An examination of an incentive system to maximize performance in an automobile manufacturing environment
- Authors: Fourie, Dawie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Daimlerchrysler -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Incentives in industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Performance Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Achievement motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003866
- Description: This investigation was undertaken to explore an incentive system to maximize performance in an automotive manufacturing environment. The unit under study was a motor manufacturing company in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The approach to this investigation was to start with a quantitative analysis to identify if there was a relationship between the incentive reward and employee satisfaction. This was to be done by correlation analysis between the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and the performance related incentive reward (PBR) of the abovementioned company. The data was then used to develop an interview guide, which was used in a focus group study, to evaluate the current incentive system as a motivator of performance. The analysis of the qualitative interview data was to be done through the use of thematic analysis. Using a percentage based estimation per production line, 150 workers were selected from the 2100 shop floor workers. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaires were used to measure the satisfaction index of the workers. The performance data was gathered from the company's incentive statistics over the past year, 2004. All other related data was obtained though thematic analysis by the researcher, who was interested to get the insiders' view. From the emic perspective, more data could be obtained by the researcher by probing with follow-up questions. After both the quantitative and qualitative procedures were completed, the results of the study were found to be much the same as those described in the reviewed literature. The quantitative analysis did not prove a significant correlation between incentive reward and satisfaction; and employees were most satisfied with work, supervision and co-workers and less satisfied with pay and promotion. The qualitative procedure (thematic analysis) highlighted that the current reward system was not motivating performance, but rather demoralised employees, as it was used as a punitive measure to encourage work attendance. The current system also confirmed the error made by many organisations, where the organization purely concentrates on motivating employees with extrinsic rewards and little thought is given to intrinsic recognition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fourie, Dawie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Daimlerchrysler -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Incentives in industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Performance Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Goal setting in personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Achievement motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003866
- Description: This investigation was undertaken to explore an incentive system to maximize performance in an automotive manufacturing environment. The unit under study was a motor manufacturing company in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The approach to this investigation was to start with a quantitative analysis to identify if there was a relationship between the incentive reward and employee satisfaction. This was to be done by correlation analysis between the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and the performance related incentive reward (PBR) of the abovementioned company. The data was then used to develop an interview guide, which was used in a focus group study, to evaluate the current incentive system as a motivator of performance. The analysis of the qualitative interview data was to be done through the use of thematic analysis. Using a percentage based estimation per production line, 150 workers were selected from the 2100 shop floor workers. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaires were used to measure the satisfaction index of the workers. The performance data was gathered from the company's incentive statistics over the past year, 2004. All other related data was obtained though thematic analysis by the researcher, who was interested to get the insiders' view. From the emic perspective, more data could be obtained by the researcher by probing with follow-up questions. After both the quantitative and qualitative procedures were completed, the results of the study were found to be much the same as those described in the reviewed literature. The quantitative analysis did not prove a significant correlation between incentive reward and satisfaction; and employees were most satisfied with work, supervision and co-workers and less satisfied with pay and promotion. The qualitative procedure (thematic analysis) highlighted that the current reward system was not motivating performance, but rather demoralised employees, as it was used as a punitive measure to encourage work attendance. The current system also confirmed the error made by many organisations, where the organization purely concentrates on motivating employees with extrinsic rewards and little thought is given to intrinsic recognition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An examination of feedback on draft essays, using Halliday's definition of context:
- Authors: Quinn, Lynn
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69500 , vital:29544 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1255206
- Description: An historical structural understanding underpins the research reported on in this paper. The ideas of the systemic functional linguist, Michael Halliday, are used to examine a draftingresponding-redrafting process used to develop students'. academic writing in the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) course at Rhodes University. Using the Hallidayan framework, I examine how the process can help students adapt to the broader culture of the university and at a more micro level how the comments made by the respondent can help student writers to acquire the academic literacy required to write essays in the context of situation of the ELAP course. The features of field, tenor and mode and their associated textual meanings (that is, experiential meaning, interpersonal meaning and textual meaning) are used to categorise the ways in which comments made at the draft stage of the writing process can develop students' writing. As a result of my research I argue in this paper that it might be useful for writing consultants/lecturers to think of their feedback to students' writing in terms of these categories and to consider whether they have helped students to develop their writing by taking into account the features of the particular social context in which the writing takes place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Quinn, Lynn
