A highly selective and sensitive pyridylazo-2-naphthol-poly (acrylic acid) functionalized electrospun nanofiber fluorescence “turn-off” chemosensory system for Ni 2+
- Adewuyi, Sheriff, Ondigo, Dezzline A, Zugle, Ruphino, Tshentu, Zenixole, Nyokong, Tebello, Torto, Nelson
- Authors: Adewuyi, Sheriff , Ondigo, Dezzline A , Zugle, Ruphino , Tshentu, Zenixole , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/246012 , vital:51428 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C2AY25182E"
- Description: A fluorescent nanofiber probe for the determination of Ni2+ was developed via the electrospinning of a covalently functionalized pyridylazo-2-naphthol-poly(acrylic acid) polymer. Fluorescent nanofibers with diameters in the range 230–800 nm were produced with uniformly dispersed fluorophores. The excitation and emission fluorescence were at wavelengths 479 and 557 nm respectively, thereby exhibiting a good Stokes' shift. This Ni2+ probe that employs fluorescence quenching in a solid receptor–fluorophore system exhibited a good correlation between the fluorescence intensity and nickel concentration up to 1.0 μg mL−1 based on the Stern–Volmer mechanism. The probe achieved a detection limit (3δ/S) of 0.07 ng mL−1 and a precision, calculated as a relative standard deviation (RSD) of more than 4% (n = 8). The concentration of Ni2+ in a certified reference material (SEP-3) was found to be 0.8986 μg mL−1, which is significantly comparable with the certified value of 0.8980 μg mL−1. The accuracy of the determinations, expressed as a relative error between the certified and the observed values of certified reference groundwater was ≤0.1%. The versatility of the nanofiber probe was demonstrated by affording simple, rapid and selective detection of Ni2+ in the presence of other competing metal ions by direct analysis, without employing any further sample handling steps.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Adewuyi, Sheriff , Ondigo, Dezzline A , Zugle, Ruphino , Tshentu, Zenixole , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/246012 , vital:51428 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C2AY25182E"
- Description: A fluorescent nanofiber probe for the determination of Ni2+ was developed via the electrospinning of a covalently functionalized pyridylazo-2-naphthol-poly(acrylic acid) polymer. Fluorescent nanofibers with diameters in the range 230–800 nm were produced with uniformly dispersed fluorophores. The excitation and emission fluorescence were at wavelengths 479 and 557 nm respectively, thereby exhibiting a good Stokes' shift. This Ni2+ probe that employs fluorescence quenching in a solid receptor–fluorophore system exhibited a good correlation between the fluorescence intensity and nickel concentration up to 1.0 μg mL−1 based on the Stern–Volmer mechanism. The probe achieved a detection limit (3δ/S) of 0.07 ng mL−1 and a precision, calculated as a relative standard deviation (RSD) of more than 4% (n = 8). The concentration of Ni2+ in a certified reference material (SEP-3) was found to be 0.8986 μg mL−1, which is significantly comparable with the certified value of 0.8980 μg mL−1. The accuracy of the determinations, expressed as a relative error between the certified and the observed values of certified reference groundwater was ≤0.1%. The versatility of the nanofiber probe was demonstrated by affording simple, rapid and selective detection of Ni2+ in the presence of other competing metal ions by direct analysis, without employing any further sample handling steps.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A historical overview of the development of the trading stock provisions in the Income Tax Act
- Authors: Skotidas, Maria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Income tax , Stocks , Taxation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020829
- Description: The aim of the treatise was to provide a clear understanding of the changes to the trading stock provisions in the Income Tax Act. Various sections of the Act were covered and case law was reviewed with relevance in relation to this research project in order to gain a deeper understanding of the development of the trading stock provisions, thus bringing together the tax legislation and the case law principles. Emphasis was placed on the development of the trading stock provisions. The conclusion from this was that some of the amendments were merely textual in nature whilst others were driven by case law. There were instances where cases did not give rise to amendments but simply reinforced existing provisions by providing guidance and clarity by way of the judges’ interpretations of those provisions. The amendments relating to the trading stock provisions in the Act and the judges’ interpretation of the applicable case law have resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the treatment of trading stock.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Skotidas, Maria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Income tax , Stocks , Taxation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020829
- Description: The aim of the treatise was to provide a clear understanding of the changes to the trading stock provisions in the Income Tax Act. Various sections of the Act were covered and case law was reviewed with relevance in relation to this research project in order to gain a deeper understanding of the development of the trading stock provisions, thus bringing together the tax legislation and the case law principles. Emphasis was placed on the development of the trading stock provisions. The conclusion from this was that some of the amendments were merely textual in nature whilst others were driven by case law. There were instances where cases did not give rise to amendments but simply reinforced existing provisions by providing guidance and clarity by way of the judges’ interpretations of those provisions. The amendments relating to the trading stock provisions in the Act and the judges’ interpretation of the applicable case law have resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the treatment of trading stock.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A lover’s shame
- Authors: Jones, Ward E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275692 , vital:55071 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-012-9356-5"
- Description: Shame is one of the more painful consequences of loving someone; my beloved’s doing something immoral can cause me to be ashamed of her. The guiding thought behind this paper is that explaining this phenomenon can tell us something about what it means to love. The phenomenon of beloved-induced shame has been largely neglected by philosophers working on shame, most of whom conceive of shame as being a reflexive attitude. Bennett Helm has recently suggested that in order to account for beloved-induced shame, we should deny the reflexivity of shame. After arguing that Helm’s account is inadequate, I proceed to develop an account of beloved-induced shame that rightly preserves its reflexivity. A familiar feature of love is that it involves an evaluative dependence; when I love someone, my well-being depends upon her life’s going well. I argue that loving someone also involves a persistent tendency to believe that her life is going well, in the sense that she is a good person, that she is not prone to wickedness. Lovers are inclined, more strongly than they otherwise would be, to give their beloveds the moral benefit of the doubt. These two features of loving—an evaluative dependence and a persistent tendency to believe in the beloved’s moral goodness—provide the conditions for a lover to experience shame when he discovers that his beloved has morally transgressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jones, Ward E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275692 , vital:55071 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-012-9356-5"
- Description: Shame is one of the more painful consequences of loving someone; my beloved’s doing something immoral can cause me to be ashamed of her. The guiding thought behind this paper is that explaining this phenomenon can tell us something about what it means to love. The phenomenon of beloved-induced shame has been largely neglected by philosophers working on shame, most of whom conceive of shame as being a reflexive attitude. Bennett Helm has recently suggested that in order to account for beloved-induced shame, we should deny the reflexivity of shame. After arguing that Helm’s account is inadequate, I proceed to develop an account of beloved-induced shame that rightly preserves its reflexivity. A familiar feature of love is that it involves an evaluative dependence; when I love someone, my well-being depends upon her life’s going well. I argue that loving someone also involves a persistent tendency to believe that her life is going well, in the sense that she is a good person, that she is not prone to wickedness. Lovers are inclined, more strongly than they otherwise would be, to give their beloveds the moral benefit of the doubt. These two features of loving—an evaluative dependence and a persistent tendency to believe in the beloved’s moral goodness—provide the conditions for a lover to experience shame when he discovers that his beloved has morally transgressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A methodological framework for ICT roadmap development for rural areas
- Authors: Jere, Nobert Rangarirai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Online social networks , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Communication in rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11395 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016147 , Online social networks , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Communication in rural development
- Description: The use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) can support sustainable development within societies. ICTs have been supported by governments, private companies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and individuals. However, technological changes have made most ICT initiatives haphazard due to poor planning. There is no systematic plan on how to deploy services, infrastructure and devices especially in rural areas. For instance, in some cases, computers have been donated to communities in rural areas yet they are not being used, and ICT services have been deployed without the supporting ICT infrastructure. One of the solutions to addressing these ICT challenges is through the use of roadmaps to guide ICT solution implementation. This thesis proposes an ICT roadmap methodological framework to improve ICT roadmap development for rural ICT solutions. A composite methodological approach was employed in this research. This involves the use of qualitative research techniques such as participant observation, design exercises, workshops, focus groups and individual interviews supported by ethnographic studies. The Siyakhula Living Lab in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was used as the case study. Studies were conducted to identify the current state of ICTs in rural areas, the future of ICTs and overview of roadmap developments. Rural users in South Africa, ICT experts in Europe and Africa, government officials and academic institutions were engaged to understand the current ICT planning, developments and needs. The author found that there are variations in individual ICT services required by rural users but, most ICT services in need fall mainly in the areas of health, education, entrepreneurship, agriculture and employment creation for rural people. These services require ICT devices and infrastructure which include computer peripherals, mobile phones, radios, televisions and wireless infrastructure, mobile infrastructure, satellites and broadcasting infrastructure respectively. It was found that the common future ICT projections expected in rural areas include: growth of mobile usage, social networking, increase internet services and localization of services. The roadmap framework is built based on the current state of ICTs, trends in ICTs, future technological projections and the plans currently been initiated in African continent. The ICT roadmap methodological focuses on how roadmaps could accommodate infrastructure, services and ICT devices to reach rural people. This should help rural users to be able to access public services within their respective communities using available ICT devices. ICT stakeholders could use the designed framework to improve the ICT roadmap development process for rural ICT users in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jere, Nobert Rangarirai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Online social networks , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Communication in rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11395 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016147 , Online social networks , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Communication in rural development
