Application of the sustainable livelihoods framework to the analysis of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan of the Eastern Cape: a case study of the Massive Food Production Programme in Nkonkobe Municipality and Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Dirwayi, Tafadzwa P
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/353 , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Government of the Eastern Cape Province introduced the Massive Food Production programme, which is a cornerstone within the agrarian reform initiative of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP). The programme has been going on for more than seven years, however little has been documented on its impact. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on the livelihoods in Nkonkobe Municipality. This study did not only investigate its impact on the participants but also assessed its impact on the recipient communities. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Programme on the asset base of participants, the general livelihood activities, and the livelihood outcomes. Among other livelihood activities, the study made an in-depth investigation on the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on maize crop production. This is because the Massive Food Production was aimed at maize crop production. Previous studies investigated on the indicators of success that can be used to measure the impact of this programme. After the wide-ranging evaluation of views, arguments and research findings, a model to measure impact of the programme was designed. The asset base improvement was used as the proxy of impact. Nine factors were selected from the principal component analysis of the many factors that were taken to affect participation. Three other dummy variables to proximate location, participation and group turnover were added to the regression model that was developed to measure impact. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Framework was used to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme. This approach was used in both conceptualizing the study and the selection of variables. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Approach was selected because unlike the CARE or UNDP Sustainable Livelihood models, it was designed for such purposes. Data collection was accomplished through observation, interviewing, and focus group discussions. The researcher also made use of project annual reports on change of livelihoods, baseline survey reports, project log frame, internal reports, work plans, budgets and mid-term evaluation reports as sources of secondary data. v The research findings were analysed using several analytical procedures, including the conventional descriptive statistics, principal components analysis, and linear regression analysis. The use of the different types of analysis was driven by the research questions under investigation and the theories on which they are based, and by the available data. The study revealed that to some extent the Massive Food Production Programme has managed to improve the asset base of the farmers. However, its impact on ensuring food security is still debatable. Findings of the study revealed that most of the participants and the non-participants communities experienced food shortages in the last season 2007/8 for at most three months. The study revealed that the highest agricultural income is from livestock sales. The varying locations showed the potential of livestock production. It is recommended that development agencies consider livestock production as an agricultural strategy with immense potential for enhancing sustaining rural livelihoods
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dirwayi, Tafadzwa P
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/353 , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Government of the Eastern Cape Province introduced the Massive Food Production programme, which is a cornerstone within the agrarian reform initiative of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP). The programme has been going on for more than seven years, however little has been documented on its impact. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on the livelihoods in Nkonkobe Municipality. This study did not only investigate its impact on the participants but also assessed its impact on the recipient communities. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Programme on the asset base of participants, the general livelihood activities, and the livelihood outcomes. Among other livelihood activities, the study made an in-depth investigation on the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on maize crop production. This is because the Massive Food Production was aimed at maize crop production. Previous studies investigated on the indicators of success that can be used to measure the impact of this programme. After the wide-ranging evaluation of views, arguments and research findings, a model to measure impact of the programme was designed. The asset base improvement was used as the proxy of impact. Nine factors were selected from the principal component analysis of the many factors that were taken to affect participation. Three other dummy variables to proximate location, participation and group turnover were added to the regression model that was developed to measure impact. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Framework was used to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme. This approach was used in both conceptualizing the study and the selection of variables. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Approach was selected because unlike the CARE or UNDP Sustainable Livelihood models, it was designed for such purposes. Data collection was accomplished through observation, interviewing, and focus group discussions. The researcher also made use of project annual reports on change of livelihoods, baseline survey reports, project log frame, internal reports, work plans, budgets and mid-term evaluation reports as sources of secondary data. v The research findings were analysed using several analytical procedures, including the conventional descriptive statistics, principal components analysis, and linear regression analysis. The use of the different types of analysis was driven by the research questions under investigation and the theories on which they are based, and by the available data. The study revealed that to some extent the Massive Food Production Programme has managed to improve the asset base of the farmers. However, its impact on ensuring food security is still debatable. Findings of the study revealed that most of the participants and the non-participants communities experienced food shortages in the last season 2007/8 for at most three months. The study revealed that the highest agricultural income is from livestock sales. The varying locations showed the potential of livestock production. It is recommended that development agencies consider livestock production as an agricultural strategy with immense potential for enhancing sustaining rural livelihoods
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Ecology and degree of specialization of South African milkweeds with diverse pollination systems
- Authors: Coombs, Gareth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Milkweeds -- South Africa Milkweeds -- South Africa -- Ecology Milkweeds -- South Africa -- Pollination Allee effect Self-pollination Pollination by insects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003758
- Description: Like orchids, the complexity of flowers found in asclepiads (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) and the fact that pollen is presented as pollinaria, offers excellent opportunities to study various aspects of plant-pollinator interactions. In this thesis I investigated two broad themes: ecological aspects of the pollination biology of hymenopteran and fly-pollinated asclepiads as well as the degree of specialization to certain pollinators in these species. Colonizing plants often reproduce through self-pollination, or have highly generalized pollination systems, or both. These characteristics facilitate establishment in small founding populations and generates the prediction that reproductive success should be independent of population size in these species. Chapter one examines the pollination biology of Gomphocarpus physocarpus, an indigenous, weedy species and investigates the relationship between reproductive success and population size. In this species, there is no evidence of an Allee effect and reproductive success is not correlated with population size. In addition G. physocarpus is not capable of self-pollination, suggesting it is completely reliant on pollinators for seed set. The lack of a relationship between pollination success and population size is therefore likely explained by the generalized wasp pollination system of this species. Several milkweeds are invasive outside of their native ranges. Invasive species either need to co-opt native pollinators in order to reproduce or reduce their reliance on pollinators through having the ability to self-pollinate. Co-opting native pollinators is expected to be easier in species that have generalized pollination systems, alternatively species with specialized flower morphologies need to rely on similar functional groups of pollinators to be present within the invaded range. Chapter two investigates the pollination biology and pollination success of the invasive milkweed, Araujia sericifera, and finds that in South Africa, this species is visited mainly by native honeybees and nocturnal moths. Moths however contribute little to pollen removal, and deposition. Based on the apparent morphological mismatch between the flower of A. sericifera and native honeybees, I propose that the native pollinators of this species are likely to be larger Hymenoptera (e.g. Bumblebees). Data from a breeding system study, indicated that this species is not capable of automatic self-pollination, but could set fruit from geitonogamous self-pollinations pointing to the importance of native pollinators for successful reproduction. The pollinaria of milkweeds can accumulate on pollinators to form pollen masses large enough to physically interfere with the foraging behaviour of pollinating insects. In chapter three I describe the pollination biology of Cynanchum ellipticum and find that this species is mainly pollinated by honeybees although this species is visited by several other members of Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera. Due to the structure of the pollinaria, these chain together relatively efficiently and frequently form large pollinarium loads on the mouthparts of honeybees. However there is little evidence that these pollinarium loads influence the foraging times of pollinators and only a few individual honeybees exhibited longer foraging times and most honeybees were unaffected by the presence of large pollinarium loads. Within the genus Cynanchum there is large variation in the gynostegium structure that may influence the pattern of pollinarium loading on pollinators as well as pollen reception as shown in chapter three. In Chapter four, the pollination biology of Cynanchum obtusifolium is examined, and like that of C. ellipticum, this species is visited by a wide diversity of pollinators but honeybees appear to be the primary pollinators. More importantly this species is shown to be andromonoecious and produces two morphologically different flower types, that may be distinguished based on differences in the gynostegium structure. These two types of flower could mainly be distinguished by the length of the anther wings. I found that flowers with short anther wings function as male flowers by only exporting- and rarely receiving pollinia. Flowers with longer anther wings function as hermaphrodite flowers and can both export and receive pollinia. The ratio of male to hermaphrodite flowers varied at different times during the flowering season, but preliminary data suggested that this was not related to levels of pollination success. The genera Stapelia and Ceropegia are well known for their intricate floral adaptations that mimic the brood and feeding substrates of pollinating flies. Despite several studies that have documented the various adaptations to fly pollination in different species, there is a lack of natural history studies documenting different flower visitors, pollen loads and long term levels of pollination success in these species. In Chapter six I document the pollination biology of Ceropegia ampliata by documenting different pollinators and quantifying average levels of pollination success and the nectar reward. I also experimentally manipulated the trapping hairs of this species to determine whether trapping hairs influence average levels of pollen export and receipt. I show that Ceropegia ampliata is pollinated by a generalist guild of flies (mainly Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae and Lauxaniidae) and produces minute quantities of relatively dilute nectar as a reward. Pollination success was generally low in this species and increases periodically suggesting that the abundance of pollinators is patchy. I found that flowers with trapping hairs that had already wilted had higher levels of pollinarium removal than flowers with erect hairs, however experimentally removing the hairs had no significant effect on pollen export and receipt. In Chapter seven, I document the pollinators, pollen loads and long term levels of pollination success in Stapelia hirsuta var. bayllissi, a rare sapromyiophilous stapeliad. I find that, in contrast to C. ampliata, this species was specialized to pollination by small flies of the family Anthomyiidae. Similar to the results from Chapter seven, I find that long term levels of pollination success were typically low but could increase periodically, although such increases were generally unpredictable. There are currently very few records documenting pollinator interactions in the Periplocoideae. Many species within this subfamily exhibit open-access flowers suggestive of pollination by short-tongued insects. I investigated the pollination biology of Chlorocyathus lobulata, a rare species with a highly localized distribution. I aimed to determine the pollinators, average levels of pollination success and demography of this species in order to determine whether this rare species is suffering from the collapse of a highly specialized pollinator mutualism. I also quantified the high incidence of flower herbivory caused by larvae of the moth, Bocchoris onychinalis. I find that C. lobulata has a highly generalized fly pollination system and average levels of pollination success suggested that a large proportion of flowers had pollen removed and deposited suggesting that this species is not experiencing pollination failure. The large numbers of juveniles present also indicated that recruitment is taking place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Coombs, Gareth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Milkweeds -- South Africa Milkweeds -- South Africa -- Ecology Milkweeds -- South Africa -- Pollination Allee effect Self-pollination Pollination by insects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003758
