Psychological capital as a moderator in the relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life among healthcare practitioners in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Umenze , Catherine Chetachukwu
- Authors: Umenze , Catherine Chetachukwu
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Job stress Human capital -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12536 , vital:39285
- Description: The study investigated psychological capital as a moderator in the relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life. The study used the explanatory survey research design. The convenience and purposive types of the non-probability sampling method were used to sample 150 male and female healthcare practitioners who participated in the study. Validated questionnaires were used to elicit information from the study’s participants. Four hypotheses were stated and analysed using the inferential statistical approach. The research findings showed that there was a significant positive relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life; there was a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and quality of work life; and there was a significant moderating influence of psychological capital on the relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life. And finally, there was no significant relationship between psychological capital and occupational stress. There is need for managers to focus on the four dimensions of psychological capital to help minimise occupational stress and improve quality of work life of healthcare practitioners. Management was also advised to devise optimal methods to curb stress and strengthen the mental and physical abilities of the employees’ outcomes. Future research should endeavour to apply a longitudinal research design in investigating the extent to which psychological capital can predict occupational stress, and in understanding its influence in the quality of work life of employees. The future study can spread the investigation to other districts as this study was conducted in just one district, which is a foremost limitation of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Umenze , Catherine Chetachukwu
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Job stress Human capital -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12536 , vital:39285
- Description: The study investigated psychological capital as a moderator in the relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life. The study used the explanatory survey research design. The convenience and purposive types of the non-probability sampling method were used to sample 150 male and female healthcare practitioners who participated in the study. Validated questionnaires were used to elicit information from the study’s participants. Four hypotheses were stated and analysed using the inferential statistical approach. The research findings showed that there was a significant positive relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life; there was a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and quality of work life; and there was a significant moderating influence of psychological capital on the relationship between occupational stress and quality of work life. And finally, there was no significant relationship between psychological capital and occupational stress. There is need for managers to focus on the four dimensions of psychological capital to help minimise occupational stress and improve quality of work life of healthcare practitioners. Management was also advised to devise optimal methods to curb stress and strengthen the mental and physical abilities of the employees’ outcomes. Future research should endeavour to apply a longitudinal research design in investigating the extent to which psychological capital can predict occupational stress, and in understanding its influence in the quality of work life of employees. The future study can spread the investigation to other districts as this study was conducted in just one district, which is a foremost limitation of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
State or public service broadcasting?: an analysis of the coverage of political issues and debates during an election campaign on television news
- Authors: Macha, Herbert
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Public service television programs -- Zambia , Television in politics , Television broadcasting of news -- Zambia , Elections -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006234 , Public service television programs -- Zambia , Television in politics , Television broadcasting of news -- Zambia , Elections -- Zambia
- Description: Public Service Television remains a key institution of democratisation in the context of emerging democracies in Africa, especially with the advent of liberalisation and commercialisation of the media. The democratic changes taking place in Zambia require a genuine public service broadcasting television that will promote pluralism in the public sphere. Among the many available strategies and mechanisms for fostering a sustainable democratic and cultural environment, public service broadcasting is still the best. This study set out to examine representation of political issues and debates during election campaign on ZNBC television news to assess the extent to which it plays a role as a public broadcaster in the mediation of pluralistic politics. Election news on television, in line with the public sphere argument was found to be essential for investigating the nature of public service television from the point of view of impartiality, universality and diversity. