Improving the service quality of a civil consulting engineering firm through benchmarking
- Authors: Bellingan, Werner
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/743 , Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Description: The civil engineering industry in South Africa has seen a steady decline in the number of professionals during the last few decades, however it is expected that the government and private sectors are to spend over R200 billion on infrastructure in the next few years. This increases the demand on civil consulting engineering firms to achieve greater productivity, with reduced time and human resources, which has had a profound effect on the quality of service delivered to clients. These firms need to gain a competitive advantage by consistently providing Service Excellence, which is superior to their competitors. One way of achieving this is by benchmarking firms against their competitors. In this research paper the Service Quality and Service Recovery procedures of Company X in Port Elizabeth were benchmarked against its competitors using a customised form of the recognised SERVQUAL research instrument - the SERVPERF questionnaire. The results proved to be invaluable because the survey revealed insightful information which can be used to their strategic benefit. Civil consulting engineering firms need to be aware that Service Excellence is an imperative in the service industry, but do not necessarily have to be perfect. Firms simply need to outperform their competitors to be rated as market leaders. Strategies to improve the Service Quality and Service Recovery of the firm under review are suggested and this work concludes with suggestions for future research projects, which may be beneficial to the researcher, the civil engineering industry and the economy of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Bellingan, Werner
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/743 , Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Description: The civil engineering industry in South Africa has seen a steady decline in the number of professionals during the last few decades, however it is expected that the government and private sectors are to spend over R200 billion on infrastructure in the next few years. This increases the demand on civil consulting engineering firms to achieve greater productivity, with reduced time and human resources, which has had a profound effect on the quality of service delivered to clients. These firms need to gain a competitive advantage by consistently providing Service Excellence, which is superior to their competitors. One way of achieving this is by benchmarking firms against their competitors. In this research paper the Service Quality and Service Recovery procedures of Company X in Port Elizabeth were benchmarked against its competitors using a customised form of the recognised SERVQUAL research instrument - the SERVPERF questionnaire. The results proved to be invaluable because the survey revealed insightful information which can be used to their strategic benefit. Civil consulting engineering firms need to be aware that Service Excellence is an imperative in the service industry, but do not necessarily have to be perfect. Firms simply need to outperform their competitors to be rated as market leaders. Strategies to improve the Service Quality and Service Recovery of the firm under review are suggested and this work concludes with suggestions for future research projects, which may be beneficial to the researcher, the civil engineering industry and the economy of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Investigating the feasibility of an indoor aquatic centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole
- Janse van Rensburg, Philippus Jacobus
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Philippus Jacobus
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/791 , Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an Indoor Aquatic Centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The main problem was to establish the minimum aquatic facilities an Indoor Aquatic Centre must have, to be able to host National and International aquatic events. The sub problems identified to address the main problem were as follows: - Should accommodation be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should medical facilities be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be a gymnasium at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be food malls available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Will sports tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre? In this study the researcher discusses current tourism opportunities, possible sports tourism opportunities and the current aquatic facilities the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole has to offer. From the discussion regarding these issues it was found that the metropole do offer many attraction opportunities including the following: - Adventure and Sport; - Agriculture; - Arts and Culture; - Business and Conferencing; - Coastal and Beaches; - Entertainment and Shopping; - Historical; - Wild Life and Nature. Adventure and Sport attractions contribute to sports tourism in the metropole and an Indoor Aquatic Centre could enable the metropole to improve sports tourism figures to the metropole. Sports tourism is defined as any tourism that is linked with a sports event. The conclusion can be made that the main initiative for sports tourism is to host a major sporting event to attract tourists. Adding other tourist attractions makes the destination more attractive. It is also important that the community is educated and informed about sports tourism so that the tourist and the community benefits from the event. Indoor Aquatic Centres found in countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, The Far East, United Kingdom and the United States of America, were discussed to identify the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The literature study has shown that the Indoor Aquatic Centre should be a multi purpose centre with a minimum of two heated pools and leisure facilities included. This will enable the centre to generate different streams of income to enhance sustainability. The aquatic centre should also be designed to host National and International events, but not necessarily for Olympic Games events. An empirical study was done to see if the respondents agree on the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre, identified by the literature study and if they agree that sports tourism within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole will benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The conclusion of the empirical study is that the respondents’ view correlate with the information found during the literature study regarding the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre listed as follows: - The minimum number of heated pools are two consisting of a fifty metre ten lane pool and a twenty five metre ten lane pool; - A food mall that consists of a restaurant, fast food stalls and a food store; - Medical facilities, conference facilities, gymnasium and other leisure facilities must also be available; - Accommodation facilities must be available and consists of two and three bedroom fully serviced apartments; - The Indoor Aquatic centre must be able to have seating for 2000 people and parking for 1000 vehicles. The study has addressed the main problem and the sub problems, but further research needs to be conducted regarding the funding of the Indoor Aquatic Centre as this issue was not successfully addressed. More information is needed regarding the different ways of funding and who the stakeholders should be in this process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Philippus Jacobus
