Social workers' experiences on the transformation of social welfare from a remedial approach to a developmental approach
- Authors: Mashigo, Boipuso Stephina
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Social service -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9990 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/559 , Social service -- South Africa
- Description: When the new democratic government came into power, much legislation, policies and strategies were transformed, included was the welfare system that was imbalanced, unjust, discriminatory and inappropriate. It was replaced by a developmental approach that is more just, equitable and appropriate system contained in the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997). Social workers were expected to reform their method of intervention. Consequently, this study will focus on the experiences of social workers as changes were brought into the approaches used in service delivery. The goal of the study is to explore and describe social workers’ experiences on the transformation of social welfare from a traditional remedial approach to a developmental approach. The study was conducted using the qualitative research approach. The research study made use of an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The researcher used purposive and theoretical non-probability sampling methods to draw the sample. Data was collected through semi- structured interviews. The data was analyzed using Tesch’s eight steps in Creswell (1994:155) and was verified against four criteria that Guba in (Krefting, 1991) developed for testing the trustworthiness of a qualitative study. Based on the findings and conclusion of the study, recommendations were made to the management of the department of social development on how to address the challenges facing social workers on the implementation of the developmental approach. The results will be disseminated by means of a written research report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Mashigo, Boipuso Stephina
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Social service -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9990 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/559 , Social service -- South Africa
- Description: When the new democratic government came into power, much legislation, policies and strategies were transformed, included was the welfare system that was imbalanced, unjust, discriminatory and inappropriate. It was replaced by a developmental approach that is more just, equitable and appropriate system contained in the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997). Social workers were expected to reform their method of intervention. Consequently, this study will focus on the experiences of social workers as changes were brought into the approaches used in service delivery. The goal of the study is to explore and describe social workers’ experiences on the transformation of social welfare from a traditional remedial approach to a developmental approach. The study was conducted using the qualitative research approach. The research study made use of an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The researcher used purposive and theoretical non-probability sampling methods to draw the sample. Data was collected through semi- structured interviews. The data was analyzed using Tesch’s eight steps in Creswell (1994:155) and was verified against four criteria that Guba in (Krefting, 1991) developed for testing the trustworthiness of a qualitative study. Based on the findings and conclusion of the study, recommendations were made to the management of the department of social development on how to address the challenges facing social workers on the implementation of the developmental approach. The results will be disseminated by means of a written research report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An appraisal of secure, wireless grid-enabled data warehousing
- Authors: Seelo, Gaolathe
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Data warehousing , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/602 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011700 , Data warehousing , Computer security
- Description: In most research, appropriate collections of data play a significant role in aiding decision-making processes. This is more critical if the data is being accessed across organisational barriers. Further, for the data to be mined and analysed efficiently, to aid decision-making processes, it must be harnessed in a suitably-structured fashion. There is, for example, a need to perform diverse data analyses and interpretation of structured (non-personal) HIV/AIDS patient-data from various quarters in South Africa. Although this data does exist, to some extent, it is autonomously owned and stored in disparate data storages, and not readily available to all interested parties. In order to put this data to meaningful use, it is imperative to integrate and store this data in a manner in which it can be better utilized by all those involved in the ontological field. This implies integration of (and hence, interoperability), and appropriate accessibility to, the information systems of the autonomous organizations providing data and data-processing. This is a typical problem-scenario for a Virtual Inter-Organisational Information System (VIOIS), proposed in this study. The VIOIS envisaged is a hypothetical, secure, Wireless Grid-enabled Data Warehouse (WGDW) that enables IOIS interaction, such as the storage and processing of HIV/AIDS patient-data to be utilized for HIV/AIDS-specific research. The proposed WDGW offers a methodical approach for arriving at such a collaborative (HIV/AIDS research) integrated system. The proposed WDGW is virtual community that consists mainly of data-providers, service-providers and information-consumers. The WGDW-basis resulted from systematic literaturesurvey that covered a variety of technologies and standards that support datastorage, data-management, computation and connectivity between virtual community members in Grid computing contexts. A Grid computing paradigm is proposed for data-storage, data management and computation in the WGDW. Informational or analytical processing will be enabled through data warehousing while connectivity will be attained wirelessly (for addressing the paucity of connectivity infrastructure in rural parts of developing countries, like South Africa).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Seelo, Gaolathe
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Data warehousing , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/602 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011700 , Data warehousing , Computer security
- Description: In most research, appropriate collections of data play a significant role in aiding decision-making processes. This is more critical if the data is being accessed across organisational barriers. Further, for the data to be mined and analysed efficiently, to aid decision-making processes, it must be harnessed in a suitably-structured fashion. There is, for example, a need to perform diverse data analyses and interpretation of structured (non-personal) HIV/AIDS patient-data from various quarters in South Africa. Although this data does exist, to some extent, it is autonomously owned and stored in disparate data storages, and not readily available to all interested parties. In order to put this data to meaningful use, it is imperative to integrate and store this data in a manner in which it can be better utilized by all those involved in the ontological field. This implies integration of (and hence, interoperability), and appropriate accessibility to, the information systems of the autonomous organizations providing data and data-processing. This is a typical problem-scenario for a Virtual Inter-Organisational Information System (VIOIS), proposed in this study. The VIOIS envisaged is a hypothetical, secure, Wireless Grid-enabled Data Warehouse (WGDW) that enables IOIS interaction, such as the storage and processing of HIV/AIDS patient-data to be utilized for HIV/AIDS-specific research. The proposed WDGW offers a methodical approach for arriving at such a collaborative (HIV/AIDS research) integrated system. The proposed WDGW is virtual community that consists mainly of data-providers, service-providers and information-consumers. The WGDW-basis resulted from systematic literaturesurvey that covered a variety of technologies and standards that support datastorage, data-management, computation and connectivity between virtual community members in Grid computing contexts. A Grid computing paradigm is proposed for data-storage, data management and computation in the WGDW. Informational or analytical processing will be enabled through data warehousing while connectivity will be attained wirelessly (for addressing the paucity of connectivity infrastructure in rural parts of developing countries, like South Africa).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An analysis of neural networks and time series techniques for demand forecasting
- Authors: Winn, David
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:5572 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004362 , Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Description: This research examines the plausibility of developing demand forecasting techniques which are consistently and accurately able to predict demand. Time Series Techniques and Artificial Neural Networks are both investigated. Deodorant sales in South Africa are specifically studied in this thesis. Marketing techniques which are used to influence consumer buyer behaviour are considered, and these factors are integrated into the forecasting models wherever possible. The results of this research suggest that Artificial Neural Networks can be developed which consistently outperform industry forecasting targets as well as Time Series forecasts, suggesting that producers could reduce costs by adopting this more effective method.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Winn, David
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:5572 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004362 , Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Description: This research examines the plausibility of developing demand forecasting techniques which are consistently and accurately able to predict demand. Time Series Techniques and Artificial Neural Networks are both investigated. Deodorant sales in South Africa are specifically studied in this thesis. Marketing techniques which are used to influence consumer buyer behaviour are considered, and these factors are integrated into the forecasting models wherever possible. The results of this research suggest that Artificial Neural Networks can be developed which consistently outperform industry forecasting targets as well as Time Series forecasts, suggesting that producers could reduce costs by adopting this more effective method.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation into the implementation of the senior secondary agriculture curriculum in the Caprivi region of Namibia
- Authors: Kasenga, Alfred
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Educational change -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Agriculture -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004555
