'Committed, motivated and joyful?'Job satisfaction and organisational commitment of managers at a South African public utility:
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70495 , vital:29667 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2017.1380706
- Description: The cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have been hailed as offering great potential to create jobs and to be socially inclusive. Since artistic success is defined by individual talent, or merit, the CCIs should be one sector that is especially open to, and appreciative of, social diversity in terms of race, class, cultural group and gender. However, as expected, recent studies in both the UK and the US have revealed that employment in the CCIs is heavily dominated by the middle classes, and is not as diverse in terms of other characteristics. Since the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994, transformation of firm ownership, previously dominated by white people, to include more black, coloured and Indian/Asian-origin South Africans, has been an important part of achieving greater economic equality and social cohesion, as well as being more representative of the cultures of the majority of the population. Using data from a survey of 2400 CCIs firms in South Africa, this paper examines the extent to which the CCIs in South Africa have transformed in terms of ownership and employment. Comparisons are also made across the six UNESCO [(2009). Framework for cultural statistics. UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.uis.unesco.org/culture/Pages/framework-cultural-statistics.aspx] “Cultural Domains” in terms of ownership, average monthly turnover and the number of full-time, part-time and contract employees. Results show some diversity in the industry, but significant differences between the Domains. Statistical analysis demonstrates that CCI funding policy in South Africa is sensitive to advancing the transformation agenda in that more transformed firms were shown to be more likely to have received some form of government grant as part of their income.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70495 , vital:29667 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2017.1380706
- Description: The cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have been hailed as offering great potential to create jobs and to be socially inclusive. Since artistic success is defined by individual talent, or merit, the CCIs should be one sector that is especially open to, and appreciative of, social diversity in terms of race, class, cultural group and gender. However, as expected, recent studies in both the UK and the US have revealed that employment in the CCIs is heavily dominated by the middle classes, and is not as diverse in terms of other characteristics. Since the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994, transformation of firm ownership, previously dominated by white people, to include more black, coloured and Indian/Asian-origin South Africans, has been an important part of achieving greater economic equality and social cohesion, as well as being more representative of the cultures of the majority of the population. Using data from a survey of 2400 CCIs firms in South Africa, this paper examines the extent to which the CCIs in South Africa have transformed in terms of ownership and employment. Comparisons are also made across the six UNESCO [(2009). Framework for cultural statistics. UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.uis.unesco.org/culture/Pages/framework-cultural-statistics.aspx] “Cultural Domains” in terms of ownership, average monthly turnover and the number of full-time, part-time and contract employees. Results show some diversity in the industry, but significant differences between the Domains. Statistical analysis demonstrates that CCI funding policy in South Africa is sensitive to advancing the transformation agenda in that more transformed firms were shown to be more likely to have received some form of government grant as part of their income.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Alan Peacock and Ilde Rizzo: the heritage game
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71470 , vital:29856 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-009-9106-2
- Description: The Heritage Game has an ambitious aim: to persuade those engaged in heritage management that economists have a valuable contribution to make and that they should be allowed to join the table where decisions are made—not as occasional “hired guns” consulting on specific matters, but as routine and continuous contributors to the discussion. As such, the book explains and illuminates some of the fundamental ideas in economics (consumer sovereignty, moral hazard, incentives, opportunity cost) as applied to the “heritage biz”. It is written in a light-hearted style that fulfils the authors’ intention of “making economics palatable and even enjoyable … offering both instruction and entertainment” (p. 10). Even economists familiar with the field will thus find it a pleasurable read, filled as it is with humorous anecdotes and examples drawn from the authors’ personal experiences as contributors to heritage management and policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71470 , vital:29856 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-009-9106-2
- Description: The Heritage Game has an ambitious aim: to persuade those engaged in heritage management that economists have a valuable contribution to make and that they should be allowed to join the table where decisions are made—not as occasional “hired guns” consulting on specific matters, but as routine and continuous contributors to the discussion. As such, the book explains and illuminates some of the fundamental ideas in economics (consumer sovereignty, moral hazard, incentives, opportunity cost) as applied to the “heritage biz”. It is written in a light-hearted style that fulfils the authors’ intention of “making economics palatable and even enjoyable … offering both instruction and entertainment” (p. 10). Even economists familiar with the field will thus find it a pleasurable read, filled as it is with humorous anecdotes and examples drawn from the authors’ personal experiences as contributors to heritage management and policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of multidimensional energy poverty among South African low‐income households
- Olawumi Israel-Akinbo, Sylvia, Snowball, Jeanette D, Fraser, Gavin C G
- Authors: Olawumi Israel-Akinbo, Sylvia , Snowball, Jeanette D , Fraser, Gavin C G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/471097 , vital:77418 , https://doi.org/10.1111/saje.12207
- Description: This paper empirically assesses multidimensional energy poverty for low‐income households in South Africa using the four waves of the National Income Dynamics Study. The study adopts the Nussbaumer et al. (Measuring Energy Poverty, 2011) methodology, the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI), to estimate energy poverty on 10,801 low‐income households. The results indicate that low‐income households in rural areas are more energy deprived than those in the urban areas. The MEPI score across the years in low‐income urban and rural households depicts a moderate state of energy poverty. Furthermore, low‐income households in both the urban and the rural areas are mostly deprived in the dimension of heating fuel. The study recommends that suitable measures to combat energy poverty be rural–urban specific.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Olawumi Israel-Akinbo, Sylvia , Snowball, Jeanette D , Fraser, Gavin C G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/471097 , vital:77418 , https://doi.org/10.1111/saje.12207