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/791 , Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an Indoor Aquatic Centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The main problem was to establish the minimum aquatic facilities an Indoor Aquatic Centre must have, to be able to host National and International aquatic events. The sub problems identified to address the main problem were as follows: - Should accommodation be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should medical facilities be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be a gymnasium at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be food malls available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Will sports tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre? In this study the researcher discusses current tourism opportunities, possible sports tourism opportunities and the current aquatic facilities the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole has to offer. From the discussion regarding these issues it was found that the metropole do offer many attraction opportunities including the following: - Adventure and Sport; - Agriculture; - Arts and Culture; - Business and Conferencing; - Coastal and Beaches; - Entertainment and Shopping; - Historical; - Wild Life and Nature. Adventure and Sport attractions contribute to sports tourism in the metropole and an Indoor Aquatic Centre could enable the metropole to improve sports tourism figures to the metropole. Sports tourism is defined as any tourism that is linked with a sports event. The conclusion can be made that the main initiative for sports tourism is to host a major sporting event to attract tourists. Adding other tourist attractions makes the destination more attractive. It is also important that the community is educated and informed about sports tourism so that the tourist and the community benefits from the event. Indoor Aquatic Centres found in countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, The Far East, United Kingdom and the United States of America, were discussed to identify the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The literature study has shown that the Indoor Aquatic Centre should be a multi purpose centre with a minimum of two heated pools and leisure facilities included. This will enable the centre to generate different streams of income to enhance sustainability. The aquatic centre should also be designed to host National and International events, but not necessarily for Olympic Games events. An empirical study was done to see if the respondents agree on the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre, identified by the literature study and if they agree that sports tourism within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole will benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The conclusion of the empirical study is that the respondents’ view correlate with the information found during the literature study regarding the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre listed as follows: - The minimum number of heated pools are two consisting of a fifty metre ten lane pool and a twenty five metre ten lane pool; - A food mall that consists of a restaurant, fast food stalls and a food store; - Medical facilities, conference facilities, gymnasium and other leisure facilities must also be available; - Accommodation facilities must be available and consists of two and three bedroom fully serviced apartments; - The Indoor Aquatic centre must be able to have seating for 2000 people and parking for 1000 vehicles. The study has addressed the main problem and the sub problems, but further research needs to be conducted regarding the funding of the Indoor Aquatic Centre as this issue was not successfully addressed. More information is needed regarding the different ways of funding and who the stakeholders should be in this process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Land reform policies and human rights : a South African case study
- Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Authors: Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:9042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/502 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Description: This treatise begins with a discussion of different clauses of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution and the land reform policies of the South African government. The inequality and injustice caused by decades of apartheid land law forms the background of the land reform programme. The treatise addresses the consequences of this legacy on the implementation of the South African Constitution including the right to property. The discussion includes the three key elements of the land reform programme namely restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. The content of this treatise ranges over these three elements of land reform, applying constitutional issues to the relevant case law, The balancing and the reconciliation of rights and interest between the individual and the public in a just manner will be the barometer. The conclusion shows that the Constitution both protects existing rights and authorises the promotion of land reform within the framework of Section 25 of the Constitution, and that every aspect of the property clause has to be regarded as part of a constitional effort in balancing individual interest and public interest in terms of a constitutional order. It is my sincere hope that this treatise will contribute toward the achievement of equity, stability and by the values of an open and democratic society based on human dignity, freedom and human rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:9042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/502 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Description: This treatise begins with a discussion of different clauses of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution and the land reform policies of the South African government. The inequality and injustice caused by decades of apartheid land law forms the background of the land reform programme. The treatise addresses the consequences of this legacy on the implementation of the South African Constitution including the right to property. The discussion includes the three key elements of the land reform programme namely restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. The content of this treatise ranges over these three elements of land reform, applying constitutional issues to the relevant case law, The balancing and the reconciliation of rights and interest between the individual and the public in a just manner will be the barometer. The conclusion shows that the Constitution both protects existing rights and authorises the promotion of land reform within the framework of Section 25 of the Constitution, and that every aspect of the property clause has to be regarded as part of a constitional effort in balancing individual interest and public interest in terms of a constitutional order. It is my sincere hope that this treatise will contribute toward the achievement of equity, stability and by the values of an open and democratic society based on human dignity, freedom and human rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Strategies for managing work related stress
- Authors: Müller, Elsie Franscina
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Stress management , Job stress , Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/742 , Stress management , Job stress , Work -- Psychological aspects
- Description: The objective of this study was to identify the strategies (primary, secondary and tertiary) that can be employed to manage work related stress. A questionnaire, was designed based on the strategies found in a literature study on the topic and used to gather inputs from academic head of department and lecturers. The questionnaire was delivered by hand to 18 potential respondents. All 16 questionnaires returned could be used. These were processed and analysed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. In general support was found for primary stress management strategies pertaining to work schedule, work load and work pace, job content, career development, the home-work relationship and work environment. Lifestyle management in terms of physical activities and a healthy diet were regarded as the preferred secondary stress management strategies. The strategies related to lifestyle management which were identified from the literature study were physical activities, healthy diet, relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. Support was found for tertiary stress management strategies but most of the respondents were not sure if their organisation offered any wellness, employee assistance or stress management programmes. Wellness programmes were indicated as a strategy that will have the most impact on reducing work related stress and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) ranked there after. Overall respondents indicated that they did not perceive their work as very stressful.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Müller, Elsie Franscina
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Stress management , Job stress , Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/742 , Stress management , Job stress , Work -- Psychological aspects