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69500 , vital:29544 , https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1255206
- Description: An historical structural understanding underpins the research reported on in this paper. The ideas of the systemic functional linguist, Michael Halliday, are used to examine a draftingresponding-redrafting process used to develop students'. academic writing in the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) course at Rhodes University. Using the Hallidayan framework, I examine how the process can help students adapt to the broader culture of the university and at a more micro level how the comments made by the respondent can help student writers to acquire the academic literacy required to write essays in the context of situation of the ELAP course. The features of field, tenor and mode and their associated textual meanings (that is, experiential meaning, interpersonal meaning and textual meaning) are used to categorise the ways in which comments made at the draft stage of the writing process can develop students' writing. As a result of my research I argue in this paper that it might be useful for writing consultants/lecturers to think of their feedback to students' writing in terms of these categories and to consider whether they have helped students to develop their writing by taking into account the features of the particular social context in which the writing takes place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An examination of language planning and policy in the Eastern Cape with specific reference to Sesotho : a sociolinguistic study
- Authors: Nakin, Rosalia Moroesi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Language planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DLitt
- Identifier: vital:8459 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1020 , Language planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sociolinguistics
- Description: This sociolinguistic study examines issues of corpus, status and acquisition in Language Planning in Sesotho and isiXhosa in the Eastern Cape. Language plays an important role in the lives of its speakers in society as they interact. Chapter 1 of this study provides the background, definitions of terms used, the objective of the study, the statement of the problem, the research methods used and the literature reviewed. Chapter 2 addresses the context, orientations, stages, and frameworks or types of language planning. Corpus planning forms an integral part of this study. This chapter also looks at different ways of developing terminology. Lastly, the chapter discusses the relationship between corpus planning and purism. Chapter 3 provides the other two types or frameworks of language planning namely, status and acquisition planning. Goals of language planning, and variables for language planning are also discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 looks at principles of language planning. Chapter 5 deals with the Language-in-Education Policy, the Eastern Cape Provincial Language Policy Framework, language attitudes and responses to language planning and language policy. Chapter 6 presents the findings and challenges facing the development and use of African languages one of which is Sesotho, as prescribed in the Constitution of the country. A few suggestions and different approaches towards language awareness campaigns are presented in this chapter. Lastly, this chapter concludes the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Nakin, Rosalia Moroesi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Language planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DLitt
- Identifier: vital:8459 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1020 , Language planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sociolinguistics
- Description: This sociolinguistic study examines issues of corpus, status and acquisition in Language Planning in Sesotho and isiXhosa in the Eastern Cape. Language plays an important role in the lives of its speakers in society as they interact. Chapter 1 of this study provides the background, definitions of terms used, the objective of the study, the statement of the problem, the research methods used and the literature reviewed. Chapter 2 addresses the context, orientations, stages, and frameworks or types of language planning. Corpus planning forms an integral part of this study. This chapter also looks at different ways of developing terminology. Lastly, the chapter discusses the relationship between corpus planning and purism. Chapter 3 provides the other two types or frameworks of language planning namely, status and acquisition planning. Goals of language planning, and variables for language planning are also discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 looks at principles of language planning. Chapter 5 deals with the Language-in-Education Policy, the Eastern Cape Provincial Language Policy Framework, language attitudes and responses to language planning and language policy. Chapter 6 presents the findings and challenges facing the development and use of African languages one of which is Sesotho, as prescribed in the Constitution of the country. A few suggestions and different approaches towards language awareness campaigns are presented in this chapter. Lastly, this chapter concludes the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of disciplinary approaches to classroom management in selected northern area schools in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Erasmus, Julian Malcolm
