The impact of electronic service quality dimension on customer satisfaction
- Van der Merwe, Samatha Michelle
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Samatha Michelle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electronic commerce , Consumer satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1367 , Electronic commerce , Consumer satisfaction
- Description: Online purchasing is becoming increasingly common as a purchasing mode. At the onset of e-commerce it was thought that success was guaranteed merely by being present on the internet and offering low prices. Currently customer service has proved itself to be a key element for achieving good results in a website (Zeithaml, Parasuraman & Malhotra, 2002b). In this context, the study of commercial website quality has emerged as an area of strategic importance. As in traditional stores, service quality and customer satisfaction seem to play vital roles in the success and survival of Internet sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Samatha Michelle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electronic commerce , Consumer satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1367 , Electronic commerce , Consumer satisfaction
- Description: Online purchasing is becoming increasingly common as a purchasing mode. At the onset of e-commerce it was thought that success was guaranteed merely by being present on the internet and offering low prices. Currently customer service has proved itself to be a key element for achieving good results in a website (Zeithaml, Parasuraman & Malhotra, 2002b). In this context, the study of commercial website quality has emerged as an area of strategic importance. As in traditional stores, service quality and customer satisfaction seem to play vital roles in the success and survival of Internet sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of HAART on sexuality and medicine taking behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS in Grahamstown
- Authors: Chizanga, Tongai Aldridge
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Grahamstown HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Patient compliance -- South Africa -- Grahamstown AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Sexual behavior HIV-positive persons -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Sexual behavior Patient education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003228
- Description: Introduction: Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is critical for optimal therapeutic outcomes. A possible factor in adherence is the impact of HAART on sexual functioning. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used. A cohort of 14 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Grahamstown was identified. Two semi-structured interviews and two structured questionnaires were administered. In-depth interviews were conducted with two HIV counsellors in so as to obtain a different perspective on the topics. The theoretical framework used three health behaviour models: the Health Belief Model, Leventhal‘s Common-Sense Model of self regulation and the Transtheoretical model. Results: The participants were between 27 and 49 years old and had been on HAART for between 9 months and 10 years. Six participants were support staff members from Rhodes University and eight from the Raphael Centre – a local NGO which assists PLWHA.In most of the participants HAART was associated with increased libido and improved sexual functioning (sexual activity and sexual enjoyment). The use of alcohol increased risky sexual behaviour. Issues of adherence were seemingly not directly affected by the effects of HAART on sexuality. PLWHA, especially women, face challenges related to their sexuality, some of which are not directly related to their illness and treatment. The fear of transmitting drug resistant HIV or getting re-infected, stigma, disclosure issues,difficulties negotiating for safe sex among women, HAART-related lipodystrophic changes that affect one‘s sense of self and unmet reproductive needs are some of the problems that were reported. The men‘s dislike for condoms was overt and blatant. Discussion: Being diagnosed with HIV and reaching a point where treatment is requiredare life-changing events. Making decisions about one‘s life (including adherence to HAART, alcohol use and knowingly partaking in risky sexual encounters) become all the more significant in the context of AIDS. Intentional non-adherence is informed by the individual‘s assessment of the costs and benefits of taking treatment. Cultural influences,gendered power relations and misconceptions strongly influence sexual behaviours. Conclusion: The general lack of attention among health care providers concerning issues related to PLWHA‘s sexuality and reproductive issues needs to be addressed. Insights fromthe theoretical models should be integrated with empirical findings in designing adherence interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Chizanga, Tongai Aldridge
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Grahamstown HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Patient compliance -- South Africa -- Grahamstown AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Sexual behavior HIV-positive persons -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Sexual behavior Patient education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003228
- Description: Introduction: Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is critical for optimal therapeutic outcomes. A possible factor in adherence is the impact of HAART on sexual functioning. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used. A cohort of 14 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Grahamstown was identified. Two semi-structured interviews and two structured questionnaires were administered. In-depth interviews were conducted with two HIV counsellors in so as to obtain a different perspective on the topics. The theoretical framework used three health behaviour models: the Health Belief Model, Leventhal‘s Common-Sense Model of self regulation and the Transtheoretical model. Results: The participants were between 27 and 49 years old and had been on HAART for between 9 months and 10 years. Six participants were support staff members from Rhodes University and eight from the Raphael Centre – a local NGO which assists PLWHA.In most of the participants HAART was associated with increased libido and improved sexual functioning (sexual activity and sexual enjoyment). The use of alcohol increased risky sexual behaviour. Issues of adherence were seemingly not directly affected by the effects of HAART on sexuality. PLWHA, especially women, face challenges related to their sexuality, some of which are not directly related to their illness and treatment. The fear of transmitting drug resistant HIV or getting re-infected, stigma, disclosure issues,difficulties negotiating for safe sex among women, HAART-related lipodystrophic changes that affect one‘s sense of self and unmet reproductive needs are some of the problems that were reported. The men‘s dislike for condoms was overt and blatant. Discussion: Being diagnosed with HIV and reaching a point where treatment is requiredare life-changing events. Making decisions about one‘s life (including adherence to HAART, alcohol use and knowingly partaking in risky sexual encounters) become all the more significant in the context of AIDS. Intentional non-adherence is informed by the individual‘s assessment of the costs and benefits of taking treatment. Cultural influences,gendered power relations and misconceptions strongly influence sexual behaviours. Conclusion: The general lack of attention among health care providers concerning issues related to PLWHA‘s sexuality and reproductive issues needs to be addressed. Insights fromthe theoretical models should be integrated with empirical findings in designing adherence interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of ICTs for agricultural development in the rural community: a case study of Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Alao, Abiodun Oyebimpe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/236 , Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigates the impact of ICTs for agricultural development in the Alice rural community. The rationale for carrying out the study has to do with the limited access to ICTs by farmers residing in this rural community which in turn affects their productivity and increase in the volume of agricultural production. The core argument of the study is that the use of ICTs has positive spinoffs on agricultural development which leads to improvement in the quality and quantity of agricultural production. Conversely lack of access to ICTs can result in inability to enhance agricultural productivity in rural areas such as Alice. Furthermore, it is argued herein that technological information devices such as ICTs are essential communication and information tools; and as such, should be regarded as useful communication media for disseminating relevant agricultural information to farmers residing in rural communities. In conducting this study theoretical frameworks such as Rogers’ diffusion of innovation and development theories encompassing both the participatory approach and development support communication were presented and argued for as approaches suitable for the study. Triangulations of research methods, such as, qualitative and quantitative methods, were utilized for the collection of data for this study. As is common practice, the triangulation method was used in cross checking and supplementing data/information collected through the utilization of each of the methods. Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection tools for this study owing to their ability to generate clear and precise responses or answers to the questions posed. The key findings of the study show that the limited access to ICTs in the Alice rural community was caused by factors such as low level of literacy, age and language barriers which in turn affected the adoption of ICTs amongst the Alice farmers. Amongst the recommendations emanating from this study is the idea that the adoption of ICTs for agricultural information can be fast-tracked through the implementation of telecentres/kiosk and information centers for easy access to information and communication services in the rural community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Alao, Abiodun Oyebimpe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/236 , Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigates the impact of ICTs for agricultural development in the Alice rural community. The rationale for carrying out the study has to do with the limited access to ICTs by farmers residing in this rural community which in turn affects their productivity and increase in the volume of agricultural production. The core argument of the study is that the use of ICTs has positive spinoffs on agricultural development which leads to improvement in the quality and quantity of agricultural production. Conversely lack of access to ICTs can result in inability to enhance agricultural productivity in rural areas such as Alice. Furthermore, it is argued herein that technological information devices such as ICTs are essential communication and information tools; and as such, should be regarded as useful communication media for disseminating relevant agricultural information to farmers residing in rural communities. In conducting this study theoretical frameworks such as Rogers’ diffusion of innovation and development theories encompassing both the participatory approach and development support communication were presented and argued for as approaches suitable for the study. Triangulations of research methods, such as, qualitative and quantitative methods, were utilized for the collection of data for this study. As is common practice, the triangulation method was used in cross checking and supplementing data/information collected through the utilization of each of the methods. Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection tools for this study owing to their ability to generate clear and precise responses or answers to the questions posed. The key findings of the study show that the limited access to ICTs in the Alice rural community was caused by factors such as low level of literacy, age and language barriers which in turn affected the adoption of ICTs amongst the Alice farmers. Amongst the recommendations emanating from this study is the idea that the adoption of ICTs for agricultural information can be fast-tracked through the implementation of telecentres/kiosk and information centers for easy access to information and communication services in the rural community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of increasing electricity tariffs on the automative industry in South Africa
- Authors: Hoops, Eduard Christiaan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electricity -- Costs , Electric utilities -- Rates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1436 , Electricity -- Costs , Electric utilities -- Rates
