Commercial maritime higher education needs in South Africa
- Authors: Allison, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Curricula , Education, Higher -- Research Merchant marine Shipping -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50350 , vital:42111
- Description: Seaborne cargo trade accounts for over 80% of the physical volume of global trade. Maritime transport thus fulfils an integral function in the economy of the world. South Africa generates approximately 3.5% of the world’s seaborne trade by value and 1.61% by tonnage; but the business of shipping all that cargo is undertaken by foreign firms. Operation Phakisa, the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy and the South African Maritime Road Map, in pursuance of the National Development Plan, aim to revive the commercial maritime sector. In order to meet the demand for the skills and innovative abilities sought at executive and managerial levels in the commercial maritime sector, higher education in the knowledge of maritime business is increasingly becoming a prerequisite. Investment in higher education of quality and relevance in the maritime field would contribute to achieving the goals of the government for harnessing the potential of South Africa’s blue economy. The literature is researched in order to establish an authoritative view that the knowledge and the inspiration for entrepreneurial activity in the maritime sector can be imparted through higher education; and for example, that a viable shipping sector can contribute to the growth of a country’s economy. The South African maritime sector is then described. The commercial maritime higher education available at universities and other institutions of higher learning in South Africa, as well as in other African countries and elsewhere in the world, is examined, in order to be able to identify the degree and diploma courses available. Maritime courses imply not only the content of the educational material, but also the method whereby the knowledge is instilled in learners, and which extends well beyond the classroom. A survey, by way of the personal interviews of leaders in maritime business, maritime government affairs, and academics teaching maritime topics, is then undertaken to ascertain their views on the education required to promote the maritime sector in South Africa, using the list of subjects available for study worldwide, to assist their choice. The literature research and the interview survey by design also enable the secondary aims of the study to be achieved. Those aims include determining how awareness of the maritime domain could be raised and how co-operation between academia, business and government, known as the triple helix could be organised, to promote the growth of the maritime sector. The results of the survey are analysed and tabulated, in order to illustrate the extent of the agreement between those interviewed and the conclusions reached. These conclusions establish: that the commercial maritime education currently available in South Africa, is inadequate to meet the aim of the government to the sector; that a post-graduate degree in the specified maritime studies incorporating a period of internship, and following on a first degree in business subjects, is required; that a triple helix of co-operation between academia, business and the government is essential to grow the commercial maritime sector in which South African entrepreneurs educated in such business will have the advantage; that greater awareness of the maritime domain is essential in South Africa if entrepreneurship in maritime business is to be cultivated; and that such awareness can be cultivated in various ways; but it should start by including more maritime topics in the current school curricula.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Allison, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Curricula , Education, Higher -- Research Merchant marine Shipping -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50350 , vital:42111
- Description: Seaborne cargo trade accounts for over 80% of the physical volume of global trade. Maritime transport thus fulfils an integral function in the economy of the world. South Africa generates approximately 3.5% of the world’s seaborne trade by value and 1.61% by tonnage; but the business of shipping all that cargo is undertaken by foreign firms. Operation Phakisa, the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy and the South African Maritime Road Map, in pursuance of the National Development Plan, aim to revive the commercial maritime sector. In order to meet the demand for the skills and innovative abilities sought at executive and managerial levels in the commercial maritime sector, higher education in the knowledge of maritime business is increasingly becoming a prerequisite. Investment in higher education of quality and relevance in the maritime field would contribute to achieving the goals of the government for harnessing the potential of South Africa’s blue economy. The literature is researched in order to establish an authoritative view that the knowledge and the inspiration for entrepreneurial activity in the maritime sector can be imparted through higher education; and for example, that a viable shipping sector can contribute to the growth of a country’s economy. The South African maritime sector is then described. The commercial maritime higher education available at universities and other institutions of higher learning in South Africa, as well as in other African countries and elsewhere in the world, is examined, in order to be able to identify the degree and diploma courses available. Maritime courses imply not only the content of the educational material, but also the method whereby the knowledge is instilled in learners, and which extends well beyond the classroom. A survey, by way of the personal interviews of leaders in maritime business, maritime government affairs, and academics teaching maritime topics, is then undertaken to ascertain their views on the education required to promote the maritime sector in South Africa, using the list of subjects available for study worldwide, to assist their choice. The literature research and the interview survey by design also enable the secondary aims of the study to be achieved. Those aims include determining how awareness of the maritime domain could be raised and how co-operation between academia, business and government, known as the triple helix could be organised, to promote the growth of the maritime sector. The results of the survey are analysed and tabulated, in order to illustrate the extent of the agreement between those interviewed and the conclusions reached. These conclusions establish: that the commercial maritime education currently available in South Africa, is inadequate to meet the aim of the government to the sector; that a post-graduate degree in the specified maritime studies incorporating a period of internship, and following on a first degree in business subjects, is required; that a triple helix of co-operation between academia, business and the government is essential to grow the commercial maritime sector in which South African entrepreneurs educated in such business will have the advantage; that greater awareness of the maritime domain is essential in South Africa if entrepreneurship in maritime business is to be cultivated; and that such awareness can be cultivated in various ways; but it should start by including more maritime topics in the current school curricula.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A structural investigation of the sulphated polysaccharide from Aeodes ulvoidea Schmitz
- Allsobrook, Anthony John Robert
- Authors: Allsobrook, Anthony John Robert
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: Red algae -- Composition Polysaccharides
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007482
- Description: Aeodes ulvoidea, a red seaweed of the Grateloupiaceae, yielded a highly sulphated polysaccharide which was shown to contain D- and L-galactose, 4-0-methy-L-galactose, 2-0-methyl - D- and L-galactose and 6-0-methyl-D-galactose, together with chromatographic traces of xylose and mannose. The sulphate was not labile to alkali, but it was largely removed with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Periodate oxidation of the polysaccharide, methylation of the de sulphated polysaccharide, and investigation of fifteen oligosaccharides from partial hydrolysis and acetolysis studies of the polysaccharide, indicate that (a) the polysaccharide is composed of a backbone of D-galactose residues which are 1,3- and 1,4-linked (b) at least some regions of alternating structure do occur (c) the 2-0-methylgalactose is linked through the 4-position (d) the 4-0-methyl-L-galactose is present as single unit side chains glycosidically linked to the galactose backbone at position 6, and (e) most of the 6-0-methyl-D-galactose is linked to the 4-position of 2-0-methyl-D-galactose.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1973
- Authors: Allsobrook, Anthony John Robert
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: Red algae -- Composition Polysaccharides
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007482
- Description: Aeodes ulvoidea, a red seaweed of the Grateloupiaceae, yielded a highly sulphated polysaccharide which was shown to contain D- and L-galactose, 4-0-methy-L-galactose, 2-0-methyl - D- and L-galactose and 6-0-methyl-D-galactose, together with chromatographic traces of xylose and mannose. The sulphate was not labile to alkali, but it was largely removed with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Periodate oxidation of the polysaccharide, methylation of the de sulphated polysaccharide, and investigation of fifteen oligosaccharides from partial hydrolysis and acetolysis studies of the polysaccharide, indicate that (a) the polysaccharide is composed of a backbone of D-galactose residues which are 1,3- and 1,4-linked (b) at least some regions of alternating structure do occur (c) the 2-0-methylgalactose is linked through the 4-position (d) the 4-0-methyl-L-galactose is present as single unit side chains glycosidically linked to the galactose backbone at position 6, and (e) most of the 6-0-methyl-D-galactose is linked to the 4-position of 2-0-methyl-D-galactose.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1973
Construction material logistics management: the case of north-central Nigeria
- Authors: Alumbugu, Polycarp Olaku
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction projects-- Nigeria --Management Construction projects --Management Logistics-- Nigeria -- Management , Construction industry -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44879 , vital:38179
- Description: The Management of Construction Material Logistics Systems plays a significant role in meeting the goals of cost, quality and time to completion of a construction project. Studies have revealed that the cost of construction materials is usually about 50%-60% of the total cost of the project and that the logistic cost accounts for between 17%-35% of the cost material. Fundamentally, it is accepted that any inefficiency in the delivery of construction material could lead to a time overrun and thus, a rise in construction costs addressing the operational performance of logistics would have a positive impact on the goals of a construction project. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the operational performance of material logistics in North-Central Nigeria as there is little specific research conducted on its effectiveness and efficiency. The methodology used included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted on ten quantitative approach that is rooted in the positivist paradigm, and purposive sampling techniques, was adopted. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed, and the findings and interpretations presented through graphs and images. Analysis of the findings led to the conclusion that material logistics did not operate as a system. There was almost no collaboration and integration of the logistics systems to create a synergistic interrelationship between functions in pursuit of higher overall effectiveness and efficiency. Improvement was needed in warehouse and transport operations and processes; technology and automation of logistics operations were absent, and delivery of material to customers was not effective. The implication was that the current materials logistics system did not meet the delivery goals of cost, quality and time of a construction project. The recommendations suggested included the adoption of the framework developed in this study. This would serve as a guide towards effective and efficient logistics management for material manufacturing firms, and for construction professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Alumbugu, Polycarp Olaku
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction projects-- Nigeria --Management Construction projects --Management Logistics-- Nigeria -- Management , Construction industry -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44879 , vital:38179
- Description: The Management of Construction Material Logistics Systems plays a significant role in meeting the goals of cost, quality and time to completion of a construction project. Studies have revealed that the cost of construction materials is usually about 50%-60% of the total cost of the project and that the logistic cost accounts for between 17%-35% of the cost material. Fundamentally, it is accepted that any inefficiency in the delivery of construction material could lead to a time overrun and thus, a rise in construction costs addressing the operational performance of logistics would have a positive impact on the goals of a construction project. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the operational performance of material logistics in North-Central Nigeria as there is little specific research conducted on its effectiveness and efficiency. The methodology used included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted on ten quantitative approach that is rooted in the positivist paradigm, and purposive sampling techniques, was adopted. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed, and the findings and interpretations presented through graphs and images. Analysis of the findings led to the conclusion that material logistics did not operate as a system. There was almost no collaboration and integration of the logistics systems to create a synergistic interrelationship between functions in pursuit of higher overall effectiveness and efficiency. Improvement was needed in warehouse and transport operations and processes; technology and automation of logistics operations were absent, and delivery of material to customers was not effective. The implication was that the current materials logistics system did not meet the delivery goals of cost, quality and time of a construction project. The recommendations suggested included the adoption of the framework developed in this study. This would serve as a guide towards effective and efficient logistics management for material manufacturing firms, and for construction professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Construction material logistics management: the case of North-Central Nigeria
- Authors: Alumbugu, Polycarp Olaku
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44556 , vital:38132
- Description: The Management of Construction Material Logistics Systems plays a significant role in meeting the goals of cost, quality and time to completion of a construction project. Fundamentally, it is accepted that any inefficiency in the delivery of construction material could lead to a time overrun and thus, a rise in construction costs. Therefore addressing the operational performance of logistics would have a positive impact on the goals of a construction project. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the operational performance of material logistics in North-Central Nigeria as there is little specific research conducted on its effectiveness and efficiency. The methodology used included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted on ten quantitative approach that is rooted in the positivist paradigm, and purposive sampling techniques, was adopted. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed, and the findings and interpretations presented through graphs and images. Analysis of the findings led to the conclusion that material logistics did not operate as a system. There was almost no collaboration and integration of the logistics systems to create a synergistic interrelationship between functions in pursuit of higher overall effectiveness and efficiency. Improvement was needed in warehouse and transport operations and processes; technology and automation of logistics operations were absent, and delivery of material to customers was not effective. The implication was that the current materials logistics system did not meet the delivery goals of cost, quality and time of a construction project. The recommendations suggested included the adoption of the framework developed in this study. This would serve as a guide towards effective and efficient logistics management for material manufacturing firms, and for construction professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Alumbugu, Polycarp Olaku