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods the study has confirmed the hypothesis that the role of a public service television in the mediation of pluralistic politics is compromised by ZNBC's partial and unbalanced coverage of elections. As a result ZNBC, as a public service broadcaster is undermining the very democracy it is expected to promote. Public service television should take new forms if it is to be recognised and appreciated by the public as a genuine, open and democratic public sphere. I therefore recommend that a system of license fee for viewers be introduced. Secondly, government should increase funding into public service television to supplement revenue from license fee and advertising. Thirdly, I recommend the appointment of an independent board whose members will be appointed for a fixed term, by public nomination and a process of public hearing, according to publicly available criteria, which guarantees diversity of political, ethnic, social and professional background. Fourthly I suggest the formation of an Election News Coverage Committee comprising of journalists, academicians, the church and civic organisation that will formulate and implement editorial policy on election coverage and above all monitor and the coverage of elections on ZNBC television news.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Macha, Herbert
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Public service television programs -- Zambia , Television in politics , Television broadcasting of news -- Zambia , Elections -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006234 , Public service television programs -- Zambia , Television in politics , Television broadcasting of news -- Zambia , Elections -- Zambia
- Description: Public Service Television remains a key institution of democratisation in the context of emerging democracies in Africa, especially with the advent of liberalisation and commercialisation of the media. The democratic changes taking place in Zambia require a genuine public service broadcasting television that will promote pluralism in the public sphere. Among the many available strategies and mechanisms for fostering a sustainable democratic and cultural environment, public service broadcasting is still the best. This study set out to examine representation of political issues and debates during election campaign on ZNBC television news to assess the extent to which it plays a role as a public broadcaster in the mediation of pluralistic politics. Election news on television, in line with the public sphere argument was found to be essential for investigating the nature of public service television from the point of view of impartiality, universality and diversity. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods the study has confirmed the hypothesis that the role of a public service television in the mediation of pluralistic politics is compromised by ZNBC's partial and unbalanced coverage of elections. As a result ZNBC, as a public service broadcaster is undermining the very democracy it is expected to promote. Public service television should take new forms if it is to be recognised and appreciated by the public as a genuine, open and democratic public sphere. I therefore recommend that a system of license fee for viewers be introduced. Secondly, government should increase funding into public service television to supplement revenue from license fee and advertising. Thirdly, I recommend the appointment of an independent board whose members will be appointed for a fixed term, by public nomination and a process of public hearing, according to publicly available criteria, which guarantees diversity of political, ethnic, social and professional background. Fourthly I suggest the formation of an Election News Coverage Committee comprising of journalists, academicians, the church and civic organisation that will formulate and implement editorial policy on election coverage and above all monitor and the coverage of elections on ZNBC television news.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The challenges facing the National Rural Youth Service Corps' (NARYSEC) skills development programme implementation in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa : a case study of O.R. Tambo district municipality
- Authors: Magwentshu, Kanyisa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Youth -- Employment Vocational guidance Youth development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12803 , vital:39363
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges facing the National Youth Service Corps’ (NARYSEC) skills development programme implementation in the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province. A secondary aim was to determine whether the actual NARYSEC implementation matches the desirable needs of the poverty-stricken unemployed NARYSEC beneficiary participants and their communities. The study, which was framed within Amartya Sen’s Capability and Entitlement Approaches (1985), used multiple data collection instruments – (1) semi-structured survey questionnaire, (2) face-to-face semi-structured interviews, (3) semi-structured telephonic interviews and (4) key expert informant in-depth face-to-face interviews – to collect data from 73 NARYSEC participants and three expert informants (N=76). The study used purposive and snowball sampling strategies in selecting the participants. Data was analysed using thematic data analysis technique and the results suggested that the NARYSEC skills development programme offered to unemployed youth in the resource depleted former homeland districts of the former Transkei of the Eastern Cape Province, did not achieve the NARYSEC objectives and the desirable needs of the NARYSEC beneficiaries and their communities. The evidence suggested that failure of the NARYSEC programme could be attributed to the implementation methods as well repeated cycles of mismatch between the official NARYSEC objectives of recruiting and developing rural youth to perform community service in their own communities and the actual NARYSEC implementation results. The study showed that one of the challenges NARYSEC programme faced was from