- Description: South African electricity tariffs were relatively low compared to the rest of the world. The average South African business has for long taken this advantage for granted and is now surprised to realise that electricity is becoming an expensive and scarce commodity. The South African electricity supply industry is far more complex than the average person may think. The infrastructure supporting this industry is extremely costly; takes long to develop and build and requires careful planning and management. There are many sources of energy and many technologies for generating electricity. However, many of these do not appear quite ready to serve the needs of the industry. The manufacturing industry depends heavily on electricity. The recent power outages and tariff increases have served as a cruel reminder of this fact. The automotive sector has lost many days of production and the increasing electricity costs erode the profitability of the affected companies. The automotive suppliers and vehicle manufacturers have expressed their concerns. Indications are that some have reduced the number of employees and may even face bankruptcy. This research aims to gain the perspective of senior managers in the automotive industry regarding the impact of the increased electricity tariffs on their manufacturing costs. Naturally, all electricity consumers will be affected by this. However, this research aims to investigate the significance of the effect on the automotive industry as well as obtain some indication of which factors determine the level of dependency. Each company has to react strategically to the situation and apply those measures which are available to them. This research determines how strongly the industry feels about reacting and which strategic measures they will apply. The outcome is descriptive of the circumstances in the industry and indisputably serves as an indication of the financial impact of electricity tariff increases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Hoops, Eduard Christiaan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electricity -- Costs , Electric utilities -- Rates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1436 , Electricity -- Costs , Electric utilities -- Rates
- Description: South African electricity tariffs were relatively low compared to the rest of the world. The average South African business has for long taken this advantage for granted and is now surprised to realise that electricity is becoming an expensive and scarce commodity. The South African electricity supply industry is far more complex than the average person may think. The infrastructure supporting this industry is extremely costly; takes long to develop and build and requires careful planning and management. There are many sources of energy and many technologies for generating electricity. However, many of these do not appear quite ready to serve the needs of the industry. The manufacturing industry depends heavily on electricity. The recent power outages and tariff increases have served as a cruel reminder of this fact. The automotive sector has lost many days of production and the increasing electricity costs erode the profitability of the affected companies. The automotive suppliers and vehicle manufacturers have expressed their concerns. Indications are that some have reduced the number of employees and may even face bankruptcy. This research aims to gain the perspective of senior managers in the automotive industry regarding the impact of the increased electricity tariffs on their manufacturing costs. Naturally, all electricity consumers will be affected by this. However, this research aims to investigate the significance of the effect on the automotive industry as well as obtain some indication of which factors determine the level of dependency. Each company has to react strategically to the situation and apply those measures which are available to them. This research determines how strongly the industry feels about reacting and which strategic measures they will apply. The outcome is descriptive of the circumstances in the industry and indisputably serves as an indication of the financial impact of electricity tariff increases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of rural ICT projects in South Africa: a case study of Dwesa, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Shingai, Kavhai Mitchell
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/317 , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This project aimed at assessing and evaluating the extent to which deployed ICTs in the rural area of Dwesa have impacted on the lives of the residents there. This occurred between February 2008 and December 2009. The ICTs are an initiative collaboration of University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University, sponsored by Telkom SA, the Government of Finland and other market players. This research started by reviewing the extent to which rural areas in general have lagged behind in terms of accessing ICTs, paying closer attention to governmental policies and initiatives towards rural development. The project then looked at the currently available ICTs in Dwesa and trying to measure the extent to which they have been useful or rather complicated the lives of the people there. Also important was a review of the efforts made by the technology innovators towards ensuring that relevant and appropriate technologies were made available to the rural people. The project also looked into issues of sustainability, maintenance and general running of the project to ensure its success. Important key findings on access, appropriateness of ICTs, use and knowledge about the ICTs, literacy levels, education standards and readiness of community to use ICTs were made during this research. Also included in the findings are issues on state of infrastructure, already present services, and current uses of ICTs as well as notable positive ICT impact in Dwesa. The most important findings of this research were to assist in providing a detailed prediction of future impact of various possible new technologies that can be introduced to Dwesa. This research also had to be able to bring out a monitoring and evaluation system that should measure the impact of the ICT interventions over the past 5 years. This project was initiated in 2005 and is identified by the name Siyakhula Living Lab. The concept of a living lab is a new term for providing ICTs in an area where their usefulness can be tested based on the natural environment in which they are being used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Shingai, Kavhai Mitchell
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/317 , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This project aimed at assessing and evaluating the extent to which deployed ICTs in the rural area of Dwesa have impacted on the lives of the residents there. This occurred between February 2008 and December 2009. The ICTs are an initiative collaboration of University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University, sponsored by Telkom SA, the Government of Finland and other market players. This research started by reviewing the extent to which rural areas in general have lagged behind in terms of accessing ICTs, paying closer attention to governmental policies and initiatives towards rural development. The project then looked at the currently available ICTs in Dwesa and trying to measure the extent to which they have been useful or rather complicated the lives of the people there. Also important was a review of the efforts made by the technology innovators towards ensuring that relevant and appropriate technologies were made available to the rural people. The project also looked into issues of sustainability, maintenance and general running of the project to ensure its success. Important key findings on access, appropriateness of ICTs, use and knowledge about the ICTs, literacy levels, education standards and readiness of community to use ICTs were made during this research. Also included in the findings are issues on state of infrastructure, already present services, and current uses of ICTs as well as notable positive ICT impact in Dwesa. The most important findings of this research were to assist in providing a detailed prediction of future impact of various possible new technologies that can be introduced to Dwesa. This research also had to be able to bring out a monitoring and evaluation system that should measure the impact of the ICT interventions over the past 5 years. This project was initiated in 2005 and is identified by the name Siyakhula Living Lab. The concept of a living lab is a new term for providing ICTs in an area where their usefulness can be tested based on the natural environment in which they are being used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The implementation of an integrated quality management system in Queenstown District schools: experiences from the Isibane Circuit
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/355 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines the experiences of the school management teams and educators of the Isibane Circuit in the Queenstown District, regarding the implementation of an Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) policy at school level. Following an agreement reached in 2003 between the South African Education Department and the major teacher organisations in this country, the IQMS was scheduled to be implemented in public schools from 2004. Two major challenges are identified and explained: accountability and development of human resources, as well as contradictions between internal and external evaluations. The study also elaborates on the changes in the educational history from the apartheid system to the democratic system of education. Nine schools participated in the study (two secondary schools and seven primary schools). These schools were purposely selected due to the fact that they had started implementing the IQMS policy, which was the main criterion for selection. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from principals, Heads of Departments as well as post-level one educators concerning their experiences of the IQMS implementation. The findings indicated that while the IQMS policy was good on paper, it was extremely difficult to implement. Issues of honesty and trust were at the root of difficulties that made the IQMS implementation challenging. The participants‟ understanding of IQMS was that it was intended for the provision of quality education and development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/355 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines the experiences of the school management teams and educators of the Isibane Circuit in the Queenstown District, regarding the implementation of an Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) policy at school level. Following an agreement reached in 2003 between the South African Education Department and the major teacher organisations in this country, the IQMS was scheduled to be implemented in public schools from 2004. Two major challenges are identified and explained: accountability and development of human resources, as well as contradictions between internal and external evaluations. The study also elaborates on the changes in the educational history from the apartheid system to the democratic system of education. Nine schools participated in the study (two secondary schools and seven primary schools). These schools were purposely selected due to the fact that they had started implementing the IQMS policy, which was the main criterion for selection. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from principals, Heads of Departments as well as post-level one educators concerning their experiences of the IQMS implementation. The findings indicated that while the IQMS policy was good on paper, it was extremely difficult to implement. Issues of honesty and trust were at the root of difficulties that made the IQMS implementation challenging. The participants‟ understanding of IQMS was that it was intended for the provision of quality education and development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The implementation of e-business in the South African automative industry
- Authors: Khayundi, Silas Imende
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1446 , Electronic commerce -- South Africa
- Description: Globally, the automotive industry has progressed through various stages of manufacturing paradigms over many decades. The automotive industry is one of South Africa's most important sectors, with many of the major automotive multinationals using South Africa to source components and assemble vehicles for both the local and international markets. Lean production has been recognised as the most effective manufacturing strategy that generates high quality products at low costs, while still producing different varieties of products. The effectiveness of the lean production lies in the relationships that exist between the original equipment manufacturer and its suppliers. Klopping and McKinney (2004) state that the evolution of the Internet as a business tool enhanced by the development of the World Wide Web has led to the emergence of the fast growing e-commerce applications. This quantitative research study aims at investigating the e-business relationships that exist between a selected Eastern Cape Original Equipment Manufacturer and its first tier suppliers. The primary objective of the study was to obtain and document direct feedback from the South African Automotive Manufacturing Industry about their perceptions, opinions, plans and activities in respect to Business to Business Electronic Commerce - called "e-Business" for the remainder of this study. The study shows that most automotive suppliers are comparatively heavy users of e-business. Many of these suppliers are also using e-mail and have a website, but comparatively few engage in more complex e-business operations. The greater majority of respondents reported that e-business has facilitated efficiency of their operations. However, e-business is not being utilised effectively between the OEM and its suppliers even with the introduction of Covisint which is a common e-business interface that was created through collaboration between major OEMs and their suppliers to ease e-business in the automotive industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Khayundi, Silas Imende
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1446 , Electronic commerce -- South Africa