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44556 , vital:38132
- Description: The Management of Construction Material Logistics Systems plays a significant role in meeting the goals of cost, quality and time to completion of a construction project. Fundamentally, it is accepted that any inefficiency in the delivery of construction material could lead to a time overrun and thus, a rise in construction costs. Therefore addressing the operational performance of logistics would have a positive impact on the goals of a construction project. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the operational performance of material logistics in North-Central Nigeria as there is little specific research conducted on its effectiveness and efficiency. The methodology used included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted on ten quantitative approach that is rooted in the positivist paradigm, and purposive sampling techniques, was adopted. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed, and the findings and interpretations presented through graphs and images. Analysis of the findings led to the conclusion that material logistics did not operate as a system. There was almost no collaboration and integration of the logistics systems to create a synergistic interrelationship between functions in pursuit of higher overall effectiveness and efficiency. Improvement was needed in warehouse and transport operations and processes; technology and automation of logistics operations were absent, and delivery of material to customers was not effective. The implication was that the current materials logistics system did not meet the delivery goals of cost, quality and time of a construction project. The recommendations suggested included the adoption of the framework developed in this study. This would serve as a guide towards effective and efficient logistics management for material manufacturing firms, and for construction professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Inmate incarceration and rehabilitation : a cross sectional study of rehabilitation programmes and facilities in correctional centres in North Western Nigeria
- Authors: Amali, Sadiq Ewaoda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Criminal -- Rehabilitation Prisoners -- Counseling of Prisoners -- Mental health services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Sciences
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9984 , vital:35215
- Description: The study was conducted in Kano Central and Goron-Dutse prisons, North Western, Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of these correctional centres with regards to inmate rehabilitation. Both quantitative and qualitative collection was conducted concurrently and incorporated in the explanation of the results. This was achieved as the study empirically examined the experiences of convicted inmates and correctional officials in both correctional centres with a sample that compromised of both convicted male and female inmates as well as male and female correctional officials. A total of 250 questionnaires were administered to convicted inmates in Kano central and Goron-Dutse prisons. A sample size of 250 was determined using the sample size calculator at a confidence level of 95 percent, confidence interval of +/-5.97 percent, and with a population of 3488. Data for this study was generated from 250 respondents. Out of 250 respondents, questionnaires were administered to 140 inmates in Kano Central Prison and 110 questionnaires were administered to inmates in Goron Dutse Prison. The number of respondents in Kano Central Prisons is higher than that of Goron-Dutse Prison due to disparity in population of inmates. Also, 207 questionnaires were administered to correctional officials in Kano Central and Goron-Dutse prisons. A sample size of 207 was determined using the sample size calculator at a confidence interval of +/-5, confidence level of 95 percent and population of 449 correctional officials. Out of the 207 respondents, 107 questionnaires were administered to correctional officials in Kano Central Prison and 100 to correctional officials in Goron-Dutse Prison. The number of respondents in Kano Central Prison is higher than that of Goron-Dutse prison due to disparity in population of correctional officials. The selections were done using purposive sampling procedures. Rank, involvement in rehabilitation programmes were also used as criteria for selection of correctional officials as respondents. Furthermore, 28 correctional officials were selected purposively across the two correctional centres were interviewed. Thus, 14 correctional officials each were selected in Kano Central and Goron Dutse prisons using purposive sampling method. Thus, a total of 28 in-depth interviews were conducted in the study area. This study empirically probed into the factors mitigating against the effective rehabilitation of inmates. Therefore, against this background, this study involved an appraisal of rehabilitation programmes and facilities which was followed by an evaluation of inmates’ opinion of the correctional centre social setting and overall practices. Thus, inmate’s perceptions of correctional officials’ attitudes towards them and also its implication for re-integration principle was thoroughly appraised. The findings of this study were analyzed with the assistance of computer applications such as SPSS and atlas.ti.6. Some findings from this study revealed that only 15.7 percent of inmates in Kano Central prisons were satisfied with rehabilitation programmes, 37.3 percent were satisfied in Goron-Dutse prison while the majority of the inmates (88 percent) in Goron-Dutse prison stated that the relationship with correctional officials was cordial compared to 53.5 percent of the inmates in Kano Central prison. Also, data revealed that 64.2 percent of the inmates in Goron-Dutse Prison stated that medical attention was good and very good. The results also reveals that (58.9 percent) correctional officials stated that their relationship with inmates was very cordial compared to those of Goron-Dutse Prison (41.1 percent).Pearson Chi-square statistics showed that there was no statistical difference in correctional officials’ perceptions of the relationship with inmates between the two correctional centres (p.value>0.05). This study recommends that it is imperative for the Nigerian government to make more efforts with the provision of adequate rehabilitation programmes and facilities in the two correctional centres and correctional centres across the country as an exploration of existing literature reveals that most correctional centres in Nigeria lacked basic facilities for inmate rehabilitation as inmates were idle during incarceration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Amali, Sadiq Ewaoda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Criminal -- Rehabilitation Prisoners -- Counseling of Prisoners -- Mental health services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Sciences
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9984 , vital:35215
- Description: The study was conducted in Kano Central and Goron-Dutse prisons, North Western, Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of these correctional centres with regards to inmate rehabilitation. Both quantitative and qualitative collection was conducted concurrently and incorporated in the explanation of the results. This was achieved as the study empirically examined the experiences of convicted inmates and correctional officials in both correctional centres with a sample that compromised of both convicted male and female inmates as well as male and female correctional officials. A total of 250 questionnaires were administered to convicted inmates in Kano central and Goron-Dutse prisons. A sample size of 250 was determined using the sample size calculator at a confidence level of 95 percent, confidence interval of +/-5.97 percent, and with a population of 3488. Data for this study was generated from 250 respondents. Out of 250 respondents, questionnaires were administered to 140 inmates in Kano Central Prison and 110 questionnaires were administered to inmates in Goron Dutse Prison. The number of respondents in Kano Central Prisons is higher than that of Goron-Dutse Prison due to disparity in population of inmates. Also, 207 questionnaires were administered to correctional officials in Kano Central and Goron-Dutse prisons. A sample size of 207 was determined using the sample size calculator at a confidence interval of +/-5, confidence level of 95 percent and population of 449 correctional officials. Out of the 207 respondents, 107 questionnaires were administered to correctional officials in Kano Central Prison and 100 to correctional officials in Goron-Dutse Prison. The number of respondents in Kano Central Prison is higher than that of Goron-Dutse prison due to disparity in population of correctional officials. The selections were done using purposive sampling procedures. Rank, involvement in rehabilitation programmes were also used as criteria for selection of correctional officials as respondents. Furthermore, 28 correctional officials were selected purposively across the two correctional centres were interviewed. Thus, 14 correctional officials each were selected in Kano Central and Goron Dutse prisons using purposive sampling method. Thus, a total of 28 in-depth interviews were conducted in the study area. This study empirically probed into the factors mitigating against the effective rehabilitation of inmates. Therefore, against this background, this study involved an appraisal of rehabilitation programmes and facilities which was followed by an evaluation of inmates’ opinion of the correctional centre social setting and overall practices. Thus, inmate’s perceptions of correctional officials’ attitudes towards them and also its implication for re-integration principle was thoroughly appraised. The findings of this study were analyzed with the assistance of computer applications such as SPSS and atlas.ti.6. Some findings from this study revealed that only 15.7 percent of inmates in Kano Central prisons were satisfied with rehabilitation programmes, 37.3 percent were satisfied in Goron-Dutse prison while the majority of the inmates (88 percent) in Goron-Dutse prison stated that the relationship with correctional officials was cordial compared to 53.5 percent of the inmates in Kano Central prison. Also, data revealed that 64.2 percent of the inmates in Goron-Dutse Prison stated that medical attention was good and very good. The results also reveals that (58.9 percent) correctional officials stated that their relationship with inmates was very cordial compared to those of Goron-Dutse Prison (41.1 percent).Pearson Chi-square statistics showed that there was no statistical difference in correctional officials’ perceptions of the relationship with inmates between the two correctional centres (p.value>0.05). This study recommends that it is imperative for the Nigerian government to make more efforts with the provision of adequate rehabilitation programmes and facilities in the two correctional centres and correctional centres across the country as an exploration of existing literature reveals that most correctional centres in Nigeria lacked basic facilities for inmate rehabilitation as inmates were idle during incarceration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A theoretical model for successful management of revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa
- Authors: Amansure, Ricardo Julian
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7408 , vital:21351
- Description: The Renewable Energy (RE) sector is one of the fastest growing new industries in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). The Bloomberg New Energy Finance Climate Scope Report recently ranked RSA third globally, behind China and Brazil, and first among African countries for investment in clean energy (Glickman, 2014). However, one of the main benefits to be derived from the industry, that of socio-economic and enterprise development, is not being achieved owing to unsuccessful management of revenue for beneficiary communities in the renewable energy sector in RSA. Challenges relating to good governance and long-term planning are causing significant harm to communities that are already vulnerable, and are threatening to have a negative effect on the industry’s ability to fulfil its obligation to alleviate and, ultimately, eradicate poverty in some of the poorest communities in RSA.The primary objective of this study is to develop a model for the successful management of revenue for beneficiary communities in the renewable energy sector in South Africa. The model will provide guidance for enterprises, stakeholders, industry experts and community development practitioners within the renewable energy sector towards a pro-active, effective, and relevant decision-making process to achieve success in managing revenue for beneficiary communities. To address the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives were established by developing a conceptual model comprising variables identified in a comprehensive survey of the related literature. A path diagram, based on the formulation of appropriate hypotheses, was constructed between the independent variable and subsequent intervening and dependent variables. Primary data sourced from the identified national and international population of project management practitioners were collected by means of an electronic measuring instrument. The data were analysed and tested empirically by means of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The determinants that were identified through a review of the literature as influencing the success of managing revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa included: the use of outside advice, strategic financial services, strategic planning, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development and project management. In order to achieve the objective, the following research questions were formulated: What is the influence of external factors such as outside advisers and support services on the perceived success of managing revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa? The purpose of this research, therefore, was to evaluate and recommend new methodologies to the renewable energy sector by introducing a model of perceived success in managing revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa. The study provided new insight into managing revenue for beneficiary communities in RSA. With the renewable energy sector being one of the fastest growing sectors in the RSA, and the RSA Government being determined to link the location of renewable energy facilities to economic development, this research has given new insight into managing revenue for SED and ED. The objectives of multi-sector participation, transformational change and sustainable initiatives for beneficiary communities could ensure greater consideration and care when managing beneficiary revenue. Thereby, the opportunity presented by the RE industry for beneficiary communities can change these communities dramatically for the better. The study makes a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge about managing revenue for beneficiary communities. The proposed model has led to a better understanding of the determinants that influence the success of managing revenue for beneficiary communities, namely: distinctive benefits (a combination of two variables: outside advice and support services), financial management, developmental benefits (a combination of two variables: infrastructure development and education), human development, project management and strategic planning. The study has also opened up new avenues of research into this subject.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Amansure, Ricardo Julian
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7408 , vital:21351
