Possible futures for transport in South Africa towards 2035
- Authors: Mnqeta, Qawekazi Wanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa , Transportation and state -- South Africa Urban transportation -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22746 , vital:30071
- Description: It is evident that there is a great dissatisfaction with the current model of transport as the level of accidents continue to rise. The containment on carbon emission levels are illusive and transport congestion is becoming impossible to handle. The number of cars in cities is increasing rapidly, resulting in increased traffic congestion, less mobility, poor air quality and more road accidents. In the National Development Plan (NDP), one of the challenges identified is that despite a slowdown in the growth within urban areas, 14 million people are projected to move to South African cities between 2010 and 2050 (UN-Habitat, 2014).This will exert pressure on service delivery by municipalities – including transport and transport infrastructure. A large proportion of these new urban residents will be poor, further enhancing the pressure. Transportation networks or systems are therefore key to the spatial transformation of South Africa’s urban areas. Although there has been significant progress in some cities in delivering new public transport infrastructure, the major shift from supporting private cars to incentivising public transport is yet to happen. The NDP vision for urban South Africa is that by 2030, South Africa should observe meaningful and measurable progress in reviving rural areas and in creating more functionally integrated, balanced and vibrant urban settlements. For this to happen, it is said that the country must clarify and relentlessly pursue a national vision for spatial development, sharpen the instruments for achieving this vision and build the required capabilities in the state and among citizens (The Presidency of South Africa, 2011). The outcomes of this analysis of future studies theory and practice supported the argument presented at the beginning of this research that there is robust requirement for a fundamental shift in the ways and methods of planning the future of South Africa’s transport industry towards 2035.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mnqeta, Qawekazi Wanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa , Transportation and state -- South Africa Urban transportation -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22746 , vital:30071
- Description: It is evident that there is a great dissatisfaction with the current model of transport as the level of accidents continue to rise. The containment on carbon emission levels are illusive and transport congestion is becoming impossible to handle. The number of cars in cities is increasing rapidly, resulting in increased traffic congestion, less mobility, poor air quality and more road accidents. In the National Development Plan (NDP), one of the challenges identified is that despite a slowdown in the growth within urban areas, 14 million people are projected to move to South African cities between 2010 and 2050 (UN-Habitat, 2014).This will exert pressure on service delivery by municipalities – including transport and transport infrastructure. A large proportion of these new urban residents will be poor, further enhancing the pressure. Transportation networks or systems are therefore key to the spatial transformation of South Africa’s urban areas. Although there has been significant progress in some cities in delivering new public transport infrastructure, the major shift from supporting private cars to incentivising public transport is yet to happen. The NDP vision for urban South Africa is that by 2030, South Africa should observe meaningful and measurable progress in reviving rural areas and in creating more functionally integrated, balanced and vibrant urban settlements. For this to happen, it is said that the country must clarify and relentlessly pursue a national vision for spatial development, sharpen the instruments for achieving this vision and build the required capabilities in the state and among citizens (The Presidency of South Africa, 2011). The outcomes of this analysis of future studies theory and practice supported the argument presented at the beginning of this research that there is robust requirement for a fundamental shift in the ways and methods of planning the future of South Africa’s transport industry towards 2035.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Implementation of technological innovations within the South African construction industry
- Authors: Koopman, Kelly Leigh
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Technological innovations , Design-build process (Construction industry) – South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60623 , vital:66245
- Description: In South Africa the construction industry has grown by more than 15% per annum over the past five-years and the construction industry is facing several pressures to decrease costs, improve productivity and to develop a competitive edge in terms of quality of service and customer satisfaction. Faced with a growing demand for service delivery the industry must seek new and improved ways to stay competitive in this market space. By effectively analysing the construction market all role players within the AEC industry can adopt new trends and techniques being implemented by either their foreign counterparts or direct competitors. One of these trends within the industry is technological innovations; each designed to play a beneficial role in construction industry advancements. It is clear that our industry is moving forward at an alarming rate, yet our foreign counterparts seem to be one step ahead. Based on the 2010 Soccer World Cup it was clear that the South African AEC Industry had the ability to conform and deliver on world class infrastructure, yet we still seem to have a slow adoption rate surrounding technological innovations. Investigating the depth of knowledge based around the most popular technological innovations currently being implemented can provide a clear view as to what S.A industry role players see as potentially profitable within our marketplace and the steps that could be taken to provide further research pertaining to those technological innovations which are being overlooked. Establishing the most prominent barriers preventing technological adoption within the South African AEC Industry can effectively be compared with those faced by foreign counterparts to mirror their solutions to similar problems. Finally, by establishing whether resistance to a changing environment plays a vital role in the hindrance to technological adoption one can access the extent to which the AEC Industry may effectively change based on a projected industry time frame. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Koopman, Kelly Leigh
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Technological innovations , Design-build process (Construction industry) – South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60623 , vital:66245
- Description: In South Africa the construction industry has grown by more than 15% per annum over the past five-years and the construction industry is facing several pressures to decrease costs, improve productivity and to develop a competitive edge in terms of quality of service and customer satisfaction. Faced with a growing demand for service delivery the industry must seek new and improved ways to stay competitive in this market space. By effectively analysing the construction market all role players within the AEC industry can adopt new trends and techniques being implemented by either their foreign counterparts or direct competitors. One of these trends within the industry is technological innovations; each designed to play a beneficial role in construction industry advancements. It is clear that our industry is moving forward at an alarming rate, yet our foreign counterparts seem to be one step ahead. Based on the 2010 Soccer World Cup it was clear that the South African AEC Industry had the ability to conform and deliver on world class infrastructure, yet we still seem to have a slow adoption rate surrounding technological innovations. Investigating the depth of knowledge based around the most popular technological innovations currently being implemented can provide a clear view as to what S.A industry role players see as potentially profitable within our marketplace and the steps that could be taken to provide further research pertaining to those technological innovations which are being overlooked. Establishing the most prominent barriers preventing technological adoption within the South African AEC Industry can effectively be compared with those faced by foreign counterparts to mirror their solutions to similar problems. Finally, by establishing whether resistance to a changing environment plays a vital role in the hindrance to technological adoption one can access the extent to which the AEC Industry may effectively change based on a projected industry time frame. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The contribution of export support programmes for small and medium enterprises in the agro-processing sector in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Fihlani, Asisipho
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51400 , vital:43271
- Description: Globally, government export support programmes have been created to assist SMEs with exports. In South Africa, there has been an introduction of government export support programme. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) for SMEs in the agro-processing sector in the Eastern Cape, with specific focus on East London and Port Elizabeth. A qualitative methodology meant to acquire in-depth knowledge was employed in the study. A case study was developed, in which EMIA’s contribution to SMEs’ export was the case in study. A group of seventeen participants, which included government officials and SMEs were interviewed and thematic analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of EMIA to agro-processing SME exports. The study found that EMIA was useful towards SME exports but lacked on addressing key barriers to exports faced by SMEs. The study recommends that government should place more emphasis on linking SMEs with proper contacts of buyers in international markets and that SMEs should be incentivised for costs relating to logistics for initial export orders. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Development Finance, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Fihlani, Asisipho
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51400 , vital:43271
- Description: Globally, government export support programmes have been created to assist SMEs with exports. In South Africa, there has been an introduction of government export support programme. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) for SMEs in the agro-processing sector in the Eastern Cape, with specific focus on East London and Port Elizabeth. A qualitative methodology meant to acquire in-depth knowledge was employed in the study. A case study was developed, in which EMIA’s contribution to SMEs’ export was the case in study. A group of seventeen participants, which included government officials and SMEs were interviewed and thematic analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of EMIA to agro-processing SME exports. The study found that EMIA was useful towards SME exports but lacked on addressing key barriers to exports faced by SMEs. The study recommends that government should place more emphasis on linking SMEs with proper contacts of buyers in international markets and that SMEs should be incentivised for costs relating to logistics for initial export orders. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Development Finance, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Semi-rural community pharmacists’ perceptions of their future role in the national health insurance
- Authors: Pambuka, Simbongile Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23027 , vital:30396