- Description: Globally, the automotive industry has progressed through various stages of manufacturing paradigms over many decades. The automotive industry is one of South Africa's most important sectors, with many of the major automotive multinationals using South Africa to source components and assemble vehicles for both the local and international markets. Lean production has been recognised as the most effective manufacturing strategy that generates high quality products at low costs, while still producing different varieties of products. The effectiveness of the lean production lies in the relationships that exist between the original equipment manufacturer and its suppliers. Klopping and McKinney (2004) state that the evolution of the Internet as a business tool enhanced by the development of the World Wide Web has led to the emergence of the fast growing e-commerce applications. This quantitative research study aims at investigating the e-business relationships that exist between a selected Eastern Cape Original Equipment Manufacturer and its first tier suppliers. The primary objective of the study was to obtain and document direct feedback from the South African Automotive Manufacturing Industry about their perceptions, opinions, plans and activities in respect to Business to Business Electronic Commerce - called "e-Business" for the remainder of this study. The study shows that most automotive suppliers are comparatively heavy users of e-business. Many of these suppliers are also using e-mail and have a website, but comparatively few engage in more complex e-business operations. The greater majority of respondents reported that e-business has facilitated efficiency of their operations. However, e-business is not being utilised effectively between the OEM and its suppliers even with the introduction of Covisint which is a common e-business interface that was created through collaboration between major OEMs and their suppliers to ease e-business in the automotive industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The importance of estuarine head waters for fishes in selected Eastern Cape systems, with particular emphasis on the influence of freshwater inflow, migration barriers and non-native predators on the juvenile and small fish component
- Authors: Wasserman, Ryan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1457 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The utilisation of estuary headwater environments by young estuary- and marine-spawned fish species was investigated together with the effects of riverflow alteration, in-stream barrier effects and non-native ichthyofauna on the nursery function of these habitats. The distribution and abundance of young estuary- and marine-spawned fish were sampled using seine and fyke nets in the headwater environments of four permanently open Eastern Cape systems, namely the Great Fish, Kowie, Kariega and Sundays Estuaries. Within the suite of study systems, the first of two case studies focussed on barrier effects of in-stream structures on fish migration. This was undertaken in the Sundays River. In the second case study, predation and competition dynamics of the non-native piscivorous Micropterus salmoides on estuary-dependent fish was investigated in the estuary headwater regions of the Kowie River system. In all four estuaries, young estuary-spawned fish species dominated the ichthyofaunal community followed by marine-spawned species, despite varied freshwater inflow resulting in headwaters varying in salinity from fresh to hypersaline. Fish community structure however, differed largely between estuaries, with both freshwater abstraction and unnatural elevation of freshwater into estuaries, as a result of inter-basin transfers, affecting these communities. In-stream structures were found to effect upstream movement of fish in two ways, dependent on the type of barrier. Partial (size-dependent) and complete (species-dependent) restriction to upstream migration of fish by causeway-type instream structures were observed. Weir-type in-stream structures acted as a complete barrier to most species, regardless of fish size. Predation of estuary- and marine-spawned fish species by large sized M. salmoides was recorded, although these fish did not contribute significantly to their diet during this study. However, the main dietary components found in smaller sized M. salmoides stomachs overlap with those of juvenile estuary- and marinespawned fish species, suggesting feeding competition between the juveniles of indigenous and non-native fish species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Wasserman, Ryan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1457 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The utilisation of estuary headwater environments by young estuary- and marine-spawned fish species was investigated together with the effects of riverflow alteration, in-stream barrier effects and non-native ichthyofauna on the nursery function of these habitats. The distribution and abundance of young estuary- and marine-spawned fish were sampled using seine and fyke nets in the headwater environments of four permanently open Eastern Cape systems, namely the Great Fish, Kowie, Kariega and Sundays Estuaries. Within the suite of study systems, the first of two case studies focussed on barrier effects of in-stream structures on fish migration. This was undertaken in the Sundays River. In the second case study, predation and competition dynamics of the non-native piscivorous Micropterus salmoides on estuary-dependent fish was investigated in the estuary headwater regions of the Kowie River system. In all four estuaries, young estuary-spawned fish species dominated the ichthyofaunal community followed by marine-spawned species, despite varied freshwater inflow resulting in headwaters varying in salinity from fresh to hypersaline. Fish community structure however, differed largely between estuaries, with both freshwater abstraction and unnatural elevation of freshwater into estuaries, as a result of inter-basin transfers, affecting these communities. In-stream structures were found to effect upstream movement of fish in two ways, dependent on the type of barrier. Partial (size-dependent) and complete (species-dependent) restriction to upstream migration of fish by causeway-type instream structures were observed. Weir-type in-stream structures acted as a complete barrier to most species, regardless of fish size. Predation of estuary- and marine-spawned fish species by large sized M. salmoides was recorded, although these fish did not contribute significantly to their diet during this study. However, the main dietary components found in smaller sized M. salmoides stomachs overlap with those of juvenile estuary- and marinespawned fish species, suggesting feeding competition between the juveniles of indigenous and non-native fish species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The influence of Acacia Mearnsii invasion on soil properties in the Kouga Mountains, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Van der Waal, Benjamin Wentsel
- Authors: Van der Waal, Benjamin Wentsel
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biogeography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil moisture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soils -- Sodium content -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005515 , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biogeography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil moisture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soils -- Sodium content -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The invasion of Acacia mearnsii in the Kouga catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa, has various negative impacts on the ecosystem. These impacts include: reduced species richness, increased water use, increased nutrients and increased N cycling rates. The native shrubby fynbos vegetation has adapted to the acidic nutrient poor soils and Mediterranean climate of the Kouga Mountains. Fynbos, however, is currently being out competed by the much taller Acacia mearnsii trees, due to their competitive nature and ability to fix nitrogen, thereby enriching the soil. The invaded sections of the valley bottoms and lower hill slopes are characterised by an almost complete monoculture of Acacia mearnsii, with very few fynbos species still present. The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs sponsored Working for Water programme started clearing Acacia mearnsii in 1996 in the Kouga Mountains. Cleared sites have remained bare for long periods, indicating that soil properties are not favourable for indigenous propagule re-establishment. The aim of this research was to assess how A. mearnsii invasion and clearing affect fynbos recovery through its impact on soils. This was done by characterising vegetation and soil properties on fynbos, infested and cleared slopes. Vegetation cover for various growth forms was determined and a species list was compiled for each plot. The slope angle, surface hardness, litter cover, bare ground cover and soil depth were measured in the field, whereas water repellency, particle size and the chemical composition were measured in the laboratory. Furthermore, the plant establishment capacity of soils from fynbos, infested and cleared slopes was calculated. This was done by germinating fynbos seeds and growing fynbos plants in soils from the various slopes. The effect that invasion and clearing has on soil erosion was quantified using erosion plots on fynbos, infested and cleared slopes. The invasion and clearing of Acacia mearnsii led to an increase in soil nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon and manganese. Furthermore, soils became more acidic, with increased water repellency and reduced surface hardness. The vegetation changed to a tree-dominated structure, replacing the native species. Native plant germination was relatively unaffected by invasion and clearing, with an increase in germination just after clearing. Plant growth of a native grass, Themeda triandra, and herb, Helichrysum umbraculigerum, has increased on soils from cleared slopes. This study showed that soil movement increased on slopes which are invaded and cleared of Acacia mearnsii, with erosion rates doubling on invaded slopes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van der Waal, Benjamin Wentsel
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biogeography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil moisture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soils -- Sodium content -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005515 , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biogeography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil moisture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soils -- Sodium content -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The invasion of Acacia mearnsii in the Kouga catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa, has various negative impacts on the ecosystem. These impacts include: reduced species richness, increased water use, increased nutrients and increased N cycling rates. The native shrubby fynbos vegetation has adapted to the acidic nutrient poor soils and Mediterranean climate of the Kouga Mountains. Fynbos, however, is currently being out competed by the much taller Acacia mearnsii trees, due to their competitive nature and ability to fix nitrogen, thereby enriching the soil. The invaded sections of the valley bottoms and lower hill slopes are characterised by an almost complete monoculture of Acacia mearnsii, with very few fynbos species still present. The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs sponsored Working for Water programme started clearing Acacia mearnsii in 1996 in the Kouga Mountains. Cleared sites have remained bare for long periods, indicating that soil properties are not favourable for indigenous propagule re-establishment. The aim of this research was to assess how A. mearnsii invasion and clearing affect fynbos recovery through its impact on soils. This was done by characterising vegetation and soil properties on fynbos, infested and cleared slopes. Vegetation cover for various growth forms was determined and a species list was compiled for each plot. The slope angle, surface hardness, litter cover, bare ground cover and soil depth were measured in the field, whereas water repellency, particle size and the chemical composition were measured in the laboratory. Furthermore, the plant establishment capacity of soils from fynbos, infested and cleared slopes was calculated. This was done by germinating fynbos seeds and growing fynbos plants in soils from the various slopes. The effect that invasion and clearing has on soil erosion was quantified using erosion plots on fynbos, infested and cleared slopes. The invasion and clearing of Acacia mearnsii led to an increase in soil nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon and manganese. Furthermore, soils became more acidic, with increased water repellency and reduced surface hardness. The vegetation changed to a tree-dominated structure, replacing the native species. Native plant germination was relatively unaffected by invasion and clearing, with an increase in germination just after clearing. Plant growth of a native grass, Themeda triandra, and herb, Helichrysum umbraculigerum, has increased on soils from cleared slopes. This study showed that soil movement increased on slopes which are invaded and cleared of Acacia mearnsii, with erosion rates doubling on invaded slopes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The influence of strategic leadership in an organization: a case study : Ellerine Holdings Limited
- Authors: Mathura, Vikash
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa Case studies Leadership -- South Africa Case studies Corporate culture -- South Africa Case studies Organizational behavior -- South Africa Case studies Organizational change -- South Africa Case studies Furniture industry and trade -- South Africa Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003871
