets out to investigate the perceptions which Black postgraduate students hold of the present-day toward Historically White Universities (hereafter referred to as HWUs) in South Africa as unique sites from which to investigate institutional culture and the legacy of educational marginalisation. Black women are of particular focus because of the interlocking nature of social inequalities that uniquely influence their comparable experience in the academy. Rhodes University, a top-ranked traditional university provides the institutional site for this investigation into HWUs. This thesis seeks to further explore the suggestion that desegregation of South Africa's institutions of higher learning have meant access, but not always acceptance. The paper explores what Black women students perceive to be Rhodes University's institutional culture and its impact on their lived realities. Subsequently, these women have learned who they are, and what place they occupy in South Africa today, through navigating a space not necessarily accommodating to Blackness and difference. There exists a plethora of literature on the issues which Black women scholars systematically encounter daily in the academy, in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Nonetheless, there needs to be a further inquiry on the question of belonging of Black womanhood in HWU post the student-led movements of the past few years that have renewed the challenge to South Africa's colonial past, its neoliberal present, and its scourge of gender-based violence. This paper captures an ongoing conversation around the role of Black women in addressing transformation in HWU. As a Black woman in an HWU, I found myself wondering whether there are certain experiences students like me have in common – realities with nuances we call to identify with to some extent. I collected data from six Black women with whom I conducted interviews, and used it to compile this report and its analysis. I believe that the social significance of this study speaks to the importance of hearing the stories of subaltern groups that are positioned in spaces of privilege, yet continue to be defined by the disadvantage of their gender, race, and various other factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gamedze, Ayanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Rhodes University , College students, Black -- South Afrca , Women college students, Black -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147215 , vital:38605
- Description: This thesis sets out to investigate the perceptions which Black postgraduate students hold of the present-day toward Historically White Universities (hereafter referred to as HWUs) in South Africa as unique sites from which to investigate institutional culture and the legacy of educational marginalisation. Black women are of particular focus because of the interlocking nature of social inequalities that uniquely influence their comparable experience in the academy. Rhodes University, a top-ranked traditional university provides the institutional site for this investigation into HWUs. This thesis seeks to further explore the suggestion that desegregation of South Africa's institutions of higher learning have meant access, but not always acceptance. The paper explores what Black women students perceive to be Rhodes University's institutional culture and its impact on their lived realities. Subsequently, these women have learned who they are, and what place they occupy in South Africa today, through navigating a space not necessarily accommodating to Blackness and difference. There exists a plethora of literature on the issues which Black women scholars systematically encounter daily in the academy, in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Nonetheless, there needs to be a further inquiry on the question of belonging of Black womanhood in HWU post the student-led movements of the past few years that have renewed the challenge to South Africa's colonial past, its neoliberal present, and its scourge of gender-based violence. This paper captures an ongoing conversation around the role of Black women in addressing transformation in HWU. As a Black woman in an HWU, I found myself wondering whether there are certain experiences students like me have in common – realities with nuances we call to identify with to some extent. I collected data from six Black women with whom I conducted interviews, and used it to compile this report and its analysis. I believe that the social significance of this study speaks to the importance of hearing the stories of subaltern groups that are positioned in spaces of privilege, yet continue to be defined by the disadvantage of their gender, race, and various other factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Default in payment, an application of statistical learning techniques
- Authors: Gcakasi, Lulama
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Credit -- South Africa -- Risk assessment , Risk management -- Statistical methods -- South Africa , Credit -- Management -- Statistical methods , Commercial statistics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141547 , vital:37984
- Description: The ability of financial institutions to detect whether a customer will default on their credit card payment is essential for its profitability. To that effect, financial institutions have credit scoring systems in place to be able to estimate the credit risk associated with a customer. Various classification models are used to develop credit scoring systems such as k-nearest neighbours, logistic regression and classification trees. This study aims to assess the performance of different classification models on the prediction of credit card payment default. Credit data is usually of high dimension and as a result dimension reduction techniques, namely principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, are used in this study as a means to improve model performance. Two classification models are used, namely neural networks and support vector machines. Model performance is evaluated using accuracy and area under the curve (AUC). The neuarl network classifier performed better than the support vector machine classifier as it produced higher accuracy rates and AUC values. Dimension reduction techniques were not effective in improving model performance but did result in less computationally expensive models.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gcakasi, Lulama
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Credit -- South Africa -- Risk assessment , Risk management -- Statistical methods -- South Africa , Credit -- Management -- Statistical methods , Commercial statistics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141547 , vital:37984
- Description: The ability of financial institutions to detect whether a customer will default on their credit card payment is essential for its profitability. To that effect, financial institutions have credit scoring systems in place to be able to estimate the credit risk associated with a customer. Various classification models are used to develop credit scoring systems such as k-nearest neighbours, logistic regression and classification trees. This study aims to assess the performance of different classification models on the prediction of credit card payment default. Credit data is usually of high dimension and as a result dimension reduction techniques, namely principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, are used in this study as a means to improve model performance. Two classification models are used, namely neural networks and support vector machines. Model performance is evaluated using accuracy and area under the curve (AUC). The neuarl network classifier performed better than the support vector machine classifier as it produced higher accuracy rates and AUC values. Dimension reduction techniques were not effective in improving model performance but did result in less computationally expensive models.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An investigation of the morphological and electrochemical properties of anode titanate materials used in li-ion batteries
- Authors: Gelant, Charmaine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrodes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48346 , vital:40851