- Description: The healthcare system in South Africa is currently characterised by distinctly different public and private sectors. The public sector services approximately 84% of the population while the private sector services the smaller portion, 16% of the population. However, the expenditure in both the private and public sectors is almost the same, with approximately five times more being spent per capita in the private sector than in the public sector. The South African health care system is therefore unbalanced with respect to expenditure per capita resulting in inequitable access to and quality of health services. In particular, the public sector is very under-resourced relative to the population and disease burden that it serves. In order to address the inequities inherent in the current two-tiered system, the South African government is in the process of introducing a National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI will provide a means of pooling all healthcare funding, thereby providing a means of cross subsidization of the public sector. Funding contributions will be linked to an individual’s ability-to-pay and benefits will be determined by an individual’s need for care. It has been suggested that within an NHI system private pharmacies may be contracted through service agreements to provide both chronic and acute medicines. However, there are currently no policies that have been developed specifying the roles and functions of pharmacists in the NHI, and in a re-engineered Primary Health Care system. Furthermore, research suggests that the majority of pharmacists do not believe that the NHI is a suitable means to address South Africa’s healthcare problems and many do not agree with the principles behind it. This study used a qualitative approach in order to provide a comprehensive exploration of the attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists in the semirural Eastern Cape towards the NHI as well as their future role and function within it. In this explorative and descriptive study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with community pharmacists within a 60km radius of Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. The interviews were digitally recorded and then transcribed. The transcriptions were coded and thematically analysed using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software - Atlas.ti®. It is envisaged that this understanding will provide a basis for addressing pharmacists’ concerns and may contribute towards the further development of the role and the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the NHI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pambuka, Simbongile Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23027 , vital:30396
- Description: The healthcare system in South Africa is currently characterised by distinctly different public and private sectors. The public sector services approximately 84% of the population while the private sector services the smaller portion, 16% of the population. However, the expenditure in both the private and public sectors is almost the same, with approximately five times more being spent per capita in the private sector than in the public sector. The South African health care system is therefore unbalanced with respect to expenditure per capita resulting in inequitable access to and quality of health services. In particular, the public sector is very under-resourced relative to the population and disease burden that it serves. In order to address the inequities inherent in the current two-tiered system, the South African government is in the process of introducing a National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI will provide a means of pooling all healthcare funding, thereby providing a means of cross subsidization of the public sector. Funding contributions will be linked to an individual’s ability-to-pay and benefits will be determined by an individual’s need for care. It has been suggested that within an NHI system private pharmacies may be contracted through service agreements to provide both chronic and acute medicines. However, there are currently no policies that have been developed specifying the roles and functions of pharmacists in the NHI, and in a re-engineered Primary Health Care system. Furthermore, research suggests that the majority of pharmacists do not believe that the NHI is a suitable means to address South Africa’s healthcare problems and many do not agree with the principles behind it. This study used a qualitative approach in order to provide a comprehensive exploration of the attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists in the semirural Eastern Cape towards the NHI as well as their future role and function within it. In this explorative and descriptive study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with community pharmacists within a 60km radius of Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. The interviews were digitally recorded and then transcribed. The transcriptions were coded and thematically analysed using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software - Atlas.ti®. It is envisaged that this understanding will provide a basis for addressing pharmacists’ concerns and may contribute towards the further development of the role and the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the NHI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Red tape in upgrading of informal settlements in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Mangezi, Wilfred
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Squatter settlements -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Squatters -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33375 , vital:32745
- Description: Even though there is general acknowledgement of the existence of red tape in low cost housing, very little effort has been made to seek-out its underlying causes. The purpose of this study was to investigate red tape in specific Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme (ISUP) developments within the Nelson Mandela Bay, to uncover the underlying causes of red tape and ultimately suggest possible remedies to reduce red tape and its adverse effects. Administrative red tape in ISUP projects is hampering the government’s efforts to improve informal settlement dwellers’ standard of living, as evidenced by the slow pace of housing delivery to such intended beneficiaries. Furthermore, red tape also causes frustration to Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) that are involved in the low-cost housing delivery value chain who suffer cash flow problems due to delays incurred from payment of their services by the local authority. This hindrance does not spare the majority of municipal employees whose roles are dependent on the performance of other departments. Of great concern are the residents within the municipality who have developed a culture of expressing their frustration caused by such delays through violent demonstrations so much to the detriment of the peaceful environment that has over time characterised this friendly tourist destination of South Africa. Applying a qualitative research strategy, the researcher undertook data collection through document review and face to face interviews from targeted respondents across various departments within and outside the municipality that deals with ISUP developments. The study revealed that, red tape in ISUP projects is a result of a variety of factors which include; inept internal management procedures, misinterpretation of legislation, silo mentality and lack of capacity in housing delivery. Thus the rules, legislation and procedures prevailing are failing to keep pace with the changing macro environment. To reduce the impact of red tape the researcher believes that it would be of paramount importance for the NMBM to consider; realignment of their internal procedures to counter the pressure posed by the residents, integrate project teams or functional departments dealing with housing, engage beneficiaries from the onset of the projects, invest in training staff and acquisition of new technology. The core of reducing red tape lies in upgrading of rules and administrative procedures in dealing with ISUP projects within the municipality so as to adopt to the dynamism that characterise the built environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mangezi, Wilfred
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Squatter settlements -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Squatters -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33375 , vital:32745
- Description: Even though there is general acknowledgement of the existence of red tape in low cost housing, very little effort has been made to seek-out its underlying causes. The purpose of this study was to investigate red tape in specific Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme (ISUP) developments within the Nelson Mandela Bay, to uncover the underlying causes of red tape and ultimately suggest possible remedies to reduce red tape and its adverse effects. Administrative red tape in ISUP projects is hampering the government’s efforts to improve informal settlement dwellers’ standard of living, as evidenced by the slow pace of housing delivery to such intended beneficiaries. Furthermore, red tape also causes frustration to Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) that are involved in the low-cost housing delivery value chain who suffer cash flow problems due to delays incurred from payment of their services by the local authority. This hindrance does not spare the majority of municipal employees whose roles are dependent on the performance of other departments. Of great concern are the residents within the municipality who have developed a culture of expressing their frustration caused by such delays through violent demonstrations so much to the detriment of the peaceful environment that has over time characterised this friendly tourist destination of South Africa. Applying a qualitative research strategy, the researcher undertook data collection through document review and face to face interviews from targeted respondents across various departments within and outside the municipality that deals with ISUP developments. The study revealed that, red tape in ISUP projects is a result of a variety of factors which include; inept internal management procedures, misinterpretation of legislation, silo mentality and lack of capacity in housing delivery. Thus the rules, legislation and procedures prevailing are failing to keep pace with the changing macro environment. To reduce the impact of red tape the researcher believes that it would be of paramount importance for the NMBM to consider; realignment of their internal procedures to counter the pressure posed by the residents, integrate project teams or functional departments dealing with housing, engage beneficiaries from the onset of the projects, invest in training staff and acquisition of new technology. The core of reducing red tape lies in upgrading of rules and administrative procedures in dealing with ISUP projects within the municipality so as to adopt to the dynamism that characterise the built environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Machinability of rapidly solidified aluminium alloy for optical applications
- Authors: Abbas, Abdalla Abbas Said
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Aluminum alloys , Mechatronics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45975 , vital:39402