- Description: This paper empirically assesses multidimensional energy poverty for low‐income households in South Africa using the four waves of the National Income Dynamics Study. The study adopts the Nussbaumer et al. (Measuring Energy Poverty, 2011) methodology, the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI), to estimate energy poverty on 10,801 low‐income households. The results indicate that low‐income households in rural areas are more energy deprived than those in the urban areas. The MEPI score across the years in low‐income urban and rural households depicts a moderate state of energy poverty. Furthermore, low‐income households in both the urban and the rural areas are mostly deprived in the dimension of heating fuel. The study recommends that suitable measures to combat energy poverty be rural–urban specific.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Are arts events a good way of augmenting the economic impact of sport?: The case of the 2010 FIFA world cup and the national arts festival in South Africa
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71430 , vital:29848 , https://econrsa.org/system/files/publications/working_papers/wp294.pdf
- Description: Despite the debate about whether arts consumers are also sports consumers, many countries have used cultural events to leverage further tourism spending from sports events, the most famous example being the cultural Olympics. This paper reports the findings of research conducted at the 2010 South African National Arts Festival, which was specifically timed to coincide with SoccerWorld Cup matches being played in a nearby city. Of the 600 interviews conducted with Festival-goers, only 23% reported also attending World Cup soccer matches. Regression analysis revealed that, while there is some overlap between arts and sports attendees, their demographics and consumption habits are significantly different. However, consumption outside of major events showed somewhat more overlap. This suggests that staging cultural events at the same time as major sporting events is not an ideal strategy, since they tend to compete with, rather than complement, each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71430 , vital:29848 , https://econrsa.org/system/files/publications/working_papers/wp294.pdf
- Description: Despite the debate about whether arts consumers are also sports consumers, many countries have used cultural events to leverage further tourism spending from sports events, the most famous example being the cultural Olympics. This paper reports the findings of research conducted at the 2010 South African National Arts Festival, which was specifically timed to coincide with SoccerWorld Cup matches being played in a nearby city. Of the 600 interviews conducted with Festival-goers, only 23% reported also attending World Cup soccer matches. Regression analysis revealed that, while there is some overlap between arts and sports attendees, their demographics and consumption habits are significantly different. However, consumption outside of major events showed somewhat more overlap. This suggests that staging cultural events at the same time as major sporting events is not an ideal strategy, since they tend to compete with, rather than complement, each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Art for the masses? Justification for the public support of the arts in developing countries – two arts festivals in South Africa
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006127 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10824-005-5064-5
- Description: In the New South Africa, as in other developing countries, the equitable distribution of public resources is a priority. The case for public support of the arts is thus difficult to make because it has been shown and borne out by South African research, that arts audiences tend to represent the better educated, more prosperous minority of society, not the majority of the very poor, mainly African-origin population. Using data from willingness to pay studies conducted at two South African arts festivals, this paper shows that, when the positive externalities provided by the arts are included in their valuation, it can be shown that both high and low income earners benefit. However, as suggested by Seaman (2003), it is also found that some of what the WTP figure is capturing is current and expected future economic benefit from the event.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006127 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10824-005-5064-5
- Description: In the New South Africa, as in other developing countries, the equitable distribution of public resources is a priority. The case for public support of the arts is thus difficult to make because it has been shown and borne out by South African research, that arts audiences tend to represent the better educated, more prosperous minority of society, not the majority of the very poor, mainly African-origin population. Using data from willingness to pay studies conducted at two South African arts festivals, this paper shows that, when the positive externalities provided by the arts are included in their valuation, it can be shown that both high and low income earners benefit. However, as suggested by Seaman (2003), it is also found that some of what the WTP figure is capturing is current and expected future economic benefit from the event.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Art investment as a portfolio diversification strategy in South Africa
- Botha, Ferdi, Scott, Brett, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Scott, Brett , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67422 , vital:29086
- Description: publisher version , Art has been suggested as a good way to diversify investment portfolios during times of financial uncertainty. The argument is that art exhibits different risk and return characteristics to conventional investments in other asset classes. The new Citadel Art Price index offered the opportunity to test this theory in the South African context. The Citadel index uses the hedonic regression method with observations drawn from the top 100, 50 and 20 artists by sales volume, giving approximately 29 503 total auction observations. The Index consists of quarterly data from the period 2000Q1 to 2013Q3. A VAR of the art price index, Johannesburg Stock Exchange all-share index, house price index, and South African government bond index were used. Flowing from the VAR results, additional analyses included variance decomposition, impulse response, and, to determine volatility, variance and standard deviation measures for each index. Results show that, when there are increased returns on the stock market in the previous period and wealth increases, there is a change in the Citadel Art Price Index in the same direction. This finding is consistent with Goetzmann et al. (2009), who reported that there is a strong relationship between art and equity markets and that art price changes are driven by capital gains and losses. No significant difference was found between the house price index and the art price index, and neither between the art and government bond price indices. Overall, the South African art market does not offer the opportunity to diversify portfolios dominated by either property, bonds, or shares.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Scott, Brett , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67422 , vital:29086