- Description: Like orchids, the complexity of flowers found in asclepiads (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) and the fact that pollen is presented as pollinaria, offers excellent opportunities to study various aspects of plant-pollinator interactions. In this thesis I investigated two broad themes: ecological aspects of the pollination biology of hymenopteran and fly-pollinated asclepiads as well as the degree of specialization to certain pollinators in these species. Colonizing plants often reproduce through self-pollination, or have highly generalized pollination systems, or both. These characteristics facilitate establishment in small founding populations and generates the prediction that reproductive success should be independent of population size in these species. Chapter one examines the pollination biology of Gomphocarpus physocarpus, an indigenous, weedy species and investigates the relationship between reproductive success and population size. In this species, there is no evidence of an Allee effect and reproductive success is not correlated with population size. In addition G. physocarpus is not capable of self-pollination, suggesting it is completely reliant on pollinators for seed set. The lack of a relationship between pollination success and population size is therefore likely explained by the generalized wasp pollination system of this species. Several milkweeds are invasive outside of their native ranges. Invasive species either need to co-opt native pollinators in order to reproduce or reduce their reliance on pollinators through having the ability to self-pollinate. Co-opting native pollinators is expected to be easier in species that have generalized pollination systems, alternatively species with specialized flower morphologies need to rely on similar functional groups of pollinators to be present within the invaded range. Chapter two investigates the pollination biology and pollination success of the invasive milkweed, Araujia sericifera, and finds that in South Africa, this species is visited mainly by native honeybees and nocturnal moths. Moths however contribute little to pollen removal, and deposition. Based on the apparent morphological mismatch between the flower of A. sericifera and native honeybees, I propose that the native pollinators of this species are likely to be larger Hymenoptera (e.g. Bumblebees). Data from a breeding system study, indicated that this species is not capable of automatic self-pollination, but could set fruit from geitonogamous self-pollinations pointing to the importance of native pollinators for successful reproduction. The pollinaria of milkweeds can accumulate on pollinators to form pollen masses large enough to physically interfere with the foraging behaviour of pollinating insects. In chapter three I describe the pollination biology of Cynanchum ellipticum and find that this species is mainly pollinated by honeybees although this species is visited by several other members of Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera. Due to the structure of the pollinaria, these chain together relatively efficiently and frequently form large pollinarium loads on the mouthparts of honeybees. However there is little evidence that these pollinarium loads influence the foraging times of pollinators and only a few individual honeybees exhibited longer foraging times and most honeybees were unaffected by the presence of large pollinarium loads. Within the genus Cynanchum there is large variation in the gynostegium structure that may influence the pattern of pollinarium loading on pollinators as well as pollen reception as shown in chapter three. In Chapter four, the pollination biology of Cynanchum obtusifolium is examined, and like that of C. ellipticum, this species is visited by a wide diversity of pollinators but honeybees appear to be the primary pollinators. More importantly this species is shown to be andromonoecious and produces two morphologically different flower types, that may be distinguished based on differences in the gynostegium structure. These two types of flower could mainly be distinguished by the length of the anther wings. I found that flowers with short anther wings function as male flowers by only exporting- and rarely receiving pollinia. Flowers with longer anther wings function as hermaphrodite flowers and can both export and receive pollinia. The ratio of male to hermaphrodite flowers varied at different times during the flowering season, but preliminary data suggested that this was not related to levels of pollination success. The genera Stapelia and Ceropegia are well known for their intricate floral adaptations that mimic the brood and feeding substrates of pollinating flies. Despite several studies that have documented the various adaptations to fly pollination in different species, there is a lack of natural history studies documenting different flower visitors, pollen loads and long term levels of pollination success in these species. In Chapter six I document the pollination biology of Ceropegia ampliata by documenting different pollinators and quantifying average levels of pollination success and the nectar reward. I also experimentally manipulated the trapping hairs of this species to determine whether trapping hairs influence average levels of pollen export and receipt. I show that Ceropegia ampliata is pollinated by a generalist guild of flies (mainly Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae and Lauxaniidae) and produces minute quantities of relatively dilute nectar as a reward. Pollination success was generally low in this species and increases periodically suggesting that the abundance of pollinators is patchy. I found that flowers with trapping hairs that had already wilted had higher levels of pollinarium removal than flowers with erect hairs, however experimentally removing the hairs had no significant effect on pollen export and receipt. In Chapter seven, I document the pollinators, pollen loads and long term levels of pollination success in Stapelia hirsuta var. bayllissi, a rare sapromyiophilous stapeliad. I find that, in contrast to C. ampliata, this species was specialized to pollination by small flies of the family Anthomyiidae. Similar to the results from Chapter seven, I find that long term levels of pollination success were typically low but could increase periodically, although such increases were generally unpredictable. There are currently very few records documenting pollinator interactions in the Periplocoideae. Many species within this subfamily exhibit open-access flowers suggestive of pollination by short-tongued insects. I investigated the pollination biology of Chlorocyathus lobulata, a rare species with a highly localized distribution. I aimed to determine the pollinators, average levels of pollination success and demography of this species in order to determine whether this rare species is suffering from the collapse of a highly specialized pollinator mutualism. I also quantified the high incidence of flower herbivory caused by larvae of the moth, Bocchoris onychinalis. I find that C. lobulata has a highly generalized fly pollination system and average levels of pollination success suggested that a large proportion of flowers had pollen removed and deposited suggesting that this species is not experiencing pollination failure. The large numbers of juveniles present also indicated that recruitment is taking place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Deliberating the Dialogues: a critical examination of the nature and purpose of a Daily Dispatch public journalism project
- Authors: Amner, Roderick John
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Daily Dispatch (East London, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- East London Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002870
- Description: This thesis critically examines the nature and purpose of a series of four town-hall-like meetings, the Community Dialogues, held in the townships and suburbs of East London, South Africa, in 2009. They were undertaken by a mainstream, commercial newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, under the banner of the worldwide public journalism movement. Following Christians et al (2009), the thesis sets out a normative framework of media performance in a democracy, including a detailed and critical normative theory of the ‘facilitative role’ proposed and developed by Haas (2007), one of the public journalism movement’s key advocate-theorists. It also draws on a variety of theoretical frameworks and perspectives in the fields of Political Studies and Media Studies to provide an analytical overview of the complex matrix of political and media contexts – at the macro (global), meso (national) and micro (local) levels – that have helped give impetus to the Community Dialogues and also shaped their ongoing operation as a public journalism strategy in the South African context. Following a critical realist case study design, the thesis goes on to provide a narrative account of the Dialogues based on in-depth interviews exploring the motivations, self-understandings and perceptions of those journalists who originated, directed and participated in this project, as well as observation of a Community Dialogue, and an examination of some of the journalistic texts related to the Dialogues. This primary data is then critically evaluated against normative theories of press performance, especially Haas’s ‘public philosophy’ of public journalism. The thesis found that apart from their undoubted success in generating a more comprehensive and representative news agenda for the newspaper, the Dialogues often fell short of Habermas’s (1989) proceduralist-discursive notion of the ‘deliberating public’, which sees citizens share a commitment to engage in common deliberation and public problem solving. This can be attributed to a number of problems, including some important theoretical/conceptual weaknesses in the Community Dialogues’ project design, the relative immaturity of the project, the domination of civil society by political society in the South African political context, and a number of organisational constraints at the Daily Dispatch. On the other hand, the newspaper’s editorial leadership has shown clear commitment to the idea of expanding the project in the future, establishing a more a more structured programme of community engagement, and nurturing a more sustainable public sphere, including the building of a more dialectical relationship between the Dialogues and civil society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Amner, Roderick John
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Daily Dispatch (East London, South Africa) Journalism -- South Africa -- East London Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002870
- Description: This thesis critically examines the nature and purpose of a series of four town-hall-like meetings, the Community Dialogues, held in the townships and suburbs of East London, South Africa, in 2009. They were undertaken by a mainstream, commercial newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, under the banner of the worldwide public journalism movement. Following Christians et al (2009), the thesis sets out a normative framework of media performance in a democracy, including a detailed and critical normative theory of the ‘facilitative role’ proposed and developed by Haas (2007), one of the public journalism movement’s key advocate-theorists. It also draws on a variety of theoretical frameworks and perspectives in the fields of Political Studies and Media Studies to provide an analytical overview of the complex matrix of political and media contexts – at the macro (global), meso (national) and micro (local) levels – that have helped give impetus to the Community Dialogues and also shaped their ongoing operation as a public journalism strategy in the South African context. Following a critical realist case study design, the thesis goes on to provide a narrative account of the Dialogues based on in-depth interviews exploring the motivations, self-understandings and perceptions of those journalists who originated, directed and participated in this project, as well as observation of a Community Dialogue, and an examination of some of the journalistic texts related to the Dialogues. This primary data is then critically evaluated against normative theories of press performance, especially Haas’s ‘public philosophy’ of public journalism. The thesis found that apart from their undoubted success in generating a more comprehensive and representative news agenda for the newspaper, the Dialogues often fell short of Habermas’s (1989) proceduralist-discursive notion of the ‘deliberating public’, which sees citizens share a commitment to engage in common deliberation and public problem solving. This can be attributed to a number of problems, including some important theoretical/conceptual weaknesses in the Community Dialogues’ project design, the relative immaturity of the project, the domination of civil society by political society in the South African political context, and a number of organisational constraints at the Daily Dispatch. On the other hand, the newspaper’s editorial leadership has shown clear commitment to the idea of expanding the project in the future, establishing a more a more structured programme of community engagement, and nurturing a more sustainable public sphere, including the building of a more dialectical relationship between the Dialogues and civil society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into work-family conflict in females occupying lower-level jobs
- Authors: Reddy, Koovesheni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Work and family -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Job stress -- South Africa , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa , Low-income single mothers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1201 , Work and family -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Job stress -- South Africa , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa , Low-income single mothers -- South Africa