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Classroom management , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9476 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/950 , Classroom management , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The study analysed the management of disciplinary approaches to classroom management in selected Northern Areas schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The South African education system has historically promoted corporal punishment as a means of maintaining discipline. As a result corporal punishment was an integral part of schooling for most educators and learners in twentieth century South African schools (Morrel, 2001b:292). Since 1994, however, the South African government has implemented principles of equity, redress and social empowerment in broader society and education. Consequently, corporal punishment was banned in schools and new methods of managing discipline were introduced. The study followed a qualitative investigation, which is explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews with educators and questionnaires with learners to collect data at selected schools. The study’s aim was to investigate and explore the perceptions and experiences of learners and educators regarding discipline and to make recommendations regarding proactive, positive disciplinary approaches so as to guide educators to facilitate learners towards self-discipline. However, it was discovered that educators were unable to facilitate self-discipline or guide learners as they themselves had not learnt to practise and demonstrate the values and principles of self-discipline. This study thus has as its intention to challenge educators to review and refocus their ways, motives and expected outcomes as they demonstrate and exercise discipline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Erasmus, Julian Malcolm
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Classroom management , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9476 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/950 , Classroom management , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The study analysed the management of disciplinary approaches to classroom management in selected Northern Areas schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The South African education system has historically promoted corporal punishment as a means of maintaining discipline. As a result corporal punishment was an integral part of schooling for most educators and learners in twentieth century South African schools (Morrel, 2001b:292). Since 1994, however, the South African government has implemented principles of equity, redress and social empowerment in broader society and education. Consequently, corporal punishment was banned in schools and new methods of managing discipline were introduced. The study followed a qualitative investigation, which is explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews with educators and questionnaires with learners to collect data at selected schools. The study’s aim was to investigate and explore the perceptions and experiences of learners and educators regarding discipline and to make recommendations regarding proactive, positive disciplinary approaches so as to guide educators to facilitate learners towards self-discipline. However, it was discovered that educators were unable to facilitate self-discipline or guide learners as they themselves had not learnt to practise and demonstrate the values and principles of self-discipline. This study thus has as its intention to challenge educators to review and refocus their ways, motives and expected outcomes as they demonstrate and exercise discipline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of family group conferencing as part of the diversion experience of young male offenders
- Authors: Tshem, Tembakazi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/210 , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Description: The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and evaluations of young male offenders who were diverted to family group conferencing in order to improve current services. An exploratory research design was chosen to obtain an understanding of what these young male offenders experienced during their conferencing and also to seek out their recommendations for future improvement of the family group conferencing diversion programme. This study comprised two samples which were purposively selected. The first sample was made up of ten young male offenders and the second sample comprised of the parents and /or guardians of the young male offenders. The data was collected using structured interview schedules. The data was collected on separate occasions for the two samples. Each interview lasted about 30- 40 minutes each. The findings of this study showed that there is still a need to train probation officers on appropriate implementation of family group conferencing and that families also have a role to play towards succefull implementation of diversion programmes. It is evident from the findings that young offenders need their families to support and care for them during difficult situations, as purported by the systems theory whereby society is regarded as a system with different parts and families are an important part of this system. Young offenders belong to families and families are part of communities and society. It is also important to note that victims are part of families, thus also part of society and the system. Family group conferencing provide an opportunity for all these parts to meet in a mediated environment to address the harm caused and make amends. The findings of this study also showed that there is a need to educate the general public about child justice legislation and the emerging trends in the field of child justice including diversion programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Tshem, Tembakazi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/210 , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Description: The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and evaluations of young male offenders who were diverted to family group conferencing in order to improve current services. An exploratory research design was chosen to obtain an understanding of what these young male offenders experienced during their conferencing and also to seek out their recommendations for future improvement of the family group conferencing diversion programme. This study comprised two samples which were purposively selected. The first sample was made up of ten young male offenders and the second sample comprised of the parents and /or guardians of the young male offenders. The data was collected using structured interview schedules. The data was collected on separate occasions for the two samples. Each interview lasted about 30- 40 minutes each. The findings of this study showed that there is still a need to train probation officers on appropriate implementation of family group conferencing and that families also have a role to play towards succefull implementation of diversion programmes. It is evident from the findings that young offenders need their families to support and care for them during difficult situations, as purported by the systems theory whereby society is regarded as a system with different parts and families are an important part of this system. Young offenders belong to families and families are part of communities and society. It is also important to note that victims are part of families, thus also part of society and the system. Family group conferencing provide an opportunity for all these parts to meet in a mediated environment to address the harm caused and make amends. The findings of this study also showed that there is a need to educate the general public about child justice legislation and the emerging trends in the field of child justice including diversion programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of marketing tactics for turbulent environments