- Description: publisher version , Art has been suggested as a good way to diversify investment portfolios during times of financial uncertainty. The argument is that art exhibits different risk and return characteristics to conventional investments in other asset classes. The new Citadel Art Price index offered the opportunity to test this theory in the South African context. The Citadel index uses the hedonic regression method with observations drawn from the top 100, 50 and 20 artists by sales volume, giving approximately 29 503 total auction observations. The Index consists of quarterly data from the period 2000Q1 to 2013Q3. A VAR of the art price index, Johannesburg Stock Exchange all-share index, house price index, and South African government bond index were used. Flowing from the VAR results, additional analyses included variance decomposition, impulse response, and, to determine volatility, variance and standard deviation measures for each index. Results show that, when there are increased returns on the stock market in the previous period and wealth increases, there is a change in the Citadel Art Price Index in the same direction. This finding is consistent with Goetzmann et al. (2009), who reported that there is a strong relationship between art and equity markets and that art price changes are driven by capital gains and losses. No significant difference was found between the house price index and the art price index, and neither between the art and government bond price indices. Overall, the South African art market does not offer the opportunity to diversify portfolios dominated by either property, bonds, or shares.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Art investment in South Africa: portfolio diversification and art market efficiency
- Botha, Ferdi, Snowball, Jeanette D, Scott, Brett
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D , Scott, Brett
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64794 , vital:28601 , http://www.dx.doi.org/10.17159/2222-3436/2016/v19n3a4
- Description: Art has been suggested as a good way to diversify investment portfolios during times of financial uncertainty. The argument is that art exhibits different risk and return characteristics to conventional investments in other asset classes. The new Citadel art price index offered the opportunity to test this theory in the South African context. Moreover, this paper tests whether art prices are efficient. The Citadel index uses the hedonic regression method with observations drawn from the top 100, 50 and 20 artists by sales volume, giving approximately 29 503 total auction observations. The Index consists of quarterly data from the period 2000Q1 to 2013Q3. A vector autoregression of the art price index, Johannesburg stock exchange all-share index, house price index, and South African government bond index were used. Results show that, when there are increased returns on the stock market in a preceding period and wealth increases, there is a change in the Citadel art price index in the same direction. No significant difference was found between the house price index and the art price index, or between the art and government bond price indices. The art market is also found to be inefficient, thereby exacerbating the risk of investing in art. Overall, the South African art market does not offer the opportunity to diversify portfolios dominated by either property, bonds, or shares.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D , Scott, Brett
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64794 , vital:28601 , http://www.dx.doi.org/10.17159/2222-3436/2016/v19n3a4
- Description: Art has been suggested as a good way to diversify investment portfolios during times of financial uncertainty. The argument is that art exhibits different risk and return characteristics to conventional investments in other asset classes. The new Citadel art price index offered the opportunity to test this theory in the South African context. Moreover, this paper tests whether art prices are efficient. The Citadel index uses the hedonic regression method with observations drawn from the top 100, 50 and 20 artists by sales volume, giving approximately 29 503 total auction observations. The Index consists of quarterly data from the period 2000Q1 to 2013Q3. A vector autoregression of the art price index, Johannesburg stock exchange all-share index, house price index, and South African government bond index were used. Results show that, when there are increased returns on the stock market in a preceding period and wealth increases, there is a change in the Citadel art price index in the same direction. No significant difference was found between the house price index and the art price index, or between the art and government bond price indices. The art market is also found to be inefficient, thereby exacerbating the risk of investing in art. Overall, the South African art market does not offer the opportunity to diversify portfolios dominated by either property, bonds, or shares.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Breaking into the conversation: cultural value and the role of the South African National Arts Festival from apartheid to democracy
- Snowball, Jeanette D, Webb, Arthur C M
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Webb, Arthur C M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71311 , vital:29832 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286630802106326
- Description: The paper examines the value of the South African National Arts Festival (NAF) in the transition to democracy using theories of cultural capital. NAF history from 1974 to 2004 is used to argue that the Festival provided an important arena for the expression of political resistance in the 1980s and, to some degree, continues to do so today. It is concluded that an important part of the value of the arts is their ability to provide a forum for debating the goals and values of society and that individualistic utility theory is not always successful in measuring such social value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Webb, Arthur C M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71311 , vital:29832 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286630802106326
- Description: The paper examines the value of the South African National Arts Festival (NAF) in the transition to democracy using theories of cultural capital. NAF history from 1974 to 2004 is used to argue that the Festival provided an important arena for the expression of political resistance in the 1980s and, to some degree, continues to do so today. It is concluded that an important part of the value of the arts is their ability to provide a forum for debating the goals and values of society and that individualistic utility theory is not always successful in measuring such social value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Could a regulated market approach for rhinoceros horns work in South Africa? Some practical issues and concerns