- Description: The use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) can support sustainable development within societies. ICTs have been supported by governments, private companies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and individuals. However, technological changes have made most ICT initiatives haphazard due to poor planning. There is no systematic plan on how to deploy services, infrastructure and devices especially in rural areas. For instance, in some cases, computers have been donated to communities in rural areas yet they are not being used, and ICT services have been deployed without the supporting ICT infrastructure. One of the solutions to addressing these ICT challenges is through the use of roadmaps to guide ICT solution implementation. This thesis proposes an ICT roadmap methodological framework to improve ICT roadmap development for rural ICT solutions. A composite methodological approach was employed in this research. This involves the use of qualitative research techniques such as participant observation, design exercises, workshops, focus groups and individual interviews supported by ethnographic studies. The Siyakhula Living Lab in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was used as the case study. Studies were conducted to identify the current state of ICTs in rural areas, the future of ICTs and overview of roadmap developments. Rural users in South Africa, ICT experts in Europe and Africa, government officials and academic institutions were engaged to understand the current ICT planning, developments and needs. The author found that there are variations in individual ICT services required by rural users but, most ICT services in need fall mainly in the areas of health, education, entrepreneurship, agriculture and employment creation for rural people. These services require ICT devices and infrastructure which include computer peripherals, mobile phones, radios, televisions and wireless infrastructure, mobile infrastructure, satellites and broadcasting infrastructure respectively. It was found that the common future ICT projections expected in rural areas include: growth of mobile usage, social networking, increase internet services and localization of services. The roadmap framework is built based on the current state of ICTs, trends in ICTs, future technological projections and the plans currently been initiated in African continent. The ICT roadmap methodological focuses on how roadmaps could accommodate infrastructure, services and ICT devices to reach rural people. This should help rural users to be able to access public services within their respective communities using available ICT devices. ICT stakeholders could use the designed framework to improve the ICT roadmap development process for rural ICT users in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A methodology to institutionalise user experience in a South African provincial government
- Authors: Pretorius, Marco Cobus
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Government Web sites -- South Africa , Web site development , Electronic government information
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019961
- Description: The number of citizens, who access e-Government websites, is growing significantly and their expectations for additional services are increasing. The Internet has become an essential instrument to distribute information to citizens. Poorly designed websites, however, can divide governments and its citizens. Consensus amongst researchers is that user experience (UX) is an important factor in designing websites specifically e-Government websites. Problems, experienced with website usability, prevent people from accessing and eventually adopting technology, such as e-Government. Countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, have shown increased support for UX in e-Government websites. At present, a number of guidelines and design principles exists for e-Government website UX design; however, the effectiveness of the implementation of these guidelines and principles depends on the profiles of the individuals on a website development team and on an organisation’s understanding of UX. Despite the highlighted importance of UX, guidelines and principles are rarely adopted in South African e-Government websites. Usability and UX guidelines cannot be implemented; if there is no executive support; an inadequately trained staff; no routine UX practice; insufficient budget; inefficient use of usability methodologies and user-centred design (UCD) processes. The challenge at present in the UX design field is the institutionalisation of UX, specifically at government level. The goal of this research was to propose and evaluate a methodology to institutionalise UX in South African Provincial Governments (PGs), named the “Institutionalise UX in Government (IUXG) methodology”. The research used the Western Cape Government (WCG) in South Africa as a case study to evaluate the proposed methodology to institutionalise UX in a South African PG. The IUXG methodology (1.0) was proposed from five UX methodologies, as well as from best practices found in literature. The IUXG methodology (1.1) was updated, based on results of a survey to South African PGs, a survey to WCG employees, as well as literature from the WCG. The IUXG methodology (2.0) was updated a final time, based on the case study results and on a confirmation survey with WCG employees after the implementation of the case study. The research study made use of three surveys during this research. The first survey, incorporating UX maturity models, confirmed that understanding and buy-in of UX are limited and that UX maturity levels are low at South African PG level. The second and third surveys were administered to WCG e-Government website officials before and after the implementation of the IUXG methodology. The surveys measured the UX maturity level of the WCG in the component, e-Government for Citizens (e-G4C), responsible for the WCG e-Government website. The final survey results demonstrated that, after the implementation of the IUXG methodology, the WCG improved its level of UX maturity on the identified UX maturity models. Implementation of the IUXG methodology institutionalised UX in the WCG. UX activities became standard practice in the e-Government website environment after the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) incorporated UCD. UX policy, strategy and guidelines were documented for the WCG e-Government website. The WCG constructed the first usability testing facility for a South African PG and improvements to the WCG e-Government website were implemented. The proposed IUXG methodology institutionalised UX in the WCG e-Government website environment. This research is a major contribution, to addressing the current lack of UX practices in South African PGs. South African PGs can use the proposed IUXG methodology to institutionalise UX and it will assist PG officials to develop increased UX maturity levels. The advantage of the IUXG methodology is that it provides PG officials with a step-by-step method how to institutionalise UX in a PG by following the six phases of the IUXG methodology: startup, setup, organisation, method, standards and long-term. The IUXG methodology will assist South African PGs to establish UX practice as a norm. The IUXG methodology will assist PGs with the resources, methods and tools to enable them to implement UX guidelines, which will result in an improved, more usable and more user-centric PG e-Government website.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Pretorius, Marco Cobus
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Government Web sites -- South Africa , Web site development , Electronic government information
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019961
- Description: The number of citizens, who access e-Government websites, is growing significantly and their expectations for additional services are increasing. The Internet has become an essential instrument to distribute information to citizens. Poorly designed websites, however, can divide governments and its citizens. Consensus amongst researchers is that user experience (UX) is an important factor in designing websites specifically e-Government websites. Problems, experienced with website usability, prevent people from accessing and eventually adopting technology, such as e-Government. Countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, have shown increased support for UX in e-Government websites. At present, a number of guidelines and design principles exists for e-Government website UX design; however, the effectiveness of the implementation of these guidelines and principles depends on the profiles of the individuals on a website development team and on an organisation’s understanding of UX. Despite the highlighted importance of UX, guidelines and principles are rarely adopted in South African e-Government websites. Usability and UX guidelines cannot be implemented; if there is no executive support; an inadequately trained staff; no routine UX practice; insufficient budget; inefficient use of usability methodologies and user-centred design (UCD) processes. The challenge at present in the UX design field is the institutionalisation of UX, specifically at government level. The goal of this research was to propose and evaluate a methodology to institutionalise UX in South African Provincial Governments (PGs), named the “Institutionalise UX in Government (IUXG) methodology”. The research used the Western Cape Government (WCG) in South Africa as a case study to evaluate the proposed methodology to institutionalise UX in a South African PG. The IUXG methodology (1.0) was proposed from five UX methodologies, as well as from best practices found in literature. The IUXG methodology (1.1) was updated, based on results of a survey to South African PGs, a survey to WCG employees, as well as literature from the WCG. The IUXG methodology (2.0) was updated a final time, based on the case study results and on a confirmation survey with WCG employees after the implementation of the case study. The research study made use of three surveys during this research. The first survey, incorporating UX maturity models, confirmed that understanding and buy-in of UX are limited and that UX maturity levels are low at South African PG level. The second and third surveys were administered to WCG e-Government website officials before and after the implementation of the IUXG methodology. The surveys measured the UX maturity level of the WCG in the component, e-Government for Citizens (e-G4C), responsible for the WCG e-Government website. The final survey results demonstrated that, after the implementation of the IUXG methodology, the WCG improved its level of UX maturity on the identified UX maturity models. Implementation of the IUXG methodology institutionalised UX in the WCG. UX activities became standard practice in the e-Government website environment after the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) incorporated UCD. UX policy, strategy and guidelines were documented for the WCG e-Government website. The WCG constructed the first usability testing facility for a South African PG and improvements to the WCG e-Government website were implemented. The proposed IUXG methodology institutionalised UX in the WCG e-Government website environment. This research is a major contribution, to addressing the current lack of UX practices in South African PGs. South African PGs can use the proposed IUXG methodology to institutionalise UX and it will assist PG officials to develop increased UX maturity levels. The advantage of the IUXG methodology is that it provides PG officials with a step-by-step method how to institutionalise UX in a PG by following the six phases of the IUXG methodology: startup, setup, organisation, method, standards and long-term. The IUXG methodology will assist South African PGs to establish UX practice as a norm. The IUXG methodology will assist PGs with the resources, methods and tools to enable them to implement UX guidelines, which will result in an improved, more usable and more user-centric PG e-Government website.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model for automated topic spotting in a mobile chat based mathematics tutoring environment
- Authors: Butgereit, Laura Lee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems in education , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Tutors and tutoring -- Mathematics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9809 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013741
- Description: Systems of writing have existed for thousands of years. The history of civilisation and the history of writing are so intertwined that it is hard to separate the one from the other. These systems of writing, however, are not static. They change. One of the latest developments in systems of writing is short electronic messages such as seen on Twitter and in MXit. One novel application which uses these short electronic messages is the Dr Math® project. Dr Math is a mobile online tutoring system where pupils can use MXit on their cell phones and receive help with their mathematics homework from volunteer tutors around the world. These conversations between pupils and tutors are held in MXit lingo or MXit language – this cryptic, abbreviated system 0f ryting w1ch l0ks lyk dis. Project μ (pronounced mu and indicating MXit Understander) investigated how topics could be determined in MXit lingo and Project μ's research outputs spot mathematics topics in conversations between Dr Math tutors and pupils. Once the topics are determined, supporting documentation can be presented to the tutors to assist them in helping pupils with their mathematics homework. Project μ made the following contributions to new knowledge: a statistical and linguistic analysis of MXit lingo provides letter frequencies, word frequencies, message length statistics as well as linguistic bases for new spelling conventions seen in MXit based conversations; a post-stemmer for use with MXit lingo removes suffixes from the ends of words taking into account MXit spelling conventions allowing words such as equashun and equation to be reduced to the same root stem; a list of over ten thousand stop words for MXit lingo appropriate for the domain of mathematics; a misspelling corrector for MXit lingo which corrects words such as acount and equates it to account; and a model for spotting mathematical topics in MXit lingo. The model was instantiated and integrated into the Dr Math tutoring platform. Empirical evidence as to the effectiveness of the μ Topic Spotter and the other contributions is also presented. The empirical evidence includes specific statistical tests with MXit lingo, specific tests of the misspelling corrector, stemmer, and feedback mechanism, and an extensive exercise of content analysis with respect to mathematics topics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Butgereit, Laura Lee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems in education , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Tutors and tutoring -- Mathematics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9809 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013741