- Description: The objective of this study was to identify the strategies (primary, secondary and tertiary) that can be employed to manage work related stress. A questionnaire, was designed based on the strategies found in a literature study on the topic and used to gather inputs from academic head of department and lecturers. The questionnaire was delivered by hand to 18 potential respondents. All 16 questionnaires returned could be used. These were processed and analysed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. In general support was found for primary stress management strategies pertaining to work schedule, work load and work pace, job content, career development, the home-work relationship and work environment. Lifestyle management in terms of physical activities and a healthy diet were regarded as the preferred secondary stress management strategies. The strategies related to lifestyle management which were identified from the literature study were physical activities, healthy diet, relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. Support was found for tertiary stress management strategies but most of the respondents were not sure if their organisation offered any wellness, employee assistance or stress management programmes. Wellness programmes were indicated as a strategy that will have the most impact on reducing work related stress and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) ranked there after. Overall respondents indicated that they did not perceive their work as very stressful.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The development of a strategic performance measurement tool for SMEs in the construction industry
- Authors: Pooe, Molefe, M.B.A
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Performance -- Measurement , Industrial productivity -- Measurement , Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8733 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/810 , Performance -- Measurement , Industrial productivity -- Measurement , Small business -- South Africa
- Description: Research in strategic performance measurements has focused mostly on large organisations. In the last few years, there has been a widespread adoption and implementation of balanced strategic performance measurements that no longer narrowly focus on financial measurements but include other non-financial measures. Again, such improvements have focused on large organisations. This study aims to assess strategic performance measurement practices in the Small and Medium Enterprises within the construction industry. The Balanced Scorecard is used as a generic measurement framework to ascertain the current strategic performance measurements within this sector. The four perspectives of measurement; namely, financial, customer, internal process and learning and growth are used to determine the generic measurements within the construction industry. These are then used to determine to what the extent Small and Medium Enterprises in the construction industry have adopted the measurements outlined in these four perspectives. The nature and extent of strategic planning and perceived relevance of various sets of balanced measurements were also assessed. A survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire in order to obtain primary data from a selected sample group. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, the data was analysed to get a clear picture of current practice. From the results obtained from the respondents in the sample group, it seemed that there was some strategic planning within this sector although the process was mostly unstructured. The results also showed that the owner-manager is still solely responsible for strategic planning with little or no inclusion of other managers or employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Pooe, Molefe, M.B.A
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Performance -- Measurement , Industrial productivity -- Measurement , Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8733 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/810 , Performance -- Measurement , Industrial productivity -- Measurement , Small business -- South Africa
- Description: Research in strategic performance measurements has focused mostly on large organisations. In the last few years, there has been a widespread adoption and implementation of balanced strategic performance measurements that no longer narrowly focus on financial measurements but include other non-financial measures. Again, such improvements have focused on large organisations. This study aims to assess strategic performance measurement practices in the Small and Medium Enterprises within the construction industry. The Balanced Scorecard is used as a generic measurement framework to ascertain the current strategic performance measurements within this sector. The four perspectives of measurement; namely, financial, customer, internal process and learning and growth are used to determine the generic measurements within the construction industry. These are then used to determine to what the extent Small and Medium Enterprises in the construction industry have adopted the measurements outlined in these four perspectives. The nature and extent of strategic planning and perceived relevance of various sets of balanced measurements were also assessed. A survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire in order to obtain primary data from a selected sample group. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, the data was analysed to get a clear picture of current practice. From the results obtained from the respondents in the sample group, it seemed that there was some strategic planning within this sector although the process was mostly unstructured. The results also showed that the owner-manager is still solely responsible for strategic planning with little or no inclusion of other managers or employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The effect of HIV and AIDS on the viability and management of forestry contracting businesses in South Africa
- Authors: Steenkamp, Jacob Cornelus
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Forest products Industry -- South Africa -- Employees -- Disease , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8768 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/735 , Forest products Industry -- South Africa -- Employees -- Disease , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the research is to quantify the HIV prevalence in human resources of forestry contracting businesses and to develop a management framework to promote economic sustainability of forestry contractors. HIV tests were conducted in the forest industry on the employees of contracting concerns from 2002/2003 to 2004/2005 with an accompanying questionnaire to collect demographic data. The HIV test results were analyzed with the demographic data to determine relationships between HIV prevalence and demographic factors. Contractors responded to a questionnaire on the effect of HIV and AIDS prevalence on (their) contracting businesses. The questionnaire also collected information about HIV and AIDS interventions and assistance to HIV and AIDS affected employees. Key stakeholders of other forestry sub-sectors were interviewed to facilitate comparison of the different sub-sectors and to establish if there were major differences between the sub-sectors, however, the focus was on the human resources of the forestry contracting sub-sector. The research results indicated that the HIV prevalence was increasing for the research period and was, in some regions, exceeding 40 per cent. The highest prevalence was recorded in the Highveld and Zululand regions and the lowest prevalence in the North-Eastern Cape. The HIV prevalence for females was constantly higher than the incidence for males and the ratio of males to females (all regions) approximated 68 per cent to 32 per cent. The high prevalence of HIV results in major social and economic impacts. The economic impact is aggravated through regulation (due to perceived market failure) and a bid for more equal distribution of wealth in the economy. The result of the sum of the impacts alludes to a conversion from labour to capital; however, to make well-informed decisions, various scenarios should be simulated to establish the optimum labour to capital ratio. The research further established that appropriate staffing is increasingly difficult and that the development of human capital is under pressure due to the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. HIV and AIDS mitigation programmes will make a significant contribution to the return on human capital assets, as the economic life and productivity of such assets will be enhanced by such interventions. The management framework developed was assessed to be visually acceptable and useful by domain experts; however, to realise the full potential of the framework it should be used with anticipation of the research results regarding prevalence and future estimated AIDS releases and in conjunction with industry cost simulation models.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Steenkamp, Jacob Cornelus