- Description: The chemistry involved in the synthesis of lithium titanium oxide (Li4Ti5O12) for lithium ion battery applications is critical for understanding and optimizing the most cost-efficient manufacturing route. This study investigates the sol-gel synthesis technique of Li4Ti5O12 using triethanolamine (TEOA) as complexing agent by means of in-situ Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD). The influence of doping with various metals such as Al3+, Mg2+ , Co3+ and Ni2+ that were made as precursors was considered for comparison purposes due to literature showing improved electrochemical performance using the molecular formula of Li4Ti4.95M0.05O12. The in-situ PXRD technique was used to identify the phase changes that occurred in the thermal synthesis process from the sol-gel precursors to the final crystalline oxides. The materials’ decomposition mechanisms were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) as the precursors were gradually heated to obtain the final oxides. BET surface area analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used in order to obtain a morphological understanding of the materials during the synthetic route at specific temperature regions. The in-situ studies have shown that the precursor materials are amorphous at room temperature to about 550 °C, after which the spinel and anatase formed, with relatively small crystallites and a large surface area. The study also showed that a crystalline intermediate phase formed at around 150-200 °C, which then disappeared above 250 °C and was speculated to be a titanium acid (H2Ti2O5.H2O). Upon further heating above 250 °C, the anatase phase converted to the high temperature stable TiO2 phase, rutile, also with an increased formation of the expected LTO spinel phase around 850 °C. Keeping the material at 850 °C, isothermally, did show further conversion of the rutile into the desired spinel phase Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) with an increase in the crystallite size and a decrease in surface area. SEM analysis of the material at 850 °C did show some extensive sintering of the particles with some samples indicating the presence of an additional β-Li2TiO3 phase that formed at the high temperatures. Upon cooling, the βLi2TiO3 phase showed a distinctive powder diffraction pattern besides the typical spinel II LTO phase. The study showed that in comparison to the oxide formed at 850 °C, a mixed phase material of the spinel LTO, anatase and rutile could be achieved at temperatures close to 650 °C with very small crystallites and a relatively large surface area that showed desirable electrochemical properties. Suitable Li-ion coin cells were built with the undoped spinel and doped materials that were isothermally made at 650 °C and 850 °C, whereby their electrochemical properties were tested in the form of cell capacity, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential capacity (dQ/dV) studies. The cells made with the materials at 850 °C provided reasonable capacity where the dQ/dV plots did show a single step redox reaction at around 1.5V vs Li/Li+ . These were compared to cells made with commercially available LTO and highlighted the importance of high surface area and small particle size of the active material in order to achieve acceptable electrochemical performances. The cells with the materials made at 650 °C showed to have good capacity upon the first discharge with a number of irreversible phase transitions that were subsequently not observed upon recharging. The dQ/dV graphs showed that the phase transitions were unique to the mixed phase composition of the material made at low temperatures and the cells made with the doped spinel materials were on average better performing than the undoped LTO material. Subsequent grinding steps of the active material made at 850 °C improved the capacity performance of the cells but were still lower when compared to the commercially available material. Hence, significantly longer grinding and processing time would be required to achieve battery active materials that are acceptable for commercial use. This study highlights the importance of understanding the phase transitions that occur during the synthesis route of making battery active material, where doping with different elements and using lower temperatures during synthesis could lead to electroactive materials that do not require additional excessive processing steps such as grinding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gelant, Charmaine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrodes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48346 , vital:40851
- Description: The chemistry involved in the synthesis of lithium titanium oxide (Li4Ti5O12) for lithium ion battery applications is critical for understanding and optimizing the most cost-efficient manufacturing route. This study investigates the sol-gel synthesis technique of Li4Ti5O12 using triethanolamine (TEOA) as complexing agent by means of in-situ Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD). The influence of doping with various metals such as Al3+, Mg2+ , Co3+ and Ni2+ that were made as precursors was considered for comparison purposes due to literature showing improved electrochemical performance using the molecular formula of Li4Ti4.95M0.05O12. The in-situ PXRD technique was used to identify the phase changes that occurred in the thermal synthesis process from the sol-gel precursors to the final crystalline oxides. The materials’ decomposition mechanisms were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) as the precursors were gradually heated to obtain the final oxides. BET surface area analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used in order to obtain a morphological understanding of the materials during the synthetic route at specific temperature regions. The in-situ studies have shown that the precursor materials are amorphous at room temperature to about 550 °C, after which the spinel and anatase formed, with relatively small crystallites and a large surface area. The study also showed that a crystalline intermediate phase formed at around 150-200 °C, which then disappeared above 250 °C and was speculated to be a titanium acid (H2Ti2O5.H2O). Upon further heating above 250 °C, the anatase phase converted to the high temperature stable TiO2 phase, rutile, also with an increased formation of the expected LTO spinel phase around 850 °C. Keeping the material at 850 °C, isothermally, did show further conversion of the rutile into the desired spinel phase Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) with an increase in the crystallite size and a decrease in surface area. SEM analysis of the material at 850 °C did show some extensive sintering of the particles with some samples indicating the presence of an additional β-Li2TiO3 phase that formed at the high temperatures. Upon cooling, the βLi2TiO3 phase showed a distinctive powder diffraction pattern besides the typical spinel II LTO phase. The study showed that in comparison to the oxide formed at 850 °C, a mixed phase material of the spinel LTO, anatase and rutile could be achieved at temperatures close to 650 °C with very small crystallites and a relatively large surface area that showed desirable electrochemical properties. Suitable Li-ion coin cells were built with the undoped spinel and doped materials that were isothermally made at 650 °C and 850 °C, whereby their electrochemical properties were tested in the form of cell capacity, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential capacity (dQ/dV) studies. The cells made with the materials at 850 °C provided reasonable capacity where the dQ/dV plots did show a single step redox reaction at around 1.5V vs Li/Li+ . These were compared to cells made with commercially available LTO and highlighted the importance of high surface area and small particle size of the active material in order to achieve acceptable electrochemical performances. The cells with the materials made at 650 °C showed to have good capacity upon the first discharge with a number of irreversible phase transitions that were subsequently not observed upon recharging. The dQ/dV graphs showed that the phase transitions were unique to the mixed phase composition of the material made at low temperatures and the cells made with the doped spinel materials were on average better performing than the undoped LTO material. Subsequent grinding steps of the active material made at 850 °C improved the capacity performance of the cells but were still lower when compared to the commercially available material. Hence, significantly longer grinding and processing time would be required to achieve battery active materials that are acceptable for commercial use. This study highlights the importance of understanding the phase transitions that occur during the synthesis route of making battery active material, where doping with different elements and using lower temperatures during synthesis could lead to electroactive materials that do not require additional excessive processing steps such as grinding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of purple truths: an alternative history of the school of journalism and media studies at Rhodes University. Exploring the possibilities of digital media for telling history through multiple voices
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Jesamé