the poorly structured implementation mechanisms, which were manned by untrained civil servants and not by skills development experts who were capable of implementing the programme successfully. The research findings also seemed to suggest that two of the major factors responsible for the NARYSEC programme failure in the Eastern Cape were the chronic implementation weaknesses stemming from the historical and contextual constraints dating back to the apartheid era. To enhance the NARYSEC objectives and the desirable needs of the unemployed rural youth and their communities, the study suggests the following: Firstly, it was recommended that policy planners and implementers should incorporate the desirable needs and aspirations of the youth and their communities into the NARYSEC programme design and implementation process. This recommendation is informed by the divergence that characterized the NARYSEC programme implementation. Secondly, it is suggested that the NARYSEC Monitoring &Evaluation process must be revamped in order to reverse the general trend of the poor monitoring and evaluation performance that characterised the NARYSEC programme implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Magwentshu, Kanyisa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Youth -- Employment Vocational guidance Youth development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12803 , vital:39363
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges facing the National Youth Service Corps’ (NARYSEC) skills development programme implementation in the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province. A secondary aim was to determine whether the actual NARYSEC implementation matches the desirable needs of the poverty-stricken unemployed NARYSEC beneficiary participants and their communities. The study, which was framed within Amartya Sen’s Capability and Entitlement Approaches (1985), used multiple data collection instruments – (1) semi-structured survey questionnaire, (2) face-to-face semi-structured interviews, (3) semi-structured telephonic interviews and (4) key expert informant in-depth face-to-face interviews – to collect data from 73 NARYSEC participants and three expert informants (N=76). The study used purposive and snowball sampling strategies in selecting the participants. Data was analysed using thematic data analysis technique and the results suggested that the NARYSEC skills development programme offered to unemployed youth in the resource depleted former homeland districts of the former Transkei of the Eastern Cape Province, did not achieve the NARYSEC objectives and the desirable needs of the NARYSEC beneficiaries and their communities. The evidence suggested that failure of the NARYSEC programme could be attributed to the implementation methods as well repeated cycles of mismatch between the official NARYSEC objectives of recruiting and developing rural youth to perform community service in their own communities and the actual NARYSEC implementation results. The study showed that one of the challenges NARYSEC programme faced was from the poorly structured implementation mechanisms, which were manned by untrained civil servants and not by skills development experts who were capable of implementing the programme successfully. The research findings also seemed to suggest that two of the major factors responsible for the NARYSEC programme failure in the Eastern Cape were the chronic implementation weaknesses stemming from the historical and contextual constraints dating back to the apartheid era. To enhance the NARYSEC objectives and the desirable needs of the unemployed rural youth and their communities, the study suggests the following: Firstly, it was recommended that policy planners and implementers should incorporate the desirable needs and aspirations of the youth and their communities into the NARYSEC programme design and implementation process. This recommendation is informed by the divergence that characterized the NARYSEC programme implementation. Secondly, it is suggested that the NARYSEC Monitoring &Evaluation process must be revamped in order to reverse the general trend of the poor monitoring and evaluation performance that characterised the NARYSEC programme implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The comparative case study of the use of English and isiXhosa as medium of instruction in a grade five class
- Authors: Mngqibisa, Mandla Daniel
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa Education, Bilingual Language and education -- South Africa Language policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003336
- Description: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of oral interaction between a grade 5class and their teacher when either English or isiXhosa was used as medium ofinstruction in two different lessons and of their writing which arose out of the lessons. The research was carried out within the interpretive paradigm and took the form of a casestudy. The researcher took the stance of being a non-participant observer. A variety oftechniques were used to collect data, namely, piloting, video recording and transcribing lessons, observing and making field notes, questionnaires and an interview. The interview was recorded and transcribed by the researcher. The two lessons were transcribed and analysed. Also the learners’ writing was analysed. The findings of this study showed that learners have little competence in English compared to isiXhosa. As a result most of them used short and vague sentences when responding to and discussing pictures in English. They also used short and simple sentences when writing in English compared toisiXhosa. Although this is a small-scale study it is recommended that the school’s language policy is revised and teachers are equipped with necessary skills, which would help them teach English to second language learners effectively. It is also recommended that the learners’ first language continue to be well taught even if it is no longer the classroom language.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Mngqibisa, Mandla Daniel