- Collins, Alan, Fraser, Gavin C G, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Collins, Alan , Fraser, Gavin C G , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68600 , vital:29292 , http://www.essa2013.org.za/fullpaper/essa2013_2708.pdf
- Description: Publisher version , One of the proposals for fighting rhinoceros poaching is to legalise the trade in rhino horn and adopt a regulated market approach (RMA), which would require a vote at the 2016 CITES meeting in order to overturn the ban on the trade in rhino horn. The legal trade in rhino horn would enable the auctioning of stockpiles of horn and encourage captive breeding programmes. The aim of increasing the supply of horn is to reduce incentives to poach by driving down the price. This paper uses a conceptual/theoretical approach to consider the practical implications of the adoption of an RMA, drawing on demand, supply and production theory. The intention is explicitly to set out some practical concerns and issues that seem to have been underplayed or neglected in most published economic discourse on the subject. To secure a stockpile for some species needs biological success in captive breeding programs (CBPs) but this varies across species and habitats. Rhinoceros herds in a CBP would need relatively spatially extensive terrain and costly permanent security measures, and only appear feasible for the less aggressive “white” rhino. Thus, market price would actually need to be sustained at a high level to cover the start-up and security costs of such a programme that are unlikely to fall significantly. This is a double-edged sword in that the persistent high price of rhino horn provides an incentive for continued poaching activities. Supplementary policy measures that differentiate among consumer groups may also prove necessary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Collins, Alan , Fraser, Gavin C G , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68600 , vital:29292 , http://www.essa2013.org.za/fullpaper/essa2013_2708.pdf
- Description: Publisher version , One of the proposals for fighting rhinoceros poaching is to legalise the trade in rhino horn and adopt a regulated market approach (RMA), which would require a vote at the 2016 CITES meeting in order to overturn the ban on the trade in rhino horn. The legal trade in rhino horn would enable the auctioning of stockpiles of horn and encourage captive breeding programmes. The aim of increasing the supply of horn is to reduce incentives to poach by driving down the price. This paper uses a conceptual/theoretical approach to consider the practical implications of the adoption of an RMA, drawing on demand, supply and production theory. The intention is explicitly to set out some practical concerns and issues that seem to have been underplayed or neglected in most published economic discourse on the subject. To secure a stockpile for some species needs biological success in captive breeding programs (CBPs) but this varies across species and habitats. Rhinoceros herds in a CBP would need relatively spatially extensive terrain and costly permanent security measures, and only appear feasible for the less aggressive “white” rhino. Thus, market price would actually need to be sustained at a high level to cover the start-up and security costs of such a programme that are unlikely to fall significantly. This is a double-edged sword in that the persistent high price of rhino horn provides an incentive for continued poaching activities. Supplementary policy measures that differentiate among consumer groups may also prove necessary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Dancing with the devil: formative peer assessment and academic performance
- Mostert, Markus, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Mostert, Markus , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69301 , vital:29483 , https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2012.705262
- Description: Peer assessment can be important in developing active and independent learners, as well as providing more and faster feedback in large classes, compared to marking done by tutors. In addition, the evaluative, critical stance required by students in order to assess their peers' work encourages the development of higher-order cognitive skills. Changing roles from being assessed to being an assessor can also improve students' ability to judge and improve on their own work. However, peer assessment does have potential problems and there is some debate as to the appropriate academic level at which to implement it, the kinds of feedback that are given and the ways in which students respond. In addition, there is little evidence that peer assessment has an impact on academic performance. This research reports the results of an online peer assessment exercise for a macroeconomics essay conducted in a large Economics 1 class at Rhodes University. Of the 800 students, about half participated in the peer assessment exercise. Data were collected from students via a formal course evaluation. In addition, a sample of 50 essays was evaluated in terms of the relationship between peer marks and final (tutor) marks received and the impact that peer assessment had on the quality of the final essay submitted. An Ordinary Least Squares regression was used to investigate the impact of peer assessment participation on marks. Results showed that peer marks tended to ‘bunch’ in the 60–68% range, indicating the reluctance of peers to give very high or low marks. In general, peers gave more useful feedback on technical aspects, such as presentation and referencing (which were also the categories in which students most often made improvements), than on content. Regression analysis showed that peer assessment participation was not a significant determinant of final essay mark, but that economics ability and English language proficiency were.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mostert, Markus , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69301 , vital:29483 , https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2012.705262
- Description: Peer assessment can be important in developing active and independent learners, as well as providing more and faster feedback in large classes, compared to marking done by tutors. In addition, the evaluative, critical stance required by students in order to assess their peers' work encourages the development of higher-order cognitive skills. Changing roles from being assessed to being an assessor can also improve students' ability to judge and improve on their own work. However, peer assessment does have potential problems and there is some debate as to the appropriate academic level at which to implement it, the kinds of feedback that are given and the ways in which students respond. In addition, there is little evidence that peer assessment has an impact on academic performance. This research reports the results of an online peer assessment exercise for a macroeconomics essay conducted in a large Economics 1 class at Rhodes University. Of the 800 students, about half participated in the peer assessment exercise. Data were collected from students via a formal course evaluation. In addition, a sample of 50 essays was evaluated in terms of the relationship between peer marks and final (tutor) marks received and the impact that peer assessment had on the quality of the final essay submitted. An Ordinary Least Squares regression was used to investigate the impact of peer assessment participation on marks. Results showed that peer marks tended to ‘bunch’ in the 60–68% range, indicating the reluctance of peers to give very high or low marks. In general, peers gave more useful feedback on technical aspects, such as presentation and referencing (which were also the categories in which students most often made improvements), than on content. Regression analysis showed that peer assessment participation was not a significant determinant of final essay mark, but that economics ability and English language proficiency were.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