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media and history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital media -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital humanities , User-generated content -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media -- Authorship , Rhodes University. School of Journalism and Media Studies -- History , Purple Truths
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142293 , vital:38066
- Description: In theory, notions of public history and participatory journalism signal the ability of users to become active collaborators in the journalistic process with a degree of agency and authority over media content. Similarities in public history and participatory journalism are manifested in audience participation where the traditional and hegemonic boundaries between readers and journalists/historians are challenged. In this thesis, I present Purple Truths, a digital public history website about the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, that highlights multivocality and plurality. It allowed for democratisation of the historical narrative by inviting audience participation to historical inquiry on a digital platform. It was constructed as a case study for the thesis to investigate participatory processes. Using a five-dimensional model developed by Netzer et al. (2014) for the construction of participation on news websites, I identified five major participation features that revealed how and where participation was happening on the website. The features were mapped and tabulated according to Carpentier’s (2011) maximalist/minimalist dimensions of participation (access, interaction and ‘real’) to determine the degrees of participation in this study towards the aim of using the Purple Truths website to democratise the historical narrative. My findings suggest that despite a diversity of strategies, the study did have to rely on existing norms and practices of editorial decision-making, even in the context of digital media, and significant stages of the news-production process (selection/filtering) remained in the hands of researcher/editor. Maximalist participation, demonstrated as equalised power relations in decision-making, has a utopian dimension and is difficult to translate into practice. However, participation research requires further investigation in the digital humanities in South Africa to explore notions of democratisation of the narrative in academic and social praxis as sites of interdisciplinary democratic renewal
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Jesamé
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media and history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital media -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital humanities , User-generated content -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media -- Authorship , Rhodes University. School of Journalism and Media Studies -- History , Purple Truths
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142293 , vital:38066
- Description: In theory, notions of public history and participatory journalism signal the ability of users to become active collaborators in the journalistic process with a degree of agency and authority over media content. Similarities in public history and participatory journalism are manifested in audience participation where the traditional and hegemonic boundaries between readers and journalists/historians are challenged. In this thesis, I present Purple Truths, a digital public history website about the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, that highlights multivocality and plurality. It allowed for democratisation of the historical narrative by inviting audience participation to historical inquiry on a digital platform. It was constructed as a case study for the thesis to investigate participatory processes. Using a five-dimensional model developed by Netzer et al. (2014) for the construction of participation on news websites, I identified five major participation features that revealed how and where participation was happening on the website. The features were mapped and tabulated according to Carpentier’s (2011) maximalist/minimalist dimensions of participation (access, interaction and ‘real’) to determine the degrees of participation in this study towards the aim of using the Purple Truths website to democratise the historical narrative. My findings suggest that despite a diversity of strategies, the study did have to rely on existing norms and practices of editorial decision-making, even in the context of digital media, and significant stages of the news-production process (selection/filtering) remained in the hands of researcher/editor. Maximalist participation, demonstrated as equalised power relations in decision-making, has a utopian dimension and is difficult to translate into practice. However, participation research requires further investigation in the digital humanities in South Africa to explore notions of democratisation of the narrative in academic and social praxis as sites of interdisciplinary democratic renewal
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The influence of online service quality on future purchasing intent
- Authors: Gelderbloem, Kirsten
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48114 , vital:40490
- Description: The rapid advancements in technology has seen a growing shift in retail industry trends, with many retailers establishing online shopping platforms. Though online shopping was initially more popular in other parts of the world, it is fast becoming more popular in South Africa. Many South Africans are now starting to feel more comfortable with the experience, convenience and benefits of online shopping and thus it is important for researchers and experts to gain a better understanding of customers’ experiences in this regard. Furthermore, customer service and quality of service in the online shopping space tends to be relatively different to customer service and quality experienced at a traditional retail store. Therefore, understanding customer service and quality of service within the online retail space is also a critical area to be researched. The aim of this study is thus is to assist retailers and managers to better understand customer service quality of online shopping platforms and how these online shopping platforms perform in terms of its reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy, and responsiveness dimensions of service quality. An empirical study, consisting of a questionnaire was conducted amongst 88 South African males and females from the various generational cohorts who utilise online shopping platforms. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the service quality experiences of customers who make use of online shopping platforms. The key findings indicated that reliability, tangibility and empathy are the key determinants affecting a customer’s intention to purchase from an online shopping platform. Furthermore, recommendations were made to retailers and managers to consistently focus on remaining reliable in terms of delivering goods as promised; accepting returns and offering refunds, as well as maintaining accurate client and product information; consistently striving towards providing exceptional tangible experiences, such as maintaining a visually appealing website that is easy to navigate, safe and secure to conduct transactions and, to always ensure that customer service agents show empathy towards to their customers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gelderbloem, Kirsten
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48114 , vital:40490
- Description: The rapid advancements in technology has seen a growing shift in retail industry trends, with many retailers establishing online shopping platforms. Though online shopping was initially more popular in other parts of the world, it is fast becoming more popular in South Africa. Many South Africans are now starting to feel more comfortable with the experience, convenience and benefits of online shopping and thus it is important for researchers and experts to gain a better understanding of customers’ experiences in this regard. Furthermore, customer service and quality of service in the online shopping space tends to be relatively different to customer service and quality experienced at a traditional retail store. Therefore, understanding customer service and quality of service within the online retail space is also a critical area to be researched. The aim of this study is thus is to assist retailers and managers to better understand customer service quality of online shopping platforms and how these online shopping platforms perform in terms of its reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy, and responsiveness dimensions of service quality. An empirical study, consisting of a questionnaire was conducted amongst 88 South African males and females from the various generational cohorts who utilise online shopping platforms. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the service quality experiences of customers who make use of online shopping platforms. The key findings indicated that reliability, tangibility and empathy are the key determinants affecting a customer’s intention to purchase from an online shopping platform. Furthermore, recommendations were made to retailers and managers to consistently focus on remaining reliable in terms of delivering goods as promised; accepting returns and offering refunds, as well as maintaining accurate client and product information; consistently striving towards providing exceptional tangible experiences, such as maintaining a visually appealing website that is easy to navigate, safe and secure to conduct transactions and, to always ensure that customer service agents show empathy towards to their customers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