- Description: Shortly after independence, Namibia embarked on a major process of educational reform. It was in this reform that the apartheid educational legacy was redressed. Namibians viewed the apartheid educational system as being irrelevant and that it did not meet their needs and expectations. One of the reform aims was to involve education in the development of knowledge and skills for self sufficiency and sustainable development, therefore Agriculture was incorporated into the school curriculum as a key area to achieve this aim. Learners taking the subject are expected to be equipped with relevant theoretical and practical skills that provide a sound foundation in this discipline. This case study was undertaken to gain a better understanding about how the participating teachers perceived and implemented the Agriculture curriculum at the senior secondary school level in their schools. In carrying out the case study a qualitative research method was employed using semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis for data collection. It would appear from this study that Agriculture is unable to fully achieve the reform ideals at the senior secondary school level, as sixteen years after independence these teachers are still teaching the subject to learners with very limited resources and academic support. This scenario shows that there are marked inconsistencies between policy and praxis, between the stated goals and aims of the reform and the curriculum designed to achieve these. In this half-thesis I therefore argue that without well qualified teachers, suitable resources and infrastructure to implement the curriculum in these schools, the pre-vocational nature of the subject as suggested in the subject policy document will be compromised. The study concludes by proposing certain teaching strategies and possibilities for systemic development that can be used to effect quality curriculum implementation in the region where the research was situated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kasenga, Alfred
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Educational change -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Agriculture -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004555
- Description: Shortly after independence, Namibia embarked on a major process of educational reform. It was in this reform that the apartheid educational legacy was redressed. Namibians viewed the apartheid educational system as being irrelevant and that it did not meet their needs and expectations. One of the reform aims was to involve education in the development of knowledge and skills for self sufficiency and sustainable development, therefore Agriculture was incorporated into the school curriculum as a key area to achieve this aim. Learners taking the subject are expected to be equipped with relevant theoretical and practical skills that provide a sound foundation in this discipline. This case study was undertaken to gain a better understanding about how the participating teachers perceived and implemented the Agriculture curriculum at the senior secondary school level in their schools. In carrying out the case study a qualitative research method was employed using semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis for data collection. It would appear from this study that Agriculture is unable to fully achieve the reform ideals at the senior secondary school level, as sixteen years after independence these teachers are still teaching the subject to learners with very limited resources and academic support. This scenario shows that there are marked inconsistencies between policy and praxis, between the stated goals and aims of the reform and the curriculum designed to achieve these. In this half-thesis I therefore argue that without well qualified teachers, suitable resources and infrastructure to implement the curriculum in these schools, the pre-vocational nature of the subject as suggested in the subject policy document will be compromised. The study concludes by proposing certain teaching strategies and possibilities for systemic development that can be used to effect quality curriculum implementation in the region where the research was situated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation of ICT project management techniques for sustainable ICT projects in rural development
- Authors: Pade, Caroline Ileje
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Project management -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Case studies , Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project , Dwesa ICT Project
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1140 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002769 , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Project management -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Case studies , Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project , Dwesa ICT Project
- Description: Poverty alleviation by means of rural development has become a priority among developing countries. In turn, rural development may be significantly enhanced and supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the use of which is highlighted by the emerging importance of information and knowledge as key strategic resources for social and economic development. An analysis of rural case studies where ICTs have been introduced, suggests that there are a number of barriers and constraints that are faced when taking advantage of these technologies. These include access to infrastructure, limited formal education, insufficient training and capacity building, financial and political constraints, and social and cultural challenges. These challenges threaten the success and sustainability of rural ICT projects. Sustainability is key to the effectiveness of a rural ICT project; therefore it is important to understand the concept and categories associated with ICT project sustainability in rural areas. The categories of sustainability which include social and cultural, institutional, economic, political, and technological, reveal critical success factors that need to be considered in the implementation and management of rural ICT projects. The project management discipline acknowledges the importance of understanding the project’s environment, particularly environmental factors associated with rural communities. The complexity of the environment therefore implies the need for a project to be undertaken in phases comprising the project life cycle. Project management practice for rural ICT project sustainability can therefore be examined, adapting the traditional project life cycle to a rural ICT project. A Rural ICT Project Life Cycle (RICT-PLC) that is sensitive to the critical success factors of sustainability is therefore proposed. In order to further investigate the phases of the life cycle of a rural ICT project, two case study investigations are explored: the Dwesa ICT community project, and the Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project (RUMEP) (MathsNet). A multiple case study analysis confirms the practices associated with the RICT-PLC model, and identifies additional characteristics, phases and practices associated with rural ICT projects. Finally, an enhanced RICT-PLC model is developed, that sets sustainability guidelines for ICT project management in rural areas and identifies the people, environments, technologies, systems, and requirements for ICTs to support rural development activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Pade, Caroline Ileje
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Project management -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Case studies , Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project , Dwesa ICT Project
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1140 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002769 , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Project management -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Case studies , Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project , Dwesa ICT Project
- Description: Poverty alleviation by means of rural development has become a priority among developing countries. In turn, rural development may be significantly enhanced and supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the use of which is highlighted by the emerging importance of information and knowledge as key strategic resources for social and economic development. An analysis of rural case studies where ICTs have been introduced, suggests that there are a number of barriers and constraints that are faced when taking advantage of these technologies. These include access to infrastructure, limited formal education, insufficient training and capacity building, financial and political constraints, and social and cultural challenges. These challenges threaten the success and sustainability of rural ICT projects. Sustainability is key to the effectiveness of a rural ICT project; therefore it is important to understand the concept and categories associated with ICT project sustainability in rural areas. The categories of sustainability which include social and cultural, institutional, economic, political, and technological, reveal critical success factors that need to be considered in the implementation and management of rural ICT projects. The project management discipline acknowledges the importance of understanding the project’s environment, particularly environmental factors associated with rural communities. The complexity of the environment therefore implies the need for a project to be undertaken in phases comprising the project life cycle. Project management practice for rural ICT project sustainability can therefore be examined, adapting the traditional project life cycle to a rural ICT project. A Rural ICT Project Life Cycle (RICT-PLC) that is sensitive to the critical success factors of sustainability is therefore proposed. In order to further investigate the phases of the life cycle of a rural ICT project, two case study investigations are explored: the Dwesa ICT community project, and the Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project (RUMEP) (MathsNet). A multiple case study analysis confirms the practices associated with the RICT-PLC model, and identifies additional characteristics, phases and practices associated with rural ICT projects. Finally, an enhanced RICT-PLC model is developed, that sets sustainability guidelines for ICT project management in rural areas and identifies the people, environments, technologies, systems, and requirements for ICTs to support rural development activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kobus, Louann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011724 , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objectives of this research, were to investigate the characteristics and develop a profile of the game and hunting industries of KwaZulu-Natal, and to undertake a comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The comparative part of this study was completed using results obtained from a study done in 2002 in the Eastern Cape (van Niekerk, 2002). The main farming activities in KwaZulu-Natal are large livestock production and sugar cane production. In recent years, private landowners in KwaZulu-Natal have undergone a transition from livestock production to game ranching due to the problems faced and the cost implications of the HIV epidemic, stock theft, difficulties faced with changes in the labour laws and the increasing number of land claims against farmers. Although the game and hunting industries are relatively young industries in KwaZulu-Natal they contribute significantly to the economy of the province. Not only is greater conservation of the biodiversity more effective in game ranching but it is also proving to yield great economic