Determinants of life satisfaction among race groups in South Africa
- Ebrahim, Amina, Botha, Ferdi, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Ebrahim, Amina , Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69311 , vital:29497 , https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835x.2013.797227
- Description: Economic indicators, like gross domestic product per capita, are commonly used as indicators of welfare. However, they have a very limited and narrow scope, excluding many potentially important welfare determinants, such as health, relative income and religion – not surprising since they were not designed to fill this role. As a result, there is growing acceptance, and use of, subjective measures of well-being (called ‘happiness’ or ‘life satisfaction’, often used interchangeably) both worldwide and in South Africa. Happiness economics does not propose to replace income-based measures of well-being, but rather attempts to complement them with broader measures, which can be important in making policy decisions that optimise societal welfare. This paper tests for differences in subjective well-being between race groups in South Africa, and investigates the determinants of self-rated life satisfaction for each group. Using the 2008 National Income Dynamics Study data, descriptive methods (analysis of variance) and an ordered probit model are applied. Results indicate that reported life satisfaction differs substantially among race groups, with black South Africans being the least satisfied group despite changes since the advent of democracy in 1994. Higher levels of educational attainment increased satisfaction for the whole sample, and women (particularly black women) are generally less satisfied than men. As found in many other studies, unemployed people have lower levels of life satisfaction than the employed, even when controlling for income and relative income. The determinants of life satisfaction are also different for each race group: white South Africans attach greater importance to physical health, whereas employment status and absolute income matter greatly for black people. For coloured people and black people, positional status (as measured by relative income) is an important determinant of well-being, with religious involvement contributing significantly to the well-being of Indian people.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ebrahim, Amina , Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69311 , vital:29497 , https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835x.2013.797227
- Description: Economic indicators, like gross domestic product per capita, are commonly used as indicators of welfare. However, they have a very limited and narrow scope, excluding many potentially important welfare determinants, such as health, relative income and religion – not surprising since they were not designed to fill this role. As a result, there is growing acceptance, and use of, subjective measures of well-being (called ‘happiness’ or ‘life satisfaction’, often used interchangeably) both worldwide and in South Africa. Happiness economics does not propose to replace income-based measures of well-being, but rather attempts to complement them with broader measures, which can be important in making policy decisions that optimise societal welfare. This paper tests for differences in subjective well-being between race groups in South Africa, and investigates the determinants of self-rated life satisfaction for each group. Using the 2008 National Income Dynamics Study data, descriptive methods (analysis of variance) and an ordered probit model are applied. Results indicate that reported life satisfaction differs substantially among race groups, with black South Africans being the least satisfied group despite changes since the advent of democracy in 1994. Higher levels of educational attainment increased satisfaction for the whole sample, and women (particularly black women) are generally less satisfied than men. As found in many other studies, unemployed people have lower levels of life satisfaction than the employed, even when controlling for income and relative income. The determinants of life satisfaction are also different for each race group: white South Africans attach greater importance to physical health, whereas employment status and absolute income matter greatly for black people. For coloured people and black people, positional status (as measured by relative income) is an important determinant of well-being, with religious involvement contributing significantly to the well-being of Indian people.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
Determinants of student satisfaction with campus residence life at a South African university
- Botha, Ferdi, Snowball, Jeanette D, De Klerk, Vivian A, Radloff, Sarah E
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D , De Klerk, Vivian A , Radloff, Sarah E
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69277 , vital:29475 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15904-1_2
- Description: Factors outside the classroom can contribute to academic success as well as the achievement of important outcomes such as the appreciation of human diversity. Striving towards equality of residence life satisfaction is thus important for academic outcomes and for the development of well-functioning citizens. This study is based on the 2011 Quality of Residence Life (QoRL) Survey, conducted at a South African university, comprising roughly 2,000 respondents. The study investigates the association between satisfaction with QoRL and (i) residence milieu and characteristics, (ii) direct and indirect discrimination, (iii) perceptions of drug and alcohol issues in residence, (iv) safety, and (v) individual student characteristics. One main finding is that there are no significant differences in satisfaction with QoRL across racial and gender groups; suggesting significant progress in university transformation and equity goals. The general atmosphere and characteristics of residences are also important predictors of QoRL satisfaction.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D , De Klerk, Vivian A , Radloff, Sarah E
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69277 , vital:29475 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15904-1_2