'n Ondersoek na genderpolitieke kwessies in die kortverhale van Rachelle Greeff
- Authors: Gelderblom, Zel-Marí Kato
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Women -- Political activity
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50756 , vital:42666
- Description: Hierdie verhandeling fokus op die genderpolitieke kwessies in die volgende geselekteerde kortverhale van Rachelle Greeff; “Borste en bandiet”, en “Snaaks watter simpel goed mens onthou”, uit die bundel Die rugkant van die bruid (1990), sowel as “Eters anoniem”, uit die bundel Onwaarskynlike Engele (1993). Die hoofdoel van die studie was om die essensies van genderpolitiek soos deur Greeff aangetoon, te bepaal ten einde die geslagsposisie van die hedendaagse vrou te belig. Daar is gekyk na die manier waarop Rachelle Greeff die fokus op die liggaamlikheid en spesifiek die uiterlike van die vrou plaas, sowel as die manier waarop Greeff stereotipes en taboes rondom die vrou afbreek. Judith Butler se genderteorie is gebruik om hierdie genderpolitieke kwessies te ondersoek, te bespreek en te analiseer. Hierdie is volgens my kennis die eerste verhandeling wat oor Rachelle Greeff se werk handel.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gelderblom, Zel-Marí Kato
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Women -- Political activity
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50756 , vital:42666
- Description: Hierdie verhandeling fokus op die genderpolitieke kwessies in die volgende geselekteerde kortverhale van Rachelle Greeff; “Borste en bandiet”, en “Snaaks watter simpel goed mens onthou”, uit die bundel Die rugkant van die bruid (1990), sowel as “Eters anoniem”, uit die bundel Onwaarskynlike Engele (1993). Die hoofdoel van die studie was om die essensies van genderpolitiek soos deur Greeff aangetoon, te bepaal ten einde die geslagsposisie van die hedendaagse vrou te belig. Daar is gekyk na die manier waarop Rachelle Greeff die fokus op die liggaamlikheid en spesifiek die uiterlike van die vrou plaas, sowel as die manier waarop Greeff stereotipes en taboes rondom die vrou afbreek. Judith Butler se genderteorie is gebruik om hierdie genderpolitieke kwessies te ondersoek, te bespreek en te analiseer. Hierdie is volgens my kennis die eerste verhandeling wat oor Rachelle Greeff se werk handel.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Learners’ perception on the effect of infrastructure development on academic performance in Port Elizabeth public secondary schools
- Authors: Goduka, Nomava
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- Planning , School facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance Academic achievement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46053 , vital:39479
- Description: South Africa is striving to attain quality equal education; however, this ideal is affected by various factors such as discrimination, learner-related challenges (e.g. dilapidated rural schools, poverty, and violence), educator-related challenges (e.g. low morale and motivation, and poor administration and management of schools), and governmental issues (e.g. a lack of will, lacklustre attitudes, and an inability to deliver resources and/or services). While the National Department of Basic Education is battling to eradicate the backlog of school infrastructure and maintenance, mud schools are still prevalent in rural areas. The present state of poverty-stricken areas is most affected by the mentioned challenges and, as a result, it is necessary to determine the nature and extent of the consequences in terms of academic performance. This study, therefore, investigated the reality of the current rural school situation by investigating the perceptions of learners on the effect of infrastructure development on their academic performance in public secondary schools. Three secondary schools in the Motherwell area in Port Elizabeth were chosen for the research setting. A quantitative research approach was deemed suitable for the study, and a questionnaire was utilised for data collection. A total of 151 questionnaires were completed. The key findings derived from the data indicated that inadequate infrastructure has a negative impact on academic performance. Some of the key issues pertaining to infrastructure included inadequate leisure areas, laboratories, libraries, and sport fields. Overcrowding in classrooms were also found to be prevalent, and posed a major barrier to learning. The findings of the study provided insights into the reality of rural education and were used as a basis for offering recommendations that may assist stakeholders to improve the current situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Goduka, Nomava
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- Planning , School facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance Academic achievement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46053 , vital:39479
- Description: South Africa is striving to attain quality equal education; however, this ideal is affected by various factors such as discrimination, learner-related challenges (e.g. dilapidated rural schools, poverty, and violence), educator-related challenges (e.g. low morale and motivation, and poor administration and management of schools), and governmental issues (e.g. a lack of will, lacklustre attitudes, and an inability to deliver resources and/or services). While the National Department of Basic Education is battling to eradicate the backlog of school infrastructure and maintenance, mud schools are still prevalent in rural areas. The present state of poverty-stricken areas is most affected by the mentioned challenges and, as a result, it is necessary to determine the nature and extent of the consequences in terms of academic performance. This study, therefore, investigated the reality of the current rural school situation by investigating the perceptions of learners on the effect of infrastructure development on their academic performance in public secondary schools. Three secondary schools in the Motherwell area in Port Elizabeth were chosen for the research setting. A quantitative research approach was deemed suitable for the study, and a questionnaire was utilised for data collection. A total of 151 questionnaires were completed. The key findings derived from the data indicated that inadequate infrastructure has a negative impact on academic performance. Some of the key issues pertaining to infrastructure included inadequate leisure areas, laboratories, libraries, and sport fields. Overcrowding in classrooms were also found to be prevalent, and posed a major barrier to learning. The findings of the study provided insights into the reality of rural education and were used as a basis for offering recommendations that may assist stakeholders to improve the current situation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Rethinking minimum sentence Legislation
- Authors: Goliath, Alphonso Augustine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47370 , vital:39851