- Description: The production of metal mirrors and critical components for optical devices and aerospace application requires extreme high accuracy and outstanding surface quality. Thus, to achieve such high dimensional accuracies, they are being mainly produced through ultra-high precision machining. Aluminium alloys have been used in the production of components for optics application as well as spaceborne for so many years but with the advancement in technology and demands for a superior material, a new modified grade of aluminium was developed by a rapid solidification process. These grades exhibit a much better mechanical and physical properties while having a finer microstructure. The only downside is the limited research in the correlation of surface roughness and reflectance when single point diamond turned. In this study, rapidly solidified aluminium RSA 905 were used to investigate the effect of varying the cutting parameters on the machined surface finish and its corresponding surface reflectance. The cutting parameters were cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. The surface roughness was measured using Taylor Hopson PGI Profilometer while the reflectance factor was measured by using VERTEX 80v Spectrometer. The results were used to develop two predictive models namely; response surface and artificial neural network which have indicated a very high accuracy to the experimental measurements. Finally, the results were very promising for the diamond turning of RSA 905 where it has achieved a very low values of surface roughness and high reflectance in the visual range without the need of any additional production/fabrication steps and to ensure that bi-metallic binding does not take place in extreme low temperatures. Therefore, RSA 905 is a very promising material for optical applications in the visual spectrum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Abbas, Abdalla Abbas Said
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Aluminum alloys , Mechatronics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45975 , vital:39402
- Description: The production of metal mirrors and critical components for optical devices and aerospace application requires extreme high accuracy and outstanding surface quality. Thus, to achieve such high dimensional accuracies, they are being mainly produced through ultra-high precision machining. Aluminium alloys have been used in the production of components for optics application as well as spaceborne for so many years but with the advancement in technology and demands for a superior material, a new modified grade of aluminium was developed by a rapid solidification process. These grades exhibit a much better mechanical and physical properties while having a finer microstructure. The only downside is the limited research in the correlation of surface roughness and reflectance when single point diamond turned. In this study, rapidly solidified aluminium RSA 905 were used to investigate the effect of varying the cutting parameters on the machined surface finish and its corresponding surface reflectance. The cutting parameters were cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. The surface roughness was measured using Taylor Hopson PGI Profilometer while the reflectance factor was measured by using VERTEX 80v Spectrometer. The results were used to develop two predictive models namely; response surface and artificial neural network which have indicated a very high accuracy to the experimental measurements. Finally, the results were very promising for the diamond turning of RSA 905 where it has achieved a very low values of surface roughness and high reflectance in the visual range without the need of any additional production/fabrication steps and to ensure that bi-metallic binding does not take place in extreme low temperatures. Therefore, RSA 905 is a very promising material for optical applications in the visual spectrum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Efficient market hypothesis with structural breaks: evidence from BRICS stock markets
- Authors: Guduza, Sinazo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges , Investment analysis Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42342 , vital:36647
- Description: The study is an examination of weak form market efficiency (EMH) in BRICS equity markets using weekly data spanning from 2005 to 2018. The study makes use linear as well as nonlinear unit rot tests, that is, the ADF and KSS tests respectively. For more robust results, the study uses the Integer Flexible Fourier Function (IFFF) and the Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Function (FFFFF) to account for smooth structural breaks. The study investigates the full sample period and splits the empirical data into three sub-samples corresponding to the period succeeding the global financial crisis, the BRICS summits and the BRICS Development Bank (BDB). This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to investigate the efficiency in the BRICS stock markets using a combination of the specified series of unit root tests. Moreover, there are no prior studies that have examined these markets for the sub-samples mentioned above. Our empirical results point us to convincing evidence of weak form inefficiency as the majority of the results reject the null hypothesis of a unit root.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Guduza, Sinazo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges , Investment analysis Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42342 , vital:36647
- Description: The study is an examination of weak form market efficiency (EMH) in BRICS equity markets using weekly data spanning from 2005 to 2018. The study makes use linear as well as nonlinear unit rot tests, that is, the ADF and KSS tests respectively. For more robust results, the study uses the Integer Flexible Fourier Function (IFFF) and the Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Function (FFFFF) to account for smooth structural breaks. The study investigates the full sample period and splits the empirical data into three sub-samples corresponding to the period succeeding the global financial crisis, the BRICS summits and the BRICS Development Bank (BDB). This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to investigate the efficiency in the BRICS stock markets using a combination of the specified series of unit root tests. Moreover, there are no prior studies that have examined these markets for the sub-samples mentioned above. Our empirical results point us to convincing evidence of weak form inefficiency as the majority of the results reject the null hypothesis of a unit root.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Climate change and food security in South Africa
- Authors: Xola, Dungelo
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Food security -- Climatic factors -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:45720
- Description: Climate change continues to pose a threat to mankind. Its impacts are evident in both developed and developing countries. South Africa is a no exception to the climate change problems. Climate change in South Africa has affected water availability which subsequently affects food security of the country. This research study investigated the impacts of climate change on food security in South Africa. South Africa’s food security is severely affected by climate change and as a result, the South African government through the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has devised strategies to respond to climate change and ensure food security in the country. The study analysed government documents and articles about climate change from 2008 to 2018. The study employed content analysis as a data analysis method and the study developed eighteen codes and from those codes, four themes emerged. The research findings highlight that South Africa is a food secure nation only at a national level. In addition, the findings highlighted that climate change poses a significant threat on the agricultural sector which ultimately affects food security in South Africa. The climate change impacts in South Africa include an increase in temperatures, rise in sea water levels, and floods. Climate change in South Africa continues to pose a significant threat in the GDP as it affects crop production and livestock farming, which ultimately affects the exports of the country. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, Development & Tourism, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Xola, Dungelo
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Food security -- Climatic factors -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:45720
- Description: Climate change continues to pose a threat to mankind. Its impacts are evident in both developed and developing countries. South Africa is a no exception to the climate change problems. Climate change in South Africa has affected water availability which subsequently affects food security of the country. This research study investigated the impacts of climate change on food security in South Africa. South Africa’s food security is severely affected by climate change and as a result, the South African government through the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has devised strategies to respond to climate change and ensure food security in the country. The study analysed government documents and articles about climate change from 2008 to 2018. The study employed content analysis as a data analysis method and the study developed eighteen codes and from those codes, four themes emerged. The research findings highlight that South Africa is a food secure nation only at a national level. In addition, the findings highlighted that climate change poses a significant threat on the agricultural sector which ultimately affects food security in South Africa. The climate change impacts in South Africa include an increase in temperatures, rise in sea water levels, and floods. Climate change in South Africa continues to pose a significant threat in the GDP as it affects crop production and livestock farming, which ultimately affects the exports of the country. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, Development & Tourism, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
An analysis of the payment of municipal services by the Department of Roads and Public works in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sirhamza, Wendy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23164 , vital:30449
- Description: The research study sought to analyze the payment of municipal service by the Department of Roads and Public Works in the Eastern Cape. Factor’s affecting the payment of municipal services by the DRPW is a great challenge in the Eastern Cape but not mainly in this province only. The purpose of the study was to help decision makers of the department in their strategic planning to be aware of the challenges in the payment of municipal services. The researcher selected qualitative method of research. The primary data for research study was collected through semi structures interview and the questionnaires. The findings of the study were obtained from the responses provided by the respondents and negatively affect the department’s ability to meet its obligation to pay municipal services. Recommendations are provided that could assist the Department of Roads and Public Works to improve in the payment of municipal services. Recommendations will hopefully help to improve the financial status for the betterment of the municipalities of this province. Research recommends centralization of municipal utilities from the client department to the owner and to improve intergovernmental relations and stakeholders management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sirhamza, Wendy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23164 , vital:30449
- Description: The research study sought to analyze the payment of municipal service by the Department of Roads and Public Works in the Eastern Cape. Factor’s affecting the payment of municipal services by the DRPW is a great challenge in the Eastern Cape but not mainly in this province only. The purpose of the study was to help decision makers of the department in their strategic planning to be aware of the challenges in the payment of municipal services. The researcher selected qualitative method of research. The primary data for research study was collected through semi structures interview and the questionnaires. The findings of the study were obtained from the responses provided by the respondents and negatively affect the department’s ability to meet its obligation to pay municipal services. Recommendations are provided that could assist the Department of Roads and Public Works to improve in the payment of municipal services. Recommendations will hopefully help to improve the financial status for the betterment of the municipalities of this province. Research recommends centralization of municipal utilities from the client department to the owner and to improve intergovernmental relations and stakeholders management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A framework to integrate secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula