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Forest products Industry -- South Africa -- Employees -- Disease , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8768 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/735 , Forest products Industry -- South Africa -- Employees -- Disease , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the research is to quantify the HIV prevalence in human resources of forestry contracting businesses and to develop a management framework to promote economic sustainability of forestry contractors. HIV tests were conducted in the forest industry on the employees of contracting concerns from 2002/2003 to 2004/2005 with an accompanying questionnaire to collect demographic data. The HIV test results were analyzed with the demographic data to determine relationships between HIV prevalence and demographic factors. Contractors responded to a questionnaire on the effect of HIV and AIDS prevalence on (their) contracting businesses. The questionnaire also collected information about HIV and AIDS interventions and assistance to HIV and AIDS affected employees. Key stakeholders of other forestry sub-sectors were interviewed to facilitate comparison of the different sub-sectors and to establish if there were major differences between the sub-sectors, however, the focus was on the human resources of the forestry contracting sub-sector. The research results indicated that the HIV prevalence was increasing for the research period and was, in some regions, exceeding 40 per cent. The highest prevalence was recorded in the Highveld and Zululand regions and the lowest prevalence in the North-Eastern Cape. The HIV prevalence for females was constantly higher than the incidence for males and the ratio of males to females (all regions) approximated 68 per cent to 32 per cent. The high prevalence of HIV results in major social and economic impacts. The economic impact is aggravated through regulation (due to perceived market failure) and a bid for more equal distribution of wealth in the economy. The result of the sum of the impacts alludes to a conversion from labour to capital; however, to make well-informed decisions, various scenarios should be simulated to establish the optimum labour to capital ratio. The research further established that appropriate staffing is increasingly difficult and that the development of human capital is under pressure due to the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. HIV and AIDS mitigation programmes will make a significant contribution to the return on human capital assets, as the economic life and productivity of such assets will be enhanced by such interventions. The management framework developed was assessed to be visually acceptable and useful by domain experts; however, to realise the full potential of the framework it should be used with anticipation of the research results regarding prevalence and future estimated AIDS releases and in conjunction with industry cost simulation models.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The impact of the absence of a total productive maintenance (TPM) program at a plastic painting plant
- Authors: Hempel, Calvern Anthony
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Plant maintenance -- Management , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/524 , Plant maintenance -- Management , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa
- Description: This research was concerned with investigating “the absence of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)” at a plastic painting plant. TPM is a combination of operations and maintenance activities and is performed by operators under their own authority and is called “autonomous maintenances”. The author has tested the degree of implementation of TPM by using a sevenstep TPM implementation model this highlighted an absence of TPM in the organisation investigated. TPM is a relatively new concept in the South African automotive industry and has not been fully accepted by management as a solution to the maintenance problems in the organisation. Due to a long implementation period and the difficulty in measuring the benefits of the TPM program for the organisation TPM tends not to be implemented by companies. The research studies several maintenance philosophies each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The benefits that arise from the implementation of an effective TPM philosophy were explored. The development of an effective improved model for the implementation of TPM was investigated. Maintenance engineers and managers in any organisation can use this model to implement an effective TPM program. The seven-step TPM implementation model formed the basis for the compilation of a questionnaire. A survey was conducted to determine if an absence of TPM existed in a plastic painting plant. The results from the survey were drawn up and recommendations to further develop a model for the implementation of TPM was put forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Hempel, Calvern Anthony
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Plant maintenance -- Management , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/524 , Plant maintenance -- Management , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa
- Description: This research was concerned with investigating “the absence of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)” at a plastic painting plant. TPM is a combination of operations and maintenance activities and is performed by operators under their own authority and is called “autonomous maintenances”. The author has tested the degree of implementation of TPM by using a sevenstep TPM implementation model this highlighted an absence of TPM in the organisation investigated. TPM is a relatively new concept in the South African automotive industry and has not been fully accepted by management as a solution to the maintenance problems in the organisation. Due to a long implementation period and the difficulty in measuring the benefits of the TPM program for the organisation TPM tends not to be implemented by companies. The research studies several maintenance philosophies each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The benefits that arise from the implementation of an effective TPM philosophy were explored. The development of an effective improved model for the implementation of TPM was investigated. Maintenance engineers and managers in any organisation can use this model to implement an effective TPM program. The seven-step TPM implementation model formed the basis for the compilation of a questionnaire. A survey was conducted to determine if an absence of TPM existed in a plastic painting plant. The results from the survey were drawn up and recommendations to further develop a model for the implementation of TPM was put forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The influence of service quality perceptions and customer satisfaction on patients' behavioural intentions in the healthcare industry
- Authors: Gray, Beverley Ann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Patient satisfaction -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Hospitals, Proprietary -- Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Hospital patients -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/514 , Patient satisfaction -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Hospitals, Proprietary -- Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Hospital patients -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: Healthcare today has become a competitive industry, not only locally, but on a global level as well. In the South African economy the healthcare sector presently offers healthcare seekers two options to satisfy their healthcare needs – either through private business enterprises in the private sector or public enterprises in the public sector. Likewise, in the healthcare sector's hospital environment, patients can receive treatment from either private or public hospitals. As private business enterprises offering a relatively 'pure', but generally unsought-after service, private hospitals compete aggressively to attract patients. Patients are a hospital's lifeblood and they rightfully expect a high standard of customer service throughout the stay. With today's consumers being better informed, more sophisticated and more demanding than in the past, experts agree that the key to survival in the service industry today, almost without exception, is the quality of the service. The cornerstone of the service industry is without doubt the ability to deliver superior service quality that results in customer satisfaction. And the healthcare industry is no exception. Most consumers will experience a need for healthcare services at some time in their lives, but in South Africa, escalating medical costs in general and private hospitals in particular, have made private healthcare increasingly more expensive for the majority of the country's healthcare seekers. This situation raises the question of customer service in the private hospital industry and how patients' perceive service quality and evaluate customer