- Description: The harsh mandatory minimum sentences, introduced by the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, seemed like a good idea to politicians, as a means of countering the escalating crime rate experienced when South Africa transitioned to its new democracy, and to appease the public that something is being done about the issue. The plan was that everyone who committed the same crime would receive the same guaranteed sentence. Judges and Magistrates can only deviate from the predetermined sentences if they are satisfied that substantial and compelling circumstances exist, which would justify the imposition of a lesser sentence, limiting their flexibility. By doing so sentences would always be fair, politicians could be seen to be tough on crime and everyone would be satisfied. Unfortunately, this is not how minimum sentencing legislation turned out to be, as research has shown that it is not a deterrent for crime in South Africa or anywhere else. Instead of achieving consistency in sentencing, it worsens inconsistencies and disparities. With minimum sentencing legislation, the sentence for drug trafficking and murder is the same. Instinctively, human beings want to be safe and secure, but to lock up non-violent people for years will not make people feel safer. Due to the increased number of people serving life sentences and because non-violent offences are incorporated in the minimum sentencing legislation, our prison population has increased rapidly. Minimum sentencing legislation has several negative consequences, at a huge cost to South Africans, of which overcrowding of prisons is the most significant. Courts were tolerant with the poor language of the minimum sentencing legislation, as it was only supposed to be a temporary emergency measure against the high escalating violent crime experienced in South Africa post-1994. Since this Legislation became permanent in 2007, it is considerably different from the one considered in S v Dodo and a constitutional challenge is justifiable. With reference to the above, this research will reveal that minimum sentencing legislation did not deliver the desired results South Africa was hoping for and it is a vii major contributor to South Africa’s social retrograde. The rethinking of minimum sentencing legislation becomes imperative, bearing in mind that South Africa has previously researched sentencing alternatives at its disposal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Goliath, Alphonso Augustine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47370 , vital:39851
- Description: The harsh mandatory minimum sentences, introduced by the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, seemed like a good idea to politicians, as a means of countering the escalating crime rate experienced when South Africa transitioned to its new democracy, and to appease the public that something is being done about the issue. The plan was that everyone who committed the same crime would receive the same guaranteed sentence. Judges and Magistrates can only deviate from the predetermined sentences if they are satisfied that substantial and compelling circumstances exist, which would justify the imposition of a lesser sentence, limiting their flexibility. By doing so sentences would always be fair, politicians could be seen to be tough on crime and everyone would be satisfied. Unfortunately, this is not how minimum sentencing legislation turned out to be, as research has shown that it is not a deterrent for crime in South Africa or anywhere else. Instead of achieving consistency in sentencing, it worsens inconsistencies and disparities. With minimum sentencing legislation, the sentence for drug trafficking and murder is the same. Instinctively, human beings want to be safe and secure, but to lock up non-violent people for years will not make people feel safer. Due to the increased number of people serving life sentences and because non-violent offences are incorporated in the minimum sentencing legislation, our prison population has increased rapidly. Minimum sentencing legislation has several negative consequences, at a huge cost to South Africans, of which overcrowding of prisons is the most significant. Courts were tolerant with the poor language of the minimum sentencing legislation, as it was only supposed to be a temporary emergency measure against the high escalating violent crime experienced in South Africa post-1994. Since this Legislation became permanent in 2007, it is considerably different from the one considered in S v Dodo and a constitutional challenge is justifiable. With reference to the above, this research will reveal that minimum sentencing legislation did not deliver the desired results South Africa was hoping for and it is a vii major contributor to South Africa’s social retrograde. The rethinking of minimum sentencing legislation becomes imperative, bearing in mind that South Africa has previously researched sentencing alternatives at its disposal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Come listen quickly
- Authors: Gouws, Leigh-Anne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141559 , vital:37985
- Description: Creative work portfolio.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gouws, Leigh-Anne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141559 , vital:37985
- Description: Creative work portfolio.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The relationship between workplace trust, work engagement and turnover intentions
- Authors: Gouws, Rumelda Hendrieka
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Manufacturing industries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Mcom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48124 , vital:40494
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether relationships exist between workplace trust, work engagement and turnover intentions. Moreover, it also investigated the significant demographical differences of the constructs. This study is of a positive psychology paradigm and primarily non-experimental cross-sectional and correlational in nature. The participants were from the workforce of a large manufacturing organisation (n=568) within the Eastern Cape. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected through the aid of self-administered standardised paper-and-pencil questionnaires, which incorporated the Workplace Trust Survey, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Turnover Intentions Scale. Only instruments that showed construct validity and reliability were used. The necessary steps were taken to ensure that plagiarism, bias, data manipulation and physical and/or emotional harm was avoided, whereas confidentiality and anonymity were maintained. Only 140 questionnaires were returned, from which only 104 were fully completed. Data analysis and interpretation were performed with the aid of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis methods. Pearson’s product-moment correlations were used to determine statistically significant relationships between the constructs. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to determine significant demographical differences between the constructs. It was found that all three measuring instruments had Cronbach’s alpha scores above 0.80, indicating good internal reliability and validity. The findings of the study identified a number of correlations between the constructs and their factors. It was found that a positive relationship exists between workplace trust and work engagement, as well as between the factors of both these constructs. A negative relationship was found between turnover intentions and both workplace trust and work engagement and their respective factors. Significant demographical differences were found for gender on the workplace trust scale, and two of its factors (trust in the organisation and in the immediate manager), and vigour. In addition to this, significant demographical differences were found for race on the workplace trust scale and two of its factors, namely trust in the organisation and in the immediate manager. This research study’s findings made a valuable contribution to the field of workplace trust, work engagement, turnover intentions and the manufacturing environment. The results of this study hold important implications for the organisation in question and provide a platform for future research studies. This study aids in better understanding the relationships between the constructs and their variables, to formulate better retention and enhancement strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gouws, Rumelda Hendrieka
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Manufacturing industries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Mcom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48124 , vital:40494