- Authors: Bangani, Sifiso Matthews
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Electronic data processing personnel -- Training of Computer software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46019 , vital:39409
- Description: Many graduate software developers are not competent in secure programming, resulting in risks that are caused by vulnerabilities in the application code of software applications. These graduate software developers are equipped with programming knowledge and skills from universities, however, these software developers are rarely equipped with secure programming knowledge and skills from the undergraduate level. Although there are various techniques for writing secure code in the current body of knowledge, these techniques are rarely fundamental components of a computing curriculum, resulting in incompetent graduate software developers. The security aspect of software applications, is considered as an important aspect that can reflect the ability of a system to prevent data exposures and loss of information. For businesses that rely on software applications to keep operations running, a failure of a software application can stop production, interrupt processes, and may lead to data breaches and financial losses. This research argued that secure programming education needs to be included across computing curricula, and thus, the primary objective of this dissertation was: To develop a framework for integrating secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula. It proposes a framework for the incorporation of secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula, through a step-by-step approach. This framework includes the identification of application risks and secure programming practices as they relate to each other, and to the basic programming concepts taught to undergraduate students. It specifically aims to improve the security of software applications developed in the .Net framework environment. The main research methods used in this study included a literature view, thematic content analysis, argumentation, and modelling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bangani, Sifiso Matthews
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Electronic data processing personnel -- Training of Computer software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46019 , vital:39409
- Description: Many graduate software developers are not competent in secure programming, resulting in risks that are caused by vulnerabilities in the application code of software applications. These graduate software developers are equipped with programming knowledge and skills from universities, however, these software developers are rarely equipped with secure programming knowledge and skills from the undergraduate level. Although there are various techniques for writing secure code in the current body of knowledge, these techniques are rarely fundamental components of a computing curriculum, resulting in incompetent graduate software developers. The security aspect of software applications, is considered as an important aspect that can reflect the ability of a system to prevent data exposures and loss of information. For businesses that rely on software applications to keep operations running, a failure of a software application can stop production, interrupt processes, and may lead to data breaches and financial losses. This research argued that secure programming education needs to be included across computing curricula, and thus, the primary objective of this dissertation was: To develop a framework for integrating secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula. It proposes a framework for the incorporation of secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula, through a step-by-step approach. This framework includes the identification of application risks and secure programming practices as they relate to each other, and to the basic programming concepts taught to undergraduate students. It specifically aims to improve the security of software applications developed in the .Net framework environment. The main research methods used in this study included a literature view, thematic content analysis, argumentation, and modelling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Success factors for women in leadership in South Africa
- Authors: Luthuli, Zandile Silingene
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Leadership in women , Women executives -- South Africa , Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master'sl theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51776 , vital:43371
- Description: The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of how women in leadership positions cope with the challenges associated with their roles and responsibilities, particularly in gender biased institutions where senior positions are predominantly occupied by males. The premise of the study is based on historical challenges associated with gender inequality. Notwithstanding women’s generous characteristics, women have been imperilled to experience gender inequality, societal stigma, and stereotypes. Consequentially, the research question was to determine the success factors and challenges of women in leadership positions in South Africa. The study seeks to determine and understand the impact on female leaders of their education level, family structure, stereotype, leadership style and organisational composition. The research was conducted by undertaking a literature review and conducting interviews using a semi-structured written questionnaire guide. Due to the rules and regulations of COVID-19 which require minimal physical face to face interaction and social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus, the interviews were conducted through Zoom video conferencing. The study revealed that most women in leadership positions are between 40 and 60 years of age. While supportive family structures provide strong moral support and enhance the opportunity to succeed, the educational level and self-belief also have a significant effect on the success of women in leadership positions in South Africa. The research findings indicate that organisational structures are not yet fully transformed to accommodate women as leaders in their management structures; therefore, organisational structure and stereotypes have a negative effect on the success of women in leadership positions in South Africa. Women in leadership positions in South Africa are still faced with stereotypic stigma challenges emanating from both society and public institutions’ inherent gender inequality. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Luthuli, Zandile Silingene
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Leadership in women , Women executives -- South Africa , Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master'sl theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51776 , vital:43371
- Description: The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of how women in leadership positions cope with the challenges associated with their roles and responsibilities, particularly in gender biased institutions where senior positions are predominantly occupied by males. The premise of the study is based on historical challenges associated with gender inequality. Notwithstanding women’s generous characteristics, women have been imperilled to experience gender inequality, societal stigma, and stereotypes. Consequentially, the research question was to determine the success factors and challenges of women in leadership positions in South Africa. The study seeks to determine and understand the impact on female leaders of their education level, family structure, stereotype, leadership style and organisational composition. The research was conducted by undertaking a literature review and conducting interviews using a semi-structured written questionnaire guide. Due to the rules and regulations of COVID-19 which require minimal physical face to face interaction and social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus, the interviews were conducted through Zoom video conferencing. The study revealed that most women in leadership positions are between 40 and 60 years of age. While supportive family structures provide strong moral support and enhance the opportunity to succeed, the educational level and self-belief also have a significant effect on the success of women in leadership positions in South Africa. The research findings indicate that organisational structures are not yet fully transformed to accommodate women as leaders in their management structures; therefore, organisational structure and stereotypes have a negative effect on the success of women in leadership positions in South Africa. Women in leadership positions in South Africa are still faced with stereotypic stigma challenges emanating from both society and public institutions’ inherent gender inequality. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Barriers of entry for black people from owning game reserves in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mazaleni, Zintle
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Game reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Game reserves -- Black people -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54903 , vital:48469
- Description: The conservation industry was closed in the previous apartheid time from the black native people and only opened for the white people alone (Spierenburg & Brooks, 2014). According to Mokotjomela, Nombewu, and Peinke, 2015, the game transformation industry is in need of being transformed to more young black people; they noted the challenges that are faced by the young black people in being able to own nature reserves. These include the fact that they are landless. Secondly, the land transformation that is done through the Department of Rural Development, Land and Agrarian Reform (DRDLAR) is not given back to the rightful owners with the title deeds which is also a challenge as one cannot develop land when there is no certainty that it is theirs (Turner, 2004). Tourism destinations which include the game reserves attract tourists because of the positive economic impacts such as labour-intensive jobs, foreign exchange, and foreign direct investments that come with tourists and boost small businesses. According to Sifilo and Henama (2017), tourism has been an economic messiah of South Africa and the decline of mining jobs has been mitigated by the growth of jobs in the tourism industry. The Eastern Cape's economy is still characterised by disparities in employment rates, income, service levels, and productivity. Economic growth rates have been modest, in line with the rest of the country. Low growth and high unemployment have created considerable issues for the province, with a notably increased demand for social services. According to the most recent economic data, the province's economy is declining (or at the very least is stagnant): The average yearly change in gross domestic product (GDP) per region (Eastern Cape) was 1% in the preceding five years, but only 0.6 percent in the last year The selection of the qualitative research approach and in particular the use of open-ended questionnaires is because it is the only platform that will allow participants to voice their opinions fully without limits and allow the study not to be limited with the information given by the participants. The first section of the questionnaire aimed at obtaining profile data on the respondents. These include age, gender, ethnicity, home language, educational level and time working in conservation and the tourism sector. Questions 8 – 17 focused on respondents stating no, yes, or maybe to the posed questions and elaborating on their experience and knowledge of the wildlife industry, while questions 18 – 24 mainly focused on gaining and listing opinions of respondents on solution to allow entry for black people into the wildlife industry, as well as giving advice on how government and the private sector can assist in reaching the desired goal. Strongly indicated by the empirical results is the gap between the previously disadvantaged group and the white minority group in the province of the Eastern Cape in the wildlife conservation industry. Shown by the results is the position of the black people in the industry as just servants or employees and not owners or equal shareholders and the lack of women leadership in the industry, as well as young people involvement in the decisions and operations of the industry. The list of barriers had one common barrier identified by almost all respondents as noted by the researcher: the issue of land unavailability for the black people in the province. Communal land does not have title deeds as the land is in the hands of governmental departments and traditional authorities. Conditions stipulated on the game transformation policy of the Eastern Cape state that an individual must be in possession of a title deed to the land. This is but a dream to the black people of the Eastern Cape, especially a title deed to a land big enough to be converted into a game reserve. The empirical results strongly indicate the land ownership as the number one barrier for black people from owning game reserves. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mazaleni, Zintle