returns. The increase in game ranching in recent years is namely due to the monetary value placed on wildlife, the increased value in ecotourism and its value as an earner of foreign exchange, less dependency on unskilled labour than that of livestock farming and lower rates of animal loss through theft compared to that of livestock farming. In KwaZulu-Natal game numbers indicate that impala have the greatest population amongst the respondents, followed by nyala, blesbok, common reedbuck, kudu and blue wildebeest, whilst other game species occur in smaller numbers. Respondents in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that nyala is the largest economic earner for them followed by buffalo, whereas in the Eastern Cape (2002), kudu and springbok provide the greatest income for the province. In KwaZulu-Natal income generated from hunting is second to that of live game sales compared to the Eastern Cape (2002) where hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in terms of income generated. At the time of this study, respondents in KwaZulu-Natal reported an income of R 15 382 397 generated from live sales and R 13 561 459 from hunting. These respondents also indicated that the total value of game utilised annually was in excess of R 30 million. Although game utilisation is occurring on a sustainable basis, there is room for greater utilisation of some game species which, if undertaken correctly, can increase the revenue for the province significantly and also contribute positively to further sustainability of the game populations. KwaZulu-Natal’s competitive advantage is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of game on the ranches, quality trophy animals are available, the number of game species available for hunting and quality of service rendered to hunters by the professional hunters and ranch owners. This study has clearly shown that there is a need for further investigation into the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kobus, Louann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011724 , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objectives of this research, were to investigate the characteristics and develop a profile of the game and hunting industries of KwaZulu-Natal, and to undertake a comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The comparative part of this study was completed using results obtained from a study done in 2002 in the Eastern Cape (van Niekerk, 2002). The main farming activities in KwaZulu-Natal are large livestock production and sugar cane production. In recent years, private landowners in KwaZulu-Natal have undergone a transition from livestock production to game ranching due to the problems faced and the cost implications of the HIV epidemic, stock theft, difficulties faced with changes in the labour laws and the increasing number of land claims against farmers. Although the game and hunting industries are relatively young industries in KwaZulu-Natal they contribute significantly to the economy of the province. Not only is greater conservation of the biodiversity more effective in game ranching but it is also proving to yield great economic returns. The increase in game ranching in recent years is namely due to the monetary value placed on wildlife, the increased value in ecotourism and its value as an earner of foreign exchange, less dependency on unskilled labour than that of livestock farming and lower rates of animal loss through theft compared to that of livestock farming. In KwaZulu-Natal game numbers indicate that impala have the greatest population amongst the respondents, followed by nyala, blesbok, common reedbuck, kudu and blue wildebeest, whilst other game species occur in smaller numbers. Respondents in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that nyala is the largest economic earner for them followed by buffalo, whereas in the Eastern Cape (2002), kudu and springbok provide the greatest income for the province. In KwaZulu-Natal income generated from hunting is second to that of live game sales compared to the Eastern Cape (2002) where hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in terms of income generated. At the time of this study, respondents in KwaZulu-Natal reported an income of R 15 382 397 generated from live sales and R 13 561 459 from hunting. These respondents also indicated that the total value of game utilised annually was in excess of R 30 million. Although game utilisation is occurring on a sustainable basis, there is room for greater utilisation of some game species which, if undertaken correctly, can increase the revenue for the province significantly and also contribute positively to further sustainability of the game populations. KwaZulu-Natal’s competitive advantage is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of game on the ranches, quality trophy animals are available, the number of game species available for hunting and quality of service rendered to hunters by the professional hunters and ranch owners. This study has clearly shown that there is a need for further investigation into the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
MISSTEV : model for information security shared tacit espoused values
- Authors: Thomson, Kerry-Lynn
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Management information systems -- Security measures , Data protection
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/717 , Computer security -- Management , Management information systems -- Security measures , Data protection
- Description: One of the most critical assets in most organisations is information. It is often described as the lifeblood of an organisation. For this reason, it is vital that this asset is protected through sound information security practices. However, the incorrect and indifferent behaviour of employees often leads to information assets becoming vulnerable. Incorrect employee behaviour could have an extremely negative impact on the protection of information. An information security solution should be a fundamental component in most organisations. It is, however, possible for an organisation to have the most comprehensive physical and technical information security controls in place, but the operational controls, and associated employee behaviour, have not received much consideration. Therefore, the issue of employee behaviour must be addressed in an organisation to assist in ensuring the protection of information assets. The corporate culture of an organisation is largely responsible for the actions and behaviour of employees. Therefore, to address operational information security controls, the corporate culture of an organisation should be considered. To ensure the integration of information security into the corporate culture of an organisation, the protection of information should become part of the way the employees conduct their everyday tasks – from senior management, right throughout the entire organisation. Therefore, information security should become an integral component of the corporate culture of the organisation. To address the integration of information security into the corporate culture of an organisation, a model was developed which depicted the learning stages and modes of knowledge creation necessary to transform the corporate culture into one that is information security aware.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Thomson, Kerry-Lynn
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Management information systems -- Security measures , Data protection
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/717 , Computer security -- Management , Management information systems -- Security measures , Data protection
- Description: One of the most critical assets in most organisations is information. It is often described as the lifeblood of an organisation. For this reason, it is vital that this asset is protected through sound information security practices. However, the incorrect and indifferent behaviour of employees often leads to information assets becoming vulnerable. Incorrect employee behaviour could have an extremely negative impact on the protection of information. An information security solution should be a fundamental component in most organisations. It is, however, possible for an organisation to have the most comprehensive physical and technical information security controls in place, but the operational controls, and associated employee behaviour, have not received much consideration. Therefore, the issue of employee behaviour must be addressed in an organisation to assist in ensuring the protection of information assets. The corporate culture of an organisation is largely responsible for the actions and behaviour of employees. Therefore, to address operational information security controls, the corporate culture of an organisation should be considered. To ensure the integration of information security into the corporate culture of an organisation, the protection of information should become part of the way the employees conduct their everyday tasks – from senior management, right throughout the entire organisation. Therefore, information security should become an integral component of the corporate culture of the organisation. To address the integration of information security into the corporate culture of an organisation, a model was developed which depicted the learning stages and modes of knowledge creation necessary to transform the corporate culture into one that is information security aware.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The effects of selected reference toxicants on embryonic development of the freshwater shrimp caridina nilotica (Decapoda: Atyidae)
- Authors: Ketse, Noziphiwo
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Toxicity testing -- South Africa , Shrimp fisheries -- South Africa , Decapoda , Caridina , Water quality management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6025 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005367 , Toxicity testing -- South Africa , Shrimp fisheries -- South Africa , Decapoda , Caridina , Water quality management -- South Africa