- Description: The study focused on work-family conflict among females occupying lower level jobs. A quantitative research methodology was conducted on a sample of (N=144) females working on the assembly line in two private sector organisations. The research instrument was a questionnaire comprising six parts. The variables were measured under four categories: work-family conflict, job demands, perceived organisational support and job self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and interpret the data. A comparative study was done between Hesto and Alpha pharmaceutical employees and it was found that Hesto employees experience greater work-family conflict, job demands, perceived organisational support and job self-efficacy. The correlation results of the study showed that a significant negative relationship exists between perceived organisation support and work-family conflict. There was a weak positive relationship between perceived organisational support and job self-efficacy. Work demands was found to be positively and significantly related to work-family conflict. There was a significant negative relationship between perceived organisational support and work demand. A significant negative relationship was found between job self-efficacy and work-family conflict. Based on these results recommendations were made on how South African companies can help reduce work-family conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Reddy, Koovesheni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Work and family -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Job stress -- South Africa , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa , Low-income single mothers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1201 , Work and family -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Job stress -- South Africa , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa , Low-income single mothers -- South Africa
- Description: The study focused on work-family conflict among females occupying lower level jobs. A quantitative research methodology was conducted on a sample of (N=144) females working on the assembly line in two private sector organisations. The research instrument was a questionnaire comprising six parts. The variables were measured under four categories: work-family conflict, job demands, perceived organisational support and job self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and interpret the data. A comparative study was done between Hesto and Alpha pharmaceutical employees and it was found that Hesto employees experience greater work-family conflict, job demands, perceived organisational support and job self-efficacy. The correlation results of the study showed that a significant negative relationship exists between perceived organisation support and work-family conflict. There was a weak positive relationship between perceived organisational support and job self-efficacy. Work demands was found to be positively and significantly related to work-family conflict. There was a significant negative relationship between perceived organisational support and work demand. A significant negative relationship was found between job self-efficacy and work-family conflict. Based on these results recommendations were made on how South African companies can help reduce work-family conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation of the role of principals in promoting computer usage in selected Namibian schools
- Authors: Katulo, Mighty Masiku
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Computers -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Educational technology -- Namibia Information technology -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003541
- Description: Globalisation and technology change have created a new global economy fuelled by information and driven by knowledge. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been touted as potential powerful tools for enabling educational change and reform. Namibia is among those countries that have adopted the use of ICTs as a vehicle for change. This thesis explores the role of school principals in promoting and managing computer usage in selected schools in Namibia. The study was conducted at four schools in the Caprivi Region. The study employed a qualitative case study to collect and analyse data. A total of four school principals and four computer coordinators were interviewed, and responded to questions pertaining to the role of principals in the following areas: acquiring ICT equipment; providing access to the computer labs; promoting the use of computers; maintaining computers; capacity-building of teachers, and addressing challenges that could prevent computer usage. Two focus group interviews were also conducted at two schools, to find out what they perceived to be the role of school principals in supporting and ensuring the effective use of computers in schools. The findings on acquisition of computers reveal that principals were often the initiators of the acquisition process. Ministerial deployment is the most common form of acquisition, followed by the use of the school’s development fund to purchase administrative computers. Only one of the participating schools did not acquire its computers through Ministerial deployment. Some schools were more resourced than others. Availability and maintenance of equipment depended on the kind of school (advantaged or disadvantaged) and the way the computers were acquired rather than on the role of the principal. Schools that acquired their computers through the ministerial deployment received satisfactory technical support from the ministry while schools that acquired their computers through other sources had to rely more heavily on the principal to pro-actively seek support. School principals that demonstrated the qualities of transformational leadership promoted the usage of computers by taking part in training offered to teachers and encouraged teachers on different platforms to make use of computers. The study also found that schools in which principals actively supported and promoted the use of computers were successful in the usage of the computer labs, while in schools where principals left the running of the computer lab to an individual teacher, the usage was minimal. It was found that a number of challenges are hampering the usage. These include lack of internet connectivity, qualified personnel to cascade training, and minimum infrastructure. The study recommends that school principals should adopt trategies that encourage teachers to use computers in their daily routines. It also makes suggestions for further research on the impact of school culture on ICT integration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Katulo, Mighty Masiku
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Computers -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Educational technology -- Namibia Information technology -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003541
- Description: Globalisation and technology change have created a new global economy fuelled by information and driven by knowledge. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been touted as potential powerful tools for enabling educational change and reform. Namibia is among those countries that have adopted the use of ICTs as a vehicle for change. This thesis explores the role of school principals in promoting and managing computer usage in selected schools in Namibia. The study was conducted at four schools in the Caprivi Region. The study employed a qualitative case study to collect and analyse data. A total of four school principals and four computer coordinators were interviewed, and responded to questions pertaining to the role of principals in the following areas: acquiring ICT equipment; providing access to the computer labs; promoting the use of computers; maintaining computers; capacity-building of teachers, and addressing challenges that could prevent computer usage. Two focus group interviews were also conducted at two schools, to find out what they perceived to be the role of school principals in supporting and ensuring the effective use of computers in schools. The findings on acquisition of computers reveal that principals were often the initiators of the acquisition process. Ministerial deployment is the most common form of acquisition, followed by the use of the school’s development fund to purchase administrative computers. Only one of the participating schools did not acquire its computers through Ministerial deployment. Some schools were more resourced than others. Availability and maintenance of equipment depended on the kind of school (advantaged or disadvantaged) and the way the computers were acquired rather than on the role of the principal. Schools that acquired their computers through the ministerial deployment received satisfactory technical support from the ministry while schools that acquired their computers through other sources had to rely more heavily on the principal to pro-actively seek support. School principals that demonstrated the qualities of transformational leadership promoted the usage of computers by taking part in training offered to teachers and encouraged teachers on different platforms to make use of computers. The study also found that schools in which principals actively supported and promoted the use of computers were successful in the usage of the computer labs, while in schools where principals left the running of the computer lab to an individual teacher, the usage was minimal. It was found that a number of challenges are hampering the usage. These include lack of internet connectivity, qualified personnel to cascade training, and minimum infrastructure. The study recommends that school principals should adopt trategies that encourage teachers to use computers in their daily routines. It also makes suggestions for further research on the impact of school culture on ICT integration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Take my word for it: a new approach to the problem of sincerity in the epistemology of testimony
- Authors: Dewhurst, Therese
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sincerity Philosophy Terminology Knowledge, Theory of Honesty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002837
- Description: The epistemological problem of sincerity in testimony is often approached in the following way: We, as a matter of fact, accept utterances as sincere. We do so in the face of knowledge that people lie and deceive,and yet we still count these beliefs as good beliefs. Therefore there must be some reason or argument that we can cite in order to justify our acceptance of the sincerity of the speaker. In this thesis I will argue, contra this, that there is no reason, per se, that justifies our of a speakers sincerity: this is because recognition of the obligation to accept the sincerity is a necessary condition on the possibility of communication and interpretation. In the first three of the thesis I will argue against three of the main approaches to the problem by focusing on what I believe to be the strongest accounts of each: Elizabeth Fricker's reductionism, Tyler Burge's non-reductionism, and Paul Faulkner's trust account of testimony. In the final chapter I will put forward my positive account. I will argue that it is a constitutive rule of language that a speaker be sincere, and then make the further claim, that it is a constitutive rule of interpretation that the hearer take an utterance as sincere. On my account, successful communication does not just depend on a speaker making sincere utterances,but just as importantly,, on the hearer recognising an obligation to take those utterances as being sincere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dewhurst, Therese
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sincerity Philosophy Terminology Knowledge, Theory of Honesty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002837
- Description: The epistemological problem of sincerity in testimony is often approached in the following way: We, as a matter of fact, accept utterances as sincere. We do so in the face of knowledge that people lie and deceive,and yet we still count these beliefs as good beliefs. Therefore there must be some reason or argument that we can cite in order to justify our acceptance of the sincerity of the speaker. In this thesis I will argue, contra this, that there is no reason, per se, that justifies our of a speakers sincerity: this is because recognition of the obligation to accept the sincerity is a necessary condition on the possibility of communication and interpretation. In the first three of the thesis I will argue against three of the main approaches to the problem by focusing on what I believe to be the strongest accounts of each: Elizabeth Fricker's reductionism, Tyler Burge's non-reductionism, and Paul Faulkner's trust account of testimony. In the final chapter I will put forward my positive account. I will argue that it is a constitutive rule of language that a speaker be sincere, and then make the further claim, that it is a constitutive rule of interpretation that the hearer take an utterance as sincere. On my account, successful communication does not just depend on a speaker making sincere utterances,but just as importantly,, on the hearer recognising an obligation to take those utterances as being sincere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Causes of decoupling between larval supply and settlement and consequences for understanding recruitment and population connectivity
- Pineda, Jesus, Porri, Francesca, Starczak, Victroria, Blythe, Jonathan
- Authors: Pineda, Jesus , Porri, Francesca , Starczak, Victroria , Blythe, Jonathan
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6869 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011501
- Description: Marine broadcast spawners have two-phase life cycles, with pelagic larvae and benthic adults. Larval supply and settlement link these two phases and are crucial for the persistence of marine populations. Mainly due to the complexity in sampling larval supply accurately, many researchers use settlement as a proxy for larval supply. Larval supply is a constraining variable for settlement because, without larval supply, there is no settlement. Larval supply and settlement may not be well correlated, however, and settlement may not consistently estimate larval supply. This paper explores the argument that larval supply (i.e., larval abundance near settlement sites) may not relate linearly to settlement. We review the relationship between larval supply and settlement, from estimates and biases in larval supply sampling, to non-behavioral and behavioral components, including small-scale hydrodynamics, competency, gregarious behavior, intensification of settlement, lunar periodicity, predation and cannibalism. Physical and structural processes coupled with behavior, such as small-scale hydrodynamics and intensification of settlement, sometimes result in under- or overestimation of larval supply, where it is predicted from a linear relationship with settlement. Although settlement is a function of larval supply, spatial and temporal processes interact with larval behavior to distort the relationship between larval supply and settlement, and when these distortions act consistently in time and space, they cause biased estimates of larval supply from settlement data. Most of the examples discussed here suggest that behavior is the main source of the decoupling between larval supply and settlement because larval behavior affects the vertical distribution of larvae, the response of larvae to hydrodynamics, intensification of settlement, gregariousness, predation and cannibalism. Thus, larval behavior seems to limit broad generalizations on the regulation of settlement by larval supply. Knowledge of the relationship is further hindered by the lack of a well founded theoretical relationship between the two variables. The larval supply–settlement transition may have strong general consequences for population connectivity, since larval supply is a result of larval transport, and settlement constrains recruitment. Thus, measuring larval supply and settlement effectively allows more accurate quantification and understanding of larval transport, recruitment and population connectivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Pineda, Jesus , Porri, Francesca , Starczak, Victroria , Blythe, Jonathan