- Mason, Roger B, Staude, Gavin E
- Authors: Mason, Roger B , Staude, Gavin E
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006120 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02635570910930082 , ISSN 0263-5577
- Description: The purpose of this paper is to propose that the choice of marketing tactics is influenced by the company's external environment. It aims to illustrate the marketing tactics suggested for a complex, turbulent environment, when marketing and the environment are viewed through a complexity lens. Design/methodology/approach - A marketing mix model, derived from complexity literature, was assessed via a multiple case study to identify the type of marketing mix suggested for a complex, turbulent environment. The study was exploratory, using in-depth interviews with two companies in the IT industry. Findings - The results tentatively confirmed that the more successful company used a destabilizing marketing mix, and suggest that using complexity theory to develop marketing tactics could be helpful in turbulent environments. Research limitations/implications - The findings are limited by the study's exploratory, qualitative nature and the small sample. Generalizing should be done with care and therefore further research with larger samples and in different environments is recommended. Practical implications - The paper will benefit marketers by emphasizing a new way to consider future marketing activities of their companies. The model can assist marketers to identify the tactics to use, dependent on the nature of their environment. Originality/value - Most work on complexity in marketing has concentrated on strategy, with little emphasis on tactics and the marketing mix. Therefore, the paper is an important contribution to the understanding of marketing mix choices, of interest to both practising marketers and marketing academics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mason, Roger B , Staude, Gavin E
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006120 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02635570910930082 , ISSN 0263-5577
- Description: The purpose of this paper is to propose that the choice of marketing tactics is influenced by the company's external environment. It aims to illustrate the marketing tactics suggested for a complex, turbulent environment, when marketing and the environment are viewed through a complexity lens. Design/methodology/approach - A marketing mix model, derived from complexity literature, was assessed via a multiple case study to identify the type of marketing mix suggested for a complex, turbulent environment. The study was exploratory, using in-depth interviews with two companies in the IT industry. Findings - The results tentatively confirmed that the more successful company used a destabilizing marketing mix, and suggest that using complexity theory to develop marketing tactics could be helpful in turbulent environments. Research limitations/implications - The findings are limited by the study's exploratory, qualitative nature and the small sample. Generalizing should be done with care and therefore further research with larger samples and in different environments is recommended. Practical implications - The paper will benefit marketers by emphasizing a new way to consider future marketing activities of their companies. The model can assist marketers to identify the tactics to use, dependent on the nature of their environment. Originality/value - Most work on complexity in marketing has concentrated on strategy, with little emphasis on tactics and the marketing mix. Therefore, the paper is an important contribution to the understanding of marketing mix choices, of interest to both practising marketers and marketing academics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of peace-building challenges faced by acholi women in Gulu, Northern Uganda
- Authors: Kabahesi, Pamela
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Peace-building , Women and peace , Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8220 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/992 , Peace-building , Women and peace , Conflict management
- Description: An important focus of peacebuilding as a part of post-conflict reconstruction is the provision of basic needs. Peacebuilding is a move from war to a peaceful future. Peacebuilding rests on the premise that provision of people’s needs eliminates unrest and lawlessness that arise due to war. This in turn prevents a relapse into war. Also, communities that experience war lose many years and tend to develop at slower rates than peaceful areas, if at all they do develop. The twenty year old war in Northern Uganda has caused a gap between this area and the rest of the country. Poverty has left many unable to provide basic needs. Peacebuilding efforts have been undertaken by Non Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Government of Uganda as well as people in the community organizing themselves into groups to enable them reconstruct their lives. Efforts are being made towards reconstruction, resettlement, reconciliation and providing relief in an effort to move from war and destruction. In many societies, women are left out, marginalized and discriminated against as a result of patriarchy. Their roles in peacebuilding are not considered important and they face many challenges in their efforts to rebuild their lives and families. This research focused on the challenges faced by women in Gulu, a district in the Northern region of Uganda in peacebuilding. Through conducting face to face interviews, and consulting documents available to the public, the researcher collected information about the challenges faced by the Acholi women, the women of Gulu district.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kabahesi, Pamela