- Description: Systems of writing have existed for thousands of years. The history of civilisation and the history of writing are so intertwined that it is hard to separate the one from the other. These systems of writing, however, are not static. They change. One of the latest developments in systems of writing is short electronic messages such as seen on Twitter and in MXit. One novel application which uses these short electronic messages is the Dr Math® project. Dr Math is a mobile online tutoring system where pupils can use MXit on their cell phones and receive help with their mathematics homework from volunteer tutors around the world. These conversations between pupils and tutors are held in MXit lingo or MXit language – this cryptic, abbreviated system 0f ryting w1ch l0ks lyk dis. Project μ (pronounced mu and indicating MXit Understander) investigated how topics could be determined in MXit lingo and Project μ's research outputs spot mathematics topics in conversations between Dr Math tutors and pupils. Once the topics are determined, supporting documentation can be presented to the tutors to assist them in helping pupils with their mathematics homework. Project μ made the following contributions to new knowledge: a statistical and linguistic analysis of MXit lingo provides letter frequencies, word frequencies, message length statistics as well as linguistic bases for new spelling conventions seen in MXit based conversations; a post-stemmer for use with MXit lingo removes suffixes from the ends of words taking into account MXit spelling conventions allowing words such as equashun and equation to be reduced to the same root stem; a list of over ten thousand stop words for MXit lingo appropriate for the domain of mathematics; a misspelling corrector for MXit lingo which corrects words such as acount and equates it to account; and a model for spotting mathematical topics in MXit lingo. The model was instantiated and integrated into the Dr Math tutoring platform. Empirical evidence as to the effectiveness of the μ Topic Spotter and the other contributions is also presented. The empirical evidence includes specific statistical tests with MXit lingo, specific tests of the misspelling corrector, stemmer, and feedback mechanism, and an extensive exercise of content analysis with respect to mathematics topics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model for enhancing trust in South African automotive supply chains through information technology
- Authors: Piderit, Roxanne
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Automobile supplies industry -- South Africa , Automobiles -- Technological innovations , Business logistics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011851 , Automobile supplies industry -- South Africa , Automobiles -- Technological innovations , Business logistics -- South Africa
- Description: The South African automotive industry is recognised as an important sector for the economy and has thus been prioritised by the South African government. The success of the automotive manufacturers depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of their supply chain. Due to the large number of suppliers involved in these supply chains, enhancing trust in the inter-organisational relationships can ensure the competitiveness of the supply chain. Additionally, insufficient trust can disrupt information sharing between supply chain partners which further impacts on supply chain operations and hence supply chain competitiveness. Thus, both insufficient trust and insufficient information sharing are viewed as contributing factors to the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of a supply chain’s operations. The use of Information Technology to facilitate inter-organisational relationships, in particular in terms of improving information sharing, is an important consideration in this research project. As in the Prisoner’s Dilemma, when supply chain members share information freely, trust levels are increased, hence supply chain effectiveness and efficiency is achieved and therefore the competitiveness of the supply chain is optimised. This study addresses the problem of enhancing trust in automotive supply chains using Information Technology. Previous studies have recognised the importance of trust and information sharing in supply chain relationships. These previous studies have also considered the effect of trust on information sharing, or the effect of information sharing on trust in a single direction. Thus, to address this research problem, a cyclical relationship between trust and information sharing is proposed. In this respect, Information Technology should be used to nurture this cyclical relationship between trust and information sharing. A model for the enhancement of trust in automotive supply chains through Information Technology is proposed to achieve the objectives of this research project. This model includes risk perception; information sharing as a means of enhancing trust; a trust area that consists of both supply chain partner trustworthiness and system trust; the resultant trusting behaviour; and the resultant improved information sharing. As this study is concerned with the use of IT to enhance trust, the inclusion of system trust as a component of the model is a significant contribution of this study which is complementary to the proposed cyclical relationship between trust and information sharing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model for enhancing trust in South African automotive supply chains through information technology
- Authors: Piderit, Roxanne
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Automobile supplies industry -- South Africa , Automobiles -- Technological innovations , Business logistics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011851 , Automobile supplies industry -- South Africa , Automobiles -- Technological innovations , Business logistics -- South Africa
- Description: The South African automotive industry is recognised as an important sector for the economy and has thus been prioritised by the South African government. The success of the automotive manufacturers depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of their supply chain. Due to the large number of suppliers involved in these supply chains, enhancing trust in the inter-organisational relationships can ensure the competitiveness of the supply chain. Additionally, insufficient trust can disrupt information sharing between supply chain partners which further impacts on supply chain operations and hence supply chain competitiveness. Thus, both insufficient trust and insufficient information sharing are viewed as contributing factors to the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of a supply chain’s operations. The use of Information Technology to facilitate inter-organisational relationships, in particular in terms of improving information sharing, is an important consideration in this research project. As in the Prisoner’s Dilemma, when supply chain members share information freely, trust levels are increased, hence supply chain effectiveness and efficiency is achieved and therefore the competitiveness of the supply chain is optimised. This study addresses the problem of enhancing trust in automotive supply chains using Information Technology. Previous studies have recognised the importance of trust and information sharing in supply chain relationships. These previous studies have also considered the effect of trust on information sharing, or the effect of information sharing on trust in a single direction. Thus, to address this research problem, a cyclical relationship between trust and information sharing is proposed. In this respect, Information Technology should be used to nurture this cyclical relationship between trust and information sharing. A model for the enhancement of trust in automotive supply chains through Information Technology is proposed to achieve the objectives of this research project. This model includes risk perception; information sharing as a means of enhancing trust; a trust area that consists of both supply chain partner trustworthiness and system trust; the resultant trusting behaviour; and the resultant improved information sharing. As this study is concerned with the use of IT to enhance trust, the inclusion of system trust as a component of the model is a significant contribution of this study which is complementary to the proposed cyclical relationship between trust and information sharing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model for the analysis of small group interaction–and beyond?:
- Authors: Hunt, Sally
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139171 , vital:37711 , DOI: 10.1080/10118063.1997.9724122
- Description: This article describes a branching model developed for the analysis of interaction in small teaching groups in a tertiary setting. Based within Conversation Analysis, the model constitutes a set of justifications for the validity of utterances in terms of their place on the conversational floor. Examples of the classifications included in the model are provided from a broader study of interaction in tutorials at an Eastern Cape university. It is suggested that while the model was developed for a specific context, it could be adapted for use in a variety of contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Hunt, Sally
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139171 , vital:37711 , DOI: 10.1080/10118063.1997.9724122
- Description: This article describes a branching model developed for the analysis of interaction in small teaching groups in a tertiary setting. Based within Conversation Analysis, the model constitutes a set of justifications for the validity of utterances in terms of their place on the conversational floor. Examples of the classifications included in the model are provided from a broader study of interaction in tutorials at an Eastern Cape university. It is suggested that while the model was developed for a specific context, it could be adapted for use in a variety of contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model to promote entrepreneurial competitiveness in the South African telecommunications sector
- Oberholzer, Stephanus Marius
- Authors: Oberholzer, Stephanus Marius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Telecommunication -- Planning -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa , Business enterprises -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012150 , Telecommunication -- Planning -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa , Business enterprises -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship
- Description: The fast pace of technological advancements is a driver of change in the world. In telecommunications, advancements as well as sector transformation pose challenges to entrepreneurs to remain competitive. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the promotion of entrepreneurial competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in South Africa. In order to achieve this purpose, the objective was to develop and test a theoretical model to promote entrepreneurial competitiveness in this sector. The purpose of the study was that if the factors that influence entrepreneurial businesses in this sector can be identified and recommendations applied, the competitiveness of these businesses can be improved. The approach was as follows: 1. Identify the factors, in a literature review, in three areas related to this study, namely, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Telecommunications and Benchmarking; 2. Develop a conceptual theoretical model comprising these identified factors which formed the base for the data collection; 3. Develop a measuring instrument to empirically test the relationships described in the conceptual model; 4. Empirically test the proposed model and suggested hypotheses by means of sourcing data from entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector in South Africa and thereafter statistically analyse the sourced data; 5. Formulate the final theoretical model to support the research objective and 6. Propose recommendations based on the results of the statistical analysis. The three areas of literature study analysed were Entrepreneurial Orientation which focused on the entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial process and the positioning of technological entrepreneurs in the sector. The telecommunications section included an overview of telecommunications from a global perspective followed by specific focus on the South African sector. The section on benchmarking covered business performance aspects together with measurement techniques and benchmarking institutions relevant to entrepreneurship and telecommunications businesses. Initially, the literature study delivered four intervening variables (Entrepreneurial Orientation, Opportunity Recognition, Resource Allocation and Strategic Positioning) which influence entrepreneurial competitiveness. Within these four intervening variables, twelve underlying independent variables were identified. All the variables were hypothesised as they were perceived significantly to influence the dependent variable, perceived to be entrepreneurial competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in South Africa. These factors, clearly defined and operationalised, were structured in a questionnaire which was sent to entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector. A response rate of 37 percent was achieved. Data collected from 301 questionnaires were subjected to various statistical analysis techniques. Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument that was tested whilst the latent variables were confirmed by exploratory factor analysis. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesised significance of the relationships between the variables. Due to the sample size limitation, the conceptual model could not be subjected to SEM as a whole and consequently two sub-models were identified and subjected to further analysis. The SEM results presented the factors influencing entrepreneurial competitiveness whereafter the final model was presented for this study. This study contributed to this specific field of knowledge as follows: 1. New literature contributions are made in the field of entrepreneurial competitiveness in a specific sector; 2. It is the first known research conducted into the promotion of entrepreneurial competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in South Africa; 3. A theoretical model was developed that can be used to promote entrepreneurial competitiveness in the sector and 4. It suggests recommendations on empirically tested factors that significantly influence entrepreneurial competitiveness. Additional knowledge has been gained through the identification and description of how the following individual factors significantly influence entrepreneurial competitiveness in this sector: Benchmarking; Entrepreneurial Mindset; Entrepreneurial Management; Entrepreneurial Orientation; Financial Resources; Infrastructural Change; Regulatory Alignment and Technological Entrepreneurship. The present study was conducted in a time frame where sector transformation is prevalent in South Africa. The current circumstances relating to sector transformation and infrastructural changes will not last forever. The theoretical model therefore is limited to the specific sector conditions in a specific time cycle. In conclusion, the model and managerial recommendations that are presented can act as a guideline for entrepreneurs to adopt in order to improve the competitiveness of their businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Oberholzer, Stephanus Marius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Telecommunication -- Planning -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa , Business enterprises -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012150 , Telecommunication -- Planning -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa , Business enterprises -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship
- Description: The fast pace of technological advancements is a driver of change in the world. In telecommunications, advancements as well as sector transformation pose challenges to entrepreneurs to remain competitive. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the promotion of entrepreneurial competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in South Africa. In order to achieve this purpose, the objective was to develop and test a theoretical model to promote entrepreneurial competitiveness in this sector. The purpose of the study was that if the factors that influence entrepreneurial businesses in this sector can be identified and recommendations applied, the competitiveness of these businesses can be improved. The approach was as follows: 1. Identify the factors, in a literature review, in three areas related to this study, namely, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Telecommunications and Benchmarking; 2. Develop a conceptual theoretical model comprising these identified factors which formed the base for the data collection; 3. Develop a measuring instrument to empirically test the relationships described in the conceptual model; 4. Empirically test the proposed model and suggested hypotheses by means of sourcing data from entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector in South Africa and thereafter statistically analyse the sourced data; 5. Formulate the final theoretical model to support the research objective and 6. Propose recommendations based on the results of the statistical analysis. The three areas of literature study analysed were Entrepreneurial Orientation which focused on the entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial process and the positioning of technological entrepreneurs in the sector. The telecommunications section included an overview of telecommunications from a global perspective followed by specific focus on the South African sector. The section on benchmarking covered business performance aspects together with measurement techniques and benchmarking institutions relevant to entrepreneurship and telecommunications businesses. Initially, the literature study delivered four intervening variables (Entrepreneurial Orientation, Opportunity Recognition, Resource Allocation and Strategic Positioning) which influence entrepreneurial competitiveness. Within these four intervening variables, twelve underlying independent variables were identified. All the variables were hypothesised as they were perceived significantly to influence the dependent variable, perceived to be entrepreneurial competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in South Africa. These factors, clearly defined and operationalised, were structured in a questionnaire which was sent to entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector. A response rate of 37 percent was achieved. Data collected from 301 questionnaires were subjected to various statistical analysis techniques. Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument that was tested whilst the latent variables were confirmed by exploratory factor analysis. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesised significance of the relationships between the variables. Due to the sample size limitation, the conceptual model could not be subjected to SEM as a whole and consequently two sub-models were identified and subjected to further analysis. The SEM results presented the factors influencing entrepreneurial competitiveness whereafter the final model was presented for this study. This study contributed to this specific field of knowledge as follows: 1. New literature contributions are made in the field of entrepreneurial competitiveness in a specific sector; 2. It is the first known research conducted into the promotion of entrepreneurial competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in South Africa; 3. A theoretical model was developed that can be used to promote entrepreneurial competitiveness in the sector and 4. It suggests recommendations on empirically tested factors that significantly influence entrepreneurial competitiveness. Additional knowledge has been gained through the identification and description of how the following individual factors significantly influence entrepreneurial competitiveness in this sector: Benchmarking; Entrepreneurial Mindset; Entrepreneurial Management; Entrepreneurial Orientation; Financial Resources; Infrastructural Change; Regulatory Alignment and Technological Entrepreneurship. The present study was conducted in a time frame where sector transformation is prevalent in South Africa. The current circumstances relating to sector transformation and infrastructural changes will not last forever. The theoretical model therefore is limited to the specific sector conditions in a specific time cycle. In conclusion, the model and managerial recommendations that are presented can act as a guideline for entrepreneurs to adopt in order to improve the competitiveness of their businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A new broom sweeps clean: the economic and cultural value of grass brooms in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Cocks, Michelle L, Dold, Anthony P
- Authors: Cocks, Michelle L , Dold, Anthony P
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141382 , vital:37967 , DOI: 10.1080/14728028.2004.9752477
- Description: In southern Africa over the last twenty years, much attention has been given to the importance of NTFPs for rural livelihoods through their household consumption and sale. They have been classified as having either subsistence consumption or commercial values. These values are mostly related to their utilitarian functions, but recent studies show that NTFPs also hold strong cultural functions. Such cultural functions can play a role in both rural and urban livelihoods; consequently the values of NTFPs may be related to both utilitarian and cultural functions. This paper demonstrates the cultural functions of grass brooms in urban areas in South Africa and the impact of their trade on income generation in rural areas, and discusses the concept of culture as a significant factor in the understanding of the role of NTFPs in livelihoods, and their values.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Cocks, Michelle L , Dold, Anthony P
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141382 , vital:37967 , DOI: 10.1080/14728028.2004.9752477
- Description: In southern Africa over the last twenty years, much attention has been given to the importance of NTFPs for rural livelihoods through their household consumption and sale. They have been classified as having either subsistence consumption or commercial values. These values are mostly related to their utilitarian functions, but recent studies show that NTFPs also hold strong cultural functions. Such cultural functions can play a role in both rural and urban livelihoods; consequently the values of NTFPs may be related to both utilitarian and cultural functions. This paper demonstrates the cultural functions of grass brooms in urban areas in South Africa and the impact of their trade on income generation in rural areas, and discusses the concept of culture as a significant factor in the understanding of the role of NTFPs in livelihoods, and their values.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A performance management model for universities in Uganda
- Authors: Karuhanga, Bernadette Nambi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Performance standards -- Uganda , Universities and colleges -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6717 , vital:21138
- Description: As far as could be established, no empirical study had been conducted with the aim of designing a performance management model for systematically managing institutional performance at public universities in Uganda. The purpose of this study therefore, was to develop an institutional performance management model for universities in Uganda. This was achieved by establishing: the extent to which public universities in Uganda implemented institutional performance management, the challenges impacting institutional performance management implementation in universities in Uganda, how public universities could ensure effective institutional performance management implementation, the various measures of institutional performance that are applicable to universities in Uganda and the key components of the institutional performance management model that could be adopted by universities in Uganda in managing institutional performance. A mixed methods approach was adopted, applying both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Phenomenology and cross sectional survey strategies were adopted. Interviews were conducted with purposively selected top administrators of a selected public university and the results informed the survey questionnaire. This instrument was later administered to academic staff in four public universities using a disproportionate stratified random sampling technique. The findings revealed that strategic planning in public universities in Uganda does exist and it is aimed at achieving quality. Despite the existence of strategic planning, academic staff are uncertain about a number of issues related to strategic planning. Respondents generally disagreed that: performance management training is continuously provided to managers and staff, they have an effective performance management system and a formal process exists for units to provide feedback on the attainment of goals. Among the challenges impacting performance management implementation in universities in Uganda was: (i) Lack of a formal performance management environment; (ii) Limited employee engagement/communication problems; (iii) Institutional systems and structural challenges; (iv) Institutional governance challenges. The identified factors for the successful implementation of institutional performance management were categorised into four groups namely: (i) A performance framework, performance culture and employee support; (ii) An individual performance management system; (iii) Alignment; (iv) SMART goal setting. The study established that performance measures for public universities in Uganda could be categorised into five categories namely: (i) Leadership practices, infrastructure and academic profile; (ii) Accountability; (iii) Involvement with external stakeholders; (iv) Information and knowledge transfer; (v) Strategic implementation. Finally, the proposed performance management model consisted of three phases namely: (i) Designing the strategy; (ii) Implementation of the strategy; (iii) Evaluating rewarding and improving performance. University managers should pay close attention to the identified challenges while ensuring that the factors that facilitate successful performance management implementation are in place. The measures identified by this study could be used by policy makers and universities to determine the extent of performance of the various universities, not only in Uganda but also in sub-Saharan Africa and the proposed model could be adopted by universities in Uganda as well as by all institutions of higher learning during institutional performance management implementation. Ultimately, the success of the implementation process is vested fully in the commitment and willingness of management and the employees to participate in the entire process right from the design stage to the evaluation stage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Karuhanga, Bernadette Nambi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Performance standards -- Uganda , Universities and colleges -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6717 , vital:21138