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether relationships exist between workplace trust, work engagement and turnover intentions. Moreover, it also investigated the significant demographical differences of the constructs. This study is of a positive psychology paradigm and primarily non-experimental cross-sectional and correlational in nature. The participants were from the workforce of a large manufacturing organisation (n=568) within the Eastern Cape. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected through the aid of self-administered standardised paper-and-pencil questionnaires, which incorporated the Workplace Trust Survey, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Turnover Intentions Scale. Only instruments that showed construct validity and reliability were used. The necessary steps were taken to ensure that plagiarism, bias, data manipulation and physical and/or emotional harm was avoided, whereas confidentiality and anonymity were maintained. Only 140 questionnaires were returned, from which only 104 were fully completed. Data analysis and interpretation were performed with the aid of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis methods. Pearson’s product-moment correlations were used to determine statistically significant relationships between the constructs. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to determine significant demographical differences between the constructs. It was found that all three measuring instruments had Cronbach’s alpha scores above 0.80, indicating good internal reliability and validity. The findings of the study identified a number of correlations between the constructs and their factors. It was found that a positive relationship exists between workplace trust and work engagement, as well as between the factors of both these constructs. A negative relationship was found between turnover intentions and both workplace trust and work engagement and their respective factors. Significant demographical differences were found for gender on the workplace trust scale, and two of its factors (trust in the organisation and in the immediate manager), and vigour. In addition to this, significant demographical differences were found for race on the workplace trust scale and two of its factors, namely trust in the organisation and in the immediate manager. This research study’s findings made a valuable contribution to the field of workplace trust, work engagement, turnover intentions and the manufacturing environment. The results of this study hold important implications for the organisation in question and provide a platform for future research studies. This study aids in better understanding the relationships between the constructs and their variables, to formulate better retention and enhancement strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Domestication of the international-law prohibition of child soldiering
- Authors: Govender, Nikita
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Child soldiers (International law) , International law , Humanitarian law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48982 , vital:41572
- Description: Children and their participation in armed conflict or the ‘child soldiering phenomenon’ as referred to throughout this dissertation is a global crisis which has been inadequately regulated by international law. Customary international law and the three branches of public international law (international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law and international criminal law (ICL)) which purport to regulate this phenomenon are not lacking in their substance but rather in their coherency. Four core aspects of the existing international child soldiering norms are identified by this dissertation as being worthy of concern since they unduly prejudice children. These four core aspects being the definition of a child, the nature of child recruitment or enlistment, the nature of child participation in armed conflict and the nature of the obligation on States to prevent child soldiering. The norms established in terms of the abovementioned branches of law not only span across various international instruments within each branch of public international law, but the standards established conflict with one another to the detriment of the children to which it purports to extend protection. States which ratify these instruments therefore find themselves bound to conflicting international obligations insofar as child soldiering is concerned. The question thus becomes how these States, whether monist or dualist, ought to implement such fragmented and conflicting international obligations at national level. Following consideration of the existing State practice, it is evident that the way in which States choose to establish national law based on international obligations is pivotal. Notwithstanding their binding international obligations, States may adopt national legislation in such a way that the existing lacunae and the legal conundrums caused by those conflicting norms are circumvented. In order to assist States to establish national legislation in this way, the question becomes whether or not a model law on child soldiers could serve this purpose. This study determines that the quandary posed by model laws, specifically in relation to the broad interpretative leeway afforded to States, makes it an unsuitable solution to assist States to implement their international obligations in a less fragmented and less inconsistent way. As a model law proves to be an unfeasible solution, this dissertation seeks an alternative solution in the form of a manual on child soldiers. This study concludes that such a manual of which the substantive norms are based on binding treaty law and non-binding soft law, serves as a more appropriate solution. The manual, which shall be based on the notion of “the best interests of the child”, ought to adopt one uniform and consistent approach regarding the regulation of child soldiering, particularly insofar as it ought to extend an unfettered protection to all children. To ensure that such an unfettered protection is maintained throughout the manual, guidelines on the specific substantive norms of the manual are provided by this dissertation. Each guideline considers each of the four core aspects of the existing international child soldiering norms identified by this dissertation as unduly prejudicing children. Finally, this dissertation concludes that the lacunae in the existing international child soldiering norms contribute to the realities on the ground and the starting point in bridging this gap is at State level. It is therefore the overarching recommendation of this dissertation that a manual on child soldiers be established to assist States to implement and subsequently enforce their international child soldiering obligations in a less fragmented and less inconsistent manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Govender, Nikita
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Child soldiers (International law) , International law , Humanitarian law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48982 , vital:41572
- Description: Children and their participation in armed conflict or the ‘child soldiering phenomenon’ as referred to throughout this dissertation is a global crisis which has been inadequately regulated by international law. Customary international law and the three branches of public international law (international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law and international criminal law (ICL)) which purport to regulate this phenomenon are not lacking in their substance but rather in their coherency. Four core aspects of the existing international child soldiering norms are identified by this dissertation as being worthy of concern since they unduly prejudice children. These four core aspects being the definition of a child, the nature of child recruitment or enlistment, the nature of child participation in armed conflict and the nature of the obligation on States to prevent child soldiering. The norms established in terms of the abovementioned branches of law not only span across various international instruments within each branch of public international law, but the standards established conflict with one another to the detriment of the children to which it purports to extend protection. States which ratify these instruments therefore find themselves bound to conflicting international obligations insofar as child soldiering is concerned. The question thus becomes how these States, whether monist or dualist, ought to implement such fragmented and conflicting international obligations at national level. Following consideration of the existing State practice, it is evident that the way in which States choose to establish national law based on international obligations is pivotal. Notwithstanding their binding international obligations, States may adopt national legislation in such a way that the existing lacunae and the legal conundrums caused by those conflicting norms are circumvented. In order to assist States to establish national legislation in this way, the question becomes whether or not a model law on child soldiers could serve this purpose. This study determines that the quandary posed by model laws, specifically in relation to the broad interpretative leeway afforded to States, makes it an unsuitable solution to assist States to implement their international obligations in a less fragmented and less inconsistent way. As a model law proves to be an unfeasible solution, this dissertation seeks an alternative solution in the form of a manual on child soldiers. This study concludes that such a manual of which the substantive norms are based on binding treaty law and non-binding soft law, serves as a more