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Game reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Game reserves -- Black people -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54903 , vital:48469
- Description: The conservation industry was closed in the previous apartheid time from the black native people and only opened for the white people alone (Spierenburg & Brooks, 2014). According to Mokotjomela, Nombewu, and Peinke, 2015, the game transformation industry is in need of being transformed to more young black people; they noted the challenges that are faced by the young black people in being able to own nature reserves. These include the fact that they are landless. Secondly, the land transformation that is done through the Department of Rural Development, Land and Agrarian Reform (DRDLAR) is not given back to the rightful owners with the title deeds which is also a challenge as one cannot develop land when there is no certainty that it is theirs (Turner, 2004). Tourism destinations which include the game reserves attract tourists because of the positive economic impacts such as labour-intensive jobs, foreign exchange, and foreign direct investments that come with tourists and boost small businesses. According to Sifilo and Henama (2017), tourism has been an economic messiah of South Africa and the decline of mining jobs has been mitigated by the growth of jobs in the tourism industry. The Eastern Cape's economy is still characterised by disparities in employment rates, income, service levels, and productivity. Economic growth rates have been modest, in line with the rest of the country. Low growth and high unemployment have created considerable issues for the province, with a notably increased demand for social services. According to the most recent economic data, the province's economy is declining (or at the very least is stagnant): The average yearly change in gross domestic product (GDP) per region (Eastern Cape) was 1% in the preceding five years, but only 0.6 percent in the last year The selection of the qualitative research approach and in particular the use of open-ended questionnaires is because it is the only platform that will allow participants to voice their opinions fully without limits and allow the study not to be limited with the information given by the participants. The first section of the questionnaire aimed at obtaining profile data on the respondents. These include age, gender, ethnicity, home language, educational level and time working in conservation and the tourism sector. Questions 8 – 17 focused on respondents stating no, yes, or maybe to the posed questions and elaborating on their experience and knowledge of the wildlife industry, while questions 18 – 24 mainly focused on gaining and listing opinions of respondents on solution to allow entry for black people into the wildlife industry, as well as giving advice on how government and the private sector can assist in reaching the desired goal. Strongly indicated by the empirical results is the gap between the previously disadvantaged group and the white minority group in the province of the Eastern Cape in the wildlife conservation industry. Shown by the results is the position of the black people in the industry as just servants or employees and not owners or equal shareholders and the lack of women leadership in the industry, as well as young people involvement in the decisions and operations of the industry. The list of barriers had one common barrier identified by almost all respondents as noted by the researcher: the issue of land unavailability for the black people in the province. Communal land does not have title deeds as the land is in the hands of governmental departments and traditional authorities. Conditions stipulated on the game transformation policy of the Eastern Cape state that an individual must be in possession of a title deed to the land. This is but a dream to the black people of the Eastern Cape, especially a title deed to a land big enough to be converted into a game reserve. The empirical results strongly indicate the land ownership as the number one barrier for black people from owning game reserves. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
A vision based multirotor aircraft for use in the security industry
- Authors: Nelson, Benjamin David
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Drone aircraft -- South Africa , Mechatronics -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46816 , vital:39664
- Description: This research consisted of developing a vision based multirotor aircraft that could be used in the security industry. A second-hand aircraft was purchased and modified. The aircraft made use of a Pixhawk flight controller and a Odroid XU4 companion computer, which resulted in the computer injecting commands into the flight controller. Robot Operating System was installed and used on the companion computer to integrate the vision system and the aircraft. The vision system was designed to help develop a landing system where the aircraft would land on an ArUco marker. The vision system also allowed the aircraft to detect and follow humans. A Software in the Loop (SITL) was run alongside Gazebo, allowing the developed landing system and the human detecting system to be simulated and tested. The developed landing system was implemented on the aircraft, where the developed landing system was tested and compared to the aircraft’s current GPS based landing system. The developed landing system obtained a better overall accuracy , while also taking longer to land the aircraft compared to the GPS based landing system. There were also numerous manual and autonomous test flights implemented on the aircraft.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nelson, Benjamin David
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Drone aircraft -- South Africa , Mechatronics -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46816 , vital:39664
- Description: This research consisted of developing a vision based multirotor aircraft that could be used in the security industry. A second-hand aircraft was purchased and modified. The aircraft made use of a Pixhawk flight controller and a Odroid XU4 companion computer, which resulted in the computer injecting commands into the flight controller. Robot Operating System was installed and used on the companion computer to integrate the vision system and the aircraft. The vision system was designed to help develop a landing system where the aircraft would land on an ArUco marker. The vision system also allowed the aircraft to detect and follow humans. A Software in the Loop (SITL) was run alongside Gazebo, allowing the developed landing system and the human detecting system to be simulated and tested. The developed landing system was implemented on the aircraft, where the developed landing system was tested and compared to the aircraft’s current GPS based landing system. The developed landing system obtained a better overall accuracy , while also taking longer to land the aircraft compared to the GPS based landing system. There were also numerous manual and autonomous test flights implemented on the aircraft.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Factors influencing first-year students’ career decisions to pursue an IT career
- Authors: Twani, Malibongwe
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54135 , vital:46306
- Description: The process of deciding on a career is a dauntingand life-changing decision,which all scholarshave had to make. Various factors influence a first-year student’s career choice decision and selected field of study. Career decision-making,as a field of study, has been extensivelyresearched,globally. The research studies focusingon IT career choicesof studentshave indicated that scholars choosing careers in Information Technology (IT) are influenced by factors such as salaries, knowledge of career opportunities, the reputation of IT-related fields in society and by parents, teachers and role models. Recent research indicates that exposure to new technologies and programming concepts at the school level can influence a scholar’s IT career choice. Theories relating to career choice have focused on the characteristics of individuals and their environment. Career choice models have identified factors that influenced a student’s career choice.In South Africahowever,there have been limited studies investigating the factors influencing students’ career decisions in choosing careers in Computer Science (CS), Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT)using mixed-methods.This study aims to investigate the factors that influence first-year students’ decisionsin choosing an IT career at the Nelson Mandela University.The research study pursueda pragmatisticapproach,using a mixed-methods approach. In investigating theories andfactors that influence students’ decisionsin choosing IT careers,the study used systematic literature reviews. The decision-making theories and factorsin theliterature review facilitated the creation of the conceptual framework for IT career decision making. A questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst ITand Non-ITfirst-year studentsin 2021. Fourhundredand eightparticipants completed the survey. The data obtained from the survey were statistically analysed, includingdescriptive analysis andExploratory Factor Analysis(EFA). Additionally, inferential statistics were used namely; Correlations, t-test, Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA)and Structural Equation Modelling(SEM). The study results wereinterpreted andcompared with iiiotherrelevantstudies. Recommendations were madeto address the factorsthat influencefirst-year students’ IT career decisions.The study highlighted that high academic confidence and personal attributes amongststudents,whowereinvolved at an early age in programming and using computers,chose IT as a career. The study showed significant statistical differences betweenIT and Non-IT groups in perceptions about the IT industry and identifying job title descriptions.Additionally, a significant statistical difference between languages and genders was identified in understanding careers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Twani, Malibongwe
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54135 , vital:46306