- Description: A review of the academic literature related to “strategic leadership” reveals that the performance of an organization will indeed be influenced by the application of this phenomenon. This thesis confines its research to a case study on Ellerine Holdings Limited, a multi-billion rand enterprise that trades in the competitive Southern African furniture retail industry. Following the 2007 acquisition of Ellerine Holdings Limited (EHL) by African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL), a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was appointed to develop and to lead the strategic changes that were envisioned for EHL. The research examines how the performance of EHL has been influenced since the appointment of Toni Fourie as the new CEO in February 2008. Boasting a reputation borne from his previous successes in organizational transformation, Fourie was ABIL’s first-choice leader for this challenge. Fourie displays qualities, attributes, behaviours and traits that are characterized by the phenomenon of “strategic leadership”. He has been the focus of media attention for the aggressive strategic changes that he has introduced within the organization. A quantitative analysis of EHL’s financial performance (between 2007 and 2009) indicated that there was a constant decline in the organization’s PBT (Profit Before Taxation) during the period observed. However, the research determined that turbulent conditions in the macro-economic environment (such as the global economic recession in 2008 and 2009) complemented by mitigating micro-economic factors, would have adversely skewed the conclusions in this document if the research was limited to quantitative analysis alone. Hence, the researcher explored a qualitative research framework by collecting and assimilating data from available documentation, and from formal interviews that were conducted with research participants representing the organization’s new leadership. These participants included the new CEO, Fourie, and the new Director of Strategy, Dr. Louis Carstens. Information was also obtained from informal discussions that were conducted with other senior executives, and with an ex general manager of one of EHL’s business units, who was based in the Eastern Cape region at the time. An examination of all of this data concluded that although Ellerine Holdings Limited was not achieving all of its financialperformance objectives, there was general consensus that the CEO’s strategic choices would yield the desired financial results from the mediumterm (namely, year-03 of his tenure) onwards. The CEO’s optimism and conviction that his strategic interventions will address long-term financial sustainability is shared by both EHL’s internal and external stakeholders. It emerged that EHL’s stakeholders were satisfied with the accelerated progress reflected in the organization’s non-financial performance indices. These indicators included the sowing of a new organizational culture; improved cost-base efficiencies; labour productivity; customer satisfaction; employee empowerment; innovation and creative thinking; collaborative and participative engagement; structural rationalization, and the introduction of new processes and procedures. The research from the EHL case study concluded that the phenomenon of strategic leadership can have a positive influence on various qualitative indicators within an organization. The research also determined that despite unforeseen conditions in both the macro and micro economic environments, an effective strategic leadership will remain committed to its vision, and resilient to its critics and competitors. This research further concludes that successful organizational transformation (within a macro enterprise) is ostensibly dependent on the interventions of a strategic leader who displays a specialist set of skills and behaviours. These strategic leaders have the ability to successfully shift the cognitive paradigms of their employees, thereby creating an enabling environment for the implementation of their strategic choices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mathura, Vikash
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa Case studies Leadership -- South Africa Case studies Corporate culture -- South Africa Case studies Organizational behavior -- South Africa Case studies Organizational change -- South Africa Case studies Furniture industry and trade -- South Africa Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003871
- Description: A review of the academic literature related to “strategic leadership” reveals that the performance of an organization will indeed be influenced by the application of this phenomenon. This thesis confines its research to a case study on Ellerine Holdings Limited, a multi-billion rand enterprise that trades in the competitive Southern African furniture retail industry. Following the 2007 acquisition of Ellerine Holdings Limited (EHL) by African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL), a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was appointed to develop and to lead the strategic changes that were envisioned for EHL. The research examines how the performance of EHL has been influenced since the appointment of Toni Fourie as the new CEO in February 2008. Boasting a reputation borne from his previous successes in organizational transformation, Fourie was ABIL’s first-choice leader for this challenge. Fourie displays qualities, attributes, behaviours and traits that are characterized by the phenomenon of “strategic leadership”. He has been the focus of media attention for the aggressive strategic changes that he has introduced within the organization. A quantitative analysis of EHL’s financial performance (between 2007 and 2009) indicated that there was a constant decline in the organization’s PBT (Profit Before Taxation) during the period observed. However, the research determined that turbulent conditions in the macro-economic environment (such as the global economic recession in 2008 and 2009) complemented by mitigating micro-economic factors, would have adversely skewed the conclusions in this document if the research was limited to quantitative analysis alone. Hence, the researcher explored a qualitative research framework by collecting and assimilating data from available documentation, and from formal interviews that were conducted with research participants representing the organization’s new leadership. These participants included the new CEO, Fourie, and the new Director of Strategy, Dr. Louis Carstens. Information was also obtained from informal discussions that were conducted with other senior executives, and with an ex general manager of one of EHL’s business units, who was based in the Eastern Cape region at the time. An examination of all of this data concluded that although Ellerine Holdings Limited was not achieving all of its financialperformance objectives, there was general consensus that the CEO’s strategic choices would yield the desired financial results from the mediumterm (namely, year-03 of his tenure) onwards. The CEO’s optimism and conviction that his strategic interventions will address long-term financial sustainability is shared by both EHL’s internal and external stakeholders. It emerged that EHL’s stakeholders were satisfied with the accelerated progress reflected in the organization’s non-financial performance indices. These indicators included the sowing of a new organizational culture; improved cost-base efficiencies; labour productivity; customer satisfaction; employee empowerment; innovation and creative thinking; collaborative and participative engagement; structural rationalization, and the introduction of new processes and procedures. The research from the EHL case study concluded that the phenomenon of strategic leadership can have a positive influence on various qualitative indicators within an organization. The research also determined that despite unforeseen conditions in both the macro and micro economic environments, an effective strategic leadership will remain committed to its vision, and resilient to its critics and competitors. This research further concludes that successful organizational transformation (within a macro enterprise) is ostensibly dependent on the interventions of a strategic leader who displays a specialist set of skills and behaviours. These strategic leaders have the ability to successfully shift the cognitive paradigms of their employees, thereby creating an enabling environment for the implementation of their strategic choices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The influence of talent management on strategy
- Authors: Piti, Mfundo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Personnel management , Ability , Organizational effectiveness , Employees -- Recruiting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1501 , Personnel management , Ability , Organizational effectiveness , Employees -- Recruiting
- Description: Research indicates that effective talent management is essential in achieving organisational excellence and is a driving force for business success. This study focused on investigating VWSA Group Service division’s employee talent management process as seen or perceived by employees. The employee attitude and understanding of the 2010 strategy was also evaluated. In achieving this objective a literature review on talent management was conducted and questions formulated which formed part of the survey. The questionnaire was self-administered and sent to the stratified random sample of individuals who were eligible for survey. The main findings of this research are that the 2010 strategy was well received by the employees and that seventy seven percent of the respondents who took part in the study do understand the 2010 strategy and what it is all about. The study also highlighted that employees believe Project 1 in the 2010 strategy will be achieved. Employees were uncertain that compensation and leadership style are variables that influence or promote talent management. From the literature review it is explained that in order for talent management to be effective it must be aligned to organisational strategy. Various recommendations were made, for example conducting of skills gap analysis with a view to identify skills employees need to possess in order to meet the objectives of the 2010 strategy. Another recommendation was the formation of talent pools from which to recruit high talented staff and whose skills will be required to meet the objectives of the organisational strategy. A final point emanating from the study, is that when it comes to talent management and achieving organisational strategy it is not business as usual. Companies need to be aware of brand profiles most desired by highly talented individuals; they also need to be aware of various recruiting strategies as well as acknowledge that different employees are at different levels of the motivational hierarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Piti, Mfundo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Personnel management , Ability , Organizational effectiveness , Employees -- Recruiting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1501 , Personnel management , Ability , Organizational effectiveness , Employees -- Recruiting
- Description: Research indicates that effective talent management is essential in achieving organisational excellence and is a driving force for business success. This study focused on investigating VWSA Group Service division’s employee talent management process as seen or perceived by employees. The employee attitude and understanding of the 2010 strategy was also evaluated. In achieving this objective a literature review on talent management was conducted and questions formulated which formed part of the survey. The questionnaire was self-administered and sent to the stratified random sample of individuals who were eligible for survey. The main findings of this research are that the 2010 strategy was well received by the employees and that seventy seven percent of the respondents who took part in the study do understand the 2010 strategy and what it is all about. The study also highlighted that employees believe Project 1 in the 2010 strategy will be achieved. Employees were uncertain that compensation and leadership style are variables that influence or promote talent management. From the literature review it is explained that in order for talent management to be effective it must be aligned to organisational strategy. Various recommendations were made, for example conducting of skills gap analysis with a view to identify skills employees need to possess in order to meet the objectives of the 2010 strategy. Another recommendation was the formation of talent pools from which to recruit high talented staff and whose skills will be required to meet the objectives of the organisational strategy. A final point emanating from the study, is that when it comes to talent management and achieving organisational strategy it is not business as usual. Companies need to be aware of brand profiles most desired by highly talented individuals; they also need to be aware of various recruiting strategies as well as acknowledge that different employees are at different levels of the motivational hierarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The investigation of alternative processes for the oxidation of phenol
- Authors: Pongoma, Basanda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Phenol , Hydroquinone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1479 , Phenol , Hydroquinone