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa Education, Bilingual Language and education -- South Africa Language policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003336
- Description: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of oral interaction between a grade 5class and their teacher when either English or isiXhosa was used as medium ofinstruction in two different lessons and of their writing which arose out of the lessons. The research was carried out within the interpretive paradigm and took the form of a casestudy. The researcher took the stance of being a non-participant observer. A variety oftechniques were used to collect data, namely, piloting, video recording and transcribing lessons, observing and making field notes, questionnaires and an interview. The interview was recorded and transcribed by the researcher. The two lessons were transcribed and analysed. Also the learners’ writing was analysed. The findings of this study showed that learners have little competence in English compared to isiXhosa. As a result most of them used short and vague sentences when responding to and discussing pictures in English. They also used short and simple sentences when writing in English compared toisiXhosa. Although this is a small-scale study it is recommended that the school’s language policy is revised and teachers are equipped with necessary skills, which would help them teach English to second language learners effectively. It is also recommended that the learners’ first language continue to be well taught even if it is no longer the classroom language.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
The fourteen last rondos of C P E Bach: an investigation into their historic position, their form and their style
- Authors: Lewis, Pauline Mary
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel, 1714-1788 -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004608
- Description: This thesis deals with a set of compositions by C. P.E. Bach, referred to as "The Last Fourteen Rondos". Thirteen of these are contained in the collections of sonatas, fantasias and rondos for connoisseurs and music lovers. The fourteenth is a separate work, entitled "The Farewell From a Silbermann Clavier in the Form of a Rondo". After establishing the background and the history of these rondos, the thesis then proceeds to a detailed analysis of the various compositional aspects. First, it tries to explain the overall design of the rondos, a design which differs from that normally associated with rondo form. It then deals with the structure of the thematic material and shows Bach's preference for phrase parallelism and a relatively simple melodic and harmonic outline of the various subjects. Special chapters are devoted to the manner in which C.P.E. Bach treats the musical substance, namely, by means of Variation and by systematic development. A short chapter is then devoted to the fantasia sections, which are included into most of the rondos. It is in the field of harmony where C.P.E. Bach emerges as a most important forerunner of nineteenth century musical trends and, consequently, some detailed analyses form a major portion of the chapter dealing with harmony. Special attention is then given to the various aspects of C.P.E. Bach's style and, in particular, to the pianistic · traits. The thesis ends with a brief survey of the influence which C.P.E. Bach exerted on his contemporaries and on later composers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Lewis, Pauline Mary
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel, 1714-1788 -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004608
- Description: This thesis deals with a set of compositions by C. P.E. Bach, referred to as "The Last Fourteen Rondos". Thirteen of these are contained in the collections of sonatas, fantasias and rondos for connoisseurs and music lovers. The fourteenth is a separate work, entitled "The Farewell From a Silbermann Clavier in the Form of a Rondo". After establishing the background and the history of these rondos, the thesis then proceeds to a detailed analysis of the various compositional aspects. First, it tries to explain the overall design of the rondos, a design which differs from that normally associated with rondo form. It then deals with the structure of the thematic material and shows Bach's preference for phrase parallelism and a relatively simple melodic and harmonic outline of the various subjects. Special chapters are devoted to the manner in which C.P.E. Bach treats the musical substance, namely, by means of Variation and by systematic development. A short chapter is then devoted to the fantasia sections, which are included into most of the rondos. It is in the field of harmony where C.P.E. Bach emerges as a most important forerunner of nineteenth century musical trends and, consequently, some detailed analyses form a major portion of the chapter dealing with harmony. Special attention is then given to the various aspects of C.P.E. Bach's style and, in particular, to the pianistic · traits. The thesis ends with a brief survey of the influence which C.P.E. Bach exerted on his contemporaries and on later composers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
The isolation, genetic characterisation and biological activity of a South African Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA) for the control of the Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)
- Authors: Jukes, Michael David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Potato tuberworm , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Baculoviruses , Natural pesticides , Biological pest control agents , Potato tuberworm -- Biological control , Restriction enzymes, DNA