- Description: The Renewable Energy (RE) sector is one of the fastest growing new industries in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). The Bloomberg New Energy Finance Climate Scope Report recently ranked RSA third globally, behind China and Brazil, and first among African countries for investment in clean energy (Glickman, 2014). However, one of the main benefits to be derived from the industry, that of socio-economic and enterprise development, is not being achieved owing to unsuccessful management of revenue for beneficiary communities in the renewable energy sector in RSA. Challenges relating to good governance and long-term planning are causing significant harm to communities that are already vulnerable, and are threatening to have a negative effect on the industry’s ability to fulfil its obligation to alleviate and, ultimately, eradicate poverty in some of the poorest communities in RSA.The primary objective of this study is to develop a model for the successful management of revenue for beneficiary communities in the renewable energy sector in South Africa. The model will provide guidance for enterprises, stakeholders, industry experts and community development practitioners within the renewable energy sector towards a pro-active, effective, and relevant decision-making process to achieve success in managing revenue for beneficiary communities. To address the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives were established by developing a conceptual model comprising variables identified in a comprehensive survey of the related literature. A path diagram, based on the formulation of appropriate hypotheses, was constructed between the independent variable and subsequent intervening and dependent variables. Primary data sourced from the identified national and international population of project management practitioners were collected by means of an electronic measuring instrument. The data were analysed and tested empirically by means of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The determinants that were identified through a review of the literature as influencing the success of managing revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa included: the use of outside advice, strategic financial services, strategic planning, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development and project management. In order to achieve the objective, the following research questions were formulated: What is the influence of external factors such as outside advisers and support services on the perceived success of managing revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa? The purpose of this research, therefore, was to evaluate and recommend new methodologies to the renewable energy sector by introducing a model of perceived success in managing revenue for beneficiary communities of renewable energy companies in South Africa. The study provided new insight into managing revenue for beneficiary communities in RSA. With the renewable energy sector being one of the fastest growing sectors in the RSA, and the RSA Government being determined to link the location of renewable energy facilities to economic development, this research has given new insight into managing revenue for SED and ED. The objectives of multi-sector participation, transformational change and sustainable initiatives for beneficiary communities could ensure greater consideration and care when managing beneficiary revenue. Thereby, the opportunity presented by the RE industry for beneficiary communities can change these communities dramatically for the better. The study makes a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge about managing revenue for beneficiary communities. The proposed model has led to a better understanding of the determinants that influence the success of managing revenue for beneficiary communities, namely: distinctive benefits (a combination of two variables: outside advice and support services), financial management, developmental benefits (a combination of two variables: infrastructure development and education), human development, project management and strategic planning. The study has also opened up new avenues of research into this subject.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Public procurement reforms in Ghana: impact on the growth of the local construction industry
- Authors: Amoah, Christopher
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- Ghana Construction industry -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15862 , vital:28285
- Description: Public procurement reform has become a modern phenomenon where various countries are reforming their procurement systems either to make the systems more efficient, transparent, achieve value for money, reduce or eliminate corrupt activities, to meet the requirements of donor countries or to make the system meet the international standards. Some countries also use public procurement reform as a policy tool to address socio-economic issues including the promotion of local sectors and disadvantaged groups. Ghana has not remained stagnant in this regard but has followed suit in reforming its procurement systems to address the weaknesses of the past procurement practices. However, the effectiveness of these reforms in promoting the local construction firms has not been investigated. This research therefore, investigated how the various procurement reforms instituted by the government of Ghana have impacted on the growth of the Ghanaian construction sector. A comprehensive review of the related literature revealed that there is a relationship between public procurement reforms and the growth of the local sectors as various governments in the past have managed to use their procurements levers as policy tools to address the imbalances in the socio-economic development of their citizens. A phenomenological (qualitative) research approach was adopted for this study. Accra, the capital of Ghana was chosen based on its strategic position and also because of massive construction activities currently taking place in the city. Again, many construction firms are also registered and operating in this city. The research instrument used is the interview guide made of both tick box and open ended questions. Other sources of data included archival records such as contracts awarded, the current public procurement regulations, and manuals. It was concluded after the analysis of the findings that, even though public procurement reforms have brought about improved procurement practices, the reforms have failed to have a positive impact on the growth of the local construction industry. The implication is that, the construction industry in Ghana is still dominated by foreign firms executing major government projects to the detriment of the local construction firms thereby stifling their growth. The findings also revealed that local contractors only executive minor works devoid of complexities and mainly engaged as subcontractors by foreign firms on major government projects. The findings also revealed that government has so far not instituted any radical protective laws in the procurement systems to protect the local construction firms. The research has produced a tender evaluation template with protective mechanisms such as awarding points to bidders during the tender evaluation process. The research has also produced tender evaluation formulas for calculating points for bidders and how the successful bidder is arrived at. The study provides recommendations to all stakeholders in the Ghanaian construction industry and proposes that the evaluation criteria produced by this study be used in the public procurement system to help grow the indigenous construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Amoah, Christopher
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- Ghana Construction industry -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15862 , vital:28285
- Description: Public procurement reform has become a modern phenomenon where various countries are reforming their procurement systems either to make the systems more efficient, transparent, achieve value for money, reduce or eliminate corrupt activities, to meet the requirements of donor countries or to make the system meet the international standards. Some countries also use public procurement reform as a policy tool to address socio-economic issues including the promotion of local sectors and disadvantaged groups. Ghana has not remained stagnant in this regard but has followed suit in reforming its procurement systems to address the weaknesses of the past procurement practices. However, the effectiveness of these reforms in promoting the local construction firms has not been investigated. This research therefore, investigated how the various procurement reforms instituted by the government of Ghana have impacted on the growth of the Ghanaian construction sector. A comprehensive review of the related literature revealed that there is a relationship between public procurement reforms and the growth of the local sectors as various governments in the past have managed to use their procurements levers as policy tools to address the imbalances in the socio-economic development of their citizens. A phenomenological (qualitative) research approach was adopted for this study. Accra, the capital of Ghana was chosen based on its strategic position and also because of massive construction activities currently taking place in the city. Again, many construction firms are also registered and operating in this city. The research instrument used is the interview guide made of both tick box and open ended questions. Other sources of data included archival records such as contracts awarded, the current public procurement regulations, and manuals. It was concluded after the analysis of the findings that, even though public procurement reforms have brought about improved procurement practices, the reforms have failed to have a positive impact on the growth of the local construction industry. The implication is that, the construction industry in Ghana is still dominated by foreign firms executing major government projects to the detriment of the local construction firms thereby stifling their growth. The findings also revealed that local contractors only executive minor works devoid of complexities and mainly engaged as subcontractors by foreign firms on major government projects. The findings also revealed that government has so far not instituted any radical protective laws in the procurement systems to protect the local construction firms. The research has produced a tender evaluation template with protective mechanisms such as awarding points to bidders during the tender evaluation process. The research has also produced tender evaluation formulas for calculating points for bidders and how the successful bidder is arrived at. The study provides recommendations to all stakeholders in the Ghanaian construction industry and proposes that the evaluation criteria produced by this study be used in the public procurement system to help grow the indigenous construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Customer satisfaction with the guesthouse experience in Ghana
- Authors: Amoah, Felix
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction -- Ghana , Hospitality industry -- Ghana -- Management , Tourism -- Ghana -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6073 , vital:21036
- Description: Guesthouse accommodation plays an important role in Ghana’s hospitality industry and was therefore the focus of this study as little research dealing with guesthouses in Ghana could be found. The number of guesthouses in Ghana continues to grow and they thus represent an important alternative to hotels. However, these establishments seem to perform poorly and face several challenges such as lack of managerial knowledge, insufficiently skilled employees, poor interaction with customers, and criticisms of the provision of low quality service. The main reason for undertaking this research was to provide guesthouse managers in Ghana with information that might assist them in making decisions about the experience they offer. Such knowledge could make this type of accommodation more competitive and eventually help the hospitality sector in Ghana attract tourists and grow. It is imperative that guesthouses focus on the experience they offer, because contemporary tourism and hospitality literature suggest that successful businesses require a shift from functional and financial interests to a more profound focus on total experiences which embody emotional aspects. It is thus argued that, if guesthouse managers in Ghana do not know how their guests perceive their guesthouse experience, they might make costly mistakes and allocate resources to aspects that already provide quality and value in a functional sense, instead of those elements perceived as providing quality and value in the total experience. Two dominating concepts, namely experience quality and experience value, formed the basis of the examination of guests’ experience with the guesthouses in Ghana. In addition, the relationships between the experience and satisfaction were also investigated. Four experience quality dimensions, namely hedonics, peace of mind, involvement, and recognition, and seven value dimensions were examined. The experience value dimensions included atmospherics, enjoyment, entertainment, efficiency, excellence, escape, and economic value. A proportional stratified random sampling procedure was followed to select the guesthouses for the study. Thereafter, a structured questionnaire was distributed to the guesthouse guests selected by means of convenience sampling. Five hundred and forty one useable questionnaires were received. The guesthouse guests formed the primary sampling unit for this study. The results of the empirical study showed a strong positive correlation between all the dimensions of experience quality and experience value, while the factor analysis confirmed that all these dimensions loaded on a single factor. Therefore, experience quality and experience value cannot be separated, and the resulting single multi-dimensional factor was subsequently renamed, overall experience. The results also indicated a positive relationship between hedonics, peace of mind, involvement, recognition, atmospherics, enjoyment, entertainment, efficiency, excellence, escape, economic value, and overall satisfaction. The inferentially established rank-order of the dimensions contributing to satisfaction can guide managers when allocating resources. Overall, atmospherics was ranked first, followed by economic value. Escape was the lowest ranked dimension. In addition, it was found that, except for escape, all the experience dimensions were perceived as basic satisfiers. This implies that guests will be dissatisfied when provision of these dimensions is inadequate. With regard to escape, listed as a performance factor, guests will be satisfied when performance is improved and dissatisfied when performance is low. A positive relationship was also found between overall experience and overall satisfaction. The latter include the likelihood of return and recommending the guesthouse to others. Finally, structural equation modelling confirmed a model representing the 11 experience dimensions (hedonics, peace of mind, involvement, recognition, atmospherics, enjoyment, entertainment, escape, efficiency, excellence, and economic value) and the relationships between overall experience and overall satisfaction pertaining to guesthouses in Ghana.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Amoah, Felix
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction -- Ghana , Hospitality industry -- Ghana -- Management , Tourism -- Ghana -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6073 , vital:21036