- Description: Aquatic toxicity tests are increasingly being used in water resource management worldwide, and currently in South Africa, policy and legislation are being drafted to reflect this international trend. While standard toxicity test methods and test organisms are being considered to develop and set water quality guidelines and effluent discharge limits, it is not clear whether guidelines and discharge limits set using these standard test organisms will be sufficient to protect South Africa’s scarce water resources. As part of ongoing research to investigate the use of indigenous riverine organisms as toxicity test organisms a number of potential species have been identified, including the freshwater shrimp Caridina nilotica. For much of the history of aquatic toxicological data the bulk of the data has been generated by acute toxicity testing, based on short exposures and using mortality as the response end point. There are relatively few chronic, longterm tests with sub-lethal endpoints. However, it was recognized that information about longer exposure durations and non lethal response endpoints was needed, instead of mortality. Chronic tests can provide a more environmentally realistic measure of chemical toxicity than acute toxicity tests. Caridina nilotica has been identified as a potential standard toxicity test organism, as it is widely distributed, easy to find and it occurs in flowing waters. It is an indigenous species which can be easily cultured and maintained in the laboratory and is also ecologically important. Both adults and juveniles have been used successfully in acute toxicity tests at the Institute for Water Research (Rhodes University) and the ability to rear the organisms under laboratory conditions has allowed the development of chronic toxicity tests using C. nilotica. Chronic early life stage tests include continuous exposure of the early life stages, which are presumed to be the most sensitive for aquatic organisms. This study reports on the embryonic development of C. nilotica at the culture temperature of 24⁰C. Morphological developmental stages were monitored and measured and 7 developmental stages were identified. Based on the measurements of the features that were identified, toxicity tests using the reference chemicals sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) were undertaken to test the suitability of C. nilotica embryonic development for chronic toxicity tests for use in water resource management. The length, width, length:width ratios and area of the features decreased in size when exposed to the chemicals. The Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) values were 2000mg/L for Na₂SO₄, 3000mg/L for NaCl and 0.31mg/L for CdCl₂. The No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) values were 1000mg/L for Na₂SO₄, 2000mg/L for NaCl and <0.31mg/L for CdCl₂. Further research on the teratogenic effects of single chemicals and industrial effluent on developing C. nilotica embryos needs to be undertaken in order to evaluate the described test protocol for use in water resource management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ketse, Noziphiwo
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Toxicity testing -- South Africa , Shrimp fisheries -- South Africa , Decapoda , Caridina , Water quality management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6025 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005367 , Toxicity testing -- South Africa , Shrimp fisheries -- South Africa , Decapoda , Caridina , Water quality management -- South Africa
- Description: Aquatic toxicity tests are increasingly being used in water resource management worldwide, and currently in South Africa, policy and legislation are being drafted to reflect this international trend. While standard toxicity test methods and test organisms are being considered to develop and set water quality guidelines and effluent discharge limits, it is not clear whether guidelines and discharge limits set using these standard test organisms will be sufficient to protect South Africa’s scarce water resources. As part of ongoing research to investigate the use of indigenous riverine organisms as toxicity test organisms a number of potential species have been identified, including the freshwater shrimp Caridina nilotica. For much of the history of aquatic toxicological data the bulk of the data has been generated by acute toxicity testing, based on short exposures and using mortality as the response end point. There are relatively few chronic, longterm tests with sub-lethal endpoints. However, it was recognized that information about longer exposure durations and non lethal response endpoints was needed, instead of mortality. Chronic tests can provide a more environmentally realistic measure of chemical toxicity than acute toxicity tests. Caridina nilotica has been identified as a potential standard toxicity test organism, as it is widely distributed, easy to find and it occurs in flowing waters. It is an indigenous species which can be easily cultured and maintained in the laboratory and is also ecologically important. Both adults and juveniles have been used successfully in acute toxicity tests at the Institute for Water Research (Rhodes University) and the ability to rear the organisms under laboratory conditions has allowed the development of chronic toxicity tests using C. nilotica. Chronic early life stage tests include continuous exposure of the early life stages, which are presumed to be the most sensitive for aquatic organisms. This study reports on the embryonic development of C. nilotica at the culture temperature of 24⁰C. Morphological developmental stages were monitored and measured and 7 developmental stages were identified. Based on the measurements of the features that were identified, toxicity tests using the reference chemicals sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) were undertaken to test the suitability of C. nilotica embryonic development for chronic toxicity tests for use in water resource management. The length, width, length:width ratios and area of the features decreased in size when exposed to the chemicals. The Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) values were 2000mg/L for Na₂SO₄, 3000mg/L for NaCl and 0.31mg/L for CdCl₂. The No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) values were 1000mg/L for Na₂SO₄, 2000mg/L for NaCl and <0.31mg/L for CdCl₂. Further research on the teratogenic effects of single chemicals and industrial effluent on developing C. nilotica embryos needs to be undertaken in order to evaluate the described test protocol for use in water resource management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A study of the conflict between maintenance and production functions in a manufacturing organisation in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Petronio, Riccardo Vinicio
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Supervision of employees -- South AFrica -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/794 , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Supervision of employees -- South AFrica -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: If manufacturing organisations are to improve their competitive positions in the global arena and increase profitability, their operations strategies need to be focused on: reducing cost, improving quality, increasing efficiency, improving the speed of delivery, developing and improving process flexibility, and ensuring that higher service levels are achieved and maintained. One of the critical success factors in implementing these strategies, within manufacturing organisations, is the relationship that exists between the maintenance and production functions. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that in many manufacturing organisations, the relationship that exists between these two functions is usually one of conflict, which if left unmanaged or unresolved has the potential to severely hamper effectiveness, productivity, creativity, and profitability of the organisation. The overall purpose of this research was to identify the interventions that manufacturing organisations can pursue, to effectively manage and resolve the conflict between the production and maintenance functions, in order to improve their competitive position in the global economy. The study was conducted in one particular manufacturing organisation in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. A research questionnaire was used as a means for collecting empirical data. The research questionnaire included various instruments used by previous conflict researchers, to identify and analyse the following dimensions of conflict within the organisation: conflict management styles used, the types of conflict perceived, and the amount of conflict perceived. The questionnaire was also designed to identify the sources of conflict, collect demographic information, identify issues relating to diversity, and indicate the respondents’ preferences to various organisational reporting structures. The results of the survey revealed key findings, which enabled the researcher to draw meaningful conclusions, and make recommendations as to how organisations can effectively manage and resolve the conflict that exists between maintenance and production functions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Petronio, Riccardo Vinicio
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Supervision of employees -- South AFrica -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/794 , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Supervision of employees -- South AFrica -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: If manufacturing organisations are to improve their competitive positions in the global arena and increase profitability, their operations strategies need to be focused on: reducing cost, improving quality, increasing efficiency, improving the speed of delivery, developing and improving process flexibility, and ensuring that higher service levels are achieved and maintained. One of the critical success factors in implementing these strategies, within manufacturing organisations, is the relationship that exists between the maintenance and production functions. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that in many manufacturing organisations, the relationship that exists between these two functions is usually one of conflict, which if left unmanaged or unresolved has the potential to severely hamper effectiveness, productivity, creativity, and profitability of the organisation. The overall purpose of this research was to identify the interventions that manufacturing organisations can pursue, to effectively manage and resolve the conflict between the production and maintenance functions, in order to improve their competitive position in the global economy. The study was conducted in one particular manufacturing organisation in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. A research questionnaire was used as a means for collecting empirical data. The research questionnaire included various instruments used by previous conflict researchers, to identify and analyse the following dimensions of conflict within the organisation: conflict management styles used, the types of conflict perceived, and the amount of conflict perceived. The questionnaire was also designed to identify the sources of conflict, collect demographic information, identify issues relating to diversity, and indicate the respondents’ preferences to various organisational reporting structures. The results of the survey revealed key findings, which enabled the researcher to draw meaningful conclusions, and make recommendations as to how organisations can effectively manage and resolve the conflict that exists between maintenance and production functions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
More media for Southern Africa?: the place of politics, economics and convergence in developing media density
- Authors: Berger, Guy
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147825 , vital:38676 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1080/02560240485310041
- Description: In line with global trends, media in Southern Africa in the past decade has been moving slowly towards mergers, partnerships and multi-platform publishing. Driven by politics and facilitated by technology, the process has had to confront the difficulty of establishing viable economic models, the lack of regional integration within Southern African countries, and what is sometimes a difficult political environment. Markets remain largely national or local and economically weak. Print media faces huge hurdles. Broadcast media density is improving, partly through noncommercial mechanisms. News websites are understaffed, lacking in viable survival strategies and skills, and are incompletely integrated with parent media platforms. Economic pressures, however, are likely to force Southern African media operations into greater synergies in search of survival. The various convergences entailed may increase media density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Berger, Guy