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017908
- Description: The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a major pest of potato crops worldwide causing significant damage to both field and stored tubers. The current control method in South Africa involves chemical insecticides, however, there is growing concern on the health and environmental risks of their use. The development of novel biopesticide based control methods may offer a potential solution for the future of insecticides. In this study a baculovirus was successfully isolated from a laboratory population of P. operculella. Transmission electron micrographs revealed granulovirus-like particles. DNA was extracted from recovered occlusion bodies and used for the PCR amplification of the lef-8, lef-9, granulin and egt genes. Sequence data was obtained and submitted to BLAST identifying the virus as a South African isolate of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA). Phylogenetic analysis of the lef-8, lef-9 and granulin amino acid sequences grouped the South African isolate with PhopGV-1346. Comparison of egt sequence data identified PhopGV-SA as a type II egt gene. A phylogenetic analysis of egt amino acid sequences grouped all type II genes, including PhopGV-SA, into a separate clade from types I, III, IV and V. These findings suggest that type II may represent the prototype structure for this gene with the evolution of types I, III and IV a result of large internal deletion events and subsequent divergence. PhopGV-SA was also shown to be genetically more similar to South American isolates (i.e. PhopGV-CHI or PhopGV-INDO) than it is to other African isolates, suggesting that the South African isolate originated from South America. Restriction endonuclease profiles of PhopGV-SA were similar to those of PhopGV-1346 and PhopGV-JLZ9f for the enzymes BamHI, HindIII, NruI and NdeI. A preliminary full genome sequence for PhopGV-SA was determined and compared to PhopGV-136 with some gene variation observed (i.e. odv-e66 and vp91/p95). The biological activity of PhopGV-SA against P. operculella neonate larvae was evaluated with an estimated LC₅₀ of 1.87×10⁸ OBs.ml⁻¹ being determined. This study therefore reports the characterisation of a novel South African PhopGV isolate which could potentially be developed into a biopesticide for the control of P. operculella.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Jukes, Michael David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Potato tuberworm , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Baculoviruses , Natural pesticides , Biological pest control agents , Potato tuberworm -- Biological control , Restriction enzymes, DNA
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017908
- Description: The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a major pest of potato crops worldwide causing significant damage to both field and stored tubers. The current control method in South Africa involves chemical insecticides, however, there is growing concern on the health and environmental risks of their use. The development of novel biopesticide based control methods may offer a potential solution for the future of insecticides. In this study a baculovirus was successfully isolated from a laboratory population of P. operculella. Transmission electron micrographs revealed granulovirus-like particles. DNA was extracted from recovered occlusion bodies and used for the PCR amplification of the lef-8, lef-9, granulin and egt genes. Sequence data was obtained and submitted to BLAST identifying the virus as a South African isolate of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA). Phylogenetic analysis of the lef-8, lef-9 and granulin amino acid sequences grouped the South African isolate with PhopGV-1346. Comparison of egt sequence data identified PhopGV-SA as a type II egt gene. A phylogenetic analysis of egt amino acid sequences grouped all type II genes, including PhopGV-SA, into a separate clade from types I, III, IV and V. These findings suggest that type II may represent the prototype structure for this gene with the evolution of types I, III and IV a result of large internal deletion events and subsequent divergence. PhopGV-SA was also shown to be genetically more similar to South American isolates (i.e. PhopGV-CHI or PhopGV-INDO) than it is to other African isolates, suggesting that the South African isolate originated from South America. Restriction endonuclease profiles of PhopGV-SA were similar to those of PhopGV-1346 and PhopGV-JLZ9f for the enzymes BamHI, HindIII, NruI and NdeI. A preliminary full genome sequence for PhopGV-SA was determined and compared to PhopGV-136 with some gene variation observed (i.e. odv-e66 and vp91/p95). The biological activity of PhopGV-SA against P. operculella neonate larvae was evaluated with an estimated LC₅₀ of 1.87×10⁸ OBs.ml⁻¹ being determined. This study therefore reports the characterisation of a novel South African PhopGV isolate which could potentially be developed into a biopesticide for the control of P. operculella.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The market efficiency hypothesis and the behaviour of stock returns on the JSE securities exchange
- Authors: Mabhunu, Mind
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002762 , Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa