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Peace-building , Women and peace , Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8220 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/992 , Peace-building , Women and peace , Conflict management
- Description: An important focus of peacebuilding as a part of post-conflict reconstruction is the provision of basic needs. Peacebuilding is a move from war to a peaceful future. Peacebuilding rests on the premise that provision of people’s needs eliminates unrest and lawlessness that arise due to war. This in turn prevents a relapse into war. Also, communities that experience war lose many years and tend to develop at slower rates than peaceful areas, if at all they do develop. The twenty year old war in Northern Uganda has caused a gap between this area and the rest of the country. Poverty has left many unable to provide basic needs. Peacebuilding efforts have been undertaken by Non Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Government of Uganda as well as people in the community organizing themselves into groups to enable them reconstruct their lives. Efforts are being made towards reconstruction, resettlement, reconciliation and providing relief in an effort to move from war and destruction. In many societies, women are left out, marginalized and discriminated against as a result of patriarchy. Their roles in peacebuilding are not considered important and they face many challenges in their efforts to rebuild their lives and families. This research focused on the challenges faced by women in Gulu, a district in the Northern region of Uganda in peacebuilding. Through conducting face to face interviews, and consulting documents available to the public, the researcher collected information about the challenges faced by the Acholi women, the women of Gulu district.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of problems experienced in the interpretation of word problems by grade 12 learners
- Authors: Neshuku, Christian N
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education (Secondary) -- Namibia Word problems (Mathematics) Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008206
- Description: This research sought to investigate the problems experienced in the interpretation of word problems by senior secondary school learners, in particular to see how the language used in the articulation of word problems affects the interpretation. The study was conducted in a school in the Oshikoto region of Namibia, a school located in a semi-rural area of Namibia, and selected owing to the accessibility of the required participants. The research was located within an interpretive paradigm focusing on a study sample of 40 learners from a specified class in the selected school. Data were collected through written tests and a semi-structured interview based on written tests, and a comprehensive descriptive analysis of test results was prepared. The findings of the study indicate that the language in which the word problem was articulated did not make a difference. The performance in both English and Oshindonga tests was almost the same. The findings also indicate that vocabulary, syntactic interpretation, semantic relationships, algebraic skills, and practical sense making in relation to real-life are all important for the successful interpretation and solving of word problems. In view of these findings, the study has provided valuable insights into aspects of the teacher education curriculum that need to be revisited in order to improve the training of teachers In teaching word problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Neshuku, Christian N
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education (Secondary) -- Namibia Word problems (Mathematics) Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008206
- Description: This research sought to investigate the problems experienced in the interpretation of word problems by senior secondary school learners, in particular to see how the language used in the articulation of word problems affects the interpretation. The study was conducted in a school in the Oshikoto region of Namibia, a school located in a semi-rural area of Namibia, and selected owing to the accessibility of the required participants. The research was located within an interpretive paradigm focusing on a study sample of 40 learners from a specified class in the selected school. Data were collected through written tests and a semi-structured interview based on written tests, and a comprehensive descriptive analysis of test results was prepared. The findings of the study indicate that the language in which the word problem was articulated did not make a difference. The performance in both English and Oshindonga tests was almost the same. The findings also indicate that vocabulary, syntactic interpretation, semantic relationships, algebraic skills, and practical sense making in relation to real-life are all important for the successful interpretation and solving of word problems. In view of these findings, the study has provided valuable insights into aspects of the teacher education curriculum that need to be revisited in order to improve the training of teachers In teaching word problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of refugee integration : a case study of Krisan refugee camp, Ghana
- Authors: Mensah, David Ampoma
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Refugee camps -- Ghana -- Krisan Refugee Camp , Refugees -- International cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1014 , Refugee camps -- Ghana -- Krisan Refugee Camp , Refugees -- International cooperation