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147825 , vital:38676 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1080/02560240485310041
- Description: In line with global trends, media in Southern Africa in the past decade has been moving slowly towards mergers, partnerships and multi-platform publishing. Driven by politics and facilitated by technology, the process has had to confront the difficulty of establishing viable economic models, the lack of regional integration within Southern African countries, and what is sometimes a difficult political environment. Markets remain largely national or local and economically weak. Print media faces huge hurdles. Broadcast media density is improving, partly through noncommercial mechanisms. News websites are understaffed, lacking in viable survival strategies and skills, and are incompletely integrated with parent media platforms. Economic pressures, however, are likely to force Southern African media operations into greater synergies in search of survival. The various convergences entailed may increase media density.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Excited state dynamics of zinc and aluminum phthalocyanine carboxylates
- Idowu, Mopelola, Ogunsipe, Abimbola, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Idowu, Mopelola , Ogunsipe, Abimbola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/271228 , vital:54523 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2007.01.025"
- Description: Photophysical parameters for zinc and aluminium tetracarboxylphthalocyanines (ZnTCPc and AlTCPc, respectively) and their octacarboxy substituted counterparts (ZnOCPc and AlOCPc) were studied. Data for the fluorescence quenching of the complexes by benzoquinone (BQ) were treated using the Stern–Volmer analysis, and the quenching was found to follow a diffusion-controlled (dynamic) bimolecular mechanism. Theoretical values of bimolecular rate constant for complex-BQ interactions were determined using the Stokes–Einstein–Smoluchowski model; and the values, together with the Stern–Volmer quenching constants were used in calculating the fluorescence lifetimes of the complexes. The thermodynamics of the MPc-BQ interaction, in terms of solvent reorientation energy is also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Idowu, Mopelola , Ogunsipe, Abimbola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/271228 , vital:54523 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2007.01.025"
- Description: Photophysical parameters for zinc and aluminium tetracarboxylphthalocyanines (ZnTCPc and AlTCPc, respectively) and their octacarboxy substituted counterparts (ZnOCPc and AlOCPc) were studied. Data for the fluorescence quenching of the complexes by benzoquinone (BQ) were treated using the Stern–Volmer analysis, and the quenching was found to follow a diffusion-controlled (dynamic) bimolecular mechanism. Theoretical values of bimolecular rate constant for complex-BQ interactions were determined using the Stokes–Einstein–Smoluchowski model; and the values, together with the Stern–Volmer quenching constants were used in calculating the fluorescence lifetimes of the complexes. The thermodynamics of the MPc-BQ interaction, in terms of solvent reorientation energy is also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Passing the spear : a grounded theory study of the influence of family business value sets on succession planning in black family-owned businesses
- Authors: Musengi, Sandra
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Grounded theory Family-owned business enterprises Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession Family-owned business enterprises -- Management Business enterprises, Black Business planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007056
- Description: Literature suggests that a small number of family businesses are able to make the transition from the founder to other family members with a common reason cited being the lack of planning. This study aims to build understanding of leadership succession in family businesses by focusing on the influence of a founder's family business value set on the succession planning process in Black family-owned businesses. Using the Strauss and Corbin (1990) grounded theory method, this study develops a theory of succession planning of Black familyowned businesses labelled Passing the Spear which is comprised of three stages based on an analysis of 21 qualitative interviews. The Spear was an analogy used to represent both the values of the founder and the family business, thus in Passing the Spear, founders where essentially performing a dual transfer of their values and leadership to the successor. The implementation of the process Passing the Spear was influenced by the family business value set of the founder, which in this study, were labelled as Traditional, Progressive, and Transitional. These value sets were distinguished by their behaviour regarding their choice of successor where founders with a traditional value set exhibited gatekeeping behaviour, while the behaviour of founders with a progressive value set was labelled navigating, and finally, founders with a transitional value set demonstrated behaviour labelled exploring. Furthermore, it was found that after the successor had been chosen, founders appeared to follow a generic succession planning process, however, the ease and timing of implementation was influenced by the family business context, evidence of being proactive and the degree of family business resilience. The process of Passing the Spear comprised of three stages of (a) Showing the spear where the founder's focus is on the induction and socialization of the successor using the strategies of bringing the successor into the family business and managing the family-business interface using relationships; (b) Explaining the spear entailed founders using the strategies of sharing knowledge and teaching the successors about the family business; and ( c) Sharing the spear was where founders focused on empowering the successors by implementing strategies of sharing responsibilities and learning from the successor.The process provides insights into the influence of family business values on the succession planning process and can be useful for founders of Black family-owned businesses in planning for succession in their businesses. In addition, the study provides another perspective of succession planning and offers a contribution to the literature for understanding succession in Black family-owned businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Musengi, Sandra
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Grounded theory Family-owned business enterprises Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession Family-owned business enterprises -- Management Business enterprises, Black Business planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007056
- Description: Literature suggests that a small number of family businesses are able to make the transition from the founder to other family members with a common reason cited being the lack of planning. This study aims to build understanding of leadership succession in family businesses by focusing on the influence of a founder's family business value set on the succession planning process in Black family-owned businesses. Using the Strauss and Corbin (1990) grounded theory method, this study develops a theory of succession planning of Black familyowned businesses labelled Passing the Spear which is comprised of three stages based on an analysis of 21 qualitative interviews. The Spear was an analogy used to represent both the values of the founder and the family business, thus in Passing the Spear, founders where essentially performing a dual transfer of their values and leadership to the successor. The implementation of the process Passing the Spear was influenced by the family business value set of the founder, which in this study, were labelled as Traditional, Progressive, and Transitional. These value sets were distinguished by their behaviour regarding their choice of successor where founders with a traditional value set exhibited gatekeeping behaviour, while the behaviour of founders with a progressive value set was labelled navigating, and finally, founders with a transitional value set demonstrated behaviour labelled exploring. Furthermore, it was found that after the successor had been chosen, founders appeared to follow a generic succession planning process, however, the ease and timing of implementation was influenced by the family business context, evidence of being proactive and the degree of family business resilience. The process of Passing the Spear comprised of three stages of (a) Showing the spear where the founder's focus is on the induction and socialization of the successor using the strategies of bringing the successor into the family business and managing the family-business interface using relationships; (b) Explaining the spear entailed founders using the strategies of sharing knowledge and teaching the successors about the family business; and ( c) Sharing the spear was where founders focused on empowering the successors by implementing strategies of sharing responsibilities and learning from the successor.The process provides insights into the influence of family business values on the succession planning process and can be useful for founders of Black family-owned businesses in planning for succession in their businesses. In addition, the study provides another perspective of succession planning and offers a contribution to the literature for understanding succession in Black family-owned businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The role of aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) as ecosystem engineers in arid and semi-arid landscapes of South Africa
- Whittington-Jones, Gareth Morgan
- Authors: Whittington-Jones, Gareth Morgan
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Aardvark , Aardvark -- South Africa , Aardvark -- South Africa -- Habitations , Animal burrowing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005445 , Aardvark , Aardvark -- South Africa , Aardvark -- South Africa -- Habitations , Animal burrowing