- Description: While the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EHM) has been widely accepted as robust by many researchers in the field of capital markets, the hypothesis’ robustness has been under increased scrutiny and question lately. In the light of the concerns over the robustness of the EMH, the weak form efficiency of the JSE is tested. Stock returns used in the analysis were controlled for thin trading and it was discovered that once returns are controlled for thin trading, they are independent of each other across time. Some of the previous studies found the JSE to be inefficient in the weak form but this research found that the JSE is efficient in the weak form. A comparison is also made between the JSE and four other African stock markets and the JSE is found to be more efficient than the other markets. The developments on the JSE, which have improved information dissemination as well as the efficiency of trading, contributed to the improvement of the JSE’s efficiency. The improvement in operational efficiency and turnover from the late 1990s has also made a major contribution to the improvement in the weak form efficiency of the JSE. Theory proposes that if markets are efficient then professional investment management is of little value if any; hence the position of professional investment managers in efficient markets is investigated. Although the JSE is found to be efficient, at least in the weak form, it is argued that achieving efficiency does not necessarily make the investment manager’s role obsolete. Investment managers are needed even when the market can be proved to be efficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Mabhunu, Mind
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002762 , Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa
- Description: While the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EHM) has been widely accepted as robust by many researchers in the field of capital markets, the hypothesis’ robustness has been under increased scrutiny and question lately. In the light of the concerns over the robustness of the EMH, the weak form efficiency of the JSE is tested. Stock returns used in the analysis were controlled for thin trading and it was discovered that once returns are controlled for thin trading, they are independent of each other across time. Some of the previous studies found the JSE to be inefficient in the weak form but this research found that the JSE is efficient in the weak form. A comparison is also made between the JSE and four other African stock markets and the JSE is found to be more efficient than the other markets. The developments on the JSE, which have improved information dissemination as well as the efficiency of trading, contributed to the improvement of the JSE’s efficiency. The improvement in operational efficiency and turnover from the late 1990s has also made a major contribution to the improvement in the weak form efficiency of the JSE. Theory proposes that if markets are efficient then professional investment management is of little value if any; hence the position of professional investment managers in efficient markets is investigated. Although the JSE is found to be efficient, at least in the weak form, it is argued that achieving efficiency does not necessarily make the investment manager’s role obsolete. Investment managers are needed even when the market can be proved to be efficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
The requiems of Brahms and Verdi
- Authors: Pennels, Geraldine Murtel
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897 -- Requiems Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901 -- Requiems Requiems -- History and criticism Requiems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002317
- Description: The aim of this thesis is to compare the Requiems of Brahms and Verdi, two composers who are both amongst the greatest in our Western musical history, but completely different in significant aspects, the one being by nature introspective, serious, and even inclined towards melancholy in his creative work, whether done in a religious context or not; and the other being first and foremost a composer of operas, thus specializing in music for the stage or theatre, presupposing extroversion and even a degree of flamboyancy. Brahms never wrote any operas but his oeuvre is enhanced by symphonies, sonatas and concertos of serious intent, and especially by a body of wonderful chamber music (which is perhaps the most intimate genre in Western instrumental music). Verdi, on the other hand, is known almost exclusively for his operas, and wrote little else. Then Brahms was one of the great composers of the German Lieder, again a markedly intimate genre, which suggests that he paid constant attention to fine detail. In contrast, Verdi's mentality was that of the Italian opera composer who is more concerned with flowing melodic beauty, which is a "translation into music" of the meanings and tendencies of the text.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Pennels, Geraldine Murtel
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897 -- Requiems Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901 -- Requiems Requiems -- History and criticism Requiems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002317
- Description: The aim of this thesis is to compare the Requiems of Brahms and Verdi, two composers who are both amongst the greatest in our Western musical history, but completely different in significant aspects, the one being by nature introspective, serious, and even inclined towards melancholy in his creative work, whether done in a religious context or not; and the other being first and foremost a composer of operas, thus specializing in music for the stage or theatre, presupposing extroversion and even a degree of flamboyancy. Brahms never wrote any operas but his oeuvre is enhanced by symphonies, sonatas and concertos of serious intent, and especially by a body of wonderful chamber music (which is perhaps the most intimate genre in Western instrumental music). Verdi, on the other hand, is known almost exclusively for his operas, and wrote little else. Then Brahms was one of the great composers of the German Lieder, again a markedly intimate genre, which suggests that he paid constant attention to fine detail. In contrast, Verdi's mentality was that of the Italian opera composer who is more concerned with flowing melodic beauty, which is a "translation into music" of the meanings and tendencies of the text.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