- Description: Conflict in Africa remains one of the continent’s principal development challenges. The human, economic and development costs of conflict are immense. A peaceful and secure environment remains the greatest priority for ordinary Africans across the continent. However, this often remains a mirage for many as violent armed conflicts continue to take its toll on many ordinary citizens, often, displacing them as refugees. Some refugees remain in very a deplorable refugee camps that offer them no prospects of decent livelihood for many years. With fear that they would be persecuted upon return to their countries of origin and often the delays in finding solutions to political violence, refugees remain in a protracted situation. A Protracted refugee situation means that refugees have lived in exile for more than five years with no immediate prospect of finding a durable solution to their plight by means of voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement. Thousands of refugees who fled violent conflicts in the West Africa and other parts of Africa have lived for more than a decade in the Krisan and Buduburam refugee camps in Ghana. A situation that can be termed protracted. This paper investigated the perceptions of local Ghanaians, Refugees of Krisan Refugee Camp and Government Official on the integration of refugees in Ghana. Krisan Refugee Camp which was built in 1996, particularly, houses about 1,700 refugees from nine countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Sudan. The refugees have lived with the indigenous people of Krisan village for more than a decade and thus offered the best case for the investigation. The researcher used qualitative triangulation method to collect data. That is, he observed the refugees, the local people and supervisors of the refugee camp who made up the sample population. The researcher was able to conduct a face to face in-depth interview and studied necessary documents that informed the study immensely. Thematic data analysis revealed economic and employment opportunities, security, cultural and social networking and finally good counselling on the three traditional durable solutions as the themes greatly impacting on the integration of refugees in Ghana. A number of recommendations are made to inform the management and integration of refugees in Ghana and in Africa in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mensah, David Ampoma
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Refugee camps -- Ghana -- Krisan Refugee Camp , Refugees -- International cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1014 , Refugee camps -- Ghana -- Krisan Refugee Camp , Refugees -- International cooperation
- Description: Conflict in Africa remains one of the continent’s principal development challenges. The human, economic and development costs of conflict are immense. A peaceful and secure environment remains the greatest priority for ordinary Africans across the continent. However, this often remains a mirage for many as violent armed conflicts continue to take its toll on many ordinary citizens, often, displacing them as refugees. Some refugees remain in very a deplorable refugee camps that offer them no prospects of decent livelihood for many years. With fear that they would be persecuted upon return to their countries of origin and often the delays in finding solutions to political violence, refugees remain in a protracted situation. A Protracted refugee situation means that refugees have lived in exile for more than five years with no immediate prospect of finding a durable solution to their plight by means of voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement. Thousands of refugees who fled violent conflicts in the West Africa and other parts of Africa have lived for more than a decade in the Krisan and Buduburam refugee camps in Ghana. A situation that can be termed protracted. This paper investigated the perceptions of local Ghanaians, Refugees of Krisan Refugee Camp and Government Official on the integration of refugees in Ghana. Krisan Refugee Camp which was built in 1996, particularly, houses about 1,700 refugees from nine countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Sudan. The refugees have lived with the indigenous people of Krisan village for more than a decade and thus offered the best case for the investigation. The researcher used qualitative triangulation method to collect data. That is, he observed the refugees, the local people and supervisors of the refugee camp who made up the sample population. The researcher was able to conduct a face to face in-depth interview and studied necessary documents that informed the study immensely. Thematic data analysis revealed economic and employment opportunities, security, cultural and social networking and finally good counselling on the three traditional durable solutions as the themes greatly impacting on the integration of refugees in Ghana. A number of recommendations are made to inform the management and integration of refugees in Ghana and in Africa in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of the nature of a private general medical practice as a social system : a case study
- Authors: Visser, Henriette
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Physicians (General practice) , Physicians -- Family relationships , Family medicine , Physician and patient
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/884 , Physicians (General practice) , Physicians -- Family relationships , Family medicine , Physician and patient
- Description: This research study explores in general the nature of a private general medical practice [PGMP] and whether analysis of the PGMP as a social system can lead the Group Dynamics Practitioner towards developing interventions that will enhance group effectiveness in the PGMP support staff group. The main assumption is that, through the application of a framework of analysis based on that of G. C. Homans and the AGIL functional prerequisites developed by T. Parsons, a structured analysis of the external and internal variables that impact on the PGMP as a social system can be undertaken. The findings of the analysis would lead to the formulation of interventions that would improve the performance effectiveness of the PGMP as a social system. Following a two-questionnaire survey of 17 practices that provided demographic information as well as soft skills training needs, a single PGMP was identified for the case study. Data pertaining to the group as a social system were collected, and by using direct observation, content analysis and a sociometric test, the practice support staff sub-system, being the main focus of this research, could be analysed. By linking the findings to the elements of the framework of analysis, areas of ineffective group functioning could be identified and interventions suggested. This research indicates that the choice of soft skills is associated with the nature and size of the practice, as well as the dynamics of the sociometric patterns characteristic of the relations within the practice support staff subsystem; that while some practice support staff have preferences for sociometric task and socio-emotional relations outside their work clusters, these seem to serve as a buffer against clique forming, thus enhancing the function of integration within the social system as a whole; and that the physical practice layout, and the interaction dynamics that it creates, tend to hinder integration between the members of the practice support staff group, as a social subsystem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of the nature of a private general medical practice as a social system : a case study