- Description: The process of deciding on a career is a dauntingand life-changing decision,which all scholarshave had to make. Various factors influence a first-year student’s career choice decision and selected field of study. Career decision-making,as a field of study, has been extensivelyresearched,globally. The research studies focusingon IT career choicesof studentshave indicated that scholars choosing careers in Information Technology (IT) are influenced by factors such as salaries, knowledge of career opportunities, the reputation of IT-related fields in society and by parents, teachers and role models. Recent research indicates that exposure to new technologies and programming concepts at the school level can influence a scholar’s IT career choice. Theories relating to career choice have focused on the characteristics of individuals and their environment. Career choice models have identified factors that influenced a student’s career choice.In South Africahowever,there have been limited studies investigating the factors influencing students’ career decisions in choosing careers in Computer Science (CS), Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT)using mixed-methods.This study aims to investigate the factors that influence first-year students’ decisionsin choosing an IT career at the Nelson Mandela University.The research study pursueda pragmatisticapproach,using a mixed-methods approach. In investigating theories andfactors that influence students’ decisionsin choosing IT careers,the study used systematic literature reviews. The decision-making theories and factorsin theliterature review facilitated the creation of the conceptual framework for IT career decision making. A questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst ITand Non-ITfirst-year studentsin 2021. Fourhundredand eightparticipants completed the survey. The data obtained from the survey were statistically analysed, includingdescriptive analysis andExploratory Factor Analysis(EFA). Additionally, inferential statistics were used namely; Correlations, t-test, Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA)and Structural Equation Modelling(SEM). The study results wereinterpreted andcompared with iiiotherrelevantstudies. Recommendations were madeto address the factorsthat influencefirst-year students’ IT career decisions.The study highlighted that high academic confidence and personal attributes amongststudents,whowereinvolved at an early age in programming and using computers,chose IT as a career. The study showed significant statistical differences betweenIT and Non-IT groups in perceptions about the IT industry and identifying job title descriptions.Additionally, a significant statistical difference between languages and genders was identified in understanding careers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Care and handling of surgical instruments by professional nurses in the operating rooms in the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Bloemetje, Virginia Victoria
- Authors: Bloemetje, Virginia Victoria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Surgical nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Operating room nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Surgical instruments and apparatus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21779 , vital:29776
- Description: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), caused by viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens, can have a devastating effect on patients, families and health-care organisations. Furthermore, dealing with HAIs can be costly and add to an increase in hospital stays, medical costs, as well as the rates of morbidity and mortality. Operating rooms (OR) are dynamic units that pose a high risk for surgical infections in health-care organisations. In order to minimise surgical-site infections (SSI) and other related infections in ORs, it is important to care for and handle surgical instruments correctly and in accordance with what is considered to be best practice. This research study was conducted to explore and describe the knowledge of professional nurses related to the care and handling of surgical instruments in the ORs in the medical facilities both in the private and public sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample comprised of professional nurses in the ORs in the public and private hospitals, who made themselves available and who were willing to participate in the study. The data was collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire that was based on a narrative literature review. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses from the professional nurses in the OR, collected using the questionnaire. Ethical considerations have been applied throughout the research study and all the relevant findings have been disseminated accordingly. Recommendations, based on best-practice guidelines, were developed to optimise the care and handling of surgical instruments by professional nurses in the ORs. Professional nurses in the ORs who are involved in cleaning surgical instruments should know how to manage certain cleaning procedures. Disinfection and the sterilisation of surgical instruments can only be achieved by following efficient cleaning procedures. When performed properly, cleaning can effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms on surgical instruments, in order to prepare the instruments for disinfection and sterilisation. The importance of this step cannot be overemphasised since organic material, soil and debris can block the disinfectant or sterilising agent from making complete contact with the surface of the instruments. Additionally, cleaning allows for the safe handling of the instruments by professional nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bloemetje, Virginia Victoria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Surgical nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Operating room nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Surgical instruments and apparatus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21779 , vital:29776
- Description: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), caused by viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens, can have a devastating effect on patients, families and health-care organisations. Furthermore, dealing with HAIs can be costly and add to an increase in hospital stays, medical costs, as well as the rates of morbidity and mortality. Operating rooms (OR) are dynamic units that pose a high risk for surgical infections in health-care organisations. In order to minimise surgical-site infections (SSI) and other related infections in ORs, it is important to care for and handle surgical instruments correctly and in accordance with what is considered to be best practice. This research study was conducted to explore and describe the knowledge of professional nurses related to the care and handling of surgical instruments in the ORs in the medical facilities both in the private and public sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample comprised of professional nurses in the ORs in the public and private hospitals, who made themselves available and who were willing to participate in the study. The data was collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire that was based on a narrative literature review. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses from the professional nurses in the OR, collected using the questionnaire. Ethical considerations have been applied throughout the research study and all the relevant findings have been disseminated accordingly. Recommendations, based on best-practice guidelines, were developed to optimise the care and handling of surgical instruments by professional nurses in the ORs. Professional nurses in the ORs who are involved in cleaning surgical instruments should know how to manage certain cleaning procedures. Disinfection and the sterilisation of surgical instruments can only be achieved by following efficient cleaning procedures. When performed properly, cleaning can effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms on surgical instruments, in order to prepare the instruments for disinfection and sterilisation. The importance of this step cannot be overemphasised since organic material, soil and debris can block the disinfectant or sterilising agent from making complete contact with the surface of the instruments. Additionally, cleaning allows for the safe handling of the instruments by professional nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A framework for selecting NoSQL Databases:a NetFlow use case
- Authors: Rheeder, Leon Albertus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Non-relational databases , Database management Information technology Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35061 , vital:33611
- Description: Making decisions regarding technology is difficult for IT practitioners, especially when they lack formal guidance. Ad hoc decisions are prone to be influenced by biases. This research study specifically considered decisions regarding NoSQL. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework that can assist IT practitioners with decisions regarding NoSQL technologies. An investigation into typical decision-making problems encountered when having to make technology-based decisions provided an understanding of the problem context. The application context was explored through a literature study of the four NoSQL families. This study produces a framework to assist IT practitioners in making decisions regarding technology. The framework comprises two models. Firstly, a weighted decision model combines several constructs, thereby providing a general method of making decisions. Secondly, a 6-step process model that can be used to adapt the weighted decision-model to a specific type of technology and a specific use case is proposed. The feasibility and utility of the proposed framework are demonstrated by applying the framework to a NetFlow use case. If NetFlow data is to be used for analytical decision-making, the data must be stored long-term. NoSQL databases have increased in popularity, especially in decision-making contexts. Therefore, NoSQL is a logical storage choice. However, which NoSQL family to use is not self-evident. Therefore, the decision-maker may require assistance to make the right decision. To assist with this decision, the framework was adapted to be used in the NoSQL context. A set of criteria was developed to allow various NoSQL options to be uniformly compared. Furthermore, the four NoSQL families were graded based on this set of criteria. After adaptation, experts provided input regarding the requirements of the NetFlow use case. This resulted in the weighting of the criteria for this specific use case. Finally, a weighted score was calculated for each family. For the NetFlow use case, the model suggests that a document-based NoSQL database be used. The framework ensures that all NoSQL technologies are systematically investigated, thereby reducing the effect of biases. Thus, the problem identified in this study is addressed. The proposed model can also serve as a foundation for future research
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Rheeder, Leon Albertus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Non-relational databases , Database management Information technology Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35061 , vital:33611
- Description: Making decisions regarding technology is difficult for IT practitioners, especially when they lack formal guidance. Ad hoc decisions are prone to be influenced by biases. This research study specifically considered decisions regarding NoSQL. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework that can assist IT practitioners with decisions regarding NoSQL technologies. An investigation into typical decision-making problems encountered when having to make technology-based decisions provided an understanding of the problem context. The application context was explored through a literature study of the four NoSQL families. This study produces a framework to assist IT practitioners in making decisions regarding technology. The framework comprises two models. Firstly, a weighted decision model combines several constructs, thereby providing a general method of making decisions. Secondly, a 6-step process model that can be used to adapt the weighted decision-model to a specific type of technology and a specific use case is proposed. The feasibility and utility of the proposed framework are demonstrated by applying the framework to a NetFlow use case. If NetFlow data is to be used for analytical decision-making, the data must be stored long-term. NoSQL databases have increased in popularity, especially in decision-making contexts. Therefore, NoSQL is a logical storage choice. However, which NoSQL family to use is not self-evident. Therefore, the decision-maker may require assistance to make the right decision. To assist with this decision, the framework was adapted to be used in the NoSQL context. A set of criteria was developed to allow various NoSQL options to be uniformly compared. Furthermore, the four NoSQL families were graded based on this set of criteria. After adaptation, experts provided input regarding the requirements of the NetFlow use case. This resulted in the weighting of the criteria for this specific use case. Finally, a weighted score was calculated for each family. For the NetFlow use case, the model suggests that a document-based NoSQL database be used. The framework ensures that all NoSQL technologies are systematically investigated, thereby reducing the effect of biases. Thus, the problem identified in this study is addressed. The proposed model can also serve as a foundation for future research