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6869 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011501
- Description: Marine broadcast spawners have two-phase life cycles, with pelagic larvae and benthic adults. Larval supply and settlement link these two phases and are crucial for the persistence of marine populations. Mainly due to the complexity in sampling larval supply accurately, many researchers use settlement as a proxy for larval supply. Larval supply is a constraining variable for settlement because, without larval supply, there is no settlement. Larval supply and settlement may not be well correlated, however, and settlement may not consistently estimate larval supply. This paper explores the argument that larval supply (i.e., larval abundance near settlement sites) may not relate linearly to settlement. We review the relationship between larval supply and settlement, from estimates and biases in larval supply sampling, to non-behavioral and behavioral components, including small-scale hydrodynamics, competency, gregarious behavior, intensification of settlement, lunar periodicity, predation and cannibalism. Physical and structural processes coupled with behavior, such as small-scale hydrodynamics and intensification of settlement, sometimes result in under- or overestimation of larval supply, where it is predicted from a linear relationship with settlement. Although settlement is a function of larval supply, spatial and temporal processes interact with larval behavior to distort the relationship between larval supply and settlement, and when these distortions act consistently in time and space, they cause biased estimates of larval supply from settlement data. Most of the examples discussed here suggest that behavior is the main source of the decoupling between larval supply and settlement because larval behavior affects the vertical distribution of larvae, the response of larvae to hydrodynamics, intensification of settlement, gregariousness, predation and cannibalism. Thus, larval behavior seems to limit broad generalizations on the regulation of settlement by larval supply. Knowledge of the relationship is further hindered by the lack of a well founded theoretical relationship between the two variables. The larval supply–settlement transition may have strong general consequences for population connectivity, since larval supply is a result of larval transport, and settlement constrains recruitment. Thus, measuring larval supply and settlement effectively allows more accurate quantification and understanding of larval transport, recruitment and population connectivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An evaluation of the local economic development strategy: the case of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Pillay, Sareesha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8207 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1160 , Local Economic Development (Programme) , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The central objective of the research study was to evaluate the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy, with reference to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). The Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy for the NMBM was developed in 2004 in relation to the need for Local Economic Development. The need for Local Economic Development (LED) has been mandated by the national government of South Africa as prescribed in the direction toward developmental local government post - 2000. The National Framework for Local Economic Development in South Africa serves as a strategic implementation guide for municipalities. The National Framework for Local Economic Development provides a supportive foundation to assist municipalities such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in improving its economic development through concentrations on suggested actions. Through support for municipal Local Economic Development strategies, the objective of Local Economic Development was to offer local government, private sectors, non - profit organisations and local communities the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy. The aim has thus been to enhance competitiveness and encourage inclusive sustainable growth. The 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality includes its strategic approach to promote sustainable growth within its specified municipal environment. Formulation of the strategy includes descriptions of sector strategies as a mechanism to promote transformation and improved economic development in a sustainable manner. Content Analysis and the case study methods were utilised to evaluate the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy in the undertaking of the research study as a way of examining the formulation of the Local Economic Development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, in order to determine v the shortcomings in Local Economic Development as brought about by ineffective policy formulation process. Discourse Analysis was also used to understand the policy foundations as influenced by the previous apartheid regime and its accompanied injustices on the citizens of South Africa. The brief descriptions of major economic developments and sector strategies for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality shows the detachment of policy content from clear strategic action plans has depicted an incongruence in efficiency and sustainable development. This has placed developmental policy formulation under scrutinisation and evaluation. The findings indicate that there is a need for revision and/ or reformulation of the current 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in promotion of effective sustainable development and an improved local economy. The impact of a failure to revise and rework the strategy has detrimental effects on the promotion of an effective and efficient economy in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Therefore, the lack of detail within the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy must be tackled by policy formulators to ensure economic growth and an alignment with the objectives as contained in the national mandate for economic development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Pillay, Sareesha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8207 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1160 , Local Economic Development (Programme) , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The central objective of the research study was to evaluate the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy, with reference to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). The Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy for the NMBM was developed in 2004 in relation to the need for Local Economic Development. The need for Local Economic Development (LED) has been mandated by the national government of South Africa as prescribed in the direction toward developmental local government post - 2000. The National Framework for Local Economic Development in South Africa serves as a strategic implementation guide for municipalities. The National Framework for Local Economic Development provides a supportive foundation to assist municipalities such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in improving its economic development through concentrations on suggested actions. Through support for municipal Local Economic Development strategies, the objective of Local Economic Development was to offer local government, private sectors, non - profit organisations and local communities the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy. The aim has thus been to enhance competitiveness and encourage inclusive sustainable growth. The 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality includes its strategic approach to promote sustainable growth within its specified municipal environment. Formulation of the strategy includes descriptions of sector strategies as a mechanism to promote transformation and improved economic development in a sustainable manner. Content Analysis and the case study methods were utilised to evaluate the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy in the undertaking of the research study as a way of examining the formulation of the Local Economic Development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, in order to determine v the shortcomings in Local Economic Development as brought about by ineffective policy formulation process. Discourse Analysis was also used to understand the policy foundations as influenced by the previous apartheid regime and its accompanied injustices on the citizens of South Africa. The brief descriptions of major economic developments and sector strategies for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality shows the detachment of policy content from clear strategic action plans has depicted an incongruence in efficiency and sustainable development. This has placed developmental policy formulation under scrutinisation and evaluation. The findings indicate that there is a need for revision and/ or reformulation of the current 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in promotion of effective sustainable development and an improved local economy. The impact of a failure to revise and rework the strategy has detrimental effects on the promotion of an effective and efficient economy in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Therefore, the lack of detail within the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy must be tackled by policy formulators to ensure economic growth and an alignment with the objectives as contained in the national mandate for economic development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Probing electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of cobalt (II) and manganese (III) octakis (hexylthio) phthalocyanine as self-assembled monolayers
- Mashazi, Philani N, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/249115 , vital:51779 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S108842461000277X"
- Description: New peripherally (β) and non-peripherally (α) substituted metal octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyanines (β- and α-MOcHexTPc) containing cobalt and manganese as metal centers were synthesized. Their characterization using electrochemical methods showed that these complexes exhibit several redox processes at E1/2 (mV vs. Ag∣AgCl) = 380 (212) (I), 1140 (864) (II), -450 (-460) (III) and -1170 (-1304) (IV) for β- (α-) CoOcHexTPc. These redox processes were assigned to CoIIIPc-2/CoIIPc-2 (I), CoIIIPc-1/CoIIIPc-2 (II), CoIIPc-2/CoIPc-2 (III) and CoIPc-2/CoIPc-3 (IV) using spectroelectrochemistry. For the β- (α-) MnOcHexTPc complex the redox processes were observed at E1/2 (mV vs. Ag∣AgCl) = -20 (5) (I), -530 (-640) (II) and -1270 (-1380) (III) and were assigned to MnIIIPc-2/MnIIPc-2 (I), MnIIPc-2/MnIIPc-3 (II) and MnIIPc-3/MnIIPc-4 (III). Electrochemical and microscopic characterization using AFM showed that the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are formed on the gold surface using these complexes. The electrochemical characterization showed the blocking of the Faradaic processes at SAMs modified electrodes and these reactions are well-known to easily occur at unmodified gold electrodes. The AFM characterization showed an increase in surface roughness upon modifying the gold surface with MOcHexTPc SAMs, further confirming the presence of the monolayers on the gold surface. The MOcHexTPc SAMs were investigated for their electrocatalytic application towards H2O2 detection. The MOcHexTPc SAMs modified gold electrodes gave excellent currents for H2O2 detection. The observed H2O2 electrocatalytic reduction peaks were close to where the metal redox processes from the MOcHexTPc occurred, showing the involvement of the metal redox processes in the electrocatalytic mediation reactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/249115 , vital:51779 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S108842461000277X"
- Description: New peripherally (β) and non-peripherally (α) substituted metal octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyanines (β- and α-MOcHexTPc) containing cobalt and manganese as metal centers were synthesized. Their characterization using electrochemical methods showed that these complexes exhibit several redox processes at E1/2 (mV vs. Ag∣AgCl) = 380 (212) (I), 1140 (864) (II), -450 (-460) (III) and -1170 (-1304) (IV) for β- (α-) CoOcHexTPc. These redox processes were assigned to CoIIIPc-2/CoIIPc-2 (I), CoIIIPc-1/CoIIIPc-2 (II), CoIIPc-2/CoIPc-2 (III) and CoIPc-2/CoIPc-3 (IV) using spectroelectrochemistry. For the β- (α-) MnOcHexTPc complex the redox processes were observed at E1/2 (mV vs. Ag∣AgCl) = -20 (5) (I), -530 (-640) (II) and -1270 (-1380) (III) and were assigned to MnIIIPc-2/MnIIPc-2 (I), MnIIPc-2/MnIIPc-3 (II) and MnIIPc-3/MnIIPc-4 (III). Electrochemical and microscopic characterization using AFM showed that the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are formed on the gold surface using these complexes. The electrochemical characterization showed the blocking of the Faradaic processes at SAMs modified electrodes and these reactions are well-known to easily occur at unmodified gold electrodes. The AFM characterization showed an increase in surface roughness upon modifying the gold surface with MOcHexTPc SAMs, further confirming the presence of the monolayers on the gold surface. The MOcHexTPc SAMs were investigated for their electrocatalytic application towards H2O2 detection. The MOcHexTPc SAMs modified gold electrodes gave excellent currents for H2O2 detection. The observed H2O2 electrocatalytic reduction peaks were close to where the metal redox processes from the MOcHexTPc occurred, showing the involvement of the metal redox processes in the electrocatalytic mediation reactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The risks of civil engineering project development in emerging nations
- Authors: Fyvie, Richard Michael
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Engineering -- Management , Engineering firms -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Management , Project management -- South Africa , Civil engineering -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8632 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1481 , Engineering -- Management , Engineering firms -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Management , Project management -- South Africa , Civil engineering -- Africa