- Description: Factors outside the classroom can contribute to academic success as well as the achievement of important outcomes such as the appreciation of human diversity. Striving towards equality of residence life satisfaction is thus important for academic outcomes and for the development of well-functioning citizens. This study is based on the 2011 Quality of Residence Life (QoRL) Survey, conducted at a South African university, comprising roughly 2,000 respondents. The study investigates the association between satisfaction with QoRL and (i) residence milieu and characteristics, (ii) direct and indirect discrimination, (iii) perceptions of drug and alcohol issues in residence, (iv) safety, and (v) individual student characteristics. One main finding is that there are no significant differences in satisfaction with QoRL across racial and gender groups; suggesting significant progress in university transformation and equity goals. The general atmosphere and characteristics of residences are also important predictors of QoRL satisfaction.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
Determinants of student satisfaction with campus residence life at a South African University
- Botha, Ferdi, Snowball, Jeanette D, De Klerk, Vivian A, Radloff, Sarah E
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D , De Klerk, Vivian A , Radloff, Sarah E
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68543 , vital:29281 , https://econrsa.org/publications/working-papers/determinants-student-satisfaction-campus-residence-life-south-african
- Description: Publisher version , Although there are a number of studies on the determinants of general quality of life among university students, these occur mainly in developed countries and do not focus specifically on campus-based residence life. It has long been accepted that factors outside the classroom (“the other curriculum”) can contribute to academic success, as well as the achievement of other important outcomes such as the appreciation of human diversity. Striving towards equality of residence life satisfaction across different racial and gender groups, for example, is thus important for academic outcomes and for the development of well-functioning citizens. This study is based on the 2011 Quality of Residence Life (QoRL) Survey, conducted at a South African university, comprising roughly 2 000 respondents. Based on descriptive analyses and ordered probit regressions, the study investigates the association between satisfaction with QoRL and (i) residence milieu and characteristics, (ii) direct and indirect discrimination, (iii) perceptions of drug and alcohol issues in residence, (iv) safety, and (v) individual student characteristics. One of the main findings is that there are no significant differences in satisfaction with QoRL across racial and gender groups; a finding that suggests significant progress in university transformation and equity goals. The general atmosphere and characteristics of residences are also important predictors of QoRL satisfaction. , Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) is a research programme funded by the National Treasury of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Snowball, Jeanette D , De Klerk, Vivian A , Radloff, Sarah E
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68543 , vital:29281 , https://econrsa.org/publications/working-papers/determinants-student-satisfaction-campus-residence-life-south-african
- Description: Publisher version , Although there are a number of studies on the determinants of general quality of life among university students, these occur mainly in developed countries and do not focus specifically on campus-based residence life. It has long been accepted that factors outside the classroom (“the other curriculum”) can contribute to academic success, as well as the achievement of other important outcomes such as the appreciation of human diversity. Striving towards equality of residence life satisfaction across different racial and gender groups, for example, is thus important for academic outcomes and for the development of well-functioning citizens. This study is based on the 2011 Quality of Residence Life (QoRL) Survey, conducted at a South African university, comprising roughly 2 000 respondents. Based on descriptive analyses and ordered probit regressions, the study investigates the association between satisfaction with QoRL and (i) residence milieu and characteristics, (ii) direct and indirect discrimination, (iii) perceptions of drug and alcohol issues in residence, (iv) safety, and (v) individual student characteristics. One of the main findings is that there are no significant differences in satisfaction with QoRL across racial and gender groups; a finding that suggests significant progress in university transformation and equity goals. The general atmosphere and characteristics of residences are also important predictors of QoRL satisfaction. , Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) is a research programme funded by the National Treasury of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Economic evaluation of wetland restoration: a systematic review of the literature
- Browne, Michelle, Fraser, Gavin C G, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Browne, Michelle , Fraser, Gavin C G , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/471292 , vital:77438 , https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12889
- Description: Evaluating the outcomes of wetland restoration projects is critical to improve practice and justify further investment in wetland restoration. We conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the current state of knowledge on the economic valuation of the outcomes of wetland restoration. We assessed the economic methods applied, the attributes valued, and the timing of the evaluation in relation to the age of restoration along with publication trends. Research on the topic is increasing, but studies from Africa and South America are lacking. A diverse cross‐disciplinary interest is notable, yet collaborations between disciplines are less frequent. Of particular concern is that only a third of the studies were undertaken postrestoration, and even fewer for restorations older than 10 years. Gaps in the knowledge base mean that our present understanding of the value achieved through wetland restoration is tentative. The need for postrestoration site‐specific valuation efforts remains large both to justify further investment and to improve confidence in predictive and value transfer approaches as practical tools to inform decision‐making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Browne, Michelle , Fraser, Gavin C G , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/471292 , vital:77438 , https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12889