- Description: The electrochemical oxidation of phenol can be considered as an important process for either producing value added products such as hydroquinone and catechol or for the removal of the phenol from waste water streams to form carbon dioxide. This process had been extensively studied with the main focus on type of anode material used. Even though the anode material could be made from a range of materials, this study focused on using PbO2 as anode material that was made by using Pb-acid battery principles in designing a microporous electrode. In this study, the focus was on using lead dioxide as an anode material that was made by using the formation principles used in the manufacturing of Pb-acid batteries. This allowed for the construction of an electrochemical flow-through micro-porous reactor that contained PbO2 as the anode and Pb as the cathode, allowing for a solution containing phenol to flow through the cell continuously. By applying a suitable potential across the cell, the almost complete oxidation of phenol would occur to form benzoquinone, which was followed by the sequential reduction to other products such as hydroquinone and catechol. The system was shown to be made up of tightly packed micro-porous material that had a very high surface area-to-volume ratio. The study showed that between 80 to 90 percent successful conversion of a 50 mM solution of phenol could be achieved by optimizing the continuous flow process of up to 500 minutes. The main reaction product from this process was hydroquinone, of up to 60 percent with a number of the minor products of which not all could be identified. In order to utilize the characteristics of this reactor system, its design and reaction conditions such as applied potential, phenol concentration, co-solvent concentration and support electrolyte concentration were investigated to optimize the convection of phenol and the yield of hydroquinone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Pongoma, Basanda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Phenol , Hydroquinone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1479 , Phenol , Hydroquinone
- Description: The electrochemical oxidation of phenol can be considered as an important process for either producing value added products such as hydroquinone and catechol or for the removal of the phenol from waste water streams to form carbon dioxide. This process had been extensively studied with the main focus on type of anode material used. Even though the anode material could be made from a range of materials, this study focused on using PbO2 as anode material that was made by using Pb-acid battery principles in designing a microporous electrode. In this study, the focus was on using lead dioxide as an anode material that was made by using the formation principles used in the manufacturing of Pb-acid batteries. This allowed for the construction of an electrochemical flow-through micro-porous reactor that contained PbO2 as the anode and Pb as the cathode, allowing for a solution containing phenol to flow through the cell continuously. By applying a suitable potential across the cell, the almost complete oxidation of phenol would occur to form benzoquinone, which was followed by the sequential reduction to other products such as hydroquinone and catechol. The system was shown to be made up of tightly packed micro-porous material that had a very high surface area-to-volume ratio. The study showed that between 80 to 90 percent successful conversion of a 50 mM solution of phenol could be achieved by optimizing the continuous flow process of up to 500 minutes. The main reaction product from this process was hydroquinone, of up to 60 percent with a number of the minor products of which not all could be identified. In order to utilize the characteristics of this reactor system, its design and reaction conditions such as applied potential, phenol concentration, co-solvent concentration and support electrolyte concentration were investigated to optimize the convection of phenol and the yield of hydroquinone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The investigation of the impact of household contractor project in Ukhahlamba District since 2003 with regards to poverty alleviation among the participating household contractors
- Authors: Ngwendu, Mandlenkosi Victor
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Governmentpolicy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1396 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Governmentpolicy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigates impact made by Household Contractor Project as a Poverty Alleviation initiative on participating Household Contractors in Ukhahlamba in the Eastern Cape Province. Household Contractor Project is an Expanded Public Works Project implemented by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government to achieve the following EPWP principles, namely: Poverty alleviation; Creation of employment opportunities and; Creation of opportunities for skills development. The project (meaning Household Contractor Project) is implemented in the Province's six districts, namely: Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Cacadu, Chris Hani, O.R. Tambo, and Ukhahlamba. The study aims at investigating whether Household Contractor Project in Ukhahlamba district has resulted in poverty alleviation among participating household contractors. The study uses measurable indicators like food security, education for children, health needs and basic household needs to achieve its aim.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Ngwendu, Mandlenkosi Victor
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Governmentpolicy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1396 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Governmentpolicy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigates impact made by Household Contractor Project as a Poverty Alleviation initiative on participating Household Contractors in Ukhahlamba in the Eastern Cape Province. Household Contractor Project is an Expanded Public Works Project implemented by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government to achieve the following EPWP principles, namely: Poverty alleviation; Creation of employment opportunities and; Creation of opportunities for skills development. The project (meaning Household Contractor Project) is implemented in the Province's six districts, namely: Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Cacadu, Chris Hani, O.R. Tambo, and Ukhahlamba. The study aims at investigating whether Household Contractor Project in Ukhahlamba district has resulted in poverty alleviation among participating household contractors. The study uses measurable indicators like food security, education for children, health needs and basic household needs to achieve its aim.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The isolation of muscle activity and ground reaction force patterns associated with postural control in four load manipulation tasks
- Authors: Pettengell, Clare Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5125 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005203 , Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Description: Although much effort has been placed into the reduction of risks associated with manual materials handling, risk of musculoskeletal disorder development remains high. This may be due to the additional muscle activity necessary for the maintenance of postural equilibrium during work tasks. This research proposes that postural control and subsequent additional muscle activity is influenced by the magnitude of the external load and the degree of body movement. The objective of this research was to identify whether performing tasks with increased external load and with a greater degree of trunk motion places additional strain on the musculoskeletal system in excess of that imposed by task demands. Twenty-four male and twenty-four female subjects performed four load manipulation tasks under three loading conditions (0.8kg, 1.6kg, and 4kg). Each task comprised of a static and dynamic condition. For the static condition, subjects maintained a stipulated posture for ten seconds. The dynamic condition required subjects to move and replace a box once every three seconds, such that a complete lift and lower cycle was performed in six seconds. Throughout task completion, muscle activity of six pairs of trunk muscles were analysed using surface electromyography. This was accompanied by data regarding ground reaction forces obtained through the use of a force platform. After the completion of each condition subjects were required to identify and rate body discomfort. Differential analysis was used to isolate the muscle activity and ground reaction forces attributed to increased external load and increased trunk movement. It was found that the heaviest loading conditions (4kg) resulted in significantly greater (p<0.05) muscle activation in the majority of muscles during all tasks investigated. The trend of muscle activity attributed to load was similar in all significantly altered muscles and activation was greatest in the heaviest loading condition. A degree of movement efficiency occurred in some muscles when manipulating loads of 0.8kg and 1.6kg. At greater loads, this did not occur suggesting that heavier loading conditions result in additional strain on the body in excess of that imposed by task demands. In manipulated data, trend of vertical ground reaction forces increased with increased load in all tasks. Sagittal movement of the centre of pressure attributed to load was significantly affected in manipulated data in the second movement phase of the “hip shoulder” task and the second movement phase of the “hip twist” task. The “hip reach” task was most affected by increased load magnitude as muscle activity attributed to load was significantly different (p<0.05) under increased loading conditions in both movement phases in all muscles. Further, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between condition and data point was found in all muscles with the exception of the right and left lumbar erector spinae during the second movement phase of the “hip reach” task. Muscle activity associated with increased trunk motion resulted in additional strain on the trunk muscles in the “hip shoulder” and “hip reach” tasks as muscle activity associated with the static component of each of the above tasks was greater than that of the dynamic tasks. Trend of ground reaction forces attributed to increased trunk motion generally increased under increased loading conditions. Additionally, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and muscle activity pattern was found in all muscles during all tasks, with the exception of the right rectus abdominis in the first movement phase of the “hip shoulder’ task, the left rectus abdominis in the second movement phase of the “hip knee” task and the right latissimus dorsi during the first movement phase of the “hip twist” task. This was accompanied by a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and sagittal centre of pressure movement attributed to load, in both movement phases of all tasks investigated. From this research it can be proposed that guidelines may underestimate risk and subsequently under predict the strain in tasks performed with greater external loads as well as tasks which require a greater degree of trunk motion. Therefore, this study illustrates the importance of the consideration of the muscle activity necessary to maintain postural equilibrium in overall load analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Pettengell, Clare Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5125 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005203 , Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Description: Although much effort has been placed into the reduction of risks associated with manual materials handling, risk of musculoskeletal disorder development remains high. This may be due to the additional muscle activity necessary for the maintenance of postural equilibrium during work tasks. This research proposes that postural control and subsequent additional muscle activity is influenced by the magnitude of the external load and the degree of body movement. The objective of this research was to identify whether performing tasks with increased external load and with a greater degree of trunk motion places additional strain on the musculoskeletal system in excess of that imposed by task demands. Twenty-four male and twenty-four female subjects performed four load manipulation tasks under three loading conditions (0.8kg, 1.6kg, and 4kg). Each task comprised of a static and dynamic condition. For the static condition, subjects maintained a stipulated posture for ten seconds. The dynamic condition required subjects to move and replace a box once every three seconds, such that a complete lift and lower cycle was performed in six seconds. Throughout task completion, muscle activity of six pairs of trunk muscles were analysed using surface electromyography. This was accompanied by data regarding ground reaction forces obtained through the use of a force platform. After the completion of each condition subjects were required to identify and rate body discomfort. Differential analysis was used to isolate the muscle activity and ground reaction forces attributed to increased external load and increased trunk movement. It was found that the heaviest loading conditions (4kg) resulted in significantly greater (p<0.05) muscle activation in the majority of muscles during all tasks investigated. The trend of muscle activity attributed to load was similar in all significantly altered muscles and activation was greatest in the heaviest loading condition. A degree of movement efficiency occurred in some muscles when manipulating loads of 0.8kg and 1.6kg. At greater loads, this did not occur suggesting that heavier loading conditions result in additional strain on the body in excess of that imposed by task demands. In manipulated data, trend of vertical ground reaction forces increased with increased load in all tasks. Sagittal movement of the centre of pressure attributed to load was significantly affected in manipulated data in the second movement phase of the “hip shoulder” task and the second movement phase of the “hip twist” task. The “hip reach” task was most affected by increased load magnitude as muscle activity attributed to load was significantly different (p<0.05) under increased loading conditions in both movement phases in all muscles. Further, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between condition and data point was found in all muscles with the exception of the right and left lumbar erector spinae during the second movement phase of the “hip reach” task. Muscle activity associated with increased trunk motion resulted in additional strain on the trunk muscles in the “hip shoulder” and “hip reach” tasks as muscle activity associated with the static component of each of the above tasks was greater than that of the dynamic tasks. Trend of ground reaction forces attributed to increased trunk motion generally increased under increased loading conditions. Additionally, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and muscle activity pattern was found in all muscles during all tasks, with the exception of the right rectus abdominis in the first movement phase of the “hip shoulder’ task, the left rectus abdominis in the second movement phase of the “hip knee” task and the right latissimus dorsi during the first movement phase of the “hip twist” task. This was accompanied by a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and sagittal centre of pressure movement attributed to load, in both movement phases of all tasks investigated. From this research it can be proposed that guidelines may underestimate risk and subsequently under predict the strain in tasks performed with greater external loads as well as tasks which require a greater degree of trunk motion. Therefore, this study illustrates the importance of the consideration of the muscle activity necessary to maintain postural equilibrium in overall load analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The liability of Internet service providers for unlawful content posted by third parties