- Description: This research reviews the challenges and obstacles confronting multinational civil engineering consulting and contracting companies seeking to conduct project developments within Emerging Markets, specifically with regard to the regions of Africa and the Middle East. With the increasing convergence of the global economy towards an interconnected and co-dependant system, the emerging economies of previously underdeveloped parts of the world are now capturing the focus of the civil engineering industry as the primary area of operation. Multinational companies that historically were restricted to construction of the developed world must now adapt and reposition themselves with a footprint in these emerging markets, if they are to take advantage of the changing conditions within the global infrastructure construction industry. For companies historically unfamiliar with operating in Africa and the Middle East, a plethora of potential risks are associated with project development. This research incorporated a substantial literature study that determined a number of critical issues that directly and indirectly influence a company’s ability to complete a project within time and under budget. The literature bank was then tested against the expert opinions of four selected respondents utilising a case study research methodology, as detailed by Yin (1994: 1-17). The respondents represented two selected civil engineering consulting firms, one based in a developed country with an extensive interest in the Middle East, and the other based in an emerging country itself, with operations throughout Africa. The outcome of the research ii highlighted several internal risk factors affecting development in Africa and the Middle East, such as capacity, staff experience, available resources and corporate culture. External factors were, however, the primary focus of respondents’ feedback, and included the reliability of energy supply in the target country, the condition of the built infrastructure such as roads and ports, tax rates and cost of finance, the prevalence of corruption as well as the risk of civil conflict and political instability. The Project Risk Guideline was the final output of this research process, which represented a synthesis between the literature review, the case study investigations as well as synthesis of various accepted risk evaluation techniques. The Guideline is a stage-gate sequential process, and may be utilised by civil engineering consulting or contracting firms with an interest in risk profiling and mitigation for project developments in emerging nations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Fyvie, Richard Michael
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Engineering -- Management , Engineering firms -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Management , Project management -- South Africa , Civil engineering -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8632 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1481 , Engineering -- Management , Engineering firms -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Management , Project management -- South Africa , Civil engineering -- Africa
- Description: This research reviews the challenges and obstacles confronting multinational civil engineering consulting and contracting companies seeking to conduct project developments within Emerging Markets, specifically with regard to the regions of Africa and the Middle East. With the increasing convergence of the global economy towards an interconnected and co-dependant system, the emerging economies of previously underdeveloped parts of the world are now capturing the focus of the civil engineering industry as the primary area of operation. Multinational companies that historically were restricted to construction of the developed world must now adapt and reposition themselves with a footprint in these emerging markets, if they are to take advantage of the changing conditions within the global infrastructure construction industry. For companies historically unfamiliar with operating in Africa and the Middle East, a plethora of potential risks are associated with project development. This research incorporated a substantial literature study that determined a number of critical issues that directly and indirectly influence a company’s ability to complete a project within time and under budget. The literature bank was then tested against the expert opinions of four selected respondents utilising a case study research methodology, as detailed by Yin (1994: 1-17). The respondents represented two selected civil engineering consulting firms, one based in a developed country with an extensive interest in the Middle East, and the other based in an emerging country itself, with operations throughout Africa. The outcome of the research ii highlighted several internal risk factors affecting development in Africa and the Middle East, such as capacity, staff experience, available resources and corporate culture. External factors were, however, the primary focus of respondents’ feedback, and included the reliability of energy supply in the target country, the condition of the built infrastructure such as roads and ports, tax rates and cost of finance, the prevalence of corruption as well as the risk of civil conflict and political instability. The Project Risk Guideline was the final output of this research process, which represented a synthesis between the literature review, the case study investigations as well as synthesis of various accepted risk evaluation techniques. The Guideline is a stage-gate sequential process, and may be utilised by civil engineering consulting or contracting firms with an interest in risk profiling and mitigation for project developments in emerging nations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of company vision and values on the success of an automotive company in Nelson Mandela Bay (The case of Borbet South Africa)
- Authors: Van Vuuren, Brenton
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Success in business -- South Africa , Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Profit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of products -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1331 , Success in business -- South Africa , Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Profit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of products -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Purpose – The primary aim of the study was to establish to what extent company vision impacted on productivity, profitability, morale and the quality of product at Borbet SA. Borbet SA is an aluminium wheel manufacturer situated in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The secondary aim of the study was to establish whether the vision would be reached by applying the company values in action at Borbet SA. Methodology – Seventy-seven respondents employed at Borbet SA completed a Likert Scale Questionnaire to measure their knowledge and application of the company vision and values. The research study made use of a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The research study was qualitative as the topic was subjective to perception of the participants. However, the data was to be analyzed quantitatively through statistical practices. Findings – Overall, the participants were 99 percent aware of the vision statement at Borbet SA. Therefore, Borbet SA had succeeded in making company vision a part of their business strategy. The successful implementation of a vision and values at Borbet SA have improved productivity, profitability, morale and quality of product at the company. The study’s main findings were that employees between the ages of 18 – 29 years were especially optimistic of the company vision and values. Employees working at Borbet SA for between 4 – 5 years and working at Borbet for between 0 – 3 years tended to be more unenthusiastic about company vision and values. Middle management, including supervisors and team leaders, were also pessimistic about certain aspects concerning the vision of the company. Research limitations – One of the limitations of the research were that only 77 of the workforce completed the voluntary questionnaire. The questionnaire was in English and this was not the first language of the majority of the employees at Borbet SA. This could have prevented them from completing the questionnaire because they might not have felt confident in responding in ii English. Educational levels could also have influenced the response to the questionnaire seeing that not all employees had the same educational levels and, thus, this could have been intimidating. Recommendations – The main recommendation was that a mentoring programme be implemented in which younger and older employees could motivate each other and build morale. The management of Borbet SA was recommended to have team building sessions with middle management, supervisors and team leaders to build morale and optimism in these groups. Employees working for 4 – 5 years needed to be evaluated and motivated as some of them could have felt stagnant in their job positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van Vuuren, Brenton
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Success in business -- South Africa , Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Profit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of products -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1331 , Success in business -- South Africa , Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Profit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of products -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Purpose – The primary aim of the study was to establish to what extent company vision impacted on productivity, profitability, morale and the quality of product at Borbet SA. Borbet SA is an aluminium wheel manufacturer situated in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The secondary aim of the study was to establish whether the vision would be reached by applying the company values in action at Borbet SA. Methodology – Seventy-seven respondents employed at Borbet SA completed a Likert Scale Questionnaire to measure their knowledge and application of the company vision and values. The research study made use of a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The research study was qualitative as the topic was subjective to perception of the participants. However, the data was to be analyzed quantitatively through statistical practices. Findings – Overall, the participants were 99 percent aware of the vision statement at Borbet SA. Therefore, Borbet SA had succeeded in making company vision a part of their business strategy. The successful implementation of a vision and values at Borbet SA have improved productivity, profitability, morale and quality of product at the company. The study’s main findings were that employees between the ages of 18 – 29 years were especially optimistic of the company vision and values. Employees working at Borbet SA for between 4 – 5 years and working at Borbet for between 0 – 3 years tended to be more unenthusiastic about company vision and values. Middle management, including supervisors and team leaders, were also pessimistic about certain aspects concerning the vision of the company. Research limitations – One of the limitations of the research were that only 77 of the workforce completed the voluntary questionnaire. The questionnaire was in English and this was not the first language of the majority of the employees at Borbet SA. This could have prevented them from completing the questionnaire because they might not have felt confident in responding in ii English. Educational levels could also have influenced the response to the questionnaire seeing that not all employees had the same educational levels and, thus, this could have been intimidating. Recommendations – The main recommendation was that a mentoring programme be implemented in which younger and older employees could motivate each other and build morale. The management of Borbet SA was recommended to have team building sessions with middle management, supervisors and team leaders to build morale and optimism in these groups. Employees working for 4 – 5 years needed to be evaluated and motivated as some of them could have felt stagnant in their job positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A value-based approach to promoting excellence in mathematics education
- Authors: Austin, Pamela Winifred
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9482 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1656 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Description: This research study has emerged as a result of my concern regarding the apparent low self-efficacy amongst initial teacher education students in my mathematics education classes. It also reflects a reported renewed interest in values, and the promotion of excellence in education. The effects of a values-based approach to mathematics education towards improving students’ self-efficacy and promoting excellence have been investigated, grounded within my ontology of excellence in mathematics education, which incorporates the values of respect, fairness, accountability, honesty and compassion. An inquiry-based teaching and learning approach formed the framework within which the study took place. Notions of ‘new scholarship’, premised on the view that teaching is about engagement in participatory learning, and the development of communities of creative students, provided the theoretical framework. Both quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods were used. Data-collection tools included affective-disposition statements, interviews, journal entries, as well as a video recording of a mathematics education lesson. The quantitative and qualitative data generated suggest improved levels of self-efficacy amongst the students who participated in the study. The data also suggest that a valuesbased approach to teaching can be used as an effective approach by mathematics teachers – and mathematics teacher educators – for the purpose of promoting the pursuit of excellence. As teacher education worldwide is currently characterised by a lack of vitality in teacher preparation (Grossman, 2008), the findings of this study should provide insights for teacher educators, teachers and policy makers who wish to promote mathematics self-efficacy, excellence and facilitate enhanced vitality within the teaching profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Austin, Pamela Winifred