- Description: Guesthouse accommodation plays an important role in Ghana’s hospitality industry and was therefore the focus of this study as little research dealing with guesthouses in Ghana could be found. The number of guesthouses in Ghana continues to grow and they thus represent an important alternative to hotels. However, these establishments seem to perform poorly and face several challenges such as lack of managerial knowledge, insufficiently skilled employees, poor interaction with customers, and criticisms of the provision of low quality service. The main reason for undertaking this research was to provide guesthouse managers in Ghana with information that might assist them in making decisions about the experience they offer. Such knowledge could make this type of accommodation more competitive and eventually help the hospitality sector in Ghana attract tourists and grow. It is imperative that guesthouses focus on the experience they offer, because contemporary tourism and hospitality literature suggest that successful businesses require a shift from functional and financial interests to a more profound focus on total experiences which embody emotional aspects. It is thus argued that, if guesthouse managers in Ghana do not know how their guests perceive their guesthouse experience, they might make costly mistakes and allocate resources to aspects that already provide quality and value in a functional sense, instead of those elements perceived as providing quality and value in the total experience. Two dominating concepts, namely experience quality and experience value, formed the basis of the examination of guests’ experience with the guesthouses in Ghana. In addition, the relationships between the experience and satisfaction were also investigated. Four experience quality dimensions, namely hedonics, peace of mind, involvement, and recognition, and seven value dimensions were examined. The experience value dimensions included atmospherics, enjoyment, entertainment, efficiency, excellence, escape, and economic value. A proportional stratified random sampling procedure was followed to select the guesthouses for the study. Thereafter, a structured questionnaire was distributed to the guesthouse guests selected by means of convenience sampling. Five hundred and forty one useable questionnaires were received. The guesthouse guests formed the primary sampling unit for this study. The results of the empirical study showed a strong positive correlation between all the dimensions of experience quality and experience value, while the factor analysis confirmed that all these dimensions loaded on a single factor. Therefore, experience quality and experience value cannot be separated, and the resulting single multi-dimensional factor was subsequently renamed, overall experience. The results also indicated a positive relationship between hedonics, peace of mind, involvement, recognition, atmospherics, enjoyment, entertainment, efficiency, excellence, escape, economic value, and overall satisfaction. The inferentially established rank-order of the dimensions contributing to satisfaction can guide managers when allocating resources. Overall, atmospherics was ranked first, followed by economic value. Escape was the lowest ranked dimension. In addition, it was found that, except for escape, all the experience dimensions were perceived as basic satisfiers. This implies that guests will be dissatisfied when provision of these dimensions is inadequate. With regard to escape, listed as a performance factor, guests will be satisfied when performance is improved and dissatisfied when performance is low. A positive relationship was also found between overall experience and overall satisfaction. The latter include the likelihood of return and recommending the guesthouse to others. Finally, structural equation modelling confirmed a model representing the 11 experience dimensions (hedonics, peace of mind, involvement, recognition, atmospherics, enjoyment, entertainment, escape, efficiency, excellence, and economic value) and the relationships between overall experience and overall satisfaction pertaining to guesthouses in Ghana.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Multivariate morphometric analysis and behaviour of honeybees (Apis Mellifera L.) in the southern regions of Ethiopia
- Authors: Amssalu, Argaw Bezabeh
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Honeybee -- Ethiopia -- Behavior Honeybee -- Ethiopia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003130
- Description: Morphometric and behavioural characteristics of honeybees, Apis mellifera were analysed using multivariate and bivariate statistical methods to characterise honeybees of southern Ethiopian region. A total of 33800 morphometric character measurements were taken from 2600 individual worker honeybees of 130 honeybee colonies collected at 26 sampling localities with an average inter-locality distance of 89km to determine the occurrence of morphoclusters. 117 experienced farmer beekeepers and beekeeping experts were interviewed on pre-tested questionnaire to investigate the behavioural characteristics of these honeybees in their respective areas. Morphometric characters associated with pigmentation and body size exhibited a higher discriminant power while forewing venation angles (B4, N23 and 026) lack discriminatory power to segregate honeybees in the southern Ethiopian region. Principal components and discriminant analyses using the most discriminatory morphological characters delineated four statistically distinct morphoclusters in the southern Ethiopian region: the smallest and yellow honeybees, A. m. woyi-gambella which are different from all African honeybees, occur in the western and southern lowlands; the small and yellowiest honeybees, Apis mellifera jemenitica in the eastern escarpment; the largest and darkest honeybees, Apis mellifera bandasii in the central and eastern highlands; and dark honeybees, Apis mellifera scutellata in the wet tropical forests. High intracolonial and intercolonial variances within and between the boundaries of the honeybee groups were detected. The former suggests areas of ecological instability, while the latter areas of transitional or natural hybridisation zones. These areas are characterised by transitional ecological zones having intermediate climate and physiography. Even though honeybees of the southern Ethiopian region are generally dark and small, they show a high tendency to reproductive swarming, migration and aggressiveness, great variation in pigmentation, size and behaviour were observed both within and between the groups. A. m. jemenitica honeybees have a high propensity to migration and less a tendency for reproductive swarming. A. m. bandasii and A. m. scutellata have a high inclination to reproductive swarming and the former has a lesser and the later intermediate propensity to migration. A. m. woyi-gambella honeybees have intermediate swarming and migration tendencies. These results revealed that reproductive swarming and migration are higher in resource-rich and resource-poor areas respectively. Honey plants of the central highlands of Ethiopia are predominantly herbaceous in nature and mainly grow on open and cultivated lands. The bulk of pollen collected came comparatively from few genera. Strong correlation was observed between the intensities of flowering and rainfall. Reproductive swarming and migration occur during high and low intensity of flowering respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Amssalu, Argaw Bezabeh
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Honeybee -- Ethiopia -- Behavior Honeybee -- Ethiopia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003130
- Description: Morphometric and behavioural characteristics of honeybees, Apis mellifera were analysed using multivariate and bivariate statistical methods to characterise honeybees of southern Ethiopian region. A total of 33800 morphometric character measurements were taken from 2600 individual worker honeybees of 130 honeybee colonies collected at 26 sampling localities with an average inter-locality distance of 89km to determine the occurrence of morphoclusters. 117 experienced farmer beekeepers and beekeeping experts were interviewed on pre-tested questionnaire to investigate the behavioural characteristics of these honeybees in their respective areas. Morphometric characters associated with pigmentation and body size exhibited a higher discriminant power while forewing venation angles (B4, N23 and 026) lack discriminatory power to segregate honeybees in the southern Ethiopian region. Principal components and discriminant analyses using the most discriminatory morphological characters delineated four statistically distinct morphoclusters in the southern Ethiopian region: the smallest and yellow honeybees, A. m. woyi-gambella which are different from all African honeybees, occur in the western and southern lowlands; the small and yellowiest honeybees, Apis mellifera jemenitica in the eastern escarpment; the largest and darkest honeybees, Apis mellifera bandasii in the central and eastern highlands; and dark honeybees, Apis mellifera scutellata in the wet tropical forests. High intracolonial and intercolonial variances within and between the boundaries of the honeybee groups were detected. The former suggests areas of ecological instability, while the latter areas of transitional or natural hybridisation zones. These areas are characterised by transitional ecological zones having intermediate climate and physiography. Even though honeybees of the southern Ethiopian region are generally dark and small, they show a high tendency to reproductive swarming, migration and aggressiveness, great variation in pigmentation, size and behaviour were observed both within and between the groups. A. m. jemenitica honeybees have a high propensity to migration and less a tendency for reproductive swarming. A. m. bandasii and A. m. scutellata have a high inclination to reproductive swarming and the former has a lesser and the later intermediate propensity to migration. A. m. woyi-gambella honeybees have intermediate swarming and migration tendencies. These results revealed that reproductive swarming and migration are higher in resource-rich and resource-poor areas respectively. Honey plants of the central highlands of Ethiopia are predominantly herbaceous in nature and mainly grow on open and cultivated lands. The bulk of pollen collected came comparatively from few genera. Strong correlation was observed between the intensities of flowering and rainfall. Reproductive swarming and migration occur during high and low intensity of flowering respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Towards theorizing human resource development in South Africa: a critical analysis and the development of a tool to facilitate improved understanding and practice
- Authors: Anderson, Amber Cristal
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Manpower planning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/469 , Manpower planning -- South Africa
- Description: The primary objective of this study is to generate pathways to understanding Human Resources Development (HRD) by developing a tool which enables and enhances a shared and common understanding of HRD in South Africa (SA). To achieve this objective, this research explores the nature and importance of HRD and articulates and aggregates these thoughts and practices into a tool which facilitates an understanding of HRD with the overarching aim of improving HRD thoughts and practices in South Africa. While there is substantial international and local literature on HRD, the existing body of research on the nature and importance of HRD in South Africa is skeletal. National HRD concepts and practices are fragmented, and are as diverse as the number of stakeholders and partners that it serves. In addition, theory-building in HRD is disconnected and removed from practice. In order to address this problem, a qualitative, interpretive, theory-building social constructionist research strategy was embarked upon. The research strategy was executed in an iterative, cyclical manner, using theoretical sampling and content analysis rigorously executed within a coding paradigm informed by open, axial and selective coding techniques with local and international literature and informal reviews as the units of analysis. Qualitative and quantitative findings of the South African Qualifications Authority ground-breaking, world-first longitudinal study was analyzed and used to find relevance and corroborate the international literature available on HRD. Informal reviews were conducted with 7 human resources (HR) practitioners and 54 internationally-based HR colleagues of the researcher in order to ensure as appropriate a degree of integration between theory and practice as was possible. This process culminated in the most significant contribution of this research, which is a tool consisting of six pathways, that facilitates an understanding of the nature and importance of HRD in South Africa. The development of the tool enabled the articulation and aggregation of a thorough and coherent description, explanation and representation of HRD. The research highlights the need for HRD scholars and practitioners to channel their energies and effort on all the catalytic aspects of organizational life, namely uniqueness, social complexity, knowledge, and path dependency, by acquiring critical insight into the profound value of HRD which will allow the realization and sustainability of competitive advantage in a rich and dynamic global economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Anderson, Amber Cristal
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Manpower planning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/469 , Manpower planning -- South Africa
- Description: The primary objective of this study is to generate pathways to understanding Human Resources Development (HRD) by developing a tool which enables and enhances a shared and common understanding of HRD in South Africa (SA). To achieve this objective, this research explores the nature and importance of HRD and articulates and aggregates these thoughts and practices into a tool which facilitates an understanding of HRD with the overarching aim of improving HRD thoughts and practices in South Africa. While there is substantial international and local literature on HRD, the existing body of research on the nature and importance of HRD in South Africa is skeletal. National HRD concepts and practices are fragmented, and are as diverse as the number of stakeholders and partners that it serves. In addition, theory-building in HRD is disconnected and removed from practice. In order to address this problem, a qualitative, interpretive, theory-building social constructionist research strategy was embarked upon. The research strategy was executed in an iterative, cyclical manner, using theoretical sampling and content analysis rigorously executed within a coding paradigm informed by open, axial and selective coding techniques with local and international literature and informal reviews as the units of analysis. Qualitative and quantitative findings of the South African Qualifications Authority ground-breaking, world-first longitudinal study was analyzed and used to find relevance and corroborate the international literature available on HRD. Informal reviews were conducted with 7 human resources (HR) practitioners and 54 internationally-based HR colleagues of the researcher in order to ensure as appropriate a degree of integration between theory and practice as was possible. This process culminated in the most significant contribution of this research, which is a tool consisting of six pathways, that facilitates an understanding of the nature and importance of HRD in South Africa. The development of the tool enabled the articulation and aggregation of a thorough and coherent description, explanation and representation of HRD. The research highlights the need for HRD scholars and practitioners to channel their energies and effort on all the catalytic aspects of organizational life, namely uniqueness, social complexity, knowledge, and path dependency, by acquiring critical insight into the profound value of HRD which will allow the realization and sustainability of competitive advantage in a rich and dynamic global economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Structural studies on some capsular antigens from escherichia coli and klebsiella
- Authors: Anderson, Andrew Nixon
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Escherichia , Klebsiella , Antigens
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001469
- Description: A review of the structural studies of bacterial capsular polysaccharides (K-antigens) from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, and of the trends in modern chemical and instrumental techniques available for the analysis of carbohydrate material is presented. The structural elucidations of the capsular polysaccharides from E. coli K37 and K55, and Klebsiella K39 are reported with comments on the novelty and possible immunological significance of the structures. The usefulness of the bacteriophage degradation technique has been emphasized using the polysaccharides from E. coli K55, and Klebsiella K30 and K39 to demonstrate the scope of the reaction
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Anderson, Andrew Nixon
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Escherichia , Klebsiella , Antigens
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001469
- Description: A review of the structural studies of bacterial capsular polysaccharides (K-antigens) from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, and of the trends in modern chemical and instrumental techniques available for the analysis of carbohydrate material is presented. The structural elucidations of the capsular polysaccharides from E. coli K37 and K55, and Klebsiella K39 are reported with comments on the novelty and possible immunological significance of the structures. The usefulness of the bacteriophage degradation technique has been emphasized using the polysaccharides from E. coli K55, and Klebsiella K30 and K39 to demonstrate the scope of the reaction
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
The fishes of Tristan Da Cunha and Gough Island (South Atlantic), and the effects of environmental seasonality on the biology of selected species
- Authors: Andrew, Timothy Gilbert
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Fishes -- Tristan da Cunha Fishes -- Gough Island Fishes -- Conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005128