appropriate solution. The manual, which shall be based on the notion of “the best interests of the child”, ought to adopt one uniform and consistent approach regarding the regulation of child soldiering, particularly insofar as it ought to extend an unfettered protection to all children. To ensure that such an unfettered protection is maintained throughout the manual, guidelines on the specific substantive norms of the manual are provided by this dissertation. Each guideline considers each of the four core aspects of the existing international child soldiering norms identified by this dissertation as unduly prejudicing children. Finally, this dissertation concludes that the lacunae in the existing international child soldiering norms contribute to the realities on the ground and the starting point in bridging this gap is at State level. It is therefore the overarching recommendation of this dissertation that a manual on child soldiers be established to assist States to implement and subsequently enforce their international child soldiering obligations in a less fragmented and less inconsistent manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Exploring gender roles in traditional healing practice at selected areas of Buffalo City Municipality Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Gqibithole,Zizipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Healers Healing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18107 , vital:42233
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the gender roles in traditional healing practice at selected areas of Buffalo City Municipality. A qualitative method was used to explore and identify gender roles in traditional healing practice. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty traditional healers, both males and females. In depth interviews and focus group discussions were also used to collect data and an interview guide was used to conduct interviews with participants. Thematic analysis and open coding were used in identifying themes. The results were: there are different roles ascribed for both male and female traditional healers. Those roles may lead to stereotypes and the stereotypes may have negative effects to the traditional healers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gqibithole,Zizipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Healers Healing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18107 , vital:42233
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the gender roles in traditional healing practice at selected areas of Buffalo City Municipality. A qualitative method was used to explore and identify gender roles in traditional healing practice. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty traditional healers, both males and females. In depth interviews and focus group discussions were also used to collect data and an interview guide was used to conduct interviews with participants. Thematic analysis and open coding were used in identifying themes. The results were: there are different roles ascribed for both male and female traditional healers. Those roles may lead to stereotypes and the stereotypes may have negative effects to the traditional healers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Continuous flow synthesis of 5-formyl-2,4- dimethyl-1h-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid, a key intermediate towards the synthesis of sunitinib anti-cancer drug
- Authors: Gqokoma, Zizo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Flow chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48356 , vital:40852
- Description: The present trend in the pharmaceutical industry is towards adapting continuous flow processing with the main driving force behind this being the need to reduce environmental and economic costs. Continuous flow systems have proven to produce better quality products at lower costs, time and energy. As a result, this technique has diversified and expanded to provide novel, and practical solutions to not only organic synthesis but also renewable fuels and material science. The focus of this research work was to exploit continuous flow systems, to develop a continuous flow process that is energy and time effective, using commercial micro reactors to synthesize 5-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid, a key intermediate towards the synthesis of sunitinib, an anti-cancer drug. In this thesis, a successful study on the individual translation of a 5 step batch synthesis of 5- formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid into optimised continuous flow syntheses is demonstrated. A comprehensive literature review and background on cancer, and an introduction to pyrrole rings, their role in disease treatments in addition to a brief introduction to continuous flow technology with its advantages, and comparison to classical batch methods are provided in the first chapter. Chapter two is detailing the experimental procedures utilised for both batch and continuous flow syntheses. The continuous flow synthesis of the four intermediates towards the target compound in this work proved to be far superior compared to their batch syntheses; excellent improvements in reaction yields and selectivity in addition to tremendously shorter reaction times were observed. This is expounded in chapter three with detailed discussions of the results attained during the continuous flow optimisation of each step within the scope of this research, are provided. The concluding remarks, the impact of this study and future work are elucidated in chapter four.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gqokoma, Zizo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Flow chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48356 , vital:40852
- Description: The present trend in the pharmaceutical industry is towards adapting continuous flow processing with the main driving force behind this being the need to reduce environmental and economic costs. Continuous flow systems have proven to produce better quality products at lower costs, time and energy. As a result, this technique has diversified and expanded to provide novel, and practical solutions to not only organic synthesis but also renewable fuels and material science. The focus of this research work was to exploit continuous flow systems, to develop a continuous flow process that is energy and time effective, using commercial micro reactors to synthesize 5-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid, a key intermediate towards the synthesis of sunitinib, an anti-cancer drug. In this thesis, a successful study on the individual translation of a 5 step batch synthesis of 5- formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid into optimised continuous flow syntheses is demonstrated. A comprehensive literature review and background on cancer, and an introduction to pyrrole rings, their role in disease treatments in addition to a brief introduction to continuous flow technology with its advantages, and comparison to classical batch methods are provided in the first chapter. Chapter two is detailing the experimental procedures utilised for both batch and continuous flow syntheses. The continuous flow synthesis of the four intermediates towards the target compound in this work proved to be far superior compared to their batch syntheses; excellent improvements in reaction yields and selectivity in addition to tremendously shorter reaction times were observed. This is expounded in chapter three with detailed discussions of the results attained during the continuous flow optimisation of each step within the scope of this research, are provided. The concluding remarks, the impact of this study and future work are elucidated in chapter four.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Psychosocial well-being and the sexual behaviour of orphaned adolescent males in Bizana local municipality
- Authors: Gqumani, Phumlani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenage boys -- Psychology Youth -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18118 , vital:42234