- Description: Evaluating the outcomes of wetland restoration projects is critical to improve practice and justify further investment in wetland restoration. We conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the current state of knowledge on the economic valuation of the outcomes of wetland restoration. We assessed the economic methods applied, the attributes valued, and the timing of the evaluation in relation to the age of restoration along with publication trends. Research on the topic is increasing, but studies from Africa and South America are lacking. A diverse cross‐disciplinary interest is notable, yet collaborations between disciplines are less frequent. Of particular concern is that only a third of the studies were undertaken postrestoration, and even fewer for restorations older than 10 years. Gaps in the knowledge base mean that our present understanding of the value achieved through wetland restoration is tentative. The need for postrestoration site‐specific valuation efforts remains large both to justify further investment and to improve confidence in predictive and value transfer approaches as practical tools to inform decision‐making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Employment and diversity in the cultural and creative industries in South Africa: research note
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71493 , vital:29858 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC188591
- Description: The publication of Richard Florida's (2002) The Rise of the Creative Class marked a growing international interest in the creative economy. There are several ways of understanding the creative economy, often divided into the cultural and creative industries. Cultural industries are those whose major outputs have some symbolic value, such as fine arts, film and craft, jewelry design, publishing and fashion. Creative industries are defined more broadly as those that have knowledge as their major input. In addition to cultural goods and services, these include things like software design and internet services. UNESCO (2009) provides guidelines for defining the cultural and creative industries and the ways in which they can be measured, but there is currently no international consensus. Nor is there likely to be, since different countries will have very different levels of involvement and focus that may shape what information is useful, for example, for shaping policy.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71493 , vital:29858 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC188591
- Description: The publication of Richard Florida's (2002) The Rise of the Creative Class marked a growing international interest in the creative economy. There are several ways of understanding the creative economy, often divided into the cultural and creative industries. Cultural industries are those whose major outputs have some symbolic value, such as fine arts, film and craft, jewelry design, publishing and fashion. Creative industries are defined more broadly as those that have knowledge as their major input. In addition to cultural goods and services, these include things like software design and internet services. UNESCO (2009) provides guidelines for defining the cultural and creative industries and the ways in which they can be measured, but there is currently no international consensus. Nor is there likely to be, since different countries will have very different levels of involvement and focus that may shape what information is useful, for example, for shaping policy.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
Factors enabling and constraining research in a small, research-intensive South African University
- Snowball, Jeanette D, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65044 , vital:28659 , http://www.doi: 10.1093/reseval/rvy002
- Description: preprint , Research is increasingly regarded a core facet of university endeavours globally, and research profiles of universities, institutes, and colleges are commonly used as one measure for ranking them. University administrations and funders would be better able to stimulate research if they had insights into context-specific, institutional constraints, and enablers. Yet, there is surprisingly little research on the determinants of research productivity amongst academics employed in the higher education sector, particularly in the global south. Barriers and enablers of research at the individual level may differ, and experience of such may vary across career stage. The objective of the research reported here was to determine what enables and motivates some academics at Rhodes University (South Africa) to do research, what problems and constraints may be making it difficult for those who may wish to do more, and how do these vary in relation to research career stage. An anonymous online survey, with follow-up focus group discussions was used to collect the data. Results show similarities to studies in developed countries, but also reveal disciplinary and career stage differences, which suggest that institutional policies need to take these factors into account when designing support or incentives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65044 , vital:28659 , http://www.doi: 10.1093/reseval/rvy002
- Description: preprint , Research is increasingly regarded a core facet of university endeavours globally, and research profiles of universities, institutes, and colleges are commonly used as one measure for ranking them. University administrations and funders would be better able to stimulate research if they had insights into context-specific, institutional constraints, and enablers. Yet, there is surprisingly little research on the determinants of research productivity amongst academics employed in the higher education sector, particularly in the global south. Barriers and enablers of research at the individual level may differ, and experience of such may vary across career stage. The objective of the research reported here was to determine what enables and motivates some academics at Rhodes University (South Africa) to do research, what problems and constraints may be making it difficult for those who may wish to do more, and how do these vary in relation to research career stage. An anonymous online survey, with follow-up focus group discussions was used to collect the data. Results show similarities to studies in developed countries, but also reveal disciplinary and career stage differences, which suggest that institutional policies need to take these factors into account when designing support or incentives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Festival fringe production and the long tail
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68855 , vital:29332 , http://www.econrsa.org/node/1170
- Description: Publisher version , In the past 15 years, there has been a worldwide proliferation of arts festivals, including so-called "fringe" festivals, which encouraged more experimental and avant-garde productions. While fringe festival productions had the potential to generate significant income for producers, their aims were primarily related to artistic innovation and it is well known that putting on a fringe show is highly unlikely to provide financial gain for most producers. This is what is referred to in statistics and marketing as a "long tail" distribution, in which a minority of producers in a particular market earn the vast majority of industry income. However, for individual producers of live theatre, such a distribution represents high risks and potentially large financial losses. This article uses producer data from two different fringe festivals in South Africa to explore determinants of ticket sales and box-office income. Included in the analysis is a consideration of the impact of genre and pricing strategies on the probability (Logit model) of shows being in the top 10%, 30% and 50% of best-selling and earning productions. Results support the long tail hypothesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68855 , vital:29332 , http://www.econrsa.org/node/1170