The role of management and leadership in the schooling of at-risk learners: a case study of a school in Namibia
- Authors: Ipinge, Emma
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia School discipline -- Namibia Children with social disabilities -- Education -- Namibia Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003634
- Description: Most schools that serve learners who come from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds face unusually difficult challenges. These schools experience poor performance and disciplinary problems, and teachers lack motivation and commitment. This study explores the role of leadership and management in the schooling of at-risk learners at Pandu Primary School. This school accommodates learners mostly from Hafo, a township characterised by poverty with a high crime rate. However, in spite of these factors school inspectors and advisory teachers perceive the school to be successful. The school uses an abundance of energy and unusually high levels of human effort in a very focused way to improve the teaching and learning standard. The study found the co-existence of apparently conflicting management and leadership approaches in managing and leading the school. Strict control used in the school to make teachers work hard is an element of classical organisational theory, with its emphasis on span of control or number of workers supervised. Policies with strict rules are in place to create a calm atmosphere and serve as directives for teachers and learners. On the other hand, constructivist approaches – such as instructional leadership, transformational leadership, collegial model of management and open systems – are also clearly evident in the findings. Instructional leadership is evident in the emphasis on improvement of classroom practice. Elements of transformational leadership are seen in that the principal motivates the teachers and serves as a role model. The school also has some features of the collegial model of management, and can be described as an open system. Thus, by drawing on management and leadership approaches informed by different traditions and philosophies, the school succeeds against severe odds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Ipinge, Emma
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia School discipline -- Namibia Children with social disabilities -- Education -- Namibia Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003634
- Description: Most schools that serve learners who come from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds face unusually difficult challenges. These schools experience poor performance and disciplinary problems, and teachers lack motivation and commitment. This study explores the role of leadership and management in the schooling of at-risk learners at Pandu Primary School. This school accommodates learners mostly from Hafo, a township characterised by poverty with a high crime rate. However, in spite of these factors school inspectors and advisory teachers perceive the school to be successful. The school uses an abundance of energy and unusually high levels of human effort in a very focused way to improve the teaching and learning standard. The study found the co-existence of apparently conflicting management and leadership approaches in managing and leading the school. Strict control used in the school to make teachers work hard is an element of classical organisational theory, with its emphasis on span of control or number of workers supervised. Policies with strict rules are in place to create a calm atmosphere and serve as directives for teachers and learners. On the other hand, constructivist approaches – such as instructional leadership, transformational leadership, collegial model of management and open systems – are also clearly evident in the findings. Instructional leadership is evident in the emphasis on improvement of classroom practice. Elements of transformational leadership are seen in that the principal motivates the teachers and serves as a role model. The school also has some features of the collegial model of management, and can be described as an open system. Thus, by drawing on management and leadership approaches informed by different traditions and philosophies, the school succeeds against severe odds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Thermoluminescence of annealed synthetic quartz
- Atang, Elizabeth Fende Midiki
- Authors: Atang, Elizabeth Fende Midiki
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/420 , vital:19957
- Description: The kinetic and dosimetric features of the main thermoluminescent peak of synthetic quartz have been investigated in quartz ordinarily annealed at 500_C as well as quartz annealed at 500_C for 10 minutes. The main peak is found at 78 _C for the samples annealed at 500_C for 10 minutes irradiated to 10 Gy and heated at 1.0 _C/s. For the samples ordinarily annealed at 500_C the main peak is found at 106 _C after the sample has been irradiated to 30 Gy and heated at 5.0 _C/s. In these samples, the intensity of the main peak is enhanced with repetitive measurement whereas its maximum temperature is unaffected. The peak position of the main peak in the sample is independent of the irradiation dose and this, together with its fading characteristics, are consistent with first-order kinetics. For doses between 5 and 25 Gy, the dose response of the main peak of the annealed sample is superlinear. The half-life of the main TL peak of the annealed sample is about 1 h. The activation energy E of the main peak is around 0.90 eV. For a heating rate of 0.4 _C/s, its order of kinetics b derived from the whole curve method of analysis is 1.0. Following irradiation, preheating and illumination with 470 nm blue light, the main peak in the annealed sample is regenerated during heating. The resulting phototransferred peak occurs at the same temperature as the original peak and has similar kinetic and dosimetric features, with a half-life of about 1 h. For a preheat temperature of 200 _C, the intensity of the phototransferred peak in the sample increases with illumination time up to a maximum and decreases thereafter. At longer illumination times, no further decrease in the intensity of the phototransferred peak is observed. The traps associated with the 325 _C peak are the main source of the electrons responsible for the regenerated peak.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Atang, Elizabeth Fende Midiki