- Authors: O'Brien, N D
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Internet -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Electronic commerce -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Third parties (Law) -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1149 , Internet -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Electronic commerce -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Third parties (Law) -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa
- Description: Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) are crucial to the operation and development of the Internet. However, through the performance of their basic functions, they faced the great risk of civil and criminal liability for unlawful content posted by third parties. As this risk threatened the potential of the Internet, various jurisdictions opted to promulgate legislation that granted ISP’s safe harbours from liability. The South African (RSA) response is Chapter XI of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). The protection it provides is however not absolute. It is limited to ISP’s that are members of an Industry Representative Body (IRB) and those ISP’s must perform particular functions in relation to third party content in a certain manner to obtain limited liability. Due to the ECTA’s limited application and a lack of authority, the question is raised as to what is the liability of ISP’s for unlawful content posted by third parties? This dissertation pays particular attention to ISP liability for third party defamatory statements, hate speech, and obscene and indecent material. The role and characteristics of ISP’s in the functioning of the Internet is described. It is determined that a wide legal definition would be required to encompass the many roles they perform. The definition provided by the ECTA is wide and many different types of ISP can fall underneath it. This may have unintended consequences as entities may receive protection that the legislature did not intend. The appropriate laws in the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom are surveyed and suggestions as to the extent of ISP liability in circumstances where the ECTA does not apply are made. It is established that their position is uncertain due to difficulties in applying the law to the Internet. This could result in the law being applied incorrectly and ISP’s erroneously found liable. The ECTA’s threshold requirements limit the availability of the safe harbor provisions to ISP’s that are members of a recognised IRB. The IRB must comply with an extensive set of requirements to obtain recognition. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure that only responsible ISP’s obtain the protection provided by the act. After an examination of these requirements, their necessity is questioned as their purpose appears to be contrary to the logic of the safe harbours provided by the ECTA. The safe harbours are analysed and comparisons made to similar legislation that exists in the USA and the European Union (EU). It was established that the ECTA is a hybrid of the USA and EU legislation, and to a certain extent improves on them. It was suggested that the extent of ISP liability in relation to certain unlawful content is clearer under the ECTA. However, exceptions may exist in relation to hate speech and obscene and indecent content as a result of legislation that does not properly take the technology of the Internet into account. It was recommended that certain action be taken to correct this position to prevent any negative effects on the Internet industry and conflict with the objectives of the ECTA. The provision of limited liability contained in the ECTA is balanced with a notice and takedown procedure, which provides relief to victims of unlawful content. This procedure is analysed and it appears to be effective in providing relief. However, through an examination of concerns raised in relation to this type of procedure as it exists in the USA and the EU, it is suggested that certain flaws exist. The take-down procedure negatively effects the freedom of expression and the third party’s rights to due process. Further, the threshold requirements result in not all the users of the Internet being provided with the same remedies. It is recommended that certain action be taken to correct these flaws. The solution provided by the ECTA should be favoured over the uncertainty that existed before it promulgation. It may be necessary to correct particular flaws that exist. Certain recommendations are suggested in this regard and the concluding chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: O'Brien, N D
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Internet -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Electronic commerce -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Third parties (Law) -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1149 , Internet -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Electronic commerce -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Third parties (Law) -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa
- Description: Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) are crucial to the operation and development of the Internet. However, through the performance of their basic functions, they faced the great risk of civil and criminal liability for unlawful content posted by third parties. As this risk threatened the potential of the Internet, various jurisdictions opted to promulgate legislation that granted ISP’s safe harbours from liability. The South African (RSA) response is Chapter XI of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). The protection it provides is however not absolute. It is limited to ISP’s that are members of an Industry Representative Body (IRB) and those ISP’s must perform particular functions in relation to third party content in a certain manner to obtain limited liability. Due to the ECTA’s limited application and a lack of authority, the question is raised as to what is the liability of ISP’s for unlawful content posted by third parties? This dissertation pays particular attention to ISP liability for third party defamatory statements, hate speech, and obscene and indecent material. The role and characteristics of ISP’s in the functioning of the Internet is described. It is determined that a wide legal definition would be required to encompass the many roles they perform. The definition provided by the ECTA is wide and many different types of ISP can fall underneath it. This may have unintended consequences as entities may receive protection that the legislature did not intend. The appropriate laws in the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom are surveyed and suggestions as to the extent of ISP liability in circumstances where the ECTA does not apply are made. It is established that their position is uncertain due to difficulties in applying the law to the Internet. This could result in the law being applied incorrectly and ISP’s erroneously found liable. The ECTA’s threshold requirements limit the availability of the safe harbor provisions to ISP’s that are members of a recognised IRB. The IRB must comply with an extensive set of requirements to obtain recognition. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure that only responsible ISP’s obtain the protection provided by the act. After an examination of these requirements, their necessity is questioned as their purpose appears to be contrary to the logic of the safe harbours provided by the ECTA. The safe harbours are analysed and comparisons made to similar legislation that exists in the USA and the European Union (EU). It was established that the ECTA is a hybrid of the USA and EU legislation, and to a certain extent improves on them. It was suggested that the extent of ISP liability in relation to certain unlawful content is clearer under the ECTA. However, exceptions may exist in relation to hate speech and obscene and indecent content as a result of legislation that does not properly take the technology of the Internet into account. It was recommended that certain action be taken to correct this position to prevent any negative effects on the Internet industry and conflict with the objectives of the ECTA. The provision of limited liability contained in the ECTA is balanced with a notice and takedown procedure, which provides relief to victims of unlawful content. This procedure is analysed and it appears to be effective in providing relief. However, through an examination of concerns raised in relation to this type of procedure as it exists in the USA and the EU, it is suggested that certain flaws exist. The take-down procedure negatively effects the freedom of expression and the third party’s rights to due process. Further, the threshold requirements result in not all the users of the Internet being provided with the same remedies. It is recommended that certain action be taken to correct these flaws. The solution provided by the ECTA should be favoured over the uncertainty that existed before it promulgation. It may be necessary to correct particular flaws that exist. Certain recommendations are suggested in this regard and the concluding chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The management of extralimital giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis) in the mosaic thicket of Southern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Cornelius, Andri Judith
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Giraffe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal behavior , Animal-plant relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10749 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1345 , Giraffe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal behavior , Animal-plant relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The giraffe at Nyaru were found to be browsers who made little use of graze during the study period. They utilized a diversity of 20 browse species. Two species, Acacia karroo and Acacia cyclops, formed the bulk of the giraffe diet throughout the year. A definite seasonal dietary shift was evident. A. karroo was favoured in summer and autumn and formed the main food species in spring, summer and autumn. A. cyclops was favoured throughout the study, but its contribution to the diet increased during winter when less A. karroo was consumed. This seasonal shift is related to the deciduous nature of Acacia karroo. Although a seasonal shift in species contribution to giraffe diet has been observed in many other giraffe feeding studies, no studies on giraffe feeding have been done in the Mosaic Thicket of the southern Cape. The ecological browsing capacity for giraffe in thicket was estimated to be between 0.020 BU/ha and 0.095 BU/ha. The browsing capacity for giraffe at Nyaru, based on the available phytomass 2–5 m above the ground, was estimated using those species that formed the bulk of the giraffe diet, and amounted to 0.063 BU/ha. A maximum of three giraffe could thus be stocked on the 157 ha of suitable giraffe habitat on Nyaru. This stocking rate recommendation lies within the range commonly recommended by local consultants for giraffe introductions into the southern Cape. Their recommendations are, however, not based on quantitative assessments such as performed in this study. The recommendation of this study should not be applied as a fixed ecological capacity for giraffe in thicket, but should be seen as a starting point in the adaptive management cycle. Ongoing monitoring of parameters, such as herbaceous composition and phytomass; as well as the condition of key browse species, is strongly advocated. A. karroo was browsed significantly more and carried significantly fewer pods per tree at a heavily used site compared to a lightly used site. Heavy browsing thus appears to affect the reproductive success of A. karroo significantly. Fewer pods are likely to lead to lower regeneration and thus reduced density of A. karroo. Whether A. karroo will maintain its dominance within the thicket vii community in the long run will be related to how individual plants survive and reproduce and if some can escape from herbivory. Fewer G. occidentalis were clumped with other species at the heavily used site compared to the lightly used site. This could possibly be attributed to the fact that intense browsing pressure at the heavily used site caused protective clumps to be eaten away, thus exposing G. occidentalis to higher ungulate browsing. Previous studies have found that nurse shrubs protect G. occidentalis against ungulate browsing. G. occidentalis was browsed significantly more at the heavily used site compared to the lightly used site. There was a general trend of fewer fruits at the heavily used site compared to the lightly used site, while fruits were absent on G. occidentalis growing alone at the heavily used site. This suggests a negative effect of heavy browsing on plant reproductive success and emphasizes the importance of nurse plants for the successful recruitment and hence long term prevalence of G. occidentalis in Mosaic Thicket.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Cornelius, Andri Judith