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessment of the microalgal community structure and biomass in surface waterbodies of the Eastern Cape Karoo region earmarked for shale gas exploration
- Authors: Roussouw, Natasha Kimberlee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fresh water -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Constructed wetlands Watershed management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35234 , vital:33655
- Description: The Eastern Cape Karoo region of South Africa typically displays low rainfall and high temperatures, which is particularly concerning considering the shale gas exploration/extraction project proposed recently. Almost 90% of the fracking fluid consists of water and with the Karoo region already classified as a water-stressed region, the increased demand for freshwater for fracking could put further pressure on water resources of the region. By understanding the ecological functioning of the lower trophic levels, likely implications for higher trophic levels can be determined, and ultimately, recommendations for mitigation actions can be made. Here, observations aimed at understanding the dynamics of lower trophic levels are presented, that is, the microalgal biomass and assemblage composition within three characteristic surface waterbodies of the region. In addition, the work focuses on the smaller, more dynamic temporary wetland systems typical of this water-scarce region, with the aim of understanding the significance of single species macrophyte cover in relation to the lower trophic levels. Thirty-three waterbodies were sampled (natural depressions = 13, dams = 9, rivers = 11) during November 2014 (austral spring) and April 2015 (austral autumn). Waterbody physico-chemistry, hydro-morphometry, habitat cover and surrounding land-use, as well as microalgal biomass and assemblage composition within each waterbody type were measured. Thirteen natural depression wetlands were sampled during October 2015, December 2015 and March 2016. Once again, waterbody physico-chemistry, microalgal biomass and assemblage composition were measured. However, in addition, Schoenoplectus decipiens macrophyte cover and microalgal (diatom) species composition were also determined. In general, no significant differences in microalgal biomass between the three main waterbody types of the Eastern Cape Karoo region were found; however, the different waterbody types each displayed distinct microalgal assemblage compositions. Also, Schoenoplectus decipiens cover had negligible effects on microalgal biomass and assemblages in the temporary wetlands investigated here. These results suggest that the generalist nature of species occupying these systems allows them to adapt to the ever-changing conditions typical of this region. Ongoing monitoring initiatives considering impending hydraulic fracturing activities should include a comprehensive species-level diversity census, which could further inform management of any impacts associated with this potential disturbance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Roussouw, Natasha Kimberlee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fresh water -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Constructed wetlands Watershed management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35234 , vital:33655
- Description: The Eastern Cape Karoo region of South Africa typically displays low rainfall and high temperatures, which is particularly concerning considering the shale gas exploration/extraction project proposed recently. Almost 90% of the fracking fluid consists of water and with the Karoo region already classified as a water-stressed region, the increased demand for freshwater for fracking could put further pressure on water resources of the region. By understanding the ecological functioning of the lower trophic levels, likely implications for higher trophic levels can be determined, and ultimately, recommendations for mitigation actions can be made. Here, observations aimed at understanding the dynamics of lower trophic levels are presented, that is, the microalgal biomass and assemblage composition within three characteristic surface waterbodies of the region. In addition, the work focuses on the smaller, more dynamic temporary wetland systems typical of this water-scarce region, with the aim of understanding the significance of single species macrophyte cover in relation to the lower trophic levels. Thirty-three waterbodies were sampled (natural depressions = 13, dams = 9, rivers = 11) during November 2014 (austral spring) and April 2015 (austral autumn). Waterbody physico-chemistry, hydro-morphometry, habitat cover and surrounding land-use, as well as microalgal biomass and assemblage composition within each waterbody type were measured. Thirteen natural depression wetlands were sampled during October 2015, December 2015 and March 2016. Once again, waterbody physico-chemistry, microalgal biomass and assemblage composition were measured. However, in addition, Schoenoplectus decipiens macrophyte cover and microalgal (diatom) species composition were also determined. In general, no significant differences in microalgal biomass between the three main waterbody types of the Eastern Cape Karoo region were found; however, the different waterbody types each displayed distinct microalgal assemblage compositions. Also, Schoenoplectus decipiens cover had negligible effects on microalgal biomass and assemblages in the temporary wetlands investigated here. These results suggest that the generalist nature of species occupying these systems allows them to adapt to the ever-changing conditions typical of this region. Ongoing monitoring initiatives considering impending hydraulic fracturing activities should include a comprehensive species-level diversity census, which could further inform management of any impacts associated with this potential disturbance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Purchasing power parity in a newly industrialised country
- Authors: De Villiers, David James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models , Purchasing power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39578 , vital:35292
- Description: A newly industrialised country (NIC) is a nation whose rapid industrial growth is delivering high levels of economic development. The ‘NIC’ term is however inappropriately applied: thus this study develops a fresh exposition of the concept. Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and South Africa are identified as supposed present-day NICs. Regardless of the industrialisation strategy being pursued, NICs experience exchange rates misaligned in terms of equilibrium value. This can lead to an unpredictable exchange rate, and the failure of the empirical validation of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. Theory suggests that there exist several frictions to price movements which manifest themselves as nonlinear adjustment processes. Common empirical methodologies for evaluating PPP are however inadequate in accounting for these phenomena. To close the gap between theory and empirical evidence, the Kapetanois-Shin-Snell unit root test, augmented with flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies (KSS-FFFFF), is conducted in order to empirically validate the PPP hypothesis when applied to NICs. This model is capable of capturing heterogeneous smooth transitions in regime switching, and approximating unknown structural breaks in the time series. The researcher developed a novel numerical method in the form of a binary search algorithm for selecting the optimal fractional frequency of the flexible Fourier functions. This procedure significantly reduces both the approximation error and the computational cost of flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies. The main result of the study is that all NIC’s real exchange rates are mean-reverting over the annual and monthly periods of 1960-2016 and 1970:1-2017:11. Therefore the traditional Casselian version of PPP holds true in each NIC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: De Villiers, David James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models , Purchasing power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39578 , vital:35292
- Description: A newly industrialised country (NIC) is a nation whose rapid industrial growth is delivering high levels of economic development. The ‘NIC’ term is however inappropriately applied: thus this study develops a fresh exposition of the concept. Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and South Africa are identified as supposed present-day NICs. Regardless of the industrialisation strategy being pursued, NICs experience exchange rates misaligned in terms of equilibrium value. This can lead to an unpredictable exchange rate, and the failure of the empirical validation of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. Theory suggests that there exist several frictions to price movements which manifest themselves as nonlinear adjustment processes. Common empirical methodologies for evaluating PPP are however inadequate in accounting for these phenomena. To close the gap between theory and empirical evidence, the Kapetanois-Shin-Snell unit root test, augmented with flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies (KSS-FFFFF), is conducted in order to empirically validate the PPP hypothesis when applied to NICs. This model is capable of capturing heterogeneous smooth transitions in regime switching, and approximating unknown structural breaks in the time series. The researcher developed a novel numerical method in the form of a binary search algorithm for selecting the optimal fractional frequency of the flexible Fourier functions. This procedure significantly reduces both the approximation error and the computational cost of flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies. The main result of the study is that all NIC’s real exchange rates are mean-reverting over the annual and monthly periods of 1960-2016 and 1970:1-2017:11. Therefore the traditional Casselian version of PPP holds true in each NIC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A psychobiography of Viktor Emil Frankl
- Authors: Bushkin, Hanan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Frankl, Viktor Emil
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46440 , vital:39566