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the psychosocial wellbeing and the sexual behaviour of orphaned adolescent males. The rationale of the study was to determine out whether the relationship exists between psychosocial wellbeing of orphaned adolescent males and their sexual behaviour (e.g. multiple sexual partners, sexual debut, and unprotected sex). The sample size of the purposively selected participants constituted 201 participants from Grade 07 to Grade 12. The study took place from Bizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Some of the findings of the study included the following From the hypotheses I drink alcohol and I watch pornography and that is how I learned to have sex, it became apparent that adolescent males who drink alcohol, watched pornography. The alternative hypothesis was confirmed with 8.5% of adolescent males drink alcohol and watch pornography compared to 8.0% who do not drink alcohol but watch pornography. There was no relationship between the hypotheses, my friends are aggressive and commit crime and I started having sex at age 13-16 and 17-20 years as 31. 4% of adolescent males who started having sex at the age of 17-20 years, 1.9% have friends who were aggressive and commit crime compared to 2.9% who started having sex at the age of 13-16 years who have friends who were aggressive and commit crime. Based on the findings of the study, it became clear that some adolescent males are resilient despite their social status and the study may be recommended for future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gqumani, Phumlani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenage boys -- Psychology Youth -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18118 , vital:42234
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the psychosocial wellbeing and the sexual behaviour of orphaned adolescent males. The rationale of the study was to determine out whether the relationship exists between psychosocial wellbeing of orphaned adolescent males and their sexual behaviour (e.g. multiple sexual partners, sexual debut, and unprotected sex). The sample size of the purposively selected participants constituted 201 participants from Grade 07 to Grade 12. The study took place from Bizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Some of the findings of the study included the following From the hypotheses I drink alcohol and I watch pornography and that is how I learned to have sex, it became apparent that adolescent males who drink alcohol, watched pornography. The alternative hypothesis was confirmed with 8.5% of adolescent males drink alcohol and watch pornography compared to 8.0% who do not drink alcohol but watch pornography. There was no relationship between the hypotheses, my friends are aggressive and commit crime and I started having sex at age 13-16 and 17-20 years as 31. 4% of adolescent males who started having sex at the age of 17-20 years, 1.9% have friends who were aggressive and commit crime compared to 2.9% who started having sex at the age of 13-16 years who have friends who were aggressive and commit crime. Based on the findings of the study, it became clear that some adolescent males are resilient despite their social status and the study may be recommended for future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Effects of a resistance training intervention on the physical fitness of youth in a rural soccer development programme
- Authors: Greyling, Jacob Johannes
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Physical fitness--Soccer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50795 , vital:42701
- Description: Background: Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide with an estimated 270 million people involved in the sport. Soccer is a fast-paced contact team sport that requires physical capabilities such as speed, agility, strength, power, aerobic and anaerobic fitness in addition to technical proficiency. Most goals are preceded by a linear sprint, jump or change of direction which is why the ability to perform fast powerful movements is important. Research has indicated that resistance training performed in combination with high intensity speed and plyometric training, improves athletic performance of soccer players. Aims and Objectives: This study investigated the effects of a resistance training intervention on the physical fitness of youth in a rural soccer development programme in Addo in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Methodology: This study employed a quantitative approach in the form of a quasi-experimental design with an experimental and control group. The sample was conveniently selected based on availability of players and on them meeting specific inclusion criteria. Local soccer clubs in the Nomathamsanqa township - an impoverished area in Addo, which forms part of the Addo Soccer Development Programme (ASDP) - were invited to participate in the study. The final sample for this study consisted of 12 participants. A 10-week soccer-based resistance training intervention, addressing the components of physical fitness with specific emphasis on resistance training, was implemented after completion of the baseline testing. The intervention was designed to be suitable for a rural setting. Results: Within group comparisons revealed significant improvements in the experimental group for power (p = 0.028), speed (p = 0.028) and overall performance (grouped physical fitness measures) (p = 0.018) whereas the control group improved significantly in speed (p = 0.043) and regressed significantly in cardiovascular endurance (p = 0.043). Between group comparisons revealed significant differences for overall performance improvement in the experimental group (p = 0.006) and a reduction in cardiovascular endurance in the control group (p = 0.028). The main finding of this study is therefore this: that the individual parameters did not show consistent improvement when viewed in isolation, however that the intervention had a positive effect on overall performance when all the physical fitness measures were computed as a collective result. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the intervention had a positive effect on overall performance however more research is required on soccer in rural and disadvantaged settings of South Africa to develop a convincing model for supplementary training other than conventional soccer practice to improve performance and to overcome the unique challenges faced in a rural setting.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Greyling, Jacob Johannes
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Physical fitness--Soccer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50795 , vital:42701
- Description: Background: Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide with an estimated 270 million people involved in the sport. Soccer is a fast-paced contact team sport that requires physical capabilities such as speed, agility, strength, power, aerobic and anaerobic fitness in addition to technical proficiency. Most goals are preceded by a linear sprint, jump or change of direction which is why the ability to perform fast powerful movements is important. Research has indicated that resistance training performed in combination with high intensity speed and plyometric training, improves athletic performance of soccer players. Aims and Objectives: This study investigated the effects of a resistance training intervention on the physical fitness of youth in a rural soccer development programme in Addo in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Methodology: This study employed a quantitative approach in the form of a quasi-experimental design with an experimental and control group. The sample was conveniently selected based on availability of players and on them meeting specific inclusion criteria. Local soccer clubs in the Nomathamsanqa township - an impoverished area in Addo, which forms part of the Addo Soccer Development Programme (ASDP) - were invited to participate in the study. The final sample for this study consisted of 12 participants. A 10-week soccer-based resistance training intervention, addressing the components of physical fitness with specific emphasis on resistance training, was implemented after completion of the baseline testing. The intervention was designed to be suitable for a rural setting. Results: Within group comparisons revealed significant improvements in the experimental group for power (p = 0.028), speed (p = 0.028) and overall performance (grouped physical fitness measures) (p = 0.018) whereas the control group improved significantly in speed (p = 0.043) and regressed significantly in cardiovascular endurance (p = 0.043). Between group comparisons revealed significant differences for overall performance improvement in the experimental group (p = 0.006) and a reduction in cardiovascular endurance in the control group (p = 0.028). The main finding of this study is therefore this: that the individual parameters did not show consistent improvement when viewed in isolation, however that the intervention had a positive effect on overall performance when all the physical fitness measures were computed as a collective result. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the intervention had a positive effect on overall performance however more research is required on soccer in rural and disadvantaged settings of South Africa to develop a convincing model for supplementary training other than conventional soccer practice to improve performance and to overcome the unique challenges faced in a rural setting.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020