- Description: This study focuses on the taxonomy, biogeography and biological aspects of the fishes of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island in the cental South Atlantic Ocean. Oceanographic measurements were undertaken to determine the position and nature of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) in the vicinity of the islands. The Tristan da Cunha group is thought to be situated on the northern edge of the STC while Gough Island is situated on the southern edge of the front. The seasonal environmental cycle at the islands is characterised by an annual sea surface temperature fluctuation of approximately 5 °C and an annual change in stratification of the water column. It is suggested that this increase in stratification at the STC, brought about in the summer by insolation warming the surface layers of the ocean, enhances primary production. The STC is identified as a unique habitat for fishes and as an important barrier to dispersal of species in the Southern Ocean. The present study has produced 18 new distributional records from the shelf waters of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. The fish fauna known from the shelf waters of these islands is reviewed, and a diagnosis, synonymy, and in some cases an illustration are provided. For certain species, brief notes on their biology, relative abundance and seasonal distribution are included. An analysis of the ichthyofaunal relationships between shallow water areas in the vicinity of the STC has resulted in the identification of a characteristic neritic STC ichthyofauna. The circumglobal distribution of many of these species is thought to be a consequence of a dispersive pelagic phase in their life-cycles. Biological processes in fishes at these islands are temporally and spatially affected by seasonal changes in oceanographic conditions. Seasonal sea temperature variation was identified as being an indicator of other oceanographic phenomena that may affect processes such as growth, reproduction and feeding in fishes at the islands. Most species have a summer spawning season and growth rate increased during the summer months. It was hypothesised that enhanced primary production and a related increase in food quality and availability during the summer were the major factors temporally regulating the growth and reproduction of fishes at the islands. Twenty families of neritic fishes have been recorded in the shelf waters of Tristan da Cunhaand Gough Island. Most families are represented by only one species. Because of this a wide range of life-history strategies are apparent in the fauna. Nevertheless, there are a number of common life-history characteristics shared by most of the neritic species. Firstly, the early lifehistory of many species included an extended pelagic phase which might have facilitated colonisation throughout the STC zone in the past, thereby regulating extant species diversity in this region. Secondly, the common occurrence of an extended summer breeding season and iteroparity suggested that these characters also contributed to survival in what is considered to be an unpredictable environment. It would appear that these common characteristics hold the key to the success of many fishes in the STC zone. This study has contributed to our understanding of oceanic island ecosystems and has revealed distributional patterns of fishes that were unknown previously. By focusing on the biological processes of selected species the regulatory role played by local environmental conditions became apparent. The results of this study are also relevant to proposed conservation measures for Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
- Authors: Andrew, Timothy Gilbert
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Fishes -- Tristan da Cunha Fishes -- Gough Island Fishes -- Conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005128
- Description: This study focuses on the taxonomy, biogeography and biological aspects of the fishes of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island in the cental South Atlantic Ocean. Oceanographic measurements were undertaken to determine the position and nature of the Subtropical Convergence (STC) in the vicinity of the islands. The Tristan da Cunha group is thought to be situated on the northern edge of the STC while Gough Island is situated on the southern edge of the front. The seasonal environmental cycle at the islands is characterised by an annual sea surface temperature fluctuation of approximately 5 °C and an annual change in stratification of the water column. It is suggested that this increase in stratification at the STC, brought about in the summer by insolation warming the surface layers of the ocean, enhances primary production. The STC is identified as a unique habitat for fishes and as an important barrier to dispersal of species in the Southern Ocean. The present study has produced 18 new distributional records from the shelf waters of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. The fish fauna known from the shelf waters of these islands is reviewed, and a diagnosis, synonymy, and in some cases an illustration are provided. For certain species, brief notes on their biology, relative abundance and seasonal distribution are included. An analysis of the ichthyofaunal relationships between shallow water areas in the vicinity of the STC has resulted in the identification of a characteristic neritic STC ichthyofauna. The circumglobal distribution of many of these species is thought to be a consequence of a dispersive pelagic phase in their life-cycles. Biological processes in fishes at these islands are temporally and spatially affected by seasonal changes in oceanographic conditions. Seasonal sea temperature variation was identified as being an indicator of other oceanographic phenomena that may affect processes such as growth, reproduction and feeding in fishes at the islands. Most species have a summer spawning season and growth rate increased during the summer months. It was hypothesised that enhanced primary production and a related increase in food quality and availability during the summer were the major factors temporally regulating the growth and reproduction of fishes at the islands. Twenty families of neritic fishes have been recorded in the shelf waters of Tristan da Cunhaand Gough Island. Most families are represented by only one species. Because of this a wide range of life-history strategies are apparent in the fauna. Nevertheless, there are a number of common life-history characteristics shared by most of the neritic species. Firstly, the early lifehistory of many species included an extended pelagic phase which might have facilitated colonisation throughout the STC zone in the past, thereby regulating extant species diversity in this region. Secondly, the common occurrence of an extended summer breeding season and iteroparity suggested that these characters also contributed to survival in what is considered to be an unpredictable environment. It would appear that these common characteristics hold the key to the success of many fishes in the STC zone. This study has contributed to our understanding of oceanic island ecosystems and has revealed distributional patterns of fishes that were unknown previously. By focusing on the biological processes of selected species the regulatory role played by local environmental conditions became apparent. The results of this study are also relevant to proposed conservation measures for Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
Lead-radium dating of two deep-water fishes from the southern hemisphere, Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
- Authors: Andrews, Allen Hia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Fishes -- Age determination , Fishes -- Southern hemisphere -- Longevity , Fishes -- Growth , Radioactive dating , Patagonian toothfish , Patagonian toothfish -- Fisheries , Orange roughy , Orange roughy -- Fisheries , Deep-sea fishes -- Southern hemisphere , Deep-sea fisheries , Deep-sea fisheries -- Southern hemisphere
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5295 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005140
- Description: Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) or "Chilean sea bass" support a valuable and controversial fishery, but the life history is little known and longevity estimates range from ~20 to more than 40 or 50 yr. In this study, lead-radium dating provided validated age estimates from juveniles to older adults, supporting the use of otoliths as accurate indicators of age. The oldest age groups were near 30 yr, which provided support for age estimates exceeding 40 or 50 yr from grow zone counts in otolith sections. Hence, scale reading, which rarely exceeds 20 years, has the potential for age underestimation. Lead-radium dating revealed what may be minor differences in age interpretation between two facilities and findings may provide an age-validated opportunity for the CCAMLR Otolith Network to reassess otolith interpretations. Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) support a major deep-sea fishery and stock assessments often depend on age analyses, but lifespan estimates range from ~20 to over 100 yr and validation of growth zone counts remained unresolved. An early application of lead-radium dating supported centenarian ages, but the findings were met with disbelief and some studies have attempted to discredit the technique and the long lifespan. In this study, an improved lead-radium dating technique used smaller samples than previously possible and circumvented assumptions that were previously necessary. Lead-radium dating of otolith cores, the first few years of growth, provided ratios that correlated well with the ingrowth curve. This provided robust support for age estimates from otolith thin sections. Use of radiometric ages as independent age estimates indicated the fish in the oldest group were at least 93 yr. Lead-radium dating has validated a centenarian lifespan for orange roughy. To date, radium-226 has been measured in otoliths of 39 fish species ranging from the northern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to the Southern Ocean. In total, 367 reliable radium-226 measurements were made in 36 studies since the first lead-radium dating study on fish in 1982. The activity of radium-226 measurements ranged over 3 orders of magnitude (<0.001 to >1.0 dpm.g⁻¹). An analysis revealed ontogenetic differences in radium-226 uptake that may be attributed to changes in habitat or diet. Radiometric age from otolith core studies was used to describe a radium-226 uptake time-series for some species, which revealed interesting patterns over long periods. This synopsis provides information on the uptake of radium-226 to otoliths from an environmental perspective, which can be used as a basis for future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Andrews, Allen Hia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Fishes -- Age determination , Fishes -- Southern hemisphere -- Longevity , Fishes -- Growth , Radioactive dating , Patagonian toothfish , Patagonian toothfish -- Fisheries , Orange roughy , Orange roughy -- Fisheries , Deep-sea fishes -- Southern hemisphere , Deep-sea fisheries , Deep-sea fisheries -- Southern hemisphere
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5295 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005140
- Description: Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) or "Chilean sea bass" support a valuable and controversial fishery, but the life history is little known and longevity estimates range from ~20 to more than 40 or 50 yr. In this study, lead-radium dating provided validated age estimates from juveniles to older adults, supporting the use of otoliths as accurate indicators of age. The oldest age groups were near 30 yr, which provided support for age estimates exceeding 40 or 50 yr from grow zone counts in otolith sections. Hence, scale reading, which rarely exceeds 20 years, has the potential for age underestimation. Lead-radium dating revealed what may be minor differences in age interpretation between two facilities and findings may provide an age-validated opportunity for the CCAMLR Otolith Network to reassess otolith interpretations. Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) support a major deep-sea fishery and stock assessments often depend on age analyses, but lifespan estimates range from ~20 to over 100 yr and validation of growth zone counts remained unresolved. An early application of lead-radium dating supported centenarian ages, but the findings were met with disbelief and some studies have attempted to discredit the technique and the long lifespan. In this study, an improved lead-radium dating technique used smaller samples than previously possible and circumvented assumptions that were previously necessary. Lead-radium dating of otolith cores, the first few years of growth, provided ratios that correlated well with the ingrowth curve. This provided robust support for age estimates from otolith thin sections. Use of radiometric ages as independent age estimates indicated the fish in the oldest group were at least 93 yr. Lead-radium dating has validated a centenarian lifespan for orange roughy. To date, radium-226 has been measured in otoliths of 39 fish species ranging from the northern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to the Southern Ocean. In total, 367 reliable radium-226 measurements were made in 36 studies since the first lead-radium dating study on fish in 1982. The activity of radium-226 measurements ranged over 3 orders of magnitude (<0.001 to >1.0 dpm.g⁻¹). An analysis revealed ontogenetic differences in radium-226 uptake that may be attributed to changes in habitat or diet. Radiometric age from otolith core studies was used to describe a radium-226 uptake time-series for some species, which revealed interesting patterns over long periods. This synopsis provides information on the uptake of radium-226 to otoliths from an environmental perspective, which can be used as a basis for future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The evolution of the Lepilemuridae-Cheirogaleidae clade
- Authors: Andrews, Curswan Allan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lemurs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40216 , vital:35989
- Description: The Lepilemuridae and the Cheirogaleidae, according to recent molecular reconstructions, share a more recent common ancestor than previously thought. Further phylogenetic reconstructions have indicated that body size evolution in this clade was marked by repeated dwarfing events that coincided with changes in the environment. I aimed to investigate the morphological implications of changes in body size within the Lepilemur-cheirogaleid clade, testing four predictions. Together with Dr. Couette, I collected data on the overall palate shape and predicted that shape is likely to be influenced by several factors including phylogeny, body size and diet. Geometric morphometric analyses revealed that, although a strong phylogenetic signal was detected, diet had the major effect on palate shape. In a similar vein, when examining the arterial circulation patterns in these taxa, I predicted that changes in body size would result in changes and possible reductions in arterial size, particularly the internal carotid artery (ICA) and stapedial artery (SA). Analyses with micro-computed tomography (CT) and 3D imaging indicated that changes in body size led to reduction of a functional stapedial artery in Lepilemur, making it an intermediate stage between the daubentoniid, lemurid and indriid species with large stapedial arteries, and the smaller bodied cheirogaleids with an alternative blood supply in the form of an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery. Lepilemur is the smallest living folivorous primate, and likely to be at the threshold body size to be able to subsist on such a poor diet. To investigate shifts in dietary patterns that accompanied changes in body size, I chose to explore the reported behaviour of caecotrophy as a possible means for the sportive lemurs to derive additional nutrient from their food sources. I predicted that, if caecotrophy is a way to assist folivory at small body size, the energy contained in “caecotrophic” and latrine faecal samples should be different. Analyses showed significant iv differences between the two types of faeces and, combined with an analysis of faecal bacterial diversity, support the occurrence of caecotrophy. Finally, I compared the digestive efficiency of two small, distantly related gummivorous primates that evolved their diets convergently. I studied the digestion of gum in Microcebus griseorufus and compared this with gum digestion in Galago moholi. I predicted that an evolutionary disposition to fermentation inherited from a folivorous ancestor would aid in the digestion of gum in mouse lemurs. Results indicated that retention time was prolonged by the presence of secondary compounds in Microcebus fed with Commiphora gum but relatively shorter (< 24 hrs) when fed Alantsilodenron gum, a preferred food. Despite the fact that G. moholi has an ansa coli, which is missing in M. griseorufus species, both are highly efficient at digesting gum. These data provide some of the first indicators of how dietary changes from a larger-bodied folivorous ancestor to partially gummivorous, small-bodied descendants may have occurred in evolutionary time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Andrews, Curswan Allan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lemurs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40216 , vital:35989