satisfaction after a hospital stay. There is a growing body of empirical evidence from United States studies to show that service quality and customer (patient) satisfaction positively influence patients' behavioural intentions to reuse the hospital or recommend it to others (word-of-mouth endorsements). However, in South Africa, empirical studies to investigate these relationships have not been adequately addressed. This study was therefore an attempt to address the lack of scientific evidence and debate in the area of patient satisfaction. Against this background, the primary objective of this study was to measure patients' perceptions of service quality and customer satisfaction with a private hospital experience and to estimate the effect that each of these constructs will have on future behavioural intentions. More specifically, the present study was an attempt to assess empirically the most important dimensions of service quality and transaction-specific customer satisfaction dimensions that drive both patient loyalty and ‘overall’ or cumulative satisfaction in the South African private hospital industry. For the purpose of this study, buying intentions was used as a surrogate measure of loyalty as measured by willingness to reuse the hospital and/or willingness to recommend it to others (word-of-mouth endorsements). Initial exploratory research was conducted with the aim of assessing the views of three private hospital stakeholder groups, namely former patients, doctors and management about what the quality of service and customer satisfaction meant to each individual interviewed. A service enterprise that specialises in patient satisfaction surveys in the US provided particularly useful information during this phase of the study. Several case studies of patient satisfaction programmes, mostly at US hospitals, provided additional insights in this area. The study was conducted nationally at private hospitals owned by one of South Africa's three major hospital groups. Five private hospitals in four major centres were selected on a non-probability convenience basis to participate in the study. The hospital group's senior management and the management at each selected hospital gave their full commitment to ensure that the survey was successfully conducted in their hospital wards. Data were collected by means of a quantitative study using a selfadministered, structured questionnaire. Patients had to meet certain qualifying criteria which included being of adult age, in the hospital for an operation and at least one overnight stay. A total of 3 800 questionnaires was distributed to patients on a random basis in selected wards at the five hospitals by senior hospital staff designated for this task. From this distribution, 425 questionnaires were returned of which a final sample of 323 could be statistically analysed. To confirm the internal reliability of the measuring instrument, Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated for each of the factors identified by the exploratory factor analysis. In order to assess the discriminant validity of the measuring instrument used to measure both service quality and customer satisfaction, the items were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis. The factors that emerged after the exploratory factor analysis were then used as independent variables in the four subsequent multiple regression analyses to assess the study's four hypothesised relationships. The findings revealed that the service quality dimensions that impact positively on both loyalty and cumulative satisfaction are Empathy of nursing staff and Assurance. The customer satisfaction dimensions to impact positively on both loyalty and cumulative satisfaction are Satisfaction with the nursing staff, Satisfaction with meals, and Satisfaction with fees charged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Gray, Beverley Ann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Patient satisfaction -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Hospitals, Proprietary -- Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Hospital patients -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/514 , Patient satisfaction -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Hospitals, Proprietary -- Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Hospital patients -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: Healthcare today has become a competitive industry, not only locally, but on a global level as well. In the South African economy the healthcare sector presently offers healthcare seekers two options to satisfy their healthcare needs – either through private business enterprises in the private sector or public enterprises in the public sector. Likewise, in the healthcare sector's hospital environment, patients can receive treatment from either private or public hospitals. As private business enterprises offering a relatively 'pure', but generally unsought-after service, private hospitals compete aggressively to attract patients. Patients are a hospital's lifeblood and they rightfully expect a high standard of customer service throughout the stay. With today's consumers being better informed, more sophisticated and more demanding than in the past, experts agree that the key to survival in the service industry today, almost without exception, is the quality of the service. The cornerstone of the service industry is without doubt the ability to deliver superior service quality that results in customer satisfaction. And the healthcare industry is no exception. Most consumers will experience a need for healthcare services at some time in their lives, but in South Africa, escalating medical costs in general and private hospitals in particular, have made private healthcare increasingly more expensive for the majority of the country's healthcare seekers. This situation raises the question of customer service in the private hospital industry and how patients' perceive service quality and evaluate customer satisfaction after a hospital stay. There is a growing body of empirical evidence from United States studies to show that service quality and customer (patient) satisfaction positively influence patients' behavioural intentions to reuse the hospital or recommend it to others (word-of-mouth endorsements). However, in South Africa, empirical studies to investigate these relationships have not been adequately addressed. This study was therefore an attempt to address the lack of scientific evidence and debate in the area of patient satisfaction. Against this background, the primary objective of this study was to measure patients' perceptions of service quality and customer satisfaction with a private hospital experience and to estimate the effect that each of these constructs will have on future behavioural intentions. More specifically, the present study was an attempt to assess empirically the most important dimensions of service quality and transaction-specific customer satisfaction dimensions that drive both patient loyalty and ‘overall’ or cumulative satisfaction in the South African private hospital industry. For the purpose of this study, buying intentions was used as a surrogate measure of loyalty as measured by willingness to reuse the hospital and/or willingness to recommend it to others (word-of-mouth endorsements). Initial exploratory research was conducted with the aim of assessing the views of three private hospital stakeholder groups, namely former patients, doctors and management about what the quality of service and customer satisfaction meant to each individual interviewed. A service enterprise that specialises in patient satisfaction surveys in the US provided particularly useful information during this phase of the study. Several case studies of patient satisfaction programmes, mostly at US hospitals, provided additional insights in this area. The study was conducted nationally at private hospitals owned by one of South Africa's three major hospital groups. Five private hospitals in four major centres were selected on a non-probability convenience basis to participate in the study. The hospital group's senior management and the management at each selected hospital gave their full commitment to ensure that the survey was successfully conducted in their hospital wards. Data were collected by means of a quantitative study using a selfadministered, structured questionnaire. Patients had to meet certain qualifying criteria which included being of adult age, in the hospital for an operation and at least one overnight stay. A total of 3 800 questionnaires was distributed to patients on a random basis in selected wards at the five hospitals by senior hospital staff designated for this task. From this distribution, 425 questionnaires were returned of which a final sample of 323 could be statistically analysed. To confirm the internal reliability of the measuring instrument, Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated for each of the factors identified by the exploratory factor analysis. In order to assess the discriminant validity of the measuring instrument used to measure both service quality and customer satisfaction, the items were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis. The factors that emerged after the exploratory factor analysis were then used as independent variables in the four subsequent multiple regression analyses to assess the study's four hypothesised relationships. The findings revealed that the service quality dimensions that impact positively on both loyalty and cumulative satisfaction are Empathy of nursing staff and Assurance. The customer satisfaction dimensions to impact positively on both loyalty and cumulative satisfaction are Satisfaction with the nursing staff, Satisfaction with meals, and Satisfaction with fees charged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The role of GMSA to assist their suppliers with the successful implementation of lean practices