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9482 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1656 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Description: This research study has emerged as a result of my concern regarding the apparent low self-efficacy amongst initial teacher education students in my mathematics education classes. It also reflects a reported renewed interest in values, and the promotion of excellence in education. The effects of a values-based approach to mathematics education towards improving students’ self-efficacy and promoting excellence have been investigated, grounded within my ontology of excellence in mathematics education, which incorporates the values of respect, fairness, accountability, honesty and compassion. An inquiry-based teaching and learning approach formed the framework within which the study took place. Notions of ‘new scholarship’, premised on the view that teaching is about engagement in participatory learning, and the development of communities of creative students, provided the theoretical framework. Both quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods were used. Data-collection tools included affective-disposition statements, interviews, journal entries, as well as a video recording of a mathematics education lesson. The quantitative and qualitative data generated suggest improved levels of self-efficacy amongst the students who participated in the study. The data also suggest that a valuesbased approach to teaching can be used as an effective approach by mathematics teachers – and mathematics teacher educators – for the purpose of promoting the pursuit of excellence. As teacher education worldwide is currently characterised by a lack of vitality in teacher preparation (Grossman, 2008), the findings of this study should provide insights for teacher educators, teachers and policy makers who wish to promote mathematics self-efficacy, excellence and facilitate enhanced vitality within the teaching profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Photophysiochemical studies of d¹⁰ metallophthalocyanines and their interaction with nanoparticles
- Chidawanyika, Wadzanai Janet Upenyu
- Authors: Chidawanyika, Wadzanai Janet Upenyu
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Nanoparticles Phthalocyanines Photochemistry Electrochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004996
- Description: The syntheses, extensive spectroscopic characterization, photophysical and photochemical studies have been conducted for a variation of d10 metallophthaloycanines (MPcs). Comparisons have been made taking into consideration the nfluence of the central metal ion, solvent properties, substituent type and position. Coordination to heavy central metals i.e. Hg gives enhanced triplet state properties. Low symmetry metallophthalocyanine complexes were similarly haracterized and the influence of nteractions with nanoparticles on their photophysical and photochemical properties determined. The MPcs have been linked and adsorbed or mixed with nanoparticles i.e. hemically functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes SWCNT) and mercaptocarboxylic acid capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and changes in the spectra accounted for with respect to the proposed conjugate structures. Distinct differences ccur for linked and adsorbed or mixed conjugates in the bsorption, infrared (IR) and Raman spectra and for thermal ravimetric decay profiles, suggesting successful formation f covalent bonds (linked) and point to structurally ifferent materials. SWCNT quench MPc fluorescence by a photoinduced electron transfer mediated process to give low fluorescence quantum yields. The QDs were used as energy transfer donors and facilitate energy transfer, through Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the QDs to the MPcs. Improved FRET efficiencies were found for linked MPc-QD conjugates relative to the mixed species. Photophysicochemical properties of MPcs were, in general, improved as a result of interactions with nanoparticles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Chidawanyika, Wadzanai Janet Upenyu
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Nanoparticles Phthalocyanines Photochemistry Electrochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004996
- Description: The syntheses, extensive spectroscopic characterization, photophysical and photochemical studies have been conducted for a variation of d10 metallophthaloycanines (MPcs). Comparisons have been made taking into consideration the nfluence of the central metal ion, solvent properties, substituent type and position. Coordination to heavy central metals i.e. Hg gives enhanced triplet state properties. Low symmetry metallophthalocyanine complexes were similarly haracterized and the influence of nteractions with nanoparticles on their photophysical and photochemical properties determined. The MPcs have been linked and adsorbed or mixed with nanoparticles i.e. hemically functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes SWCNT) and mercaptocarboxylic acid capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and changes in the spectra accounted for with respect to the proposed conjugate structures. Distinct differences ccur for linked and adsorbed or mixed conjugates in the bsorption, infrared (IR) and Raman spectra and for thermal ravimetric decay profiles, suggesting successful formation f covalent bonds (linked) and point to structurally ifferent materials. SWCNT quench MPc fluorescence by a photoinduced electron transfer mediated process to give low fluorescence quantum yields. The QDs were used as energy transfer donors and facilitate energy transfer, through Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the QDs to the MPcs. Improved FRET efficiencies were found for linked MPc-QD conjugates relative to the mixed species. Photophysicochemical properties of MPcs were, in general, improved as a result of interactions with nanoparticles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of economic downturn on black economic empowerment and banks
- Authors: Daniels, Sinclair Lonwabo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1505 , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is to ascertain the impact of economic downturn on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Banks. This has been sparked by the huge speculations in the market as to what will happen to BEE and how will the banks cope in general with the impact of this scourge. It is imperative to understand the influence of the 2008+ economic downturn on socio-economic reconstruction and development in South Africa and the black economic empowerment and its funding mechanisms. The treatise has two phases the, namely the theoretical phase and a bit of narrative phase. In the theoretical phase the research study interrogates what the literature review reveals about the economic downturn, BEE as well as performances of different banks across the world. This shows the economic impact that the banks have had to endure during the economic downturn. This resulted in stock markets losing their value. The dividend earners were significantly affected including a sizeable number of BEE companies. The BEE companies are perceived to be too reliant on debt on to finance their deals and this treatise will look at various options of financing a BEE deal and what is deem to the most suited financing structure. The narrative phase involves semi-structured interviews that were conducted in order to ascertain the real impact that South African were faced with and how they have managed to steer clear of the turbulent waters. This also looked at how the BEE consultant views the current occurrences in the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Daniels, Sinclair Lonwabo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1505 , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is to ascertain the impact of economic downturn on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Banks. This has been sparked by the huge speculations in the market as to what will happen to BEE and how will the banks cope in general with the impact of this scourge. It is imperative to understand the influence of the 2008+ economic downturn on socio-economic reconstruction and development in South Africa and the black economic empowerment and its funding mechanisms. The treatise has two phases the, namely the theoretical phase and a bit of narrative phase. In the theoretical phase the research study interrogates what the literature review reveals about the economic downturn, BEE as well as performances of different banks across the world. This shows the economic impact that the banks have had to endure during the economic downturn. This resulted in stock markets losing their value. The dividend earners were significantly affected including a sizeable number of BEE companies. The BEE companies are perceived to be too reliant on debt on to finance their deals and this treatise will look at various options of financing a BEE deal and what is deem to the most suited financing structure. The narrative phase involves semi-structured interviews that were conducted in order to ascertain the real impact that South African were faced with and how they have managed to steer clear of the turbulent waters. This also looked at how the BEE consultant views the current occurrences in the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Developing a protocol for campus health service professional nurses to manage students with mental distress
- Authors: Dalton, Linda Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10030 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1303 , College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Description: Professional nurses working at a campus health service have to cope with challenges such as staff shortages and budgetary constraints associated with working in a complex environment providing primary health care. The aim of primary health care includes promoting health, preventing disease and the early detection and treatment of illness. Mental health services form an integral part of the integrated primary health care package as implemented in the campus health service. Students attend the Campus Health Service for help related to their health. Health care is provided by professional nurses and counsellors through a comprehensive primary health care service which serves students as well as staff. Some students may state that they experience feelings of being stressed or depressed. Other students may complain of physical symptoms such as headache or upper backache. Upon further investigation emotional problems may be identified as the cause of the psychosomatic symptoms. The professional nurses working in the campus health service verbalised that it is sometimes difficult to identify a mental illness or mental distress as there is no effective assessment tool that they can use. Management of conditions is also problematic as there are no protocols indicating the therapeutic interventions that can be taken. The research question in this study was therefore: What information should be included in a protocol to assess and manage a student experiencing mental distress that can be used by professional nurses working in a Campus Health Service? The aim of this study is to develop a mental health care protocol for campus health service professional nurses to assess and manage university students who are experiencing mental distress. The research design of this study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, explanatory and contextual. In this study the Delphi research technique was used to create an instrument to standardise mental health care in a campus health service. The Delphi technique is a series of sequential questionnaires or “rounds” interspersed with controlled feedback that seeks to gain the most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts. A questionnaire was developed based on an extensive literature review. The research population of this study consisted of two groups: professional nurses with knowledge of student health care needs and expert psychiatric nurses. The study was conducted at the Campus Health Service at a university in the Eastern Cape. The data collection and analysis was done utilising the Delphi technique. Trustworthiness was ensured by using the Lincoln and Guba Model utilising the criteria of credibility, applicability, dependability and conformability. In this study the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and self determination were applied to ensure that participants are treated with respect and consideration and ensured high ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this study. The findings of this research were utilised to assist the researcher in developing a protocol for mental health care of students in campus health service settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dalton, Linda Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10030 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1303 , College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Description: Professional nurses working at a campus health service have to cope with challenges such as staff shortages and budgetary constraints associated with working in a complex environment providing primary health care. The aim of primary health care includes promoting health, preventing disease and the early detection and treatment of illness. Mental health services form an integral part of the integrated primary health care package as implemented in the campus health service. Students attend the Campus Health Service for help related to their health. Health care is provided by professional nurses and counsellors through a comprehensive primary health care service which serves students as well as staff. Some students may state that they experience feelings of being stressed or depressed. Other students may complain of physical symptoms such as headache or upper backache. Upon further investigation emotional problems may be identified as the cause of the psychosomatic symptoms. The professional nurses working in the campus health service verbalised that it is sometimes difficult to identify a mental illness or mental distress as there is no effective assessment tool that they can use. Management of conditions is also problematic as there are no protocols indicating the therapeutic interventions that can be taken. The research question in this study was therefore: What information should be included in a protocol to assess and manage a student experiencing mental distress that can be used by professional nurses working in a Campus Health Service? The aim of this study is to develop a mental health care protocol for campus health service professional nurses to assess and manage university students who are experiencing mental distress. The research design of this study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, explanatory and contextual. In this study the Delphi research technique was used to create an instrument to standardise mental health care in a campus health service. The Delphi technique is a series of sequential questionnaires or “rounds” interspersed with controlled feedback that seeks to gain the most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts. A questionnaire was developed based on an extensive literature review. The research population of this study consisted of two groups: professional nurses with knowledge of student health care needs and expert psychiatric nurses. The study was conducted at the Campus Health Service at a university in the Eastern Cape. The data collection and analysis was done utilising the Delphi technique. Trustworthiness was ensured by using the Lincoln and Guba Model utilising the criteria of credibility, applicability, dependability and conformability. In this study the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and self determination were applied to ensure that participants are treated with respect and consideration and ensured high ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this study. The findings of this research were utilised to assist the researcher in developing a protocol for mental health care of students in campus health service settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Grade 9 second-language learners in township schools : issues of language and mathematics when solving word problems