- Description: The Lepilemuridae and the Cheirogaleidae, according to recent molecular reconstructions, share a more recent common ancestor than previously thought. Further phylogenetic reconstructions have indicated that body size evolution in this clade was marked by repeated dwarfing events that coincided with changes in the environment. I aimed to investigate the morphological implications of changes in body size within the Lepilemur-cheirogaleid clade, testing four predictions. Together with Dr. Couette, I collected data on the overall palate shape and predicted that shape is likely to be influenced by several factors including phylogeny, body size and diet. Geometric morphometric analyses revealed that, although a strong phylogenetic signal was detected, diet had the major effect on palate shape. In a similar vein, when examining the arterial circulation patterns in these taxa, I predicted that changes in body size would result in changes and possible reductions in arterial size, particularly the internal carotid artery (ICA) and stapedial artery (SA). Analyses with micro-computed tomography (CT) and 3D imaging indicated that changes in body size led to reduction of a functional stapedial artery in Lepilemur, making it an intermediate stage between the daubentoniid, lemurid and indriid species with large stapedial arteries, and the smaller bodied cheirogaleids with an alternative blood supply in the form of an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery. Lepilemur is the smallest living folivorous primate, and likely to be at the threshold body size to be able to subsist on such a poor diet. To investigate shifts in dietary patterns that accompanied changes in body size, I chose to explore the reported behaviour of caecotrophy as a possible means for the sportive lemurs to derive additional nutrient from their food sources. I predicted that, if caecotrophy is a way to assist folivory at small body size, the energy contained in “caecotrophic” and latrine faecal samples should be different. Analyses showed significant iv differences between the two types of faeces and, combined with an analysis of faecal bacterial diversity, support the occurrence of caecotrophy. Finally, I compared the digestive efficiency of two small, distantly related gummivorous primates that evolved their diets convergently. I studied the digestion of gum in Microcebus griseorufus and compared this with gum digestion in Galago moholi. I predicted that an evolutionary disposition to fermentation inherited from a folivorous ancestor would aid in the digestion of gum in mouse lemurs. Results indicated that retention time was prolonged by the presence of secondary compounds in Microcebus fed with Commiphora gum but relatively shorter (< 24 hrs) when fed Alantsilodenron gum, a preferred food. Despite the fact that G. moholi has an ansa coli, which is missing in M. griseorufus species, both are highly efficient at digesting gum. These data provide some of the first indicators of how dietary changes from a larger-bodied folivorous ancestor to partially gummivorous, small-bodied descendants may have occurred in evolutionary time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An evaluation of leadership characteristics required to meet the demands of a strategic change process in the automative cluster in the Eastern Cape region
- Authors: Angloher, Sanette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Leadership , Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9341 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1261 , Leadership , Organizational change
- Description: Against a backdrop of increasing globalisation, deregulation, the rapid pace of technological innovation, a growing knowledge workforce, and shifting social and demographic trends, the primary task of management today is the leadership of organisational change (Graetz, 2000:550). In the words of Lussier and Achua Abstract v (2001:9): “The companies that will survive in the new global competitiveness environment are those that can attract and maintain leaders”. The above emphasises the important role of managers during times when change take place in the organisation. Yet employees are often managed inappropriately in a period of change. There are two reasons for this: (1) managers managing change are under pressure which undermines their own performance, (2) organisations often do not possess managers who are skilful at handling change. It is this second reason that will form the focus of this study. Carnall (1999:105) states that managing change effectively requires an understanding of both what is and seems likely to happen and of how people react to change, and a skilful management performance. Leaders must take on more facilitative roles, as competencies in change management become critical to creating and sustaining effective organisations. The major technological advances of today rely heavily on leaders to facilitate change. Leaders need to encourage people to “collaborate, take risks, take responsibility and be accountable for the change process the organisation must continually undergo to maintain a leadership position in its industry”, according to Moran and Brightman (2000:3). They furthermore argue that “change leaders recognise that they are always trying to balance stability and change. It is a delicate balance to accomplish since employees desire order and stability, while organisations must be ready to adapt to changing conditions quickly”. In this rapidly changing world, organisations must become more flexible, more responsive, and more willing to change and adapt. They must create and assimilate new knowledge at an increasing pace, encourage innovation, and learn to compete in new ways. Dess and Picken (2000:30) argue that the leaders of these organisations must be proactive in facilitating organisational learning and encouraging positive adaptation to external changes. The above shows what an important role leaders/managers have to play in the strategic change process. They need to possess the requisite skills in leadership, problem solving, continuous improvement, team effectiveness, and customer service in order to ensure the long-term growth and stability in the organisation which change can bring about. This research project will identify the various skills needed to successfully manage a change initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Angloher, Sanette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Leadership , Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9341 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1261 , Leadership , Organizational change
- Description: Against a backdrop of increasing globalisation, deregulation, the rapid pace of technological innovation, a growing knowledge workforce, and shifting social and demographic trends, the primary task of management today is the leadership of organisational change (Graetz, 2000:550). In the words of Lussier and Achua Abstract v (2001:9): “The companies that will survive in the new global competitiveness environment are those that can attract and maintain leaders”. The above emphasises the important role of managers during times when change take place in the organisation. Yet employees are often managed inappropriately in a period of change. There are two reasons for this: (1) managers managing change are under pressure which undermines their own performance, (2) organisations often do not possess managers who are skilful at handling change. It is this second reason that will form the focus of this study. Carnall (1999:105) states that managing change effectively requires an understanding of both what is and seems likely to happen and of how people react to change, and a skilful management performance. Leaders must take on more facilitative roles, as competencies in change management become critical to creating and sustaining effective organisations. The major technological advances of today rely heavily on leaders to facilitate change. Leaders need to encourage people to “collaborate, take risks, take responsibility and be accountable for the change process the organisation must continually undergo to maintain a leadership position in its industry”, according to Moran and Brightman (2000:3). They furthermore argue that “change leaders recognise that they are always trying to balance stability and change. It is a delicate balance to accomplish since employees desire order and stability, while organisations must be ready to adapt to changing conditions quickly”. In this rapidly changing world, organisations must become more flexible, more responsive, and more willing to change and adapt. They must create and assimilate new knowledge at an increasing pace, encourage innovation, and learn to compete in new ways. Dess and Picken (2000:30) argue that the leaders of these organisations must be proactive in facilitating organisational learning and encouraging positive adaptation to external changes. The above shows what an important role leaders/managers have to play in the strategic change process. They need to possess the requisite skills in leadership, problem solving, continuous improvement, team effectiveness, and customer service in order to ensure the long-term growth and stability in the organisation which change can bring about. This research project will identify the various skills needed to successfully manage a change initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods across four nature reserves in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Striving towards a balance between livelihoods and conservation
- Authors: Angwenyi, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: National parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural population -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138551 , vital:37649
- Description: The realisation that biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and that intact ecosystems are essential for ecological functioning and sustenance of human life, has led to biodiversity taking centre stage in national and international agencies’ environmental talks agendas. Protected areas are viable option to stem biodiversity loss. However, the establishment of protected areas might have negative impacts on communities living adjacent to them, leading to poor relations and frequent conflicts between these communities and the managers of protected areas. The Eastern Cape Province has twenty-one nature reserves and three national parks. Since the province is rural, the assumption was likelihood that households in the province depended on natural resources, specifically non-timber forest products for their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it was hypothesised that conserving natural resources, was likely to negatively impact on the livelihoods of most households adjacent to these areas, which in turn would influence their perceptions towards these resources and eventually the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This study aimed at examining the relationship between biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on four nature reserves – Tsolwana, Hluleka, Mkambati and Great Fish River. The objectives of the study were to: I I. Compare the vegetation productivity inside and outside, as well as land cover change in four nature reserves, as an indicator of conservation effectiveness. II II. Evaluate the relationship between biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in four nature reserves. III III. Evaluate how people’s expectations of nature reserves and perceptions towards nature reserve influence their support of conservation activities. Four hundred semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads of communities living at various distances from the four nature reserves, using a gradient design (based on distance). The motive of using distance was to assess whether livelihood status varied with distance from the nature reserves, since data on livelihood before the reserves’ establishment could not be obtained. Through a questionnaire survey, data on demographic information, livelihood assets, livelihood activities, livelihood strategies, livelihood trends, and impacts of the reserves on local communities were gathered. Focus group interviews were also conducted to complement the household surveys. A chi-square test was used to test if there was a relationship between distance from the reserves’ boundaries and local communities’ state of livelihoods. NVivo was used to analyse qualitative data Themes substantiated using literature. The study finds that the reserves did not have any impact on livelihood assets because most households in the study area did not directly depend on the resources found in the reserves. These households depended mostly on government grants and remittances from relatives working in other areas in the country. The reserves, however, supplied some goods and services to local communities, including meat, jobs, water, building materials, security from wild animals, education, skills development, and recreation. There were also a number of negative impacts associated with the reserves including resource use restrictions, harassment by reserves management, killing of domestic animals, and attacks on humans by wild animals escaping from the reserve. The majority (60%) of locals had substantive knowledge of the reserves’ role because of this awareness, 79% were supportive of reserves. However, there were mixed views by locals on the best way to manage these reserves. The most dominant view was that natural resources should be preserved for future generations, while meeting the current generation’s livelihood needs. Other lesser views included that the reserves’ management should involve locals in the management structures, either as active members or through consultation. Similarly, there were people feeling that the reserve is an obstacle to their livelihoods and should be closed and the land returned to the rightful owners. The vegetation productivity was better inside as compared to the outside the reserves. This activity also improved in the sixteen (16) years under assessment. This imply that the ecological functionality of the reserves is better than the surrounding areas and is improving with time. The research recommended that local communities could be an asset in conservation since most of them were in favour of the reserves. This, however, will need reserve managers to form workable partnerships with these communities, where the rights and responsibilities for both parties are defined. Besides these partnerships, lease agreements between local communities and reserves management to enhance benefits to the communities could encourage local communities to take pride in the natural resources within the reserves. This will ultimately becoming stewards to these resources. Development of tourism infrastructure such as curio shops and convenience stores to enhance livelihood opportunities could also help. For the local communities to be well represented it is important that the committees representing them in the various reserve matters be expanded and democratically elected. Where necessary, community awareness programmes on the importance of the reserves and the roles of local communities should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Angwenyi, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: National parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural population -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138551 , vital:37649