- Description: As far as could be established, no empirical study had been conducted with the aim of designing a performance management model for systematically managing institutional performance at public universities in Uganda. The purpose of this study therefore, was to develop an institutional performance management model for universities in Uganda. This was achieved by establishing: the extent to which public universities in Uganda implemented institutional performance management, the challenges impacting institutional performance management implementation in universities in Uganda, how public universities could ensure effective institutional performance management implementation, the various measures of institutional performance that are applicable to universities in Uganda and the key components of the institutional performance management model that could be adopted by universities in Uganda in managing institutional performance. A mixed methods approach was adopted, applying both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Phenomenology and cross sectional survey strategies were adopted. Interviews were conducted with purposively selected top administrators of a selected public university and the results informed the survey questionnaire. This instrument was later administered to academic staff in four public universities using a disproportionate stratified random sampling technique. The findings revealed that strategic planning in public universities in Uganda does exist and it is aimed at achieving quality. Despite the existence of strategic planning, academic staff are uncertain about a number of issues related to strategic planning. Respondents generally disagreed that: performance management training is continuously provided to managers and staff, they have an effective performance management system and a formal process exists for units to provide feedback on the attainment of goals. Among the challenges impacting performance management implementation in universities in Uganda was: (i) Lack of a formal performance management environment; (ii) Limited employee engagement/communication problems; (iii) Institutional systems and structural challenges; (iv) Institutional governance challenges. The identified factors for the successful implementation of institutional performance management were categorised into four groups namely: (i) A performance framework, performance culture and employee support; (ii) An individual performance management system; (iii) Alignment; (iv) SMART goal setting. The study established that performance measures for public universities in Uganda could be categorised into five categories namely: (i) Leadership practices, infrastructure and academic profile; (ii) Accountability; (iii) Involvement with external stakeholders; (iv) Information and knowledge transfer; (v) Strategic implementation. Finally, the proposed performance management model consisted of three phases namely: (i) Designing the strategy; (ii) Implementation of the strategy; (iii) Evaluating rewarding and improving performance. University managers should pay close attention to the identified challenges while ensuring that the factors that facilitate successful performance management implementation are in place. The measures identified by this study could be used by policy makers and universities to determine the extent of performance of the various universities, not only in Uganda but also in sub-Saharan Africa and the proposed model could be adopted by universities in Uganda as well as by all institutions of higher learning during institutional performance management implementation. Ultimately, the success of the implementation process is vested fully in the commitment and willingness of management and the employees to participate in the entire process right from the design stage to the evaluation stage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A post restucturing assessment of employee attitudes in South African National Science Council
- Authors: Bugaari, Lynn
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Job enrichment , Employees -- Attitudes , Employee morale , Performance standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013702
- Description: Research problem: The restructuring of an organisation can be classified as a transformational intervention (Litwin & Burke, 1992). As such is it has a potential to significantly influence key employee attitudes that are related to employee and organisational performance. Any deterioration in these attitudes could impact negatively on organisational outcomes. As part of the monitoring and review of change interventions, management needs to understand the change in employee attitudes towards their work and management in their business units and towards the broader organisation in order that, if necessary, corrective action can be taken. Research objectives: To address the research problem, research objectives and questions were established. The main objective of the study was to investigate whether there has been a change in attitudes of employees in two business units of a South African National Science Council after the implementation of restructuring in the organisation and the business units. The key attitudes to be measured are job and management satisfaction, perceived organisational support, organisational commitment and a dimension of employee engagement, dedication. Research questions: Four research questions were established and these were; What is the change in employee attitudes post-restructuring? In particular what is the change in employee job satisfaction; management satisfaction, employee engagement, commitment to the organisation and perceived organisational support? What is the relationship between the sub-groups, distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and employee attitudes pre-restructuring? What is the relationship between the sub-groups distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and employee attitudes post-restructuring? What is the relationship between the sub-groups distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and the change in employee attitudes pre and post-restructuring? Research design: The nature of this research is descriptive. In order to solve the research questions the researcher used a pre-test and post-test measurement of employee attitudes. A survey using a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information regarding employee attitudes before and after the restructuring of the organisation and business units. Major findings: The results from the survey showed that there was a change in the levels of organisational commitment, job satisfaction and management satisfaction at the National Science Council after the restructuring had taken place. Also, the impact of the sub-groups in the organisation on affective factors was evident in the level of occupation and employee engagement, race and management satisfaction, the business unit and the levels of perceived organisational support, management satisfaction and employee engagement, home language and employee engagement, the number of years the employee had worked for the organisation and management satisfaction, age and job satisfaction and employee engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Bugaari, Lynn
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Job enrichment , Employees -- Attitudes , Employee morale , Performance standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013702
- Description: Research problem: The restructuring of an organisation can be classified as a transformational intervention (Litwin & Burke, 1992). As such is it has a potential to significantly influence key employee attitudes that are related to employee and organisational performance. Any deterioration in these attitudes could impact negatively on organisational outcomes. As part of the monitoring and review of change interventions, management needs to understand the change in employee attitudes towards their work and management in their business units and towards the broader organisation in order that, if necessary, corrective action can be taken. Research objectives: To address the research problem, research objectives and questions were established. The main objective of the study was to investigate whether there has been a change in attitudes of employees in two business units of a South African National Science Council after the implementation of restructuring in the organisation and the business units. The key attitudes to be measured are job and management satisfaction, perceived organisational support, organisational commitment and a dimension of employee engagement, dedication. Research questions: Four research questions were established and these were; What is the change in employee attitudes post-restructuring? In particular what is the change in employee job satisfaction; management satisfaction, employee engagement, commitment to the organisation and perceived organisational support? What is the relationship between the sub-groups, distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and employee attitudes pre-restructuring? What is the relationship between the sub-groups distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and employee attitudes post-restructuring? What is the relationship between the sub-groups distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and the change in employee attitudes pre and post-restructuring? Research design: The nature of this research is descriptive. In order to solve the research questions the researcher used a pre-test and post-test measurement of employee attitudes. A survey using a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information regarding employee attitudes before and after the restructuring of the organisation and business units. Major findings: The results from the survey showed that there was a change in the levels of organisational commitment, job satisfaction and management satisfaction at the National Science Council after the restructuring had taken place. Also, the impact of the sub-groups in the organisation on affective factors was evident in the level of occupation and employee engagement, race and management satisfaction, the business unit and the levels of perceived organisational support, management satisfaction and employee engagement, home language and employee engagement, the number of years the employee had worked for the organisation and management satisfaction, age and job satisfaction and employee engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A process model for e-voting in South Africa
- Authors: Swanepoel, Eranee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electronic voting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9805 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012588 , Electronic voting -- South Africa