- Description: Arid and semi arid environments are characterised by extreme fluctuations in temperature and low rainfall which present significant challenges to the animals inhabiting these areas. Mammals, such as aardvarks (Orycteropus afer, Pallas 1766), excavate burrows in order to avoid predators and climatic extremes and are termed “ecosystem engineers” as they physically modify their environment and in doing so create new habitats and alter the availability of resources to other species. In this study I assessed the microhabitat conditions (maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity and seed abundance) of aardvark burrows in relation to paired control sites. In addition, I evaluated the use of aardvark burrows by other vertebrate and invertebrate species and investigated the impact of aardvark burrow mounds on landscape scale floristic diversity. Maximum temperatures were significantly lower (p < 0.05) and minimum temperatures and midday humidity were significantly higher (p < 0.05) inside the burrows at the three study sites, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve (Kwandwe), Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (Tswalu). There were no significant differences between the concentration of seeds, the average numbers of unique individual small mammals, trap success or small mammal species richness recorded inside the burrows compared to outside (p > 0.05). At all three sites, small mammal species diversity was higher in the burrows but this result was also not significant (p > 0.05 for all). Trap success and the number of individuals captured was higher at Tswalu than the other two sites (p < 0.05 for both). The different methods used in this study revealed a total of 25 mammal, seven bird, one amphibian and six reptile species utilising aardvark burrows. There were significant differences in insect community assemblages between the burrows and open control areas at Kwandwe and Tswalu (p < 0.05 for both) but not at MZNP (p > 0.05). The parasitic guild was more prominent inside the burrows than outside but their abundance was not as high as anticipated, possibly due to the placement of traps closer to the burrow entrances than the sleeping chambers. The complex structure of the burrows prevented the placement of traps in close proximity to the sleeping chambers. As expected, the amount of bare earth was significantly higher on active and recently abandoned burrow mounds compared to the old burrow mounds and reference plots at all three sites (p < 0.05 for all), with the exception of the active burrows at Tswalu. Overall, the different plot types were characterised by significantly different plant communities during all the seasons at MZNP, during three of the seasons at Kwandwe and only during winter at Tswalu. The total species richness recorded on the reference plots was higher than on the burrow mounds at all three sites. However, species diversity on the reference plots was not significantly higher than the burrows at any of the sites (p > 0.05 for all sites). Although the results were not significant, the overall species diversity at a site level was greater than the reference patches at Kwandwe and Tswalu (p > 0.05 for both). Aardvarks fulfil the criteria of a significant ecosystem engineer and their presence in arid and semi-arid environments is likely to be critical to the survival of other individual organisms and species, particularly when alternative burrowing animals are either absent or restricted in their activities. Thus, aardvark populations should be considered a conservation priority in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Whittington-Jones, Gareth Morgan
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Aardvark , Aardvark -- South Africa , Aardvark -- South Africa -- Habitations , Animal burrowing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005445 , Aardvark , Aardvark -- South Africa , Aardvark -- South Africa -- Habitations , Animal burrowing
- Description: Arid and semi arid environments are characterised by extreme fluctuations in temperature and low rainfall which present significant challenges to the animals inhabiting these areas. Mammals, such as aardvarks (Orycteropus afer, Pallas 1766), excavate burrows in order to avoid predators and climatic extremes and are termed “ecosystem engineers” as they physically modify their environment and in doing so create new habitats and alter the availability of resources to other species. In this study I assessed the microhabitat conditions (maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity and seed abundance) of aardvark burrows in relation to paired control sites. In addition, I evaluated the use of aardvark burrows by other vertebrate and invertebrate species and investigated the impact of aardvark burrow mounds on landscape scale floristic diversity. Maximum temperatures were significantly lower (p < 0.05) and minimum temperatures and midday humidity were significantly higher (p < 0.05) inside the burrows at the three study sites, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve (Kwandwe), Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (Tswalu). There were no significant differences between the concentration of seeds, the average numbers of unique individual small mammals, trap success or small mammal species richness recorded inside the burrows compared to outside (p > 0.05). At all three sites, small mammal species diversity was higher in the burrows but this result was also not significant (p > 0.05 for all). Trap success and the number of individuals captured was higher at Tswalu than the other two sites (p < 0.05 for both). The different methods used in this study revealed a total of 25 mammal, seven bird, one amphibian and six reptile species utilising aardvark burrows. There were significant differences in insect community assemblages between the burrows and open control areas at Kwandwe and Tswalu (p < 0.05 for both) but not at MZNP (p > 0.05). The parasitic guild was more prominent inside the burrows than outside but their abundance was not as high as anticipated, possibly due to the placement of traps closer to the burrow entrances than the sleeping chambers. The complex structure of the burrows prevented the placement of traps in close proximity to the sleeping chambers. As expected, the amount of bare earth was significantly higher on active and recently abandoned burrow mounds compared to the old burrow mounds and reference plots at all three sites (p < 0.05 for all), with the exception of the active burrows at Tswalu. Overall, the different plot types were characterised by significantly different plant communities during all the seasons at MZNP, during three of the seasons at Kwandwe and only during winter at Tswalu. The total species richness recorded on the reference plots was higher than on the burrow mounds at all three sites. However, species diversity on the reference plots was not significantly higher than the burrows at any of the sites (p > 0.05 for all sites). Although the results were not significant, the overall species diversity at a site level was greater than the reference patches at Kwandwe and Tswalu (p > 0.05 for both). Aardvarks fulfil the criteria of a significant ecosystem engineer and their presence in arid and semi-arid environments is likely to be critical to the survival of other individual organisms and species, particularly when alternative burrowing animals are either absent or restricted in their activities. Thus, aardvark populations should be considered a conservation priority in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Photophysical and photochemical properties of zinc and aluminum phthalocyanines in the presence of magnetic fluid
- Idowu, Mopelola, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Idowu, Mopelola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281298 , vital:55710 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2006.12.013"
- Description: The effect of magnetic fluid (MF) on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of zinc and aluminum phthalocyanines are reported. The complexes studied are zinc (II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc), chloroaluminum phthalocyanine ((Cl)AlPc) and tetrasulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine ((Cl)AlTSPc). The parameters are studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for all complexes and also in aqueous media for (Cl)AlTSPc. The triplet lifetimes for (Cl)AlTSPc and ZnPc decreased while the triplet quantum yields increased in the presence of MF. For (Cl)AlPc, the triplet lifetimes were found to increase with decrease in laser energy while there was photoreduction to the Pc−3 species. Singlet oxygen and photodegradation quantum yields decreased in the presence of MF, suggesting quenching.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Idowu, Mopelola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281298 , vital:55710 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2006.12.013"
- Description: The effect of magnetic fluid (MF) on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of zinc and aluminum phthalocyanines are reported. The complexes studied are zinc (II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc), chloroaluminum phthalocyanine ((Cl)AlPc) and tetrasulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine ((Cl)AlTSPc). The parameters are studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for all complexes and also in aqueous media for (Cl)AlTSPc. The triplet lifetimes for (Cl)AlTSPc and ZnPc decreased while the triplet quantum yields increased in the presence of MF. For (Cl)AlPc, the triplet lifetimes were found to increase with decrease in laser energy while there was photoreduction to the Pc−3 species. Singlet oxygen and photodegradation quantum yields decreased in the presence of MF, suggesting quenching.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Comparative photocatalytic efficiency of oxotitanium (IV) phthalocyanines for the oxidation of 1-hexene
- Tau, Prudence, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Tau, Prudence , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/271193 , vital:54520 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2007.04.005"
- Description: The comparative photocatalytic activities of aryloxy and arylthio tetrasubstituted oxotitanium(IV) phthalocyanine complexes for the oxidation of 1-hexene in DCM are reported for the first time. The singlet oxygen quantum yield, photostability and photocatalytic properties are investigated. The catalysts effectively catalyse 1-hexene to 1,2-epoxyhexane and 1-hexen-3-ol as major and minor products respectively. The photooxidation products are formed via two reaction mechanisms, namely via singlet oxygen (Type II) and radical (Type I) reaction pathways. These are also dependent on the singlet oxygen quantum yields and photostabilities of the phthalocyanines. Complex 1a that is peripherally substituted with phenoxy groups exhibited the best activity in terms of overall performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Tau, Prudence , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/271193 , vital:54520 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2007.04.005"
- Description: The comparative photocatalytic activities of aryloxy and arylthio tetrasubstituted oxotitanium(IV) phthalocyanine complexes for the oxidation of 1-hexene in DCM are reported for the first time. The singlet oxygen quantum yield, photostability and photocatalytic properties are investigated. The catalysts effectively catalyse 1-hexene to 1,2-epoxyhexane and 1-hexen-3-ol as major and minor products respectively. The photooxidation products are formed via two reaction mechanisms, namely via singlet oxygen (Type II) and radical (Type I) reaction pathways. These are also dependent on the singlet oxygen quantum yields and photostabilities of the phthalocyanines. Complex 1a that is peripherally substituted with phenoxy groups exhibited the best activity in terms of overall performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Limiting vulnerability exposure through effective patch management: threat mitigation through vulnerability remediation
- Authors: White, Dominic Stjohn Dolin
- Date: 2007 , 2007-02-08
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer viruses , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006510 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer viruses , Computer security