- Description: Publisher version , In the past 15 years, there has been a worldwide proliferation of arts festivals, including so-called "fringe" festivals, which encouraged more experimental and avant-garde productions. While fringe festival productions had the potential to generate significant income for producers, their aims were primarily related to artistic innovation and it is well known that putting on a fringe show is highly unlikely to provide financial gain for most producers. This is what is referred to in statistics and marketing as a "long tail" distribution, in which a minority of producers in a particular market earn the vast majority of industry income. However, for individual producers of live theatre, such a distribution represents high risks and potentially large financial losses. This article uses producer data from two different fringe festivals in South Africa to explore determinants of ticket sales and box-office income. Included in the analysis is a consideration of the impact of genre and pricing strategies on the probability (Logit model) of shows being in the top 10%, 30% and 50% of best-selling and earning productions. Results support the long tail hypothesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Film production incentives, employment transformation and domestic expenditure in South Africa: visualizing subsidy effectiveness
- Collins, Alan, Ishizaka, Alessio, Snowball, Jeanette D
- Authors: Collins, Alan , Ishizaka, Alessio , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67456 , vital:29094 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1255206
- Description: Publisher version , In 2004 the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) introduced a Film and Television Production Rebate Programme. In order to qualify for the rebate, certain criteria have to be met including success in job creation and skills development within the industry, alongside a particular focus on the percentage of ‘historically disadvantaged individuals’ employed. This study sets out the issues associated with evaluating success in meeting these various criteria and is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to apply multi-criteria visualization techniques to inform the evaluation of public subsidy effectiveness. The ‘PROMETHEE’ method is applied and apart from presenting project performance in a visually intuitive manner, the approach helps to clarify patterns of relative success, show where policy objectives are competing, and to identify project exemplars for more efficiently guiding future public support in the sector.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Collins, Alan , Ishizaka, Alessio , Snowball, Jeanette D
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67456 , vital:29094 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1255206
- Description: Publisher version , In 2004 the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) introduced a Film and Television Production Rebate Programme. In order to qualify for the rebate, certain criteria have to be met including success in job creation and skills development within the industry, alongside a particular focus on the percentage of ‘historically disadvantaged individuals’ employed. This study sets out the issues associated with evaluating success in meeting these various criteria and is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to apply multi-criteria visualization techniques to inform the evaluation of public subsidy effectiveness. The ‘PROMETHEE’ method is applied and apart from presenting project performance in a visually intuitive manner, the approach helps to clarify patterns of relative success, show where policy objectives are competing, and to identify project exemplars for more efficiently guiding future public support in the sector.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
Five unpublished coins of Alexander the Great and his successors in the Rhodes University Collection
- Snowball, Jeanette D, Snowball, Warren D
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Snowball, Warren D
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68489 , vital:29267 , http://dx.doi.org/10.7445/50-0-73
- Description: Publisher version , The article briefly discusses the economic and political significance of the Alexander III (“the Great”) type silver tetradrachm and publishes three of his coins currently held by the Rhodes University Classics Museum. Based on stylistic elements, they are classified as from the Amphipolis and Arados mints and were probably minted during his lifetime. Two further tetradrachms from the empires of Alexander’s successors, Ptolemy II and Seleucus IV, are also published.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Five unpublished coins of Alexander the Great and his successors in the Rhodes University Collection
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Snowball, Warren D
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68489 , vital:29267 , http://dx.doi.org/10.7445/50-0-73
- Description: Publisher version , The article briefly discusses the economic and political significance of the Alexander III (“the Great”) type silver tetradrachm and publishes three of his coins currently held by the Rhodes University Classics Museum. Based on stylistic elements, they are classified as from the Amphipolis and Arados mints and were probably minted during his lifetime. Two further tetradrachms from the empires of Alexander’s successors, Ptolemy II and Seleucus IV, are also published.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Five unpublished coins of Alexander the great and his successors in the Rhodes University collection
- Snowball, Jeanette D, Snowball, Warren D
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Snowball, Warren D
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70359 , vital:29648 , http://dx.doi.org/10.7445/50-0-73
- Description: The article briefly discusses the economic and political significance of the Alexander III(“the Great”) type silver tetradrachm and publishes three of his coins currently held by the Rhodes University Classics Museum. Based on stylistic elements, they are classified as from the Amphipolis and Arados mints and were probably minted during his lifetime. Two further tetradrachms from the empires of Alexander’s successors, Ptolemy II and Seleucus IV, are also published.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Five unpublished coins of Alexander the great and his successors in the Rhodes University collection
- Authors: Snowball, Jeanette D , Snowball, Warren D
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70359 , vital:29648 , http://dx.doi.org/10.7445/50-0-73
- Description: The article briefly discusses the economic and political significance of the Alexander III(“the Great”) type silver tetradrachm and publishes three of his coins currently held by the Rhodes University Classics Museum. Based on stylistic elements, they are classified as from the Amphipolis and Arados mints and were probably minted during his lifetime. Two further tetradrachms from the empires of Alexander’s successors, Ptolemy II and Seleucus IV, are also published.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005