- Description: An election is a core part of any global democracy. Elections provide citizens with the opportunity to voice their opinions. South Africa achieved democracy for the first time in 1994 and has had four successful national elections since then. All of these elections have been declared “free and fair” according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). However, there have been various challenges facing the current South African electoral process. This research, therefore examines alternative methods to improve the current South African electoral process. This research firstly identifies the various challenges and characteristics associated with the current electoral process in South Africa. This research study proposes, to incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the South African electoral process. Thus, arguing that utilizing ICT could potentially improve the process. Various countries worldwide have investigated different methods to improve their electoral processes. Countries such as India, Brazil, Estonia and the USA have incorporated ICT into their electoral processes, known as electronic voting (e-voting). Therefore, this research study investigates countries such as India, Brazil, Estonia and the USA which opted to implement e-voting into their electoral process. In addition, various e-voting technologies and their capabilities are explored in detail in this research study. The conclusions drawn from the examination of the electoral processes of countries that utilize e-voting, contributed to the achievement of the primary objective in this research. As a result, to address the various challenges facing the current electoral process in South Africa, a process model was developed called an E-voting Process Model, which depicts two electoral processes namely, an optical scan polling station voting process and an online voting process. This research argues that the E-voting Process Model could potentially improve the current electoral process in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Swanepoel, Eranee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Electronic voting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9805 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012588 , Electronic voting -- South Africa
- Description: An election is a core part of any global democracy. Elections provide citizens with the opportunity to voice their opinions. South Africa achieved democracy for the first time in 1994 and has had four successful national elections since then. All of these elections have been declared “free and fair” according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). However, there have been various challenges facing the current South African electoral process. This research, therefore examines alternative methods to improve the current South African electoral process. This research firstly identifies the various challenges and characteristics associated with the current electoral process in South Africa. This research study proposes, to incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the South African electoral process. Thus, arguing that utilizing ICT could potentially improve the process. Various countries worldwide have investigated different methods to improve their electoral processes. Countries such as India, Brazil, Estonia and the USA have incorporated ICT into their electoral processes, known as electronic voting (e-voting). Therefore, this research study investigates countries such as India, Brazil, Estonia and the USA which opted to implement e-voting into their electoral process. In addition, various e-voting technologies and their capabilities are explored in detail in this research study. The conclusions drawn from the examination of the electoral processes of countries that utilize e-voting, contributed to the achievement of the primary objective in this research. As a result, to address the various challenges facing the current electoral process in South Africa, a process model was developed called an E-voting Process Model, which depicts two electoral processes namely, an optical scan polling station voting process and an online voting process. This research argues that the E-voting Process Model could potentially improve the current electoral process in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A process-genre approach to teaching argumentative writing to grade nine learners
- Authors: Elson, Jillian Margaret
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: English language -- Rhetoric -- Study and teaching (Secondary) English language -- Writing -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Written communication
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1714 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003597
- Description: This action research study aimed to improve teaching and learning of argumentative writing through a process-genre approach. Learners were carefully guided through the processes of writing the argumentative genre, with the focus being on teaching of the genre and on the structural conventions of writing arguments. Participants were a class of grade nine learners who speak English as a first language. They were chosen for this study as Grade Nine is a crucial year for writing development before learners enter the senior phase and are met with heightened expectations in the curriculum, that often they struggle to meet, as their writing has not been sufficiently developed to an academic level. The focus of writing in Grade Nine is on narrative and prose, so this writing intervention, in which a teaching module was developed in collaboration with the 1eamers, aimed to broaden their writing skills and provide them with a head start in leaming the fine art of argumentation, as this is a useful skill to acquire for purposes even beyond the classroom. Genre theorists advocate the importance of teaching genres to leamers at a young age, as it allows them access into different communities of discourse, as they become aware and understand the conventions held by a patiicular community, and realize the purpose of different styles of writing for effectively communicating, which prepares them to meet the expectations of their audience. Teaching the structures of different genres therefore allows the writer, and the audience, a framework for understanding the text. The process approach has been widely used by educators as it focuses on explicit teaching of writing processes that are fundamental to leamers' development in writing. Learners need to be carefully guided from the initial stages, to the more complex stages (especially in argumentative writing which has been deemed the most complex genre for learners to master) in order to understand the complexities of constructing an essay in a cohesive way, as they need to consider multiple aspects of writing, such as the linguistic features, rhetorical features and structural features of the genre and unify them into a sound argument. This takes time, practice and revision, and extensive feedback is required. The process-genre approach proved to be successful in this study, as leamers showed remarkable improvements in their writing from the initial stages of writing to the final drafts of their essays. The findings revealed that explicit teaching of genres and structural elements of writing is vital for ensuring learners' development. Learners require modelling of the genre, scaffolding and careful guidance through step-by-step processes in order to build confidence and express their ideas effectively in written text. The findings indicate the relevance of using the process-genre approach for teaching and learning and that teaching and learning writing is indeed a process that needs more time and practice that is cUiTently allocated in the curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Elson, Jillian Margaret
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: English language -- Rhetoric -- Study and teaching (Secondary) English language -- Writing -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Written communication
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1714 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003597
- Description: This action research study aimed to improve teaching and learning of argumentative writing through a process-genre approach. Learners were carefully guided through the processes of writing the argumentative genre, with the focus being on teaching of the genre and on the structural conventions of writing arguments. Participants were a class of grade nine learners who speak English as a first language. They were chosen for this study as Grade Nine is a crucial year for writing development before learners enter the senior phase and are met with heightened expectations in the curriculum, that often they struggle to meet, as their writing has not been sufficiently developed to an academic level. The focus of writing in Grade Nine is on narrative and prose, so this writing intervention, in which a teaching module was developed in collaboration with the 1eamers, aimed to broaden their writing skills and provide them with a head start in leaming the fine art of argumentation, as this is a useful skill to acquire for purposes even beyond the classroom. Genre theorists advocate the importance of teaching genres to leamers at a young age, as it allows them access into different communities of discourse, as they become aware and understand the conventions held by a patiicular community, and realize the purpose of different styles of writing for effectively communicating, which prepares them to meet the expectations of their audience. Teaching the structures of different genres therefore allows the writer, and the audience, a framework for understanding the text. The process approach has been widely used by educators as it focuses on explicit teaching of writing processes that are fundamental to leamers' development in writing. Learners need to be carefully guided from the initial stages, to the more complex stages (especially in argumentative writing which has been deemed the most complex genre for learners to master) in order to understand the complexities of constructing an essay in a cohesive way, as they need to consider multiple aspects of writing, such as the linguistic features, rhetorical features and structural features of the genre and unify them into a sound argument. This takes time, practice and revision, and extensive feedback is required. The process-genre approach proved to be successful in this study, as leamers showed remarkable improvements in their writing from the initial stages of writing to the final drafts of their essays. The findings revealed that explicit teaching of genres and structural elements of writing is vital for ensuring learners' development. Learners require modelling of the genre, scaffolding and careful guidance through step-by-step processes in order to build confidence and express their ideas effectively in written text. The findings indicate the relevance of using the process-genre approach for teaching and learning and that teaching and learning writing is indeed a process that needs more time and practice that is cUiTently allocated in the curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A production function for cricket: the South African perspective
- Brock, Kelsey, Fraser, Gavin, Botha, Ferdi
- Authors: Brock, Kelsey , Fraser, Gavin , Botha, Ferdi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396007 , vital:69143 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC124240"
- Description: Production functions are common to any productive activity. Although it may not appear obvious, cricket is no different. Production functions in cricket provide a wide range of information, utilised to enhance efficiency and maximize match success. Given these benefits, this study involved the derivation of a production function for the South African SuperSport Series and an analysis of technical efficiency. An econometric analysis was conducted on data from the 2004-2011 cricket seasons and it was concluded that the most optimal strategy for South African teams involved a combination of attacking batting and defensive bowling. Furthermore, South African teams had a relatively low variable substitutability and a high degree of technical efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Brock, Kelsey , Fraser, Gavin , Botha, Ferdi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396007 , vital:69143 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC124240"
- Description: Production functions are common to any productive activity. Although it may not appear obvious, cricket is no different. Production functions in cricket provide a wide range of information, utilised to enhance efficiency and maximize match success. Given these benefits, this study involved the derivation of a production function for the South African SuperSport Series and an analysis of technical efficiency. An econometric analysis was conducted on data from the 2004-2011 cricket seasons and it was concluded that the most optimal strategy for South African teams involved a combination of attacking batting and defensive bowling. Furthermore, South African teams had a relatively low variable substitutability and a high degree of technical efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A profile for a successful MBA candidate at the NMMU Business School
- Authors: Mafani, Mzilindile Claudius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business schools -- Admission , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009509 , Business schools -- Admission , Universities and colleges