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/420 , vital:19957
- Description: The kinetic and dosimetric features of the main thermoluminescent peak of synthetic quartz have been investigated in quartz ordinarily annealed at 500_C as well as quartz annealed at 500_C for 10 minutes. The main peak is found at 78 _C for the samples annealed at 500_C for 10 minutes irradiated to 10 Gy and heated at 1.0 _C/s. For the samples ordinarily annealed at 500_C the main peak is found at 106 _C after the sample has been irradiated to 30 Gy and heated at 5.0 _C/s. In these samples, the intensity of the main peak is enhanced with repetitive measurement whereas its maximum temperature is unaffected. The peak position of the main peak in the sample is independent of the irradiation dose and this, together with its fading characteristics, are consistent with first-order kinetics. For doses between 5 and 25 Gy, the dose response of the main peak of the annealed sample is superlinear. The half-life of the main TL peak of the annealed sample is about 1 h. The activation energy E of the main peak is around 0.90 eV. For a heating rate of 0.4 _C/s, its order of kinetics b derived from the whole curve method of analysis is 1.0. Following irradiation, preheating and illumination with 470 nm blue light, the main peak in the annealed sample is regenerated during heating. The resulting phototransferred peak occurs at the same temperature as the original peak and has similar kinetic and dosimetric features, with a half-life of about 1 h. For a preheat temperature of 200 _C, the intensity of the phototransferred peak in the sample increases with illumination time up to a maximum and decreases thereafter. At longer illumination times, no further decrease in the intensity of the phototransferred peak is observed. The traps associated with the 325 _C peak are the main source of the electrons responsible for the regenerated peak.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Wellness strategies for unskilled and semi-skilled employees in the built environment
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Writing the aerial dancing body a preliminary choreological investigation of the aesthetics and kinetics of the aerial dancing body
- Authors: Acker, Shaun Albert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dance -- 19th century Dance -- 20th century Dance -- 21st century Aerialists Movement, Aesthetics of Feminine beauty (Aesthetics) Movement notation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002361
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates some of the nineteenth century socio-cultural ideals that have structured a connection between virtuosic aerial skill and bodily aesthetics. It views the emergence of a style of aerial kineticism that is structured from the gender ideologies of the period. It investigates the continual recurrence of this nineteenth century style amongst contemporary aerial dance works and outlines the possible frictions between this Victorian style of kineticism and contemporary aerial explorations. From this observation, a possible catalyst may be observed with which to relocate and inspire a study of aerial kinetics sans the nineteenth century aesthetic component. This kinesiological catalyst may be viewed in conjunction with the theories of ground-based kinetic theorist, Rudolph Laban’s choreutic study of the body in space. Thus, it may be possible to suggest and introduce a possible practical dance scholarship for aerial dance. This mini-thesis includes an introductory choreological investigation that draws on and integrates the disciplines of kinesiology; choreutic theory; existing aerial kinetic technique; musicology; and the physical sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Acker, Shaun Albert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dance -- 19th century Dance -- 20th century Dance -- 21st century Aerialists Movement, Aesthetics of Feminine beauty (Aesthetics) Movement notation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002361
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates some of the nineteenth century socio-cultural ideals that have structured a connection between virtuosic aerial skill and bodily aesthetics. It views the emergence of a style of aerial kineticism that is structured from the gender ideologies of the period. It investigates the continual recurrence of this nineteenth century style amongst contemporary aerial dance works and outlines the possible frictions between this Victorian style of kineticism and contemporary aerial explorations. From this observation, a possible catalyst may be observed with which to relocate and inspire a study of aerial kinetics sans the nineteenth century aesthetic component. This kinesiological catalyst may be viewed in conjunction with the theories of ground-based kinetic theorist, Rudolph Laban’s choreutic study of the body in space. Thus, it may be possible to suggest and introduce a possible practical dance scholarship for aerial dance. This mini-thesis includes an introductory choreological investigation that draws on and integrates the disciplines of kinesiology; choreutic theory; existing aerial kinetic technique; musicology; and the physical sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010