- Authors: Conybeare, Nabiel
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: General Motors (South Africa) , Production management -- South Africa , Business logistics -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/763 , General Motors (South Africa) , Production management -- South Africa , Business logistics -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- Management
- Description: Over the past couple of decades traditional manufacturing techniques have been replaced by lean production around the world. This change in production methodology brought about the opportunity for numerous companies to reduce costs and customer lead time through the application of this lean philosophy. The worldwide shift from traditional manufacturing to lean manufacturing can be ascribed to the success of Toyota Motor Company. Lean manufacturing refers to a manufacturing improvement process in order to minimize or eliminate waste while maximizing production flow (Tapping, et al., 2002:30). A value stream includes all the operations and processes to transform raw material into finished products or services. Value stream is a management tool used for the planning of a production process involving lean techniques through systematic data capturing and analysis (Tapping 2002 et al., 41). Value stream is a proven process for planning the improvements that will allow companies to develop lean practices. One key to Toyota’s success that GMSA and many other South African companies have not been able to emulate is the transformation of their suppliers to apply the lean philosophy. This lack of supplier transformation is due to various reasons including supplier proximity, supplier relationships, supplier performance levels, and the ordering policies used for supplied parts. Even though many manufacturing organizations realize the importance of practicing lean manufacturing techniques, few organizations apply lean techniques with the required knowledge and tools to transform their organization from traditional manufacturing to lean manufacturing. This research project is based purely on the lean manufacturing principles and philosophies. The aim of the study is to make GMSA’s suppliers aware of the principles and processes of lean manufacturing and to develop a lean implementation strategy to assist organizations with the successful implementation of lean practices. In order to correctly implement and sustain lean manufacturing practices this study will also focus on supplier support and development and the behavior an organization must exhibit to make this transformation a success. The research methodology comprised the following steps: • A literature study was performed by the researcher to get a better understanding of the principles and philosophies of lean manufacturing; • A second literature study was also performed to get a better understanding of the continuous improvement philosophies of lean manufacturing including supplier support & development; and • To accomplish the objectives of this study, interview sessions were conducted with four senior managers of General Motors South Africa. The researcher selected the interviewees from the following departments within General Motors South Africa: Global Purchasing and Supply Chain; Supplier Quality and Development; Vehicle Assembly Operations and Material Supply. The interviewees from General Motors South Africa were identified as qualified data sources for this research project, as their professional opinions and viewpoints could best address the research questions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Conybeare, Nabiel
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: General Motors (South Africa) , Production management -- South Africa , Business logistics -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/763 , General Motors (South Africa) , Production management -- South Africa , Business logistics -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- Management
- Description: Over the past couple of decades traditional manufacturing techniques have been replaced by lean production around the world. This change in production methodology brought about the opportunity for numerous companies to reduce costs and customer lead time through the application of this lean philosophy. The worldwide shift from traditional manufacturing to lean manufacturing can be ascribed to the success of Toyota Motor Company. Lean manufacturing refers to a manufacturing improvement process in order to minimize or eliminate waste while maximizing production flow (Tapping, et al., 2002:30). A value stream includes all the operations and processes to transform raw material into finished products or services. Value stream is a management tool used for the planning of a production process involving lean techniques through systematic data capturing and analysis (Tapping 2002 et al., 41). Value stream is a proven process for planning the improvements that will allow companies to develop lean practices. One key to Toyota’s success that GMSA and many other South African companies have not been able to emulate is the transformation of their suppliers to apply the lean philosophy. This lack of supplier transformation is due to various reasons including supplier proximity, supplier relationships, supplier performance levels, and the ordering policies used for supplied parts. Even though many manufacturing organizations realize the importance of practicing lean manufacturing techniques, few organizations apply lean techniques with the required knowledge and tools to transform their organization from traditional manufacturing to lean manufacturing. This research project is based purely on the lean manufacturing principles and philosophies. The aim of the study is to make GMSA’s suppliers aware of the principles and processes of lean manufacturing and to develop a lean implementation strategy to assist organizations with the successful implementation of lean practices. In order to correctly implement and sustain lean manufacturing practices this study will also focus on supplier support and development and the behavior an organization must exhibit to make this transformation a success. The research methodology comprised the following steps: • A literature study was performed by the researcher to get a better understanding of the principles and philosophies of lean manufacturing; • A second literature study was also performed to get a better understanding of the continuous improvement philosophies of lean manufacturing including supplier support & development; and • To accomplish the objectives of this study, interview sessions were conducted with four senior managers of General Motors South Africa. The researcher selected the interviewees from the following departments within General Motors South Africa: Global Purchasing and Supply Chain; Supplier Quality and Development; Vehicle Assembly Operations and Material Supply. The interviewees from General Motors South Africa were identified as qualified data sources for this research project, as their professional opinions and viewpoints could best address the research questions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The role of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (smm's) in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City
- Authors: Sinxoto, Nomhle Beauty