- Description: The objective of the study is to investigate and compare the 2010 first year intake students’ profile, for the NMMU Business School MBA programme with their module success rate against success indicators derived from previous literature and the SHL tests results in order to compile a conceptual framework as a guide to analyse the database used. The MBA success indicators, as provided in previous literature, were analysed by addressing the following: The psychometric tests as predictors of success; Age as a predictor of success; Cultural background as a predictor of success; Work experience as a predictor of success; and, Educational background as a predictor of success. The NMMU Business School MBA students’ historical data were used as a database for this study. The module pass rates were collated as part of the database, which included the students’ biographical information. The results of the SHL test battery used as the entrance test for admission could not be obtained as the information is regarded as confidential given that the nature of the assessment data requires certain training qualifications from users; and SHL South Africa was approached to collaborate on this study. SHL South Africa performed the statistical analysis and provided these for interpretation and use in the study. The study revealed that more than half of the NMMU MBA candidates did not complete the programme in the minimum prescribed period, as only 40.5 percent of the candidates completed successfully all modules in this period, and 52 percent of them were in the 30 -39 years-age category. It also revealed that 78.1 percent of those that had successfully completed the programme were males compared with the 21.9 percent of females that completed the course. The study showed that in the 59.5 percent of those that were not successful, 40.4 percent were females compared to 59.6 percent of unsuccessful males in the same sample. Although the pass rates ranged above 75 percent, only one module had the full sample writing the examination, and the lowest core module had 67percent candidates writing the examination. The current entrance process is recommended with improvements to increase the pass rates, throughputs, and to allow for a stricter analysis of the entrance test results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mafani, Mzilindile Claudius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business schools -- Admission , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009509 , Business schools -- Admission , Universities and colleges
- Description: The objective of the study is to investigate and compare the 2010 first year intake students’ profile, for the NMMU Business School MBA programme with their module success rate against success indicators derived from previous literature and the SHL tests results in order to compile a conceptual framework as a guide to analyse the database used. The MBA success indicators, as provided in previous literature, were analysed by addressing the following: The psychometric tests as predictors of success; Age as a predictor of success; Cultural background as a predictor of success; Work experience as a predictor of success; and, Educational background as a predictor of success. The NMMU Business School MBA students’ historical data were used as a database for this study. The module pass rates were collated as part of the database, which included the students’ biographical information. The results of the SHL test battery used as the entrance test for admission could not be obtained as the information is regarded as confidential given that the nature of the assessment data requires certain training qualifications from users; and SHL South Africa was approached to collaborate on this study. SHL South Africa performed the statistical analysis and provided these for interpretation and use in the study. The study revealed that more than half of the NMMU MBA candidates did not complete the programme in the minimum prescribed period, as only 40.5 percent of the candidates completed successfully all modules in this period, and 52 percent of them were in the 30 -39 years-age category. It also revealed that 78.1 percent of those that had successfully completed the programme were males compared with the 21.9 percent of females that completed the course. The study showed that in the 59.5 percent of those that were not successful, 40.4 percent were females compared to 59.6 percent of unsuccessful males in the same sample. Although the pass rates ranged above 75 percent, only one module had the full sample writing the examination, and the lowest core module had 67percent candidates writing the examination. The current entrance process is recommended with improvements to increase the pass rates, throughputs, and to allow for a stricter analysis of the entrance test results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A psycho-educational programme to facilitate the mental health of adolescent girls who are victims of verbal bullying
- Authors: Jacobs, Ruwayda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Mental health -- South Africa , Psychoanalysis , Bullying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014579
- Description: Bullying appears to be a worldwide phenomenon. It occurs within schools, homes, and in the community too. Bullying is a form of aggressive behaviour. Female bullying is not so easily noticed, as girls hardly ever use physical forms of aggression. Bullying can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of the victim. The victims of bullying experience symptoms of mental discomfort, which include low self esteem, feelings of helplessness, feelings of worthlessness and inferiority, lack of confidence, isolation, self-conscientiousness; and lastly, this can lead to suicide. Some form of intervention is necessary to provide adolescents with skills to combat bullying and help them to become mentally healthy again. The overall goal of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate a psycho-educational programme for female adolescents in a secondary school setting, in order to assist them in coping with bullying. The objectives of the research study were to: Conduct asituational analysis to identify the mental health needs of adolescent girls, as victimsof bullying. Develop a psycho-educational programme to facilitate the promotion of mental health of those adolescent girls who are victims of bullying. Implement the psycho-educational programme to facilitate coping by adolescent girls who are victims of bullying. Assess whether the adolescent girls have benefitted from attending the psycho-educational programme. The researcher used a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The research methodology consisted of four phases. In phase one of the research, a situational analysis was done; and the characteristics of mental discomfort exhibited by the victim were identified. The needs of the adolescent girl who has been bullied have already been described. Phase two involved the development of a psycho-educational programme. The information from the situational analysis was used to develop the conceptual framework. The six concepts in the survey list of Dickoff et al. (1968:422) were described as follows: the recipient is the adolescent girl who has been bullied, the agent is an advanced psychiatric nurse, the context is the community and the secondary school where bullying takes place, the dynamics of the intervention constitute the mental discomfort experienced by the adolescent girl. This is what motivates her to participate in the programme. The procedure was identified as the psycho-educational programme, while the terminus or outcome of the intervention for the adolescent girl would be for her to experience mental health after being exposed to the psycho-educational programme. The relationship between the concepts was used to form the mind map of the conceptual framework. This guided the development of the psycho-educational programme. The content of the programme has already been described. In phase three the psycho-educational programme is implemented and in phase four the programme is evaluated. The psycho-educational programme taught the teenage girls skills and it provided them with knowledge to cope better with the bullying. Attending the programme made the teenagers aware that they needed to change to experience mental health and happiness. The empirical study took place in phase four. The data-gathering method in phase four included the conducting of semi-structured interviews with the adolescent girls who participated in the programme, as well as the teachers of these adolescent girls and their parents. Naïve sketches, reflective journals, observations made and field notes formed part of this database. The data was analyzed by means of Tesch‟s descriptive analysis (in Creswell, 2003:192). The participants had to comment on how they were coping after the implementation of the psycho-educational programme. In conclusion, an intervention in the form of the psycho-educational programme was shown to be beneficial to adolescent girls who were victims of bullying, to assist them in coping with the aftermath of being bullied. Recommendations were made to enhance nursing practice, as well as nursing education and nursing research. Keywords: Adolescent girls, bullying, secondary schools, advanced psychiatric nurse, psycho-educational programme, mental health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jacobs, Ruwayda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Mental health -- South Africa , Psychoanalysis , Bullying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014579
- Description: Bullying appears to be a worldwide phenomenon. It occurs within schools, homes, and in the community too. Bullying is a form of aggressive behaviour. Female bullying is not so easily noticed, as girls hardly ever use physical forms of aggression. Bullying can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of the victim. The victims of bullying experience symptoms of mental discomfort, which include low self esteem, feelings of helplessness, feelings of worthlessness and inferiority, lack of confidence, isolation, self-conscientiousness; and lastly, this can lead to suicide. Some form of intervention is necessary to provide adolescents with skills to combat bullying and help them to become mentally healthy again. The overall goal of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate a psycho-educational programme for female adolescents in a secondary school setting, in order to assist them in coping with bullying. The objectives of the research study were to: Conduct asituational analysis to identify the mental health needs of adolescent girls, as victimsof bullying. Develop a psycho-educational programme to facilitate the promotion of mental health of those adolescent girls who are victims of bullying. Implement the psycho-educational programme to facilitate coping by adolescent girls who are victims of bullying. Assess whether the adolescent girls have benefitted from attending the psycho-educational programme. The researcher used a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The research methodology consisted of four phases. In phase one of the research, a situational analysis was done; and the characteristics of mental discomfort exhibited by the victim were identified. The needs of the adolescent girl who has been bullied have already been described. Phase two involved the development of a psycho-educational programme. The information from the situational analysis was used to develop the conceptual framework. The six concepts in the survey list of Dickoff et al. (1968:422) were described as follows: the recipient is the adolescent girl who has been bullied, the agent is an advanced psychiatric nurse, the context is the community and the secondary school where bullying takes place, the dynamics of the intervention constitute the mental discomfort experienced by the adolescent girl. This is what motivates her to participate in the programme. The procedure was identified as the psycho-educational programme, while the terminus or outcome of the intervention for the adolescent girl would be for her to experience mental health after being exposed to the psycho-educational programme. The relationship between the concepts was used to form the mind map of the conceptual framework. This guided the development of the psycho-educational programme. The content of the programme has already been described. In phase three the psycho-educational programme is implemented and in phase four the programme is evaluated. The psycho-educational programme taught the teenage girls skills and it provided them with knowledge to cope better with the bullying. Attending the programme made the teenagers aware that they needed to change to experience mental health and happiness. The empirical study took place in phase four. The data-gathering method in phase four included the conducting of semi-structured interviews with the adolescent girls who participated in the programme, as well as the teachers of these adolescent girls and their parents. Naïve sketches, reflective journals, observations made and field notes formed part of this database. The data was analyzed by means of Tesch‟s descriptive analysis (in Creswell, 2003:192). The participants had to comment on how they were coping after the implementation of the psycho-educational programme. In conclusion, an intervention in the form of the psycho-educational programme was shown to be beneficial to adolescent girls who were victims of bullying, to assist them in coping with the aftermath of being bullied. Recommendations were made to enhance nursing practice, as well as nursing education and nursing research. Keywords: Adolescent girls, bullying, secondary schools, advanced psychiatric nurse, psycho-educational programme, mental health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A psychobiographical study of John Winston Lennon
- Authors: Kitching, Philip Herman