- Description: This document aims to provide a complete discussion on vulnerability and patch management. The first chapters look at the trends relating to vulnerabilities, exploits, attacks and patches. These trends describe the drivers of patch and vulnerability management and situate the discussion in the current security climate. The following chapters then aim to present both policy and technical solutions to the problem. The policies described lay out a comprehensive set of steps that can be followed by any organisation to implement their own patch management policy, including practical advice on integration with other policies, managing risk, identifying vulnerability, strategies for reducing downtime and generating metrics to measure progress. Having covered the steps that can be taken by users, a strategy describing how best a vendor should implement a related patch release policy is provided. An argument is made that current monthly patch release schedules are inadequate to allow users to most effectively and timeously mitigate vulnerabilities. The final chapters discuss the technical aspect of automating parts of the policies described. In particular the concept of 'defense in depth' is used to discuss additional strategies for 'buying time' during the patch process. The document then goes on to conclude that in the face of increasing malicious activity and more complex patching, solid frameworks such as those provided in this document are required to ensure an organisation can fully manage the patching process. However, more research is required to fully understand vulnerabilities and exploits. In particular more attention must be paid to threats, as little work as been done to fully understand threat-agent capabilities and activities from a day to day basis. , TeX output 2007.02.08:2212 , Adobe Acrobat 9.51 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: White, Dominic Stjohn Dolin
- Date: 2007 , 2007-02-08
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer viruses , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006510 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer viruses , Computer security
- Description: This document aims to provide a complete discussion on vulnerability and patch management. The first chapters look at the trends relating to vulnerabilities, exploits, attacks and patches. These trends describe the drivers of patch and vulnerability management and situate the discussion in the current security climate. The following chapters then aim to present both policy and technical solutions to the problem. The policies described lay out a comprehensive set of steps that can be followed by any organisation to implement their own patch management policy, including practical advice on integration with other policies, managing risk, identifying vulnerability, strategies for reducing downtime and generating metrics to measure progress. Having covered the steps that can be taken by users, a strategy describing how best a vendor should implement a related patch release policy is provided. An argument is made that current monthly patch release schedules are inadequate to allow users to most effectively and timeously mitigate vulnerabilities. The final chapters discuss the technical aspect of automating parts of the policies described. In particular the concept of 'defense in depth' is used to discuss additional strategies for 'buying time' during the patch process. The document then goes on to conclude that in the face of increasing malicious activity and more complex patching, solid frameworks such as those provided in this document are required to ensure an organisation can fully manage the patching process. However, more research is required to fully understand vulnerabilities and exploits. In particular more attention must be paid to threats, as little work as been done to fully understand threat-agent capabilities and activities from a day to day basis. , TeX output 2007.02.08:2212 , Adobe Acrobat 9.51 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An examination of internet usage patterns by mature travellers
- Authors: Correia, Sérgio Barradas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing , Internet marketing , Internet users , Older people -- Travel , Older consumers -- Travel
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008182 , Tourism -- Marketing , Internet marketing , Internet users , Older people -- Travel , Older consumers -- Travel
- Description: The tourism industry has been identified as the industry with the most potential to create jobs and contribute largely to economic growth. In order to live up to this potential, tourism businesses need to create tourism products for potential tourists which need to be promoted successfully through a number of mediums. The use of the Internet as a medium for promoting and selling tourism products is increasing, however, in order for tourism businesses to successfully promote the tourism product through the Internet, they have to understand the needs and wants of their current and potential target markets. One segment of the tourism market that has come under increasing attention is the mature traveller market. This market is defined as travellers who are 50 years of age and older. Generally, the mature traveller market is viewed as a small homogenous group of old consumers with little or no spending power. However, evidence suggests that this market is comprised of an increasing number of diverse people, who use the Internet and like to spend on tourism products. Therefore, this research will examine differences between Internet users and Internet non-users in the mature traveller market. Specific attention will be paid to investigate differences in demographic, socioeconomic, Internet use and travel-related characteristics. The identification of these characteristics will enable a profile to be d~veloped for each group, which can be used by tourism businesses to effectively promote tourism products over the Internet to the mature market In order to collect data from potential respondents, a questionnaire which was used in a similar study conducted in the US was used. Data was collected using a convenience sample of Internet users and Internet non-users from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces of South Africa. Cronbach alpha and factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the research instrument and measurement scales. In order to test whether differences did exist between the two groups the Chi-square and t-test statistics were used. Finally in order to examine which factors where influential in differentiating between Internet users and Internet non-users discriminant analysis was employed. The findings in the present study suggest that there are significant differences in demographics, socioeconomic, Internet use and travel-related characteristics between Internet users and Internet non-users in the mature market. By understanding the differences between Internet users and Internet non-users, tourism businesses can identify marketing strategies that appeal to mature travellers who use the Internet and to those do not, by utilising information gathered from Internet users and Internet non-users demographic, socio-economic and travel-related characteristics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Correia, Sérgio Barradas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing , Internet marketing , Internet users , Older people -- Travel , Older consumers -- Travel
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008182 , Tourism -- Marketing , Internet marketing , Internet users , Older people -- Travel , Older consumers -- Travel
- Description: The tourism industry has been identified as the industry with the most potential to create jobs and contribute largely to economic growth. In order to live up to this potential, tourism businesses need to create tourism products for potential tourists which need to be promoted successfully through a number of mediums. The use of the Internet as a medium for promoting and selling tourism products is increasing, however, in order for tourism businesses to successfully promote the tourism product through the Internet, they have to understand the needs and wants of their current and potential target markets. One segment of the tourism market that has come under increasing attention is the mature traveller market. This market is defined as travellers who are 50 years of age and older. Generally, the mature traveller market is viewed as a small homogenous group of old consumers with little or no spending power. However, evidence suggests that this market is comprised of an increasing number of diverse people, who use the Internet and like to spend on tourism products. Therefore, this research will examine differences between Internet users and Internet non-users in the mature traveller market. Specific attention will be paid to investigate differences in demographic, socioeconomic, Internet use and travel-related characteristics. The identification of these characteristics will enable a profile to be d~veloped for each group, which can be used by tourism businesses to effectively promote tourism products over the Internet to the mature market In order to collect data from potential respondents, a questionnaire which was used in a similar study conducted in the US was used. Data was collected using a convenience sample of Internet users and Internet non-users from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces of South Africa. Cronbach alpha and factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the research instrument and measurement scales. In order to test whether differences did exist between the two groups the Chi-square and t-test statistics were used. Finally in order to examine which factors where influential in differentiating between Internet users and Internet non-users discriminant analysis was employed. The findings in the present study suggest that there are significant differences in demographics, socioeconomic, Internet use and travel-related characteristics between Internet users and Internet non-users in the mature market. By understanding the differences between Internet users and Internet non-users, tourism businesses can identify marketing strategies that appeal to mature travellers who use the Internet and to those do not, by utilising information gathered from Internet users and Internet non-users demographic, socio-economic and travel-related characteristics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Estimating the willingness-to-pay for restoring indigenous vegetation at selected sites in South Africa
- Authors: Tessendorf, Sharon Erica
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Water resources development -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Alien plants -- South Africa , Restoration ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/617 , Water resources development -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Alien plants -- South Africa , Restoration ecology -- South Africa