- Description: The realisation that biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and that intact ecosystems are essential for ecological functioning and sustenance of human life, has led to biodiversity taking centre stage in national and international agencies’ environmental talks agendas. Protected areas are viable option to stem biodiversity loss. However, the establishment of protected areas might have negative impacts on communities living adjacent to them, leading to poor relations and frequent conflicts between these communities and the managers of protected areas. The Eastern Cape Province has twenty-one nature reserves and three national parks. Since the province is rural, the assumption was likelihood that households in the province depended on natural resources, specifically non-timber forest products for their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it was hypothesised that conserving natural resources, was likely to negatively impact on the livelihoods of most households adjacent to these areas, which in turn would influence their perceptions towards these resources and eventually the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This study aimed at examining the relationship between biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on four nature reserves – Tsolwana, Hluleka, Mkambati and Great Fish River. The objectives of the study were to: I I. Compare the vegetation productivity inside and outside, as well as land cover change in four nature reserves, as an indicator of conservation effectiveness. II II. Evaluate the relationship between biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in four nature reserves. III III. Evaluate how people’s expectations of nature reserves and perceptions towards nature reserve influence their support of conservation activities. Four hundred semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads of communities living at various distances from the four nature reserves, using a gradient design (based on distance). The motive of using distance was to assess whether livelihood status varied with distance from the nature reserves, since data on livelihood before the reserves’ establishment could not be obtained. Through a questionnaire survey, data on demographic information, livelihood assets, livelihood activities, livelihood strategies, livelihood trends, and impacts of the reserves on local communities were gathered. Focus group interviews were also conducted to complement the household surveys. A chi-square test was used to test if there was a relationship between distance from the reserves’ boundaries and local communities’ state of livelihoods. NVivo was used to analyse qualitative data Themes substantiated using literature. The study finds that the reserves did not have any impact on livelihood assets because most households in the study area did not directly depend on the resources found in the reserves. These households depended mostly on government grants and remittances from relatives working in other areas in the country. The reserves, however, supplied some goods and services to local communities, including meat, jobs, water, building materials, security from wild animals, education, skills development, and recreation. There were also a number of negative impacts associated with the reserves including resource use restrictions, harassment by reserves management, killing of domestic animals, and attacks on humans by wild animals escaping from the reserve. The majority (60%) of locals had substantive knowledge of the reserves’ role because of this awareness, 79% were supportive of reserves. However, there were mixed views by locals on the best way to manage these reserves. The most dominant view was that natural resources should be preserved for future generations, while meeting the current generation’s livelihood needs. Other lesser views included that the reserves’ management should involve locals in the management structures, either as active members or through consultation. Similarly, there were people feeling that the reserve is an obstacle to their livelihoods and should be closed and the land returned to the rightful owners. The vegetation productivity was better inside as compared to the outside the reserves. This activity also improved in the sixteen (16) years under assessment. This imply that the ecological functionality of the reserves is better than the surrounding areas and is improving with time. The research recommended that local communities could be an asset in conservation since most of them were in favour of the reserves. This, however, will need reserve managers to form workable partnerships with these communities, where the rights and responsibilities for both parties are defined. Besides these partnerships, lease agreements between local communities and reserves management to enhance benefits to the communities could encourage local communities to take pride in the natural resources within the reserves. This will ultimately becoming stewards to these resources. Development of tourism infrastructure such as curio shops and convenience stores to enhance livelihood opportunities could also help. For the local communities to be well represented it is important that the committees representing them in the various reserve matters be expanded and democratically elected. Where necessary, community awareness programmes on the importance of the reserves and the roles of local communities should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An examination of practices and experiences of teacher educators in the supervision of a national early childhood home based programme
- Authors: Annatolia, Misi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49362 , vital:41695
- Description: Zimbabwean teacher educators are, by the nature of their job description, required to supervise student teachers doing teaching practicum for the 0-3 home based programme. However, analysis of supervision reports of the home based programme indicates some inconsistencies in comments made by different supervisors, whereby the descriptors and supervision overall scores do not tally. It seems the supervision of the home based teacher education programme is not being implemented as expected. Hence, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine practices and experiences of teacher educators in the supervision of a National Early Childhood Development Home Based Teacher Education Programme (NECDHBTEP). The objective of the study was to address the key question: ‘What are the practices and experiences of teacher educators in the supervision of a NECDHBTEP. In addressing the question, the researcher used supervision as a conceptual framework. The theoretical framework which informed the study was Contextual Supervision (CS) which has its philosophical foundations in constructivism, beneficence and justice. Purposive sampling was employed in the study where two primary teachers’ colleges were selected. From each college, ten teacher educators were selected for semi-structured interviews, two focus group discussions and document analysis on teacher educators’ supervision reports. Triangulation of the data was done so as to enhance its trustworthiness. Three major themes emerged from the study, namely, the influence of home context, experience of supervisors on NECDHBTEP and supervision approaches. The study discovered that the home context, to some extent, influences supervision of the NECDHBTEP. The study also established that teacher educators face multiple challenges when supervising student teachers on the ECD home based programme. The researcher made some recommendations from the findings. One of the recommendations was for colleges to develop a specific supervision instrument for the home based ECD supervision (0-3 years category). Furthermore, there is need for Zimbabwean primary teachers’ colleges to engage in rigorous in-service training for lecturers who are not knowledgeable about the NECDHBTEP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Annatolia, Misi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49362 , vital:41695
- Description: Zimbabwean teacher educators are, by the nature of their job description, required to supervise student teachers doing teaching practicum for the 0-3 home based programme. However, analysis of supervision reports of the home based programme indicates some inconsistencies in comments made by different supervisors, whereby the descriptors and supervision overall scores do not tally. It seems the supervision of the home based teacher education programme is not being implemented as expected. Hence, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine practices and experiences of teacher educators in the supervision of a National Early Childhood Development Home Based Teacher Education Programme (NECDHBTEP). The objective of the study was to address the key question: ‘What are the practices and experiences of teacher educators in the supervision of a NECDHBTEP. In addressing the question, the researcher used supervision as a conceptual framework. The theoretical framework which informed the study was Contextual Supervision (CS) which has its philosophical foundations in constructivism, beneficence and justice. Purposive sampling was employed in the study where two primary teachers’ colleges were selected. From each college, ten teacher educators were selected for semi-structured interviews, two focus group discussions and document analysis on teacher educators’ supervision reports. Triangulation of the data was done so as to enhance its trustworthiness. Three major themes emerged from the study, namely, the influence of home context, experience of supervisors on NECDHBTEP and supervision approaches. The study discovered that the home context, to some extent, influences supervision of the NECDHBTEP. The study also established that teacher educators face multiple challenges when supervising student teachers on the ECD home based programme. The researcher made some recommendations from the findings. One of the recommendations was for colleges to develop a specific supervision instrument for the home based ECD supervision (0-3 years category). Furthermore, there is need for Zimbabwean primary teachers’ colleges to engage in rigorous in-service training for lecturers who are not knowledgeable about the NECDHBTEP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of family structure and financial socialisation in influencing students' financial capabilities
- Authors: Antoni, Xolile Lucas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Finance, Personal , Families -- Economic aspects Finance -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21505 , vital:29531
- Description: This research used three theories to develop a theoretical framework that investigated the role of family structures and financial socialisation in influencing students’ levels of financial knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and behaviour (financial capabilities). It also examined the mediating role of family financial situation in the relationship between the family structure and the mechanisms of financial socialisation. The theories of consumer socialisation, family financial socialisation and family structure model, guided the development of a proposed theoretical framework and development of five major hypotheses. To answer the research questions of the study and test the hypotheses, this study followed a quantitative survey research design. Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences completed 350 questionnaires. Using exploratory factor analyses results, the theoretical framework was updated, and statistical relationships tested. Simple regression analysis results showed that students who were born or raised in an intact family structure reported more financial socialisation in terms of the mechanisms of financial socialisation than students who were born or raised in non-intact family structures. Simple regression results showed that intact family structures had positive significant relationships with four of the six components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation. Furthermore, intact family structures had negative significant relationships with two components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation. Multiple regression results showed four components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (teaching and monitoring, reinforcement of financial behaviour, modelling of financial behaviour and financial conflict) had positive significant relationships with financial capabilities. The components of financial socialisation agents (peers and media) had positive significant relationships with three components of financial capabilities (financial behaviour, money is respect and freedom, and money is good). In addition, family financial situation partially mediated the relationship between intact family structure and three components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation, namely, parental teaching and monitoring, modelling of financial behaviour and parental relationship. Furthermore, family financial situation perfectly mediated the relationship between intact family structures and one component of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (reinforcement of financial behaviour). Three components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (parental teaching and monitoring, reinforcement of financial behaviour and modelling of financial behaviour) also perfectly mediated the relationship between intact family structure and one component of financial capabilities, namely, financial behaviour. Similarly, one component of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (parental teaching and monitoring) also perfectly mediated the relationship between intact family structure and one component of financial capabilities (financial self-efficacy). These results assisted in the development of a new empirically tested model to investigate the role of family structure and financial socialisation in influencing students’ financial capabilities. This study showed that family structures was an important variable that should not be excluded in financial planning as it influenced all the components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation. Financial socialisation agents also had an influence on financial capabilities and, thus, the parental financial socialisation should not be investigated in isolation. It was also important to identify the mechanisms of financial socialisation as seen in this study, as the components of the mechanisms had different influences on students’ financial capabilities. For this study, parental teaching and monitoring, reinforcement of financial behaviour and modelling of financial behaviour proved to be the most important components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation, which ultimately influenced students’ financial capabilities. This study has proved that family structures and financial socialisation influence the financial capabilities of students. To improve financial capabilities of students, parents should increase their level of modelling of financial behaviour and decrease the level of secrecy about money in the household. Parents should also instill positive financial attitudes in students, monitor their financial behaviour, and reinforce positive financial behaviour. This study contributes to the much-needed body of knowledge in financial planning by showing through empirical results that family structure has an influence on the components of the factor mechanisms of financial socialisation, and the factor financial capabilities. As little information exists to explain these relationships, this study makes a valuable contribution to new knowledge in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Antoni, Xolile Lucas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Finance, Personal , Families -- Economic aspects Finance -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21505 , vital:29531