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010847 , Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Description: Psychobiography can be viewed as the re-writing of an individual’s life story previously undetected. In general it consists of a combination of two central elements: biography and psychological theory that aim to explain the particular individual’s psychological development. This particular study serves to explore the extraordinary life of renowned singer, songwriter, artist and activist, John Winston Lennon (1940-1980). The basis for this investigation will take the form of notable biographical accounts of the subject’s life, together with Austrian psychiatrist Alfred Adler’s (1938) theory of Individual Psychology, which recognizes the importance of human society for the development of individual character and the orientation of every single action and emotion in the life of a human being. Adler’s theory further explores that the main motives of human thought and behaviour are an individual’s striving for superiority and power, partly in compensation for his feeling of inferiority. The psychobiographical data collection and analysis for this research thesis will be guided by Yin’s (1994) theory of ‘analytic generalisation’, which uses a theoretical framework in selecting relevant data which develops a matrix as a descriptive framework for organizing and integrating that data, and Alexander’s (1988) analytical model which focuses on lifting out themes through principal identifiers of salience was used and applied. John Winston Lennon expressed his personal experiences and ideals through his songs and became the spokesman for his generation on modern day issues such as feminism and world peace. It is however, unfortunate that Lennon throughout his life remained a boy who felt rejected and unloved by his parents and strove to be superior in all aspects of his rich life in an attempt to acquire the love and acceptance that was not bestowed on him as a child.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kitching, Philip Herman
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010847 , Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Description: Psychobiography can be viewed as the re-writing of an individual’s life story previously undetected. In general it consists of a combination of two central elements: biography and psychological theory that aim to explain the particular individual’s psychological development. This particular study serves to explore the extraordinary life of renowned singer, songwriter, artist and activist, John Winston Lennon (1940-1980). The basis for this investigation will take the form of notable biographical accounts of the subject’s life, together with Austrian psychiatrist Alfred Adler’s (1938) theory of Individual Psychology, which recognizes the importance of human society for the development of individual character and the orientation of every single action and emotion in the life of a human being. Adler’s theory further explores that the main motives of human thought and behaviour are an individual’s striving for superiority and power, partly in compensation for his feeling of inferiority. The psychobiographical data collection and analysis for this research thesis will be guided by Yin’s (1994) theory of ‘analytic generalisation’, which uses a theoretical framework in selecting relevant data which develops a matrix as a descriptive framework for organizing and integrating that data, and Alexander’s (1988) analytical model which focuses on lifting out themes through principal identifiers of salience was used and applied. John Winston Lennon expressed his personal experiences and ideals through his songs and became the spokesman for his generation on modern day issues such as feminism and world peace. It is however, unfortunate that Lennon throughout his life remained a boy who felt rejected and unloved by his parents and strove to be superior in all aspects of his rich life in an attempt to acquire the love and acceptance that was not bestowed on him as a child.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A psychobiography of Friedrich Nietzsche
- Authors: Booysen, Duane Danny-Coe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 , Philosophers -- Germany -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9943 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013191
- Description: The primary aim of this psychobiography was to examine Friedrich Nietzsche’s life by utilizing Carl Rogers’ theory of the fully functioning person. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900) has become an iconic figure in German philosophy and literature. Nietzsche’s criticism of western morality and culture led him to believe that humankind was not living to its highest potential and consequently Nietzsche sought after a life of self-becoming. Nietzsche’s philosophy has influenced various people such as Viktor Frankl, DH Lawrence, Michel Foucault and NP van Wyk Louw. Nietzsche was chosen as the research subject because of personal interest, his prominence as a philosopher, and because of his ambition to live a meaningful life. Psychobiographical research with the use of psychological theory allows for the exploration and description of the life of an individual. This significant area of research involving the application of psychological theory has in previous decades, however, been under-utilized, particularly in South Africa. But more recently, has it been receiving increasing support by researchers both internationally and in South Africa. Data collected on Friedrich Nietzsche’s life were drawn from several primary and secondary sources. A data collection and analysis grid was developed in order to collect data systematically, and to analyse the data according to the qualities of Carl Rogers’ theory. The study adds to the body of psychobiographical research. It also provides an empirical exploration of Carl Rogers’ theory of the fully functioning person. As the scope of the study was that of a master’s dissertation, future research, utilising semi-structured interviews with knowledgeable relatives, academics, psychologists, biographers, philosophers and historians on Nietzsche’s life, could extend this line of research. In conclusion, the current psychobiography suggests that Nietzsche lived a life filled with several personal crises. Despite these challenges, Nietzsche directed himself towards living as a fully functioning person. Nietzsche’s impetus towards self-becoming is also evident within his philosophical writings. Nietzsche was an extraordinary individual whose life, as described in the current psychobiography, corresponds closely to Rogers’ (1961) theory of a fully functioning person.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Booysen, Duane Danny-Coe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 , Philosophers -- Germany -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9943 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013191
- Description: The primary aim of this psychobiography was to examine Friedrich Nietzsche’s life by utilizing Carl Rogers’ theory of the fully functioning person. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900) has become an iconic figure in German philosophy and literature. Nietzsche’s criticism of western morality and culture led him to believe that humankind was not living to its highest potential and consequently Nietzsche sought after a life of self-becoming. Nietzsche’s philosophy has influenced various people such as Viktor Frankl, DH Lawrence, Michel Foucault and NP van Wyk Louw. Nietzsche was chosen as the research subject because of personal interest, his prominence as a philosopher, and because of his ambition to live a meaningful life. Psychobiographical research with the use of psychological theory allows for the exploration and description of the life of an individual. This significant area of research involving the application of psychological theory has in previous decades, however, been under-utilized, particularly in South Africa. But more recently, has it been receiving increasing support by researchers both internationally and in South Africa. Data collected on Friedrich Nietzsche’s life were drawn from several primary and secondary sources. A data collection and analysis grid was developed in order to collect data systematically, and to analyse the data according to the qualities of Carl Rogers’ theory. The study adds to the body of psychobiographical research. It also provides an empirical exploration of Carl Rogers’ theory of the fully functioning person. As the scope of the study was that of a master’s dissertation, future research, utilising semi-structured interviews with knowledgeable relatives, academics, psychologists, biographers, philosophers and historians on Nietzsche’s life, could extend this line of research. In conclusion, the current psychobiography suggests that Nietzsche lived a life filled with several personal crises. Despite these challenges, Nietzsche directed himself towards living as a fully functioning person. Nietzsche’s impetus towards self-becoming is also evident within his philosophical writings. Nietzsche was an extraordinary individual whose life, as described in the current psychobiography, corresponds closely to Rogers’ (1961) theory of a fully functioning person.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A qualitative ecological risk assessment of the invasive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in a sub-tropical African river system (Limpopo River, South Africa)
- Zengeya, Tsungai A, Robertson, Mark P, Booth, Anthony J, Chimimba, Christian T
- Authors: Zengeya, Tsungai A , Robertson, Mark P , Booth, Anthony J , Chimimba, Christian T
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123575 , vital:35457 , https://doi.10.1002/aqc.2258
- Description: 1. This study outlines the development of a qualitative risk assessment method and its application as a screening tool for determining the risk of establishment and spread of the invasive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), within the central sub-catchment of the Limpopo River basin in northern South Africa. 2. The assessment used known physiological tolerance limits of O. niloticus in relation to minimum water temperature, presence or absence of dams, seasonality of river flows, and the presence of indigenous fish species of concern to identify river systems that would be suitable for O. niloticus establishment. 3. River sections along the Limpopo main river channel and the immediate reaches of its associated tributaries east of the Limpopo/Lephalala river confluence along the Botswana–South Africa–Zimbabwe border were identified as being highly vulnerable to O. niloticus invasion. Rivers in the upper Bushveld catchment (Upper Limpopo, Mogalakwena, Lephalala, Mokolo, Matlabas and Crocodile rivers) were categorized as of medium ecological risk, while headwater streams were considered to be of low ecological risk. The decrease in vulnerability between lowveld and highveld river sections was mainly a function of low water temperatures (8–12˚C) associated with increasing altitude. 4. Oreochromis niloticus is already established in the lower catchment of the Limpopo River basin where indigenous congenerics are at an extinction risk through hybridization and competition exclusion. Oreochromis niloticus, therefore, poses an ecologically unacceptable risk to river systems in the upper catchment where it is yet to establish. The current risk assessment model provides a useful preliminary framework for the identification of river systems that are vulnerable to an O. niloticus invasion where conservation measures should be directed and implemented to prevent its introduction and spread within the Limpopo river system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zengeya, Tsungai A , Robertson, Mark P , Booth, Anthony J , Chimimba, Christian T
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123575 , vital:35457 , https://doi.10.1002/aqc.2258
- Description: 1. This study outlines the development of a qualitative risk assessment method and its application as a screening tool for determining the risk of establishment and spread of the invasive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), within the central sub-catchment of the Limpopo River basin in northern South Africa. 2. The assessment used known physiological tolerance limits of O. niloticus in relation to minimum water temperature, presence or absence of dams, seasonality of river flows, and the presence of indigenous fish species of concern to identify river systems that would be suitable for O. niloticus establishment. 3. River sections along the Limpopo main river channel and the immediate reaches of its associated tributaries east of the Limpopo/Lephalala river confluence along the Botswana–South Africa–Zimbabwe border were identified as being highly vulnerable to O. niloticus invasion. Rivers in the upper Bushveld catchment (Upper Limpopo, Mogalakwena, Lephalala, Mokolo, Matlabas and Crocodile rivers) were categorized as of medium ecological risk, while headwater streams were considered to be of low ecological risk. The decrease in vulnerability between lowveld and highveld river sections was mainly a function of low water temperatures (8–12˚C) associated with increasing altitude. 4. Oreochromis niloticus is already established in the lower catchment of the Limpopo River basin where indigenous congenerics are at an extinction risk through hybridization and competition exclusion. Oreochromis niloticus, therefore, poses an ecologically unacceptable risk to river systems in the upper catchment where it is yet to establish. The current risk assessment model provides a useful preliminary framework for the identification of river systems that are vulnerable to an O. niloticus invasion where conservation measures should be directed and implemented to prevent its introduction and spread within the Limpopo river system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013