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Giraffe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal behavior , Animal-plant relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10749 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1345 , Giraffe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Giraffe -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal behavior , Animal-plant relationships -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The giraffe at Nyaru were found to be browsers who made little use of graze during the study period. They utilized a diversity of 20 browse species. Two species, Acacia karroo and Acacia cyclops, formed the bulk of the giraffe diet throughout the year. A definite seasonal dietary shift was evident. A. karroo was favoured in summer and autumn and formed the main food species in spring, summer and autumn. A. cyclops was favoured throughout the study, but its contribution to the diet increased during winter when less A. karroo was consumed. This seasonal shift is related to the deciduous nature of Acacia karroo. Although a seasonal shift in species contribution to giraffe diet has been observed in many other giraffe feeding studies, no studies on giraffe feeding have been done in the Mosaic Thicket of the southern Cape. The ecological browsing capacity for giraffe in thicket was estimated to be between 0.020 BU/ha and 0.095 BU/ha. The browsing capacity for giraffe at Nyaru, based on the available phytomass 2–5 m above the ground, was estimated using those species that formed the bulk of the giraffe diet, and amounted to 0.063 BU/ha. A maximum of three giraffe could thus be stocked on the 157 ha of suitable giraffe habitat on Nyaru. This stocking rate recommendation lies within the range commonly recommended by local consultants for giraffe introductions into the southern Cape. Their recommendations are, however, not based on quantitative assessments such as performed in this study. The recommendation of this study should not be applied as a fixed ecological capacity for giraffe in thicket, but should be seen as a starting point in the adaptive management cycle. Ongoing monitoring of parameters, such as herbaceous composition and phytomass; as well as the condition of key browse species, is strongly advocated. A. karroo was browsed significantly more and carried significantly fewer pods per tree at a heavily used site compared to a lightly used site. Heavy browsing thus appears to affect the reproductive success of A. karroo significantly. Fewer pods are likely to lead to lower regeneration and thus reduced density of A. karroo. Whether A. karroo will maintain its dominance within the thicket vii community in the long run will be related to how individual plants survive and reproduce and if some can escape from herbivory. Fewer G. occidentalis were clumped with other species at the heavily used site compared to the lightly used site. This could possibly be attributed to the fact that intense browsing pressure at the heavily used site caused protective clumps to be eaten away, thus exposing G. occidentalis to higher ungulate browsing. Previous studies have found that nurse shrubs protect G. occidentalis against ungulate browsing. G. occidentalis was browsed significantly more at the heavily used site compared to the lightly used site. There was a general trend of fewer fruits at the heavily used site compared to the lightly used site, while fruits were absent on G. occidentalis growing alone at the heavily used site. This suggests a negative effect of heavy browsing on plant reproductive success and emphasizes the importance of nurse plants for the successful recruitment and hence long term prevalence of G. occidentalis in Mosaic Thicket.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The migration of the term "civil war" : a social constructivist explanation
- Authors: Bailie, Lawrence Craig
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Civil Wars United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Iraq -- History -- Civil War, 1991
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006022 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/d1006022
- Description: Although the occurrence of wars between states has been in decline, the same cannot be said of conflict within states – especially when considering the innumerable ‘Civil Wars’ said to have occurred since the end of the Cold War. In this context the use of the word ‘innumerable’ is qualified more by the variance in how ‘Civil War’ is understood as a concept (leading to different claims as to how many conflicts of this kind may have occurred over a period of time) and less by their large number. Claims regarding the occurrence of ‘Civil War’ suggest this type of conflict to be the dominant form at least since the end of World War Two. This prevalence in the face of a decline in inter-state warfare has afforded greater interest to ‘Civil War’ as a topic of inquiry. The understanding that ‘Civil Wars’ have with time increased in their occurrence and changed in their nature comes under investigation in this thesis and is seen as problematic in that the means by which a phenomenon is measured (i.e. through its nature) must be fixed so as to measure the frequency of that phenomenon. Using Social Constructivism as a theoretical lens of inquiry, sense is made of this understanding and, furthermore, the true meaning behind the claim that ‘Civil War’ has changed is revealed. The empirical evidence that accompanies this theoretical work exists in the American Civil War of 1861–1865 and the debate over the conflict in Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003. This debate is used as a means by which to bring the contestation over the notion of ‘Civil War’ to the fore, while a comparison of this conflict with the quintessential American Civil War reveals the migration of the term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Bailie, Lawrence Craig
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Civil Wars United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Iraq -- History -- Civil War, 1991
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006022 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/d1006022
- Description: Although the occurrence of wars between states has been in decline, the same cannot be said of conflict within states – especially when considering the innumerable ‘Civil Wars’ said to have occurred since the end of the Cold War. In this context the use of the word ‘innumerable’ is qualified more by the variance in how ‘Civil War’ is understood as a concept (leading to different claims as to how many conflicts of this kind may have occurred over a period of time) and less by their large number. Claims regarding the occurrence of ‘Civil War’ suggest this type of conflict to be the dominant form at least since the end of World War Two. This prevalence in the face of a decline in inter-state warfare has afforded greater interest to ‘Civil War’ as a topic of inquiry. The understanding that ‘Civil Wars’ have with time increased in their occurrence and changed in their nature comes under investigation in this thesis and is seen as problematic in that the means by which a phenomenon is measured (i.e. through its nature) must be fixed so as to measure the frequency of that phenomenon. Using Social Constructivism as a theoretical lens of inquiry, sense is made of this understanding and, furthermore, the true meaning behind the claim that ‘Civil War’ has changed is revealed. The empirical evidence that accompanies this theoretical work exists in the American Civil War of 1861–1865 and the debate over the conflict in Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003. This debate is used as a means by which to bring the contestation over the notion of ‘Civil War’ to the fore, while a comparison of this conflict with the quintessential American Civil War reveals the migration of the term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The national curriculum statement on writing practice design for grades 11 and 12: implications for academic writing in higher education
- Authors: Townsend, Rodwell
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Curriculum change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8368 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1125 , Literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Curriculum change -- South Africa
- Description: This study examines the role of academic literacies and academic-writing practices at two diverse South African senior secondary schools and the implications that these practices have for academic-literacy teaching in Higher Education (HE). As student academic writing is central to teaching, learning and assessment in HE, learner academic-writing standards at schools will often impact on academic success in HE. This is a concern for HE as research from South African schooling contexts have found that students from secondary schools are seldom equipped to cope with the demands of HE writing practices. In addition, the introduction of a new curriculum (National Curriculum Statement – NCS) based on the principles of the South African constitution and informed by the Bill of Rights, impacted for the first time on senior secondary schools in 2006, when it was implemented in grade 10, and HE received its first cohort of matriculants with an NCS educational background in 2009. Therefore, this study specifically explores teachers' writing practices within an NCS writing-practice design for grades 11 and 12, and assesses its current implications for academic-writing practices in HE. Critical ethnography was selected as the primary methodology as it is concerned with multiple perspectives and explores local-practice contexts. Therefore, it provides a holistic understanding of the complexity of writing practices by examining the participants' writing-practice perceptions, observing their teaching practices and analysing their written responses or feedback to first and final drafts. The data/study sample consisted of three grades 11 and one grade 12 English Home Language and English First Additional Language teachers as well as selected learners from two secondary schools in the Port Elizabeth district. The data was collected by means of classroom observations, teacher interviews and learner samples of academic writing. Although this study focused on the teaching of academic writing by the four teachers, literacy understandings were also explored by describing what literacy practices subjectively meant to the four teachers by determining the meanings they collectively and individually gave to dominant literacy practices in academic writing, especially feedback practices in text production. A detailed examination of the new NCS requirements suggest that it offers an understanding of knowledge as a social construct, advocates a multiple literacies approach to teaching and learning, and allows for a process approach to cognitively-demanding writing which takes cognisance of the rhetorical, social and cultural dimensions of literacy. Collectively, the ASs in LO3 reflect a process approach to writing, from planning, drafting, feedback, revision to presentation of the final text. It also considers the specific rhetorical dimensions of purpose, audience, and context. Therefore, these NCS writing practices should benefit learners advancing to HE. This study argues that if teachers in secondary schools were to adhere more closely to the NCS's LO3 and its ASs implementation guidelines, learners would be better prepared to cope with HE academic-writing requirements. Instead, the study found that the teachers tended to reduce writing practices to the mastery of discrete sets of technical skills with a focus on surface features of language like spelling and grammar. In addition, the study found that when the teachers' perceptions of the NCS and their own classroom-writing practices were explored, they tended to resist a social-practice approach to academic writing, and, as a result, mostly adapted LO3 of the NCS rather than adopting it as intended by the policy-makers. Similar to other South African studies, this study concludes that teachers remain largely rooted in their autonomous teaching practices favouring traditional methods with which they are familiar over curricula policies which could emancipate learners toward levels of achievement which would better prepare them for both HE and the world of work. In other words, teachers in the sample tend to conserve their traditional methodologies which are predominantly informed by deficit views of learners‟ problems, selectively including new policy requirements which create the impression of compliance, rather than fundamentally altering their approaches pedagogically in the classroom and their academic-writing practices in particular.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Townsend, Rodwell