- Description: The first study conducted in South Africa of a prominent figure traces back as far as 1939. Since then, extensive research has been done in the field of psychobiography, resulting in a growing interest in this field and evolving into an established research genre in South Africa. Despite the increase in the use of psychobiographies as a research approach internationally and specifically in South Africa, its use is still considered relatively under-utilised and, therefore, the pursuit of further development of psychobiographies in South Africa is required. In light of South Africa’s effort to promote and advance the use of psychobiographies, South African researchers may be motivated to continue studying significant and exceptional lives in South Africa and abroad. Viktor Frankl was selected for this study based on his uniqueness, significance and his interesting life. He is also considered an exceptional individual who has shaped modern psychological thinking. Frankl had written over 40 books on his theory and many studies have been conducted based on his existential theory. Frankl’s contribution to the academic world has been recognised and acknowledged by significant institutions through his own and others’ research. Although much has been written on the life and work of Frankl, none of the literature utilises specific psychological focus and no psychobiographical study of the life of Frankl exists. Therefore, the researcher selected Frankl as the subject for this psychobiography through purposive sampling. The aim of the study was to provide a psychological exploration and description of Frankl’s life against the backdrop of his socio-cultural context. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher employed two psychological frameworks to guide in the description and exploration of his life. The psychological frameworks included Levinson’s life structure theory of adult development and Frankl’s existential theory. The study aimed to describe Frankl’s development with the use of Levinson’s theory while describing how he attained meaning in his life with the use of his own existential theory. Due to the exploratory-descriptive nature of this study, the objective fell within the inductive research approach. The researcher utilised a systematic coding method to arrange the data. The theoretical framework of Levinson’s life structure theory guided the coding system, as well as the key concepts of Frankl’s existential theory. In addition, the researcher utilised Alexander’s guidelines for the extraction of salient data, together with McAdam’s methods and recommendations for managing the data. Lastly, the researcher followed the 12-step method of conducting a psychobiography, as proposed by Du Plessis. Findings from this study found a correlation between Frankl’s life and the eras and transitional periods as theorised by Levinson’s theory. The findings of this study, therefore, support the use of Levinson’s theory with regards to the time frames and its use in understanding Frankl’s development. Also, the researcher found that Levinson’s theory was useful in understanding Frankl’s personality development within his context throughout his lifespan. With regards to Frankl’s existential theory, the researcher found that the use of the theory was suitable in understanding Frankl’s search for meaning. Frankl’s concepts of freedom of will, will to meaning, meaning of life, existential vacuum, supra-meaning, dimensional ontology, the three triads and noö-dynamics assisted in explaining Frankl’s drive to find meaning in his life, take responsibility to attain such meaning and to strive for transcendence beyond his suffering. The researcher found Frankl’s theory useful in explaining his drive, motives, needs and patterns of behaviour within this context. The holistic and integrative approach of the study allowed for an in-depth exploration and description of Frankl’s life and development within his socio-historical context. In addition to contributing to the existing body of knowledge on Frankl, his life and his theory, the study also contributed to the growing field of psychobiographical research. The study acknowledged and highlighted that further in-depth examination of the lives of extraordinary personalities could significantly contribute to psychobiographical studies. Based on the psychological frameworks used to explore and describe Frankl’s life, recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bushkin, Hanan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Frankl, Viktor Emil
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46440 , vital:39566
- Description: The first study conducted in South Africa of a prominent figure traces back as far as 1939. Since then, extensive research has been done in the field of psychobiography, resulting in a growing interest in this field and evolving into an established research genre in South Africa. Despite the increase in the use of psychobiographies as a research approach internationally and specifically in South Africa, its use is still considered relatively under-utilised and, therefore, the pursuit of further development of psychobiographies in South Africa is required. In light of South Africa’s effort to promote and advance the use of psychobiographies, South African researchers may be motivated to continue studying significant and exceptional lives in South Africa and abroad. Viktor Frankl was selected for this study based on his uniqueness, significance and his interesting life. He is also considered an exceptional individual who has shaped modern psychological thinking. Frankl had written over 40 books on his theory and many studies have been conducted based on his existential theory. Frankl’s contribution to the academic world has been recognised and acknowledged by significant institutions through his own and others’ research. Although much has been written on the life and work of Frankl, none of the literature utilises specific psychological focus and no psychobiographical study of the life of Frankl exists. Therefore, the researcher selected Frankl as the subject for this psychobiography through purposive sampling. The aim of the study was to provide a psychological exploration and description of Frankl’s life against the backdrop of his socio-cultural context. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher employed two psychological frameworks to guide in the description and exploration of his life. The psychological frameworks included Levinson’s life structure theory of adult development and Frankl’s existential theory. The study aimed to describe Frankl’s development with the use of Levinson’s theory while describing how he attained meaning in his life with the use of his own existential theory. Due to the exploratory-descriptive nature of this study, the objective fell within the inductive research approach. The researcher utilised a systematic coding method to arrange the data. The theoretical framework of Levinson’s life structure theory guided the coding system, as well as the key concepts of Frankl’s existential theory. In addition, the researcher utilised Alexander’s guidelines for the extraction of salient data, together with McAdam’s methods and recommendations for managing the data. Lastly, the researcher followed the 12-step method of conducting a psychobiography, as proposed by Du Plessis. Findings from this study found a correlation between Frankl’s life and the eras and transitional periods as theorised by Levinson’s theory. The findings of this study, therefore, support the use of Levinson’s theory with regards to the time frames and its use in understanding Frankl’s development. Also, the researcher found that Levinson’s theory was useful in understanding Frankl’s personality development within his context throughout his lifespan. With regards to Frankl’s existential theory, the researcher found that the use of the theory was suitable in understanding Frankl’s search for meaning. Frankl’s concepts of freedom of will, will to meaning, meaning of life, existential vacuum, supra-meaning, dimensional ontology, the three triads and noö-dynamics assisted in explaining Frankl’s drive to find meaning in his life, take responsibility to attain such meaning and to strive for transcendence beyond his suffering. The researcher found Frankl’s theory useful in explaining his drive, motives, needs and patterns of behaviour within this context. The holistic and integrative approach of the study allowed for an in-depth exploration and description of Frankl’s life and development within his socio-historical context. In addition to contributing to the existing body of knowledge on Frankl, his life and his theory, the study also contributed to the growing field of psychobiographical research. The study acknowledged and highlighted that further in-depth examination of the lives of extraordinary personalities could significantly contribute to psychobiographical studies. Based on the psychological frameworks used to explore and describe Frankl’s life, recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Investigating the first level of pass -through effects of the SACU region monetary transmission mechanism
- Authors: Mkhombo, Thando
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Monetary unions -- Africa, Southern , Foreign exchange market
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55998 , vital:54562
- Description: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the first-level pass-through effects of monetary policy transmission in SACU using the wavelet analysis methodology. The thesis comprises four empirical themes. 1. Investigating the time-frequency relationship in the Fisher’s effect for SACU countries. 2. Investigating the time-frequency relationship in the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) for SACU countries. 3. Investigating the time-frequency relationship between the exchange rate and the stock returns for SACU countries. 4. Investigating the time-frequency relationship between interest rates, exchange rates, and stock returns for SACU countries. Whilst there exists a considerable amount of empirical works which have studied the four themes in SACU countries that are covered in this study, there is a need for more empirical investigation for several reasons. Firstly, a majority of the studies have focused on South Africa with very little empirical literature existing for Botswana and Lesotho. Secondly, the previous SACU based studies present contradicting findings. Thirdly, Most of these studies did not cover the themes comprehensively, as is the case in this study. Finally, to the best of my knowledge, this methodology has not been employed in any SACU related literature until now. Altogether, the thesis bridges the inconsistencies found in previous SACU-related literature and offers fresh implications for policymakers and market participants. From an empirical perspective, the wavelet coherence analysis proves to be a powerful tool in reconciling previous contradicting empirical evidence on the existence of the Fisher effect in SACU countries. From a policy perspective, more fined tuned implications are derived from the findings of the study as wavelets are able to depict a more accurate description of the different first-level monetary transmission relationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School for Economics, Development and Tourism, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mkhombo, Thando
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Monetary unions -- Africa, Southern , Foreign exchange market
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55998 , vital:54562
- Description: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the first-level pass-through effects of monetary policy transmission in SACU using the wavelet analysis methodology. The thesis comprises four empirical themes. 1. Investigating the time-frequency relationship in the Fisher’s effect for SACU countries. 2. Investigating the time-frequency relationship in the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) for SACU countries. 3. Investigating the time-frequency relationship between the exchange rate and the stock returns for SACU countries. 4. Investigating the time-frequency relationship between interest rates, exchange rates, and stock returns for SACU countries. Whilst there exists a considerable amount of empirical works which have studied the four themes in SACU countries that are covered in this study, there is a need for more empirical investigation for several reasons. Firstly, a majority of the studies have focused on South Africa with very little empirical literature existing for Botswana and Lesotho. Secondly, the previous SACU based studies present contradicting findings. Thirdly, Most of these studies did not cover the themes comprehensively, as is the case in this study. Finally, to the best of my knowledge, this methodology has not been employed in any SACU related literature until now. Altogether, the thesis bridges the inconsistencies found in previous SACU-related literature and offers fresh implications for policymakers and market participants. From an empirical perspective, the wavelet coherence analysis proves to be a powerful tool in reconciling previous contradicting empirical evidence on the existence of the Fisher effect in SACU countries. From a policy perspective, more fined tuned implications are derived from the findings of the study as wavelets are able to depict a more accurate description of the different first-level monetary transmission relationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School for Economics, Development and Tourism, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04