- Authors: Sepeng, Johannes Percy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Language , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Language and languages -- Mathematics , Second language acquisition -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1455 , Mathematics -- Language , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Language and languages -- Mathematics , Second language acquisition -- Study and teaching
- Description: Second language (English) learning of mathematics is common in South African mathematics classrooms, including those in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa where isiXhosa speakers are taught in the language that is not spoken at home by both teachers and learners. The purpose of this research was to investigate issues of language, both home (isiXhosa) and the language of learning and teaching (LoLT), i.e. English, when 9th grade second language learners engage in problem-solving and sense-making of wor(l)d problems in multilingual mathematics classrooms. In addition, the aim of the study was to explore whether the introduction of discussion and argumentation techniques in these classrooms can ameliorate these issues. The study used a pre-test – intervention – post-test mixed method design utilising both quantitative and qualitative data. The data collection strategies for the purpose of this study included interviews (learners [n=24] and teachers [n=4]), classroom observations, and tests (experimental [n=107] and comparison [69]) in four experimental and two comparison schools in townships of Port Elizabeth. This study is framed by socio-cultural perspective which proposes that collective and individual processes are directly related and that students‘ unrealistic responses to real world problems reflect the students‘ socio-cultural relationship to school mathematics and their willingness to employ the approaches emphasised in school. Analysis of the data generated from pre- and post-tests, interviews and classroom observation schedule suggest that the interventional strategy significantly improved the experimental learners‘ problem-solving skills and sense-making abilities in both English and isiXhosa (but more significantly in English). The statistical results illustrate that the experimental group performed statistical significantly (p < .0005) better in the English posttest compared to comparison group. The data also suggests that the interventional strategy in this study (discussion and argumentation techniques) positively influenced the participating learners‘ word problem-solving abilities. The experimental group appeared to show a tendency to consider reality marginally better than the comparison group after the intervention. In particular, learners seemed to make realistic considerations better in the isiXhosa translation post-test compared to the English post-test. A large practical significant (d = 0.86) difference between the experimental group and the comparison group was also noted in the isiXhosa translation compared to a moderate practical significance (d = 0.57) noted in the English tests after the intervention. As such, the results of the study suggest that the introduction of discussion and argumentation techniques in the teaching and learning of mathematics word problems had a positive effect on learners‘ ability to consider reality during word problem-solving in both languages. Analysis of learners‘ interviews suggests that, although English is the preferred LoLT, they would prefer dual-use/parallel-use of English and isiXhosa for teaching and learning mathematics. There was also evidence of the benefits of code-switching throughout most of the lessons observed, coupled with instances of peer translation, and/or re-voicing. Overall results in this study illustrate that number skills displayed and mathematical errors made by learners seem to be directly related to language use in the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Sepeng, Johannes Percy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Language , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Language and languages -- Mathematics , Second language acquisition -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1455 , Mathematics -- Language , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , Language and languages -- Mathematics , Second language acquisition -- Study and teaching
- Description: Second language (English) learning of mathematics is common in South African mathematics classrooms, including those in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa where isiXhosa speakers are taught in the language that is not spoken at home by both teachers and learners. The purpose of this research was to investigate issues of language, both home (isiXhosa) and the language of learning and teaching (LoLT), i.e. English, when 9th grade second language learners engage in problem-solving and sense-making of wor(l)d problems in multilingual mathematics classrooms. In addition, the aim of the study was to explore whether the introduction of discussion and argumentation techniques in these classrooms can ameliorate these issues. The study used a pre-test – intervention – post-test mixed method design utilising both quantitative and qualitative data. The data collection strategies for the purpose of this study included interviews (learners [n=24] and teachers [n=4]), classroom observations, and tests (experimental [n=107] and comparison [69]) in four experimental and two comparison schools in townships of Port Elizabeth. This study is framed by socio-cultural perspective which proposes that collective and individual processes are directly related and that students‘ unrealistic responses to real world problems reflect the students‘ socio-cultural relationship to school mathematics and their willingness to employ the approaches emphasised in school. Analysis of the data generated from pre- and post-tests, interviews and classroom observation schedule suggest that the interventional strategy significantly improved the experimental learners‘ problem-solving skills and sense-making abilities in both English and isiXhosa (but more significantly in English). The statistical results illustrate that the experimental group performed statistical significantly (p < .0005) better in the English posttest compared to comparison group. The data also suggests that the interventional strategy in this study (discussion and argumentation techniques) positively influenced the participating learners‘ word problem-solving abilities. The experimental group appeared to show a tendency to consider reality marginally better than the comparison group after the intervention. In particular, learners seemed to make realistic considerations better in the isiXhosa translation post-test compared to the English post-test. A large practical significant (d = 0.86) difference between the experimental group and the comparison group was also noted in the isiXhosa translation compared to a moderate practical significance (d = 0.57) noted in the English tests after the intervention. As such, the results of the study suggest that the introduction of discussion and argumentation techniques in the teaching and learning of mathematics word problems had a positive effect on learners‘ ability to consider reality during word problem-solving in both languages. Analysis of learners‘ interviews suggests that, although English is the preferred LoLT, they would prefer dual-use/parallel-use of English and isiXhosa for teaching and learning mathematics. There was also evidence of the benefits of code-switching throughout most of the lessons observed, coupled with instances of peer translation, and/or re-voicing. Overall results in this study illustrate that number skills displayed and mathematical errors made by learners seem to be directly related to language use in the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Navigating between information security management documents : a modeling methodology
- Authors: Domingues, Steve
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Information resources management -- Security measures , Business -- Standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9761 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1212 , Computer security -- Management , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Information resources management -- Security measures , Business -- Standards
- Description: Organizations no longer draft their own standards. Instead, organizations take advantage of the available international standards. One standard may not cover all the organization's needs, requiring organizations to implement more than one standard. The same aspect in an organization may be covered by two or more standards, creating an overlap. An awareness of such overlaps led to various institutions creating mapping documents illustrating how a control from one standard relates to a control from a different standard. The mapping documents are consulted by the end user, to identify how a control in one standard may relate to other standards. This allows the end user to navigate between the standards documents. These mapping documents are valuable to a person who wishes to grasp how different standards deal with a specific control. However, the navigation between standards is a cumbersome task. In order to navigate between the standards the end user is required to consult three or more documents, depending on the number of standards that are mapped to the control being investigated. The need for a tool that will provide fast and efficient navigation between standards was identified. The data tier of the tool is the focus of this dissertation. As a result, this research proposes a modeling methodology that will allow for the modeling of the standards and the information about the mapping between standards, thereby contributing to the creation of tools to aid in the navigation between standards. A comparison between the major data modeling paradigms identifies multi-dimensional modeling as the most appropriate technique to model standards. Adapting an existing modeling methodology to cater for the modeling standards, yield a five step standard modeling methodology. Once modeled, the standards can be physically implemented as a database. The database schema that results from the standard modeling methodology adheres to a specific pattern and can thus be expressed according to well-defined meta-model. This allows for the generation of SQL statements by a tool with limited knowledge of the standards in a way that allows the quick navigation between standards. To determine the usefulness of the standards modeling methodology the research presents iv a prototype that utilizes the well-defined meta-model to navigate between standards. It is shown that, as far as navigation is concerned, no code changes are necessary when adding a new standard or new mappings between standards. This research contributes to the creation of a tool that can easily navigate between standards by providing the ability to model the data tier in such a way that it is extensible, yet remains independent of the application and presentation tiers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Domingues, Steve
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Information resources management -- Security measures , Business -- Standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9761 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1212 , Computer security -- Management , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Information resources management -- Security measures , Business -- Standards
- Description: Organizations no longer draft their own standards. Instead, organizations take advantage of the available international standards. One standard may not cover all the organization's needs, requiring organizations to implement more than one standard. The same aspect in an organization may be covered by two or more standards, creating an overlap. An awareness of such overlaps led to various institutions creating mapping documents illustrating how a control from one standard relates to a control from a different standard. The mapping documents are consulted by the end user, to identify how a control in one standard may relate to other standards. This allows the end user to navigate between the standards documents. These mapping documents are valuable to a person who wishes to grasp how different standards deal with a specific control. However, the navigation between standards is a cumbersome task. In order to navigate between the standards the end user is required to consult three or more documents, depending on the number of standards that are mapped to the control being investigated. The need for a tool that will provide fast and efficient navigation between standards was identified. The data tier of the tool is the focus of this dissertation. As a result, this research proposes a modeling methodology that will allow for the modeling of the standards and the information about the mapping between standards, thereby contributing to the creation of tools to aid in the navigation between standards. A comparison between the major data modeling paradigms identifies multi-dimensional modeling as the most appropriate technique to model standards. Adapting an existing modeling methodology to cater for the modeling standards, yield a five step standard modeling methodology. Once modeled, the standards can be physically implemented as a database. The database schema that results from the standard modeling methodology adheres to a specific pattern and can thus be expressed according to well-defined meta-model. This allows for the generation of SQL statements by a tool with limited knowledge of the standards in a way that allows the quick navigation between standards. To determine the usefulness of the standards modeling methodology the research presents iv a prototype that utilizes the well-defined meta-model to navigate between standards. It is shown that, as far as navigation is concerned, no code changes are necessary when adding a new standard or new mappings between standards. This research contributes to the creation of a tool that can easily navigate between standards by providing the ability to model the data tier in such a way that it is extensible, yet remains independent of the application and presentation tiers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of school-community links in enabling environmental learning through food growing : a cross-cultural study