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Curriculum change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8368 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1125 , Literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Curriculum change -- South Africa
- Description: This study examines the role of academic literacies and academic-writing practices at two diverse South African senior secondary schools and the implications that these practices have for academic-literacy teaching in Higher Education (HE). As student academic writing is central to teaching, learning and assessment in HE, learner academic-writing standards at schools will often impact on academic success in HE. This is a concern for HE as research from South African schooling contexts have found that students from secondary schools are seldom equipped to cope with the demands of HE writing practices. In addition, the introduction of a new curriculum (National Curriculum Statement – NCS) based on the principles of the South African constitution and informed by the Bill of Rights, impacted for the first time on senior secondary schools in 2006, when it was implemented in grade 10, and HE received its first cohort of matriculants with an NCS educational background in 2009. Therefore, this study specifically explores teachers' writing practices within an NCS writing-practice design for grades 11 and 12, and assesses its current implications for academic-writing practices in HE. Critical ethnography was selected as the primary methodology as it is concerned with multiple perspectives and explores local-practice contexts. Therefore, it provides a holistic understanding of the complexity of writing practices by examining the participants' writing-practice perceptions, observing their teaching practices and analysing their written responses or feedback to first and final drafts. The data/study sample consisted of three grades 11 and one grade 12 English Home Language and English First Additional Language teachers as well as selected learners from two secondary schools in the Port Elizabeth district. The data was collected by means of classroom observations, teacher interviews and learner samples of academic writing. Although this study focused on the teaching of academic writing by the four teachers, literacy understandings were also explored by describing what literacy practices subjectively meant to the four teachers by determining the meanings they collectively and individually gave to dominant literacy practices in academic writing, especially feedback practices in text production. A detailed examination of the new NCS requirements suggest that it offers an understanding of knowledge as a social construct, advocates a multiple literacies approach to teaching and learning, and allows for a process approach to cognitively-demanding writing which takes cognisance of the rhetorical, social and cultural dimensions of literacy. Collectively, the ASs in LO3 reflect a process approach to writing, from planning, drafting, feedback, revision to presentation of the final text. It also considers the specific rhetorical dimensions of purpose, audience, and context. Therefore, these NCS writing practices should benefit learners advancing to HE. This study argues that if teachers in secondary schools were to adhere more closely to the NCS's LO3 and its ASs implementation guidelines, learners would be better prepared to cope with HE academic-writing requirements. Instead, the study found that the teachers tended to reduce writing practices to the mastery of discrete sets of technical skills with a focus on surface features of language like spelling and grammar. In addition, the study found that when the teachers' perceptions of the NCS and their own classroom-writing practices were explored, they tended to resist a social-practice approach to academic writing, and, as a result, mostly adapted LO3 of the NCS rather than adopting it as intended by the policy-makers. Similar to other South African studies, this study concludes that teachers remain largely rooted in their autonomous teaching practices favouring traditional methods with which they are familiar over curricula policies which could emancipate learners toward levels of achievement which would better prepare them for both HE and the world of work. In other words, teachers in the sample tend to conserve their traditional methodologies which are predominantly informed by deficit views of learners‟ problems, selectively including new policy requirements which create the impression of compliance, rather than fundamentally altering their approaches pedagogically in the classroom and their academic-writing practices in particular.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The nature and extent of child labour in Zimbabwe: a case study of Goromonzi District farms in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Musandirire, Sally
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child labour -- Zimbabwe , Child abuse -- Zimbabwe , Child welfare -- Zimbabwe , Child prostitution -- Zimbabwe , Children's rights -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11097 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/266 , Child labour -- Zimbabwe , Child abuse -- Zimbabwe , Child welfare -- Zimbabwe , Child prostitution -- Zimbabwe , Children's rights -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study examines the nature and extent of child labour in Goromonzi District farms in Zimbabwe. The main objective of the study was to investigate the nature and extent of child labour in Goromonzi District farms. The study reveals high levels of child exploitation and abuse. A qualitative design was chosen and purposive sampling was used. Interviews were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 40 children between 7 and 16 years. Interviews were also conducted with the Coalition Against Child Labour in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ). CACLAZ is an NGO that specializes in the elimination of child labour in Zimbabwe through the provision of education. The study reveals different forms of child labour. These include children working in communal and commercial farms, children working in domestic set up and child prostitution. The study exposes some of the causes and effects of child labour. Poverty, increased cost of education, and cultural practices were some of the causes of child labour. The study also reveals gaps that exist in the LRA. In view of the findings, the study makes recommendation on how to curb child labour and protect the rights of children as enshrined in various international instruments such as the CRC and ILO Conventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Musandirire, Sally
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child labour -- Zimbabwe , Child abuse -- Zimbabwe , Child welfare -- Zimbabwe , Child prostitution -- Zimbabwe , Children's rights -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11097 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/266 , Child labour -- Zimbabwe , Child abuse -- Zimbabwe , Child welfare -- Zimbabwe , Child prostitution -- Zimbabwe , Children's rights -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study examines the nature and extent of child labour in Goromonzi District farms in Zimbabwe. The main objective of the study was to investigate the nature and extent of child labour in Goromonzi District farms. The study reveals high levels of child exploitation and abuse. A qualitative design was chosen and purposive sampling was used. Interviews were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 40 children between 7 and 16 years. Interviews were also conducted with the Coalition Against Child Labour in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ). CACLAZ is an NGO that specializes in the elimination of child labour in Zimbabwe through the provision of education. The study reveals different forms of child labour. These include children working in communal and commercial farms, children working in domestic set up and child prostitution. The study exposes some of the causes and effects of child labour. Poverty, increased cost of education, and cultural practices were some of the causes of child labour. The study also reveals gaps that exist in the LRA. In view of the findings, the study makes recommendation on how to curb child labour and protect the rights of children as enshrined in various international instruments such as the CRC and ILO Conventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The neo-diaspora : examining the subcultural codes of hip-hop and contemporary urban trends in the work of Kudzanai Chiurai and Robin Rhode
- Authors: Stirling, Scott
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Chiurai, Kudzanai, 1981- Rhode, Robin Hip-hop African diaspora Rap (Music) Art, Modern -- 21st century Art, South African -- 21st century Hip-hop dance -- South Africa Hip-hop dance -- United states Hip-hop -- Influence -- South Africa Hip-hop -- Influence -- United states
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002219
- Description: This thesis is structured around an exploration of the global phenomenon hip-hop. It considers how its far-reaching effects, as a cultural export from the United States,have influenced cultural production in South Africa. The investigation focuses specifically on the work of two visual artists: Zimbabwean born, Johannesburg-based Kudzanai Chiurai, and Cape Town born, Berlin-based Robin Rhode. The introduction familiarises the reader with the two artists and briefly outlines their histories and methods, as well as giving a short history of the development of hip-hop as a subculture from its beginnings in 1970s New York. The first chapter follows this brief introduction to outline some of the parallels, especially concerning race relations, between 1970s America and post-apartheid contemporary South Africa. This comparison aims to highlight similarities that gave rise to the hip-hop phenomenon and which also place South Africa in a prime position to welcome such influences. The second half of the chapter explores how migration theory and issues of diaspora have not only influenced the development of hip-hop, but have also become points of focus for both artists, who are in fact disporans themselves. The second chapter explores ‘ground level’ concerns of everyday life in the city. Issues of crime,gangsterism, politics and activism are characterised as focal elements of Chiurai’s and Rhode’s artwork and also of hip-hop musical content. Inner city contexts in different parts of the globe are compared through a discussion of the art and music that come out of them. This comparison of the philosophical and conceptual content of the art and music is extended, in Chapter three, into a comparison of methods of production, considering how these influence various readings of the artistic output, whether musical or visual. Ideas of authenticity are discussed and finally the focus shifts to explore how both the conceptual and practical concerns of musicians and artists are being shaped by an increasingly ‘globalized’ world. The conclusion explores the challenges that globalization poses to cultural practitioners and seeks to highlight some of the artists’ methods as examples with which to facilitate the growth of a more inclusive global aesthetic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Stirling, Scott
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Chiurai, Kudzanai, 1981- Rhode, Robin Hip-hop African diaspora Rap (Music) Art, Modern -- 21st century Art, South African -- 21st century Hip-hop dance -- South Africa Hip-hop dance -- United states Hip-hop -- Influence -- South Africa Hip-hop -- Influence -- United states
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002219
- Description: This thesis is structured around an exploration of the global phenomenon hip-hop. It considers how its far-reaching effects, as a cultural export from the United States,have influenced cultural production in South Africa. The investigation focuses specifically on the work of two visual artists: Zimbabwean born, Johannesburg-based Kudzanai Chiurai, and Cape Town born, Berlin-based Robin Rhode. The introduction familiarises the reader with the two artists and briefly outlines their histories and methods, as well as giving a short history of the development of hip-hop as a subculture from its beginnings in 1970s New York. The first chapter follows this brief introduction to outline some of the parallels, especially concerning race relations, between 1970s America and post-apartheid contemporary South Africa. This comparison aims to highlight similarities that gave rise to the hip-hop phenomenon and which also place South Africa in a prime position to welcome such influences. The second half of the chapter explores how migration theory and issues of diaspora have not only influenced the development of hip-hop, but have also become points of focus for both artists, who are in fact disporans themselves. The second chapter explores ‘ground level’ concerns of everyday life in the city. Issues of crime,gangsterism, politics and activism are characterised as focal elements of Chiurai’s and Rhode’s artwork and also of hip-hop musical content. Inner city contexts in different parts of the globe are compared through a discussion of the art and music that come out of them. This comparison of the philosophical and conceptual content of the art and music is extended, in Chapter three, into a comparison of methods of production, considering how these influence various readings of the artistic output, whether musical or visual. Ideas of authenticity are discussed and finally the focus shifts to explore how both the conceptual and practical concerns of musicians and artists are being shaped by an increasingly ‘globalized’ world. The conclusion explores the challenges that globalization poses to cultural practitioners and seeks to highlight some of the artists’ methods as examples with which to facilitate the growth of a more inclusive global aesthetic.
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- Date Issued: 2010