- Description: This research used three theories to develop a theoretical framework that investigated the role of family structures and financial socialisation in influencing students’ levels of financial knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and behaviour (financial capabilities). It also examined the mediating role of family financial situation in the relationship between the family structure and the mechanisms of financial socialisation. The theories of consumer socialisation, family financial socialisation and family structure model, guided the development of a proposed theoretical framework and development of five major hypotheses. To answer the research questions of the study and test the hypotheses, this study followed a quantitative survey research design. Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences completed 350 questionnaires. Using exploratory factor analyses results, the theoretical framework was updated, and statistical relationships tested. Simple regression analysis results showed that students who were born or raised in an intact family structure reported more financial socialisation in terms of the mechanisms of financial socialisation than students who were born or raised in non-intact family structures. Simple regression results showed that intact family structures had positive significant relationships with four of the six components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation. Furthermore, intact family structures had negative significant relationships with two components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation. Multiple regression results showed four components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (teaching and monitoring, reinforcement of financial behaviour, modelling of financial behaviour and financial conflict) had positive significant relationships with financial capabilities. The components of financial socialisation agents (peers and media) had positive significant relationships with three components of financial capabilities (financial behaviour, money is respect and freedom, and money is good). In addition, family financial situation partially mediated the relationship between intact family structure and three components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation, namely, parental teaching and monitoring, modelling of financial behaviour and parental relationship. Furthermore, family financial situation perfectly mediated the relationship between intact family structures and one component of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (reinforcement of financial behaviour). Three components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (parental teaching and monitoring, reinforcement of financial behaviour and modelling of financial behaviour) also perfectly mediated the relationship between intact family structure and one component of financial capabilities, namely, financial behaviour. Similarly, one component of the mechanisms of financial socialisation (parental teaching and monitoring) also perfectly mediated the relationship between intact family structure and one component of financial capabilities (financial self-efficacy). These results assisted in the development of a new empirically tested model to investigate the role of family structure and financial socialisation in influencing students’ financial capabilities. This study showed that family structures was an important variable that should not be excluded in financial planning as it influenced all the components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation. Financial socialisation agents also had an influence on financial capabilities and, thus, the parental financial socialisation should not be investigated in isolation. It was also important to identify the mechanisms of financial socialisation as seen in this study, as the components of the mechanisms had different influences on students’ financial capabilities. For this study, parental teaching and monitoring, reinforcement of financial behaviour and modelling of financial behaviour proved to be the most important components of the mechanisms of financial socialisation, which ultimately influenced students’ financial capabilities. This study has proved that family structures and financial socialisation influence the financial capabilities of students. To improve financial capabilities of students, parents should increase their level of modelling of financial behaviour and decrease the level of secrecy about money in the household. Parents should also instill positive financial attitudes in students, monitor their financial behaviour, and reinforce positive financial behaviour. This study contributes to the much-needed body of knowledge in financial planning by showing through empirical results that family structure has an influence on the components of the factor mechanisms of financial socialisation, and the factor financial capabilities. As little information exists to explain these relationships, this study makes a valuable contribution to new knowledge in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
South African farm wages and working conditions: with special reference to the Albany district, 1957 to 1977
- Authors: Antrobus, Geoffrey Gordon
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1028 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003722
- Description: The focus of the study is the wages and working conditions of farm labourers in commercial agriculture. After an outline examination of the broad trends in employment and wages in the agricultural industry as a whole, the emphasis falls on a micro-study of employment practices in the Eastern Cape magisterial district of Albany. The results of a survey of farmers was used to determine the level of wages, including payments in kind, the value of housing, cropping and grazing rights. It was found that cash wages made up only 25% of the total remuneration of R684 per annum, while purchased and farm produced rations made up a further 40% of the total. A survey conducted in the Albany district two decades previously was used to compare the real earnings in 1957 and 1977. Although real cash wages and rations increased over the twenty year period the restriction of cropping and grazing rights had the effect of keeping real earnings static. In the light of the improvement of other working conditions, such as the reduction in working hours, however, it is concluded that some increase in real wages did occur . It is evident that there are no clear-cut recipes for successful farm labour management and no unequivocal statements should be made about the most visible element, namely cash wages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
- Authors: Antrobus, Geoffrey Gordon
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1028 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003722
- Description: The focus of the study is the wages and working conditions of farm labourers in commercial agriculture. After an outline examination of the broad trends in employment and wages in the agricultural industry as a whole, the emphasis falls on a micro-study of employment practices in the Eastern Cape magisterial district of Albany. The results of a survey of farmers was used to determine the level of wages, including payments in kind, the value of housing, cropping and grazing rights. It was found that cash wages made up only 25% of the total remuneration of R684 per annum, while purchased and farm produced rations made up a further 40% of the total. A survey conducted in the Albany district two decades previously was used to compare the real earnings in 1957 and 1977. Although real cash wages and rations increased over the twenty year period the restriction of cropping and grazing rights had the effect of keeping real earnings static. In the light of the improvement of other working conditions, such as the reduction in working hours, however, it is concluded that some increase in real wages did occur . It is evident that there are no clear-cut recipes for successful farm labour management and no unequivocal statements should be made about the most visible element, namely cash wages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
Removal and recovery of gold and platinum from aqueous solutions utilising the non-viable biomass Asolla filiculoides
- Authors: Antunes, Ana Paula Martins
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Azolla filiculoides Metal wastes -- Recycling Gold -- Recycling Platinum -- Recycling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003726
- Description: Waste water from the mining industry is generally extremely complex and contains numerous species which influence the adsorption of the metals to any biomass. A variety of factors need to be addressed before treatment is considered viable. It is also beneficial to establish the binding characteristics of the metal of interest to maximise its interaction with the biomass to be utilised. Azalia filiculaides was investigated in the adsorption of gold(III), lead(II), iron(ID), copper(II) and platinum (IV). In batch studies, the optimum biomass and initial gold(III) concentrations were found to be 5 gIL and 8 mgIL respectively. The adsorption of gold(ID) is principally pH-dependent with optimal removal at pH 2. Lead(II), iron(III) and copper(II) did not compete with gold(III) adsorption under equimolar and simulated effluent conditions. Halides, with increasing affinity for gold (chloride < bromide < iodide), can affect gold uptake with the soft base, iodide, exhibiting the most inhibition (25%) and the hard base, chloride, O%. Mercaptoethanol (soft base) showed no interference in gold(III) adsorption while the presence of sulphate (hard base) and sulphite (borderline base) showed that concentrations in excess of 1 0 mM may adversely affect gold(ill) uptake, most likely due to competition for cationic sites on the biomass. Column studies, better suited to high volume treatment, indicated that a flow-rate of 5 mL/min and an initial gold(ill) concentration of 5 mgIL was optimal. Competitive effects between lead, iron, copper and gold again showed little or no interference. The halides, chloride, bromide and iodide, affect gold(ill) uptake similarly to the batch studies, while the bases mercaptoethanol and sulphate minimally affect gold(III) binding with sulphite severely hampering adsorption (70% inhibition). To optimise gold desorption, preliminary batch studies indicated that a ratio of 1:1 of adsorbentdesorbent was optimal, whilst gas purging of thiourea with oxygen, air and nitrogen decreased gold elution in proportion to decreased amounts of oxygen. A series of desorbents were utilised, in column studies, to optimise and determine the speciation of bound gold. The presence of an oxidant with thiourea enhanced desorption greater than 3 fold when compared with thiourea alone. Thiourea desorption studies, aided by the oxidant, suggest that gold is present in the + I and 0 oxidation states. Ultimately thiourea, perchloric acid and hydrochloric acid was found to be the most optimal elutant for gold (J 00% recovery). For selective metal recovery oflead and copper, pre-washing the plant material with water, utilising an acid (0.3 M nitric acid), pumping in an up-flow mode, and recycling the desorbent six times was found to be optimal elutant for gold (J 00% recovery). Cost analysis of utilising elutant versus incinerating the biomass for gold recovery indicated the latter as the most economical. Over a 5 cycle adsorption and desorption series, acid desorption before each adsorption cycle was found to result in greater than 92% desorption for lead and 96% for copper. Gold recovery was 97% with incineration. A preliminary study with gold effluent (Mine C) indicated that nickel and sulphate was removed in batch and column studies. Gold removal was found to be 100% and 4% in batch and column studies respectively. Adsorption of gold in the effluent study was accompanied by the release ofHt. Modifying the plant material with various reagents failed to identify the primary binding sites and the role of polysaccharides, proteins and lipids in gold(ill) uptake. The mode of gold binding is suggested as being initially ionic, this is very rapid, with the interaction of the anionic complex, [AuCI₄]". with the cationic biomass (PH 2). This eventually leads to the displacement of the chloride ligand(s) initiating covalent binding. Spectral studies of the chemical interaction between gold and the representative tannins indicated the protonated hydroxy groups to be responsible. All evidence suggests that the binding mechanisms of gold are not simple. Preliminary adsorption studies of platinum by Azalia filiculaides were conducted. Batch studies indicated that J gIL biomass concentration, initial platinum concentration of 20 mgIL and pH 2 are optimal, while the column studies indicated a flow-rate of! 0 rnL/min and initial platinum concentration of 20 mgIL as optimal. In the platinum effluent study, platinum showed a removal of 23 % and 2 J % for the batch and column studies respectively. Again adsorption was accompanied by //' release. Azalia filiculaides demonstrated its feasibility in the removal of gold and platinum from simulated as well as waste water solutions. Its potential viability as a biosorbent was demonstrated by the high recovery from synthetic solutions of greater than 99% for gold (2-10 mgIL), and greater than 89% for platinum (20 mgIL).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Antunes, Ana Paula Martins
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Azolla filiculoides Metal wastes -- Recycling Gold -- Recycling Platinum -- Recycling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003726
- Description: Waste water from the mining industry is generally extremely complex and contains numerous species which influence the adsorption of the metals to any biomass. A variety of factors need to be addressed before treatment is considered viable. It is also beneficial to establish the binding characteristics of the metal of interest to maximise its interaction with the biomass to be utilised. Azalia filiculaides was investigated in the adsorption of gold(III), lead(II), iron(ID), copper(II) and platinum (IV). In batch studies, the optimum biomass and initial gold(III) concentrations were found to be 5 gIL and 8 mgIL respectively. The adsorption of gold(ID) is principally pH-dependent with optimal removal at pH 2. Lead(II), iron(III) and copper(II) did not compete with gold(III) adsorption under equimolar and simulated effluent conditions. Halides, with increasing affinity for gold (chloride < bromide < iodide), can affect gold uptake with the soft base, iodide, exhibiting the most inhibition (25%) and the hard base, chloride, O%. Mercaptoethanol (soft base) showed no interference in gold(III) adsorption while the presence of sulphate (hard base) and sulphite (borderline base) showed that concentrations in excess of 1 0 mM may adversely affect gold(ill) uptake, most likely due to competition for cationic sites on the biomass. Column studies, better suited to high volume treatment, indicated that a flow-rate of 5 mL/min and an initial gold(ill) concentration of 5 mgIL was optimal. Competitive effects between lead, iron, copper and gold again showed little or no interference. The halides, chloride, bromide and iodide, affect gold(ill) uptake similarly to the batch studies, while the bases mercaptoethanol and sulphate minimally affect gold(III) binding with sulphite severely hampering adsorption (70% inhibition). To optimise gold desorption, preliminary batch studies indicated that a ratio of 1:1 of adsorbentdesorbent was optimal, whilst gas purging of thiourea with oxygen, air and nitrogen decreased gold elution in proportion to decreased amounts of oxygen. A series of desorbents were utilised, in column studies, to optimise and determine the speciation of bound gold. The presence of an oxidant with thiourea enhanced desorption greater than 3 fold when compared with thiourea alone. Thiourea desorption studies, aided by the oxidant, suggest that gold is present in the + I and 0 oxidation states. Ultimately thiourea, perchloric acid and hydrochloric acid was found to be the most optimal elutant for gold (J 00% recovery). For selective metal recovery oflead and copper, pre-washing the plant material with water, utilising an acid (0.3 M nitric acid), pumping in an up-flow mode, and recycling the desorbent six times was found to be optimal elutant for gold (J 00% recovery). Cost analysis of utilising elutant versus incinerating the biomass for gold recovery indicated the latter as the most economical. Over a 5 cycle adsorption and desorption series, acid desorption before each adsorption cycle was found to result in greater than 92% desorption for lead and 96% for copper. Gold recovery was 97% with incineration. A preliminary study with gold effluent (Mine C) indicated that nickel and sulphate was removed in batch and column studies. Gold removal was found to be 100% and 4% in batch and column studies respectively. Adsorption of gold in the effluent study was accompanied by the release ofHt. Modifying the plant material with various reagents failed to identify the primary binding sites and the role of polysaccharides, proteins and lipids in gold(ill) uptake. The mode of gold binding is suggested as being initially ionic, this is very rapid, with the interaction of the anionic complex, [AuCI₄]". with the cationic biomass (PH 2). This eventually leads to the displacement of the chloride ligand(s) initiating covalent binding. Spectral studies of the chemical interaction between gold and the representative tannins indicated the protonated hydroxy groups to be responsible. All evidence suggests that the binding mechanisms of gold are not simple. Preliminary adsorption studies of platinum by Azalia filiculaides were conducted. Batch studies indicated that J gIL biomass concentration, initial platinum concentration of 20 mgIL and pH 2 are optimal, while the column studies indicated a flow-rate of! 0 rnL/min and initial platinum concentration of 20 mgIL as optimal. In the platinum effluent study, platinum showed a removal of 23 % and 2 J % for the batch and column studies respectively. Again adsorption was accompanied by //' release. Azalia filiculaides demonstrated its feasibility in the removal of gold and platinum from simulated as well as waste water solutions. Its potential viability as a biosorbent was demonstrated by the high recovery from synthetic solutions of greater than 99% for gold (2-10 mgIL), and greater than 89% for platinum (20 mgIL).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002