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8738 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/793 , Small business -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: Thirteen years in the new democratic South Africa, South Africa is still faced with socio-economic problems such as high rates of unemployment, shortage of housing, crime and HIV/Aids. Buffalo city falls within the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). ADM population is estimated at + 1, 67 million, being predominantly rural and living in low socio-economic conditions. The demographic trends of ADM population depict high poverty, illiteracy and unemployment rates, rendering them prone to high morbidity and mortality (www.amathole.gov.za, 2007). The aim of this research was to assess the role of the SMMEs in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City. This study is based on exploratory quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Using a convenience sampling technique structured questionnaires were used to collect data amongst 28 SMMEs in Buffalo City. The findings of this study suggest that SMMEs play a vital role in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City. The SMMEs create employment and incomes; provide human capital investment in form of training programs and HIV/Aids programs; make donations to community structures; give sponsors to various sports clubs and food to the homeless. Finally SMMEs contribute towards tax revenues that in turn help reduce poverty and redistribute wealth. However, SMMEs in Buffalo City face a number of constraints, namely, lack of access to funding, lack of operating space, and high cost of property to lease and difficulty in finding trained competent staff. Further, the perceptions of the SMMEs about the adjudication of tenders was some biasness in the adjudication of tender in favour of those who were close to the public officials. There was no accountability and professionalism amongst the adjudicating officials. Finally the government was not doing enough to encourage SMME development in Buffalo City. In view of the socio-economic benefits of the SMMEs in Buffalo city, it is recommended that support programmes to the SMMEs should be enhanced. On the basis of the findings in this study, it is suggested that assistance to the SMMEs should go beyond institutional support such as Ntsika, Khula, DTI and/or SEDA but should be targeted to funding opportunities for the SMMEs. Commercial banks should be involved in ensuring that SMMEs obtain access to funding. Infrastructural facilities such as affordable business premises should be provided for the SMMEs. Affordable premises will reduce the overhead costs of the SMMEs and in turn increase the profits of these SMMEs. Increase the profits of the SMMEs will ensure the survival of the SMMEs and will in turn contribute towards the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the people who would have otherwise been unemployed, destitute and poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Sinxoto, Nomhle Beauty
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8738 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/793 , Small business -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: Thirteen years in the new democratic South Africa, South Africa is still faced with socio-economic problems such as high rates of unemployment, shortage of housing, crime and HIV/Aids. Buffalo city falls within the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). ADM population is estimated at + 1, 67 million, being predominantly rural and living in low socio-economic conditions. The demographic trends of ADM population depict high poverty, illiteracy and unemployment rates, rendering them prone to high morbidity and mortality (www.amathole.gov.za, 2007). The aim of this research was to assess the role of the SMMEs in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City. This study is based on exploratory quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Using a convenience sampling technique structured questionnaires were used to collect data amongst 28 SMMEs in Buffalo City. The findings of this study suggest that SMMEs play a vital role in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City. The SMMEs create employment and incomes; provide human capital investment in form of training programs and HIV/Aids programs; make donations to community structures; give sponsors to various sports clubs and food to the homeless. Finally SMMEs contribute towards tax revenues that in turn help reduce poverty and redistribute wealth. However, SMMEs in Buffalo City face a number of constraints, namely, lack of access to funding, lack of operating space, and high cost of property to lease and difficulty in finding trained competent staff. Further, the perceptions of the SMMEs about the adjudication of tenders was some biasness in the adjudication of tender in favour of those who were close to the public officials. There was no accountability and professionalism amongst the adjudicating officials. Finally the government was not doing enough to encourage SMME development in Buffalo City. In view of the socio-economic benefits of the SMMEs in Buffalo city, it is recommended that support programmes to the SMMEs should be enhanced. On the basis of the findings in this study, it is suggested that assistance to the SMMEs should go beyond institutional support such as Ntsika, Khula, DTI and/or SEDA but should be targeted to funding opportunities for the SMMEs. Commercial banks should be involved in ensuring that SMMEs obtain access to funding. Infrastructural facilities such as affordable business premises should be provided for the SMMEs. Affordable premises will reduce the overhead costs of the SMMEs and in turn increase the profits of these SMMEs. Increase the profits of the SMMEs will ensure the survival of the SMMEs and will in turn contribute towards the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the people who would have otherwise been unemployed, destitute and poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The value of freshwater inflows into the Kowie, Kromme and Nahoon Estuaries
- Authors: Sale, Michael Charles
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/599 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011689 , Estuaries -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa
- Description: An estuary can be defined as a partially enclosed, coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is a measurable variation of salinity due to the mixture of sea water with fresh water derived from land drainage. Estuaries are extremely important environmental assets and the management of them is dependent on the active involvement of the people whose livelihoods depend on them. There have been steady decreases in freshwater inflows into them during the past century due to abstraction of river water for human consumption and alien tree and plant infestations. Due to these decreases in freshwater inflows, many estuaries have become smaller and are providing reduced recreational services to users, such as boaters, fishermen and birders. This reduction in recreational service provision has adverse economic consequences. The scale of these consequences have become of great interest to river catchment planners. Of particular interest is the value of the freshwater inflows into estuaries relative to other abstractions of this water. The value referred to here is in terms of the environmental services yielded to recreational users. From a management perspective, it is desirable that these marginal values be compared with marginal cost values of this water in its best alternative use in order to guide the allocation of inflows into the respective estuaries. The aim of this study is to place a monetary value on this freshwater inflow at the Kowie, Kromme and Nahoon estuaries. Due to the fact that the freshwater flowing into estuaries is not a traded good, an alternative method to market price must be used to value it. The method of valuation used in this study is the contingent valuation method. The contingent valuation method (CVM) is a survey technique which asks individuals to place values upon changes to environmental assets. The questionnaires used in the surveys differed slightly. The one administered at the Nahoon Estuary was revised in the light of experience gained at the administration of the ones at the Kowie and the Kromme estuaries. Some questions in the latter two surveys were found to be confusing to the respondents and were made clearer and some of the questions were found to yield little extra information and were scrapped from the Nahoon Estuary survey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Sale, Michael Charles
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/599 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011689 , Estuaries -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa
- Description: An estuary can be defined as a partially enclosed, coastal body of water which is either permanently or periodically open to the sea and within which there is a measurable variation of salinity due to the mixture of sea water with fresh water derived from land drainage. Estuaries are extremely important environmental assets and the management of them is dependent on the active involvement of the people whose livelihoods depend on them. There have been steady decreases in freshwater inflows into them during the past century due to abstraction of river water for human consumption and alien tree and plant infestations. Due to these decreases in freshwater inflows, many estuaries have become smaller and are providing reduced recreational services to users, such as boaters, fishermen and birders. This reduction in recreational service provision has adverse economic consequences. The scale of these consequences have become of great interest to river catchment planners. Of particular interest is the value of the freshwater inflows into estuaries relative to other abstractions of this water. The value referred to here is in terms of the environmental services yielded to recreational users. From a management perspective, it is desirable that these marginal values be compared with marginal cost values of this water in its best alternative use in order to guide the allocation of inflows into the respective estuaries. The aim of this study is to place a monetary value on this freshwater inflow at the Kowie, Kromme and Nahoon estuaries. Due to the fact that the freshwater flowing into estuaries is not a traded good, an alternative method to market price must be used to value it. The method of valuation used in this study is the contingent valuation method. The contingent valuation method (CVM) is a survey technique which asks individuals to place values upon changes to environmental assets. The questionnaires used in the surveys differed slightly. The one administered at the Nahoon Estuary was revised in the light of experience gained at the administration of the ones at the Kowie and the Kromme estuaries. Some questions in the latter two surveys were found to be confusing to the respondents and were made clearer and some of the questions were found to yield little extra information and were scrapped from the Nahoon Estuary survey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Trade unions' attitudes and perceptions towards the Coega Industrial Development Zone
- Authors: Sikaka, Weziwe
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/850 , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa
- Description: In an attempt to create employment opportunities and uplift economic development, government has embarked on industrial development through arms acquisition. The two major Spatial Development Initiatives namely, the Fish River SDI and the Wild Coast SDI were developed to enhance economic development in the Eastern Cape. The Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is one of the elements of the Fish River SDI aimed at enhancing economic development through industrial development (Haines & Hosking, 2005). The Coega IDZ is one of government’s initiatives under the Industrial Participation program that has gained a lot of recognition. The Coega project has been under a lot of controversy since its conception and was highly linked to the arms deal as this project consumed most of government funds through the arms procurement program (Haines & Hosking 2005). The study therefore will attempt to address aspects premised in objectives of this study from the viewpoint of trade unions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Sikaka, Weziwe
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/850 , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa
- Description: In an attempt to create employment opportunities and uplift economic development, government has embarked on industrial development through arms acquisition. The two major Spatial Development Initiatives namely, the Fish River SDI and the Wild Coast SDI were developed to enhance economic development in the Eastern Cape. The Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is one of the elements of the Fish River SDI aimed at enhancing economic development through industrial development (Haines & Hosking, 2005). The Coega IDZ is one of government’s initiatives under the Industrial Participation program that has gained a lot of recognition. The Coega project has been under a lot of controversy since its conception and was highly linked to the arms deal as this project consumed most of government funds through the arms procurement program (Haines & Hosking 2005). The study therefore will attempt to address aspects premised in objectives of this study from the viewpoint of trade unions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Valuing preferences for freshwater inflows into the Bira, Bushmans, Kasouga, Keiskamma, Kleinemond East, Nahoon and Tyolomnqa estuaries
- Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Henri
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8998 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/628 , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: There are about 259 estuaries in South Africa that can be classified as “functioning” and their “health” status is directly related to the quantity and quality of freshwater that flows into them. Many of South Africa’s estuaries have become smaller due to a steady decrease in the amount of freshwater that flows into them. This reduction in freshwater inflows decreases their ecological functioning and undermines the recreational activities and subsistence services available from them. The National Water Act (ACT No. 36 of 1998) recognises the right of the environment to water, but a large amount of data is still needed to make management decisions on the allocation of freshwater. The objective of this research was to contribute to the management of the allocation of freshwater in the catchment areas of the Bira, Bushmans, Kasouga, Keiskamma, Kleinemond East, Nahoon and Tyolomnqa rivers by determining the recreational value of the freshwater flowing into their estuaries. This recreational value was established using the contingent valuation method. The contingent valuation method (CVM) is a technique to establish the value of a good (or service) that is not bought or sold in an actual market. This technique is frequently applied in the valuation of environmental goods, e.g. the freshwater that flows into an estuary. The CVM establishes the economic value by asking the users of an environmental good to state their willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical project to prevent or bring about a change in the current condition of the environmental good. The users’ WTP is then aggregated to establish a total willingness to pay (TWTP) for the population of the users of the environmental good. The hypothetical project presented in this study is that of an increase of freshwater inflows, that would prevent (bring about) predetermined changes in environmental services provided by the selected seven estuaries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Henri
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8998 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/628 , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: There are about 259 estuaries in South Africa that can be classified as “functioning” and their “health” status is directly related to the quantity and quality of freshwater that flows into them. Many of South Africa’s estuaries have become smaller due to a steady decrease in the amount of freshwater that flows into them. This reduction in freshwater inflows decreases their ecological functioning and undermines the recreational activities and subsistence services available from them. The National Water Act (ACT No. 36 of 1998) recognises the right of the environment to water, but a large amount of data is still needed to make management decisions on the allocation of freshwater. The objective of this research was to contribute to the management of the allocation of freshwater in the catchment areas of the Bira, Bushmans, Kasouga, Keiskamma, Kleinemond East, Nahoon and Tyolomnqa rivers by determining the recreational value of the freshwater flowing into their estuaries. This recreational value was established using the contingent valuation method. The contingent valuation method (CVM) is a technique to establish the value of a good (or service) that is not bought or sold in an actual market. This technique is frequently applied in the valuation of environmental goods, e.g. the freshwater that flows into an estuary. The CVM establishes the economic value by asking the users of an environmental good to state their willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical project to prevent or bring about a change in the current condition of the environmental good. The users’ WTP is then aggregated to establish a total willingness to pay (TWTP) for the population of the users of the environmental good. The hypothetical project presented in this study is that of an increase of freshwater inflows, that would prevent (bring about) predetermined changes in environmental services provided by the selected seven estuaries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007