- Authors: Köhly, Nicolette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- New York (State) -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- New York (State) -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Active learning -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Active learning -- New York (State) -- Case studies Community education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Community education -- New York (State) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003416
- Description: Agricultural and educational researchers recognize the critical value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to education in building a food-secure world, reducing poverty, and conserving and enhancing natural resources. However, schools generally contribute little to communities in the context of food growing and environmental learning. The main objective of this qualitative research was to explore the role of school-community relationships in enabling environmental learning in the context of food growing activities. Findings suggest that the role of school-community links in enhancing environmental learning is more likely where community members are actively involved in school programs that have an emphasis on an experiential learning approach. However, this depends to a large extent on the availability of parents or concerned community members and their willingness to engage in voluntary school-based activities. Factors that could potentially strengthen the role of school-community links in supporting environmental learning include: allowing space for informal learning, mediating learning in civil society settings, ongoing facilitation by a committed coordinator, community buy-in and accountability, and addressing public interests through tangible benefits. A major challenge is to find an appropriate balance between social justice and practical food security concerns, while remaining true to ecological considerations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Köhly, Nicolette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- New York (State) -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- New York (State) -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Active learning -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Active learning -- New York (State) -- Case studies Community education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Community education -- New York (State) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003416
- Description: Agricultural and educational researchers recognize the critical value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to education in building a food-secure world, reducing poverty, and conserving and enhancing natural resources. However, schools generally contribute little to communities in the context of food growing and environmental learning. The main objective of this qualitative research was to explore the role of school-community relationships in enabling environmental learning in the context of food growing activities. Findings suggest that the role of school-community links in enhancing environmental learning is more likely where community members are actively involved in school programs that have an emphasis on an experiential learning approach. However, this depends to a large extent on the availability of parents or concerned community members and their willingness to engage in voluntary school-based activities. Factors that could potentially strengthen the role of school-community links in supporting environmental learning include: allowing space for informal learning, mediating learning in civil society settings, ongoing facilitation by a committed coordinator, community buy-in and accountability, and addressing public interests through tangible benefits. A major challenge is to find an appropriate balance between social justice and practical food security concerns, while remaining true to ecological considerations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The valuation of campus built heritage from the student perspective: comparative analysis of Rhodes University in South Africa and St. Mary’s College of Maryland in the United States
- Poor, Joan P, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Poor, Joan P , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67488 , vital:29102 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2009.05.002
- Description: Pre-print , Many universities and colleges around the world have done extensive surveys of their campus built heritage resources. A detailed description and accounting of a campus's built heritage, landscape heritage and archaeology, are often used for historic preservation planning, and sustaining built culture is also an important aspect of campus master planning of future buildings. Such institutions of higher education have deep historical roots, in Europe it is not uncommon for buildings to be dated prior to the sixteenth century. In countries where European colonies were established, institutions of higher education often date to the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Once students have arrived at their chosen campus, however, except for perhaps the first week orientation rituals, do the students actually develop ties to their campus built heritage? This research investigates the knowledge students possess of their respective campus built heritage and the importance of built heritage as a legacy to them. Two institutions are included in this study in an effort of draw comparative assessments. A student questionnaire was administered at Rhodes University in South Africa and St. Mary's College of Maryland in the United States during April 2008. Results indicate students on both campuses place positive intrinsic value on their respective campus built heritage. Just over half (52%) of Rhodes students and about 68% of St. Mary's students were willing to pay some positive amount to protect campus built heritage. Empirical probit model results combining the data from both institutions found that current student knowledge of their respective campus built heritage did not positively relate to the value they place on preservation, even though the visual identity was significant for students and influenced their decision to attend the particular institution. The lack of significance regarding a racial variable coefficient estimate suggests that the use of an institution's visual identity in terms of built heritage may have important marketing implications, particularly in cases where universities or colleges are trying to attract students from more diverse backgrounds. We found no significant relationships between willingness to pay to preserve an institution's built heritage and the demographic variables included in our empirical model. Fundraising data analysis includes positive willingness to pay for conserving built heritage, yet funding for new construction was not significant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Poor, Joan P , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67488 , vital:29102 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2009.05.002
- Description: Pre-print , Many universities and colleges around the world have done extensive surveys of their campus built heritage resources. A detailed description and accounting of a campus's built heritage, landscape heritage and archaeology, are often used for historic preservation planning, and sustaining built culture is also an important aspect of campus master planning of future buildings. Such institutions of higher education have deep historical roots, in Europe it is not uncommon for buildings to be dated prior to the sixteenth century. In countries where European colonies were established, institutions of higher education often date to the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Once students have arrived at their chosen campus, however, except for perhaps the first week orientation rituals, do the students actually develop ties to their campus built heritage? This research investigates the knowledge students possess of their respective campus built heritage and the importance of built heritage as a legacy to them. Two institutions are included in this study in an effort of draw comparative assessments. A student questionnaire was administered at Rhodes University in South Africa and St. Mary's College of Maryland in the United States during April 2008. Results indicate students on both campuses place positive intrinsic value on their respective campus built heritage. Just over half (52%) of Rhodes students and about 68% of St. Mary's students were willing to pay some positive amount to protect campus built heritage. Empirical probit model results combining the data from both institutions found that current student knowledge of their respective campus built heritage did not positively relate to the value they place on preservation, even though the visual identity was significant for students and influenced their decision to attend the particular institution. The lack of significance regarding a racial variable coefficient estimate suggests that the use of an institution's visual identity in terms of built heritage may have important marketing implications, particularly in cases where universities or colleges are trying to attract students from more diverse backgrounds. We found no significant relationships between willingness to pay to preserve an institution's built heritage and the demographic variables included in our empirical model. Fundraising data analysis includes positive willingness to pay for conserving built heritage, yet funding for new construction was not significant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Influence of mite predation on the efficacy of the gall midge Dasineura sp. as a biocontrol agent of Australian myrtle Leptospermum laevigatum (Myrtaceae) in South Africa
- Mdlangu, Thabisa Lynette Honey
- Authors: Mdlangu, Thabisa Lynette Honey
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dasyneura leguminicola , Myrtaceae -- South Africa , Mites as biological pest control agents , Pests -- Biological control , Biological pest control agents , Predation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/272 , Dasyneura leguminicola , Myrtaceae -- South Africa , Mites as biological pest control agents , Pests -- Biological control , Biological pest control agents , Predation (Biology)
- Description: Dasineura sp. is a gall forming midge that was introduced into South Africa for the biocontrol of the Australian myrtle, Leptospermum laevigatum. It causes galls on both the vegetative and reproductive buds of the plant. Although Dasineura sp. was initially regarded as a potentially successful agent, galling up to 99 percent of the buds of the host plant, it has been preyed on by native opportunistic mites, which caused a decline in the performance of the midge as a biocontrol agent of L. laevigatum. This raised a concern about whether this fly will be able to perform effectively in the presence of its new natural enemies. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) ascertain whether mite abundance has seasonal variations; 2) determine if plant density and plant size have an effect on midge predation by the mites; and 3) determine if midge predation varies in different locations. The study was conducted at three sites in the Hermanus area, Western Cape Province. Every three weeks for thirteen months, galls were collected and dissected so as to count and record the numbers of midge larvae, pupae, adults and mites that were found. Data collected showed that predation varied with season, and the mites were scarce during the flowering season. Predation also varied among the study sites and plant density had an effect on midge predation. Midges in smaller plants (saplings) were more vulnerable to predation than those in the bigger plants (plants from isolates and thickets). It was concluded that although mites have an effect on midge populations, they do not prevent their establishment on the plant. Therefore, a survey should be done in two to three years time to check if the midges are still persisting on the plant, vi and recommendations are that a new agent should be released to supplement the midges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mdlangu, Thabisa Lynette Honey
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dasyneura leguminicola , Myrtaceae -- South Africa , Mites as biological pest control agents , Pests -- Biological control , Biological pest control agents , Predation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/272 , Dasyneura leguminicola , Myrtaceae -- South Africa , Mites as biological pest control agents , Pests -- Biological control , Biological pest control agents , Predation (Biology)
- Description: Dasineura sp. is a gall forming midge that was introduced into South Africa for the biocontrol of the Australian myrtle, Leptospermum laevigatum. It causes galls on both the vegetative and reproductive buds of the plant. Although Dasineura sp. was initially regarded as a potentially successful agent, galling up to 99 percent of the buds of the host plant, it has been preyed on by native opportunistic mites, which caused a decline in the performance of the midge as a biocontrol agent of L. laevigatum. This raised a concern about whether this fly will be able to perform effectively in the presence of its new natural enemies. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) ascertain whether mite abundance has seasonal variations; 2) determine if plant density and plant size have an effect on midge predation by the mites; and 3) determine if midge predation varies in different locations. The study was conducted at three sites in the Hermanus area, Western Cape Province. Every three weeks for thirteen months, galls were collected and dissected so as to count and record the numbers of midge larvae, pupae, adults and mites that were found. Data collected showed that predation varied with season, and the mites were scarce during the flowering season. Predation also varied among the study sites and plant density had an effect on midge predation. Midges in smaller plants (saplings) were more vulnerable to predation than those in the bigger plants (plants from isolates and thickets). It was concluded that although mites have an effect on midge populations, they do not prevent their establishment on the plant. Therefore, a survey should be done in two to three years time to check if the midges are still persisting on the plant, vi and recommendations are that a new agent should be released to supplement the midges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010