- Description: The Working for Water (WfW) Programme is a public works programme designed to clear South Africa of invasive alien vegetation and to restore lowwater consuming indigenous vegetation in the areas that have been cleared. Funds to clear alien invasives were initially secured on the basis that such a programme would increase water runoff, facilitate biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and provide social benefits through job creation. The economic merits of the Programme, in terms of increased water yields, has been established in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, but questioned in the Eastern and Southern Cape. However, there are economic aspects of the studies carried out in the Eastern and Southern Cape that merit more attention than was given them; one of these being the issue of non-water benefits. Preliminary figures emanating from contingent valuation pilot studies conducted at six WfW projects sites indicated that one of these non-water benefits, namely the biodiversity and ecosystem resilience benefit, could be substantial. As such, the primary objective of the present study was to apply the contingent valuation method (CVM) to value people’s preference for indigenous vegetation. This value was intended to serve as a proxy for increased biodiversity and ecosystem resilience at three WfW sites. Despite the controversy surrounding the CVM, it has been found that it is a credible valuation tool. The CVM’s merits lie in its versatility and in the fact that it is the only method available which is capable of obtaining estimates of both nonuse and use values, thus making it applicable for valuing biodiversity. The primary aim of a CVM study is to determine an estimate of the total willingness-to-pay (WTP). In this study, the total WTP figure was calculated by multiplying the median WTP for the local WfW Programme by the total number of user households. The respective total WTP amounts are shown in Table 1. It was anticipated that respondents would be willing to pay more for the national WfW Programme, than for the less inclusive good (i.e. the local WfW Programme). The results correspond with this expectation at the Port Elizabeth and Underberg sites. However, due to strategic factors Worcester respondents were willing to pay more for the local WfW Programme than for the national Programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Tessendorf, Sharon Erica
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Water resources development -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Alien plants -- South Africa , Restoration ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/617 , Water resources development -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Alien plants -- South Africa , Restoration ecology -- South Africa
- Description: The Working for Water (WfW) Programme is a public works programme designed to clear South Africa of invasive alien vegetation and to restore lowwater consuming indigenous vegetation in the areas that have been cleared. Funds to clear alien invasives were initially secured on the basis that such a programme would increase water runoff, facilitate biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and provide social benefits through job creation. The economic merits of the Programme, in terms of increased water yields, has been established in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, but questioned in the Eastern and Southern Cape. However, there are economic aspects of the studies carried out in the Eastern and Southern Cape that merit more attention than was given them; one of these being the issue of non-water benefits. Preliminary figures emanating from contingent valuation pilot studies conducted at six WfW projects sites indicated that one of these non-water benefits, namely the biodiversity and ecosystem resilience benefit, could be substantial. As such, the primary objective of the present study was to apply the contingent valuation method (CVM) to value people’s preference for indigenous vegetation. This value was intended to serve as a proxy for increased biodiversity and ecosystem resilience at three WfW sites. Despite the controversy surrounding the CVM, it has been found that it is a credible valuation tool. The CVM’s merits lie in its versatility and in the fact that it is the only method available which is capable of obtaining estimates of both nonuse and use values, thus making it applicable for valuing biodiversity. The primary aim of a CVM study is to determine an estimate of the total willingness-to-pay (WTP). In this study, the total WTP figure was calculated by multiplying the median WTP for the local WfW Programme by the total number of user households. The respective total WTP amounts are shown in Table 1. It was anticipated that respondents would be willing to pay more for the national WfW Programme, than for the less inclusive good (i.e. the local WfW Programme). The results correspond with this expectation at the Port Elizabeth and Underberg sites. However, due to strategic factors Worcester respondents were willing to pay more for the local WfW Programme than for the national Programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Photophysical and photochemical studies of long chain-substituted zinc phthalocyanines
- Durmus, Mahmut, Ahsen, Vefa, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Durmus, Mahmut , Ahsen, Vefa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281310 , vital:55711 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2006.08.025"
- Description: Photochemical and photophysical measurements were conducted on peripheral and non-peripheral tetra(13,17-dioxanonacosane-15-hydroxy)-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (1, 2). General trends are described for quantum yields of photodegradation, fluorescence yields, triplet lifetimes and triplet quantum yields as well as singlet quantum yields of these compounds in dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene. The effects of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (1, 2) are reported.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Durmus, Mahmut , Ahsen, Vefa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281310 , vital:55711 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2006.08.025"
- Description: Photochemical and photophysical measurements were conducted on peripheral and non-peripheral tetra(13,17-dioxanonacosane-15-hydroxy)-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (1, 2). General trends are described for quantum yields of photodegradation, fluorescence yields, triplet lifetimes and triplet quantum yields as well as singlet quantum yields of these compounds in dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene. The effects of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (1, 2) are reported.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Towards a theory of choral conducting gestures
- Oosthuizen, Benjamin William
- Authors: Oosthuizen, Benjamin William
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Choral conducting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DMus
- Identifier: vital:8505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/589 , Choral conducting
- Description: It is an oversimplification to look only at the manner in which a two-dimensional drawing suggests a three-dimensional movement in order to study choral conducting gestures. It must be recognised that there is a myriad of tacit aspects of knowledge surrounding conducting gestures. These aspects of tacit knowledge might be the reason why the teaching of conducting is done mostly in a continuous practicum, where the apprentice learns from the master, because in the practical situation the novice learns not only explicit knowledge, but also tacit knowledge. On the other hand, it is vital that the process of categorising and theorising about gestures continues in order to at least gain a better explicit knowledge of the process. In doing so, a theoretical knowledge base will strengthen the body of knowledge. This explicit knowledge should contain information with regard to the anatomy of the conductor, a basic understanding of a balanced posture, bilateral symmetry and vertical alignment, and a basic knowledge which will help to understand which main muscle groups are responsible for which basic movements involving gestures. The study of gestures from a theoretical point of view is barely more than five decades old. The demands which 20th and 21st century composers make on conductors question the traditional approaches of the functions of the hands. It has become essential for a conductor to develop greater skill of ambidexterity in order to cope with these demands. Despite the notion by some authors that choral conducting gestures employ standard gestures, it has been shown in this study that this is simply not the case. An overview of the work of authors in the field of conducting gestures was presented through a literature study. Concepts and their definitions have been selected and explained through the answering of research questions. Definitions of parameters and functionality of gestures were clarified to decide which gestures were the most appropriate in certain circumstances. This theory aims to be both descriptive and normative. It is descriptive in the sense that the concepts and issues and relationships around the characteristic aspects of gestures are indicated. It is normative in terms of the suggestions offered with regard to issues pertaining to gestures. This thesis sets out to contribute to the formulation of theoretical aspects of choral conducting gestures in an effort to codify and structure knowledge which is often stored in composers minds and experience, in an effort to pass down this knowledge to other apprentices in the field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Oosthuizen, Benjamin William
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Choral conducting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DMus
- Identifier: vital:8505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/589 , Choral conducting
- Description: It is an oversimplification to look only at the manner in which a two-dimensional drawing suggests a three-dimensional movement in order to study choral conducting gestures. It must be recognised that there is a myriad of tacit aspects of knowledge surrounding conducting gestures. These aspects of tacit knowledge might be the reason why the teaching of conducting is done mostly in a continuous practicum, where the apprentice learns from the master, because in the practical situation the novice learns not only explicit knowledge, but also tacit knowledge. On the other hand, it is vital that the process of categorising and theorising about gestures continues in order to at least gain a better explicit knowledge of the process. In doing so, a theoretical knowledge base will strengthen the body of knowledge. This explicit knowledge should contain information with regard to the anatomy of the conductor, a basic understanding of a balanced posture, bilateral symmetry and vertical alignment, and a basic knowledge which will help to understand which main muscle groups are responsible for which basic movements involving gestures. The study of gestures from a theoretical point of view is barely more than five decades old. The demands which 20th and 21st century composers make on conductors question the traditional approaches of the functions of the hands. It has become essential for a conductor to develop greater skill of ambidexterity in order to cope with these demands. Despite the notion by some authors that choral conducting gestures employ standard gestures, it has been shown in this study that this is simply not the case. An overview of the work of authors in the field of conducting gestures was presented through a literature study. Concepts and their definitions have been selected and explained through the answering of research questions. Definitions of parameters and functionality of gestures were clarified to decide which gestures were the most appropriate in certain circumstances. This theory aims to be both descriptive and normative. It is descriptive in the sense that the concepts and issues and relationships around the characteristic aspects of gestures are indicated. It is normative in terms of the suggestions offered with regard to issues pertaining to gestures. This thesis sets out to contribute to the formulation of theoretical aspects of choral conducting gestures in an effort to codify and structure knowledge which is often stored in composers minds and experience, in an effort to pass down this knowledge to other apprentices in the field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007