- Authors: Visser, Henriette
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Physicians (General practice) , Physicians -- Family relationships , Family medicine , Physician and patient
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/884 , Physicians (General practice) , Physicians -- Family relationships , Family medicine , Physician and patient
- Description: This research study explores in general the nature of a private general medical practice [PGMP] and whether analysis of the PGMP as a social system can lead the Group Dynamics Practitioner towards developing interventions that will enhance group effectiveness in the PGMP support staff group. The main assumption is that, through the application of a framework of analysis based on that of G. C. Homans and the AGIL functional prerequisites developed by T. Parsons, a structured analysis of the external and internal variables that impact on the PGMP as a social system can be undertaken. The findings of the analysis would lead to the formulation of interventions that would improve the performance effectiveness of the PGMP as a social system. Following a two-questionnaire survey of 17 practices that provided demographic information as well as soft skills training needs, a single PGMP was identified for the case study. Data pertaining to the group as a social system were collected, and by using direct observation, content analysis and a sociometric test, the practice support staff sub-system, being the main focus of this research, could be analysed. By linking the findings to the elements of the framework of analysis, areas of ineffective group functioning could be identified and interventions suggested. This research indicates that the choice of soft skills is associated with the nature and size of the practice, as well as the dynamics of the sociometric patterns characteristic of the relations within the practice support staff subsystem; that while some practice support staff have preferences for sociometric task and socio-emotional relations outside their work clusters, these seem to serve as a buffer against clique forming, thus enhancing the function of integration within the social system as a whole; and that the physical practice layout, and the interaction dynamics that it creates, tend to hinder integration between the members of the practice support staff group, as a social subsystem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploration of the roles of the parent SGB members in the SGB: a case study of two selected rural primary schools in the King Williams Town district
- Authors: Mavuso, Mzuyanda Percival
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- Parent participation -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1323 , vital:26546 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- Parent participation -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the roles of the parent SGB members in the School Governing Bodies (SGB) of two selected rural primary schools in the King Williams Town District. This was achieved by applying the qualitative approach within the parameters of the interpretivist paradigm. Structured interviews, semi structured interviews, document analysis and non-participatory observation methods were used at two sites that were purposely sampled. The samples in both schools were made up of SGB chairperson, SGB secretary, treasurer, one additional member, principal and non SGB parents. From the findings it emerged that the principal and SGB chairperson work in partnership in the business of school governance. However, principals seemed to dominate their SGB chairpersons who in most cases seem to be less competent than the principals. Parent SGB members seem to be dependent upon the educators in most cases on issues of school governance and they do not differentiate between their role and that of the SMT. Most SGB subcommittees seem to be dysfunctional and it was clear from the data that educators were the persons who dealt with school finances and matters of procurement. The majority of parent SGB members do not know what policies the school must adopt.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mavuso, Mzuyanda Percival
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- Parent participation -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1323 , vital:26546 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- Parent participation -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the roles of the parent SGB members in the School Governing Bodies (SGB) of two selected rural primary schools in the King Williams Town District. This was achieved by applying the qualitative approach within the parameters of the interpretivist paradigm. Structured interviews, semi structured interviews, document analysis and non-participatory observation methods were used at two sites that were purposely sampled. The samples in both schools were made up of SGB chairperson, SGB secretary, treasurer, one additional member, principal and non SGB parents. From the findings it emerged that the principal and SGB chairperson work in partnership in the business of school governance. However, principals seemed to dominate their SGB chairpersons who in most cases seem to be less competent than the principals. Parent SGB members seem to be dependent upon the educators in most cases on issues of school governance and they do not differentiate between their role and that of the SMT. Most SGB subcommittees seem to be dysfunctional and it was clear from the data that educators were the persons who dealt with school finances and matters of procurement. The majority of parent SGB members do not know what policies the school must adopt.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploratory study of employee responses to the implementation of SAP R/3 and connected application portfolios (CAPs) at an energy company
- Authors: Anthony, Lizel Angelique
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: SAP R/3 , Organizational change -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:16137 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1415 , SAP R/3 , Organizational change -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of this research was to explore employee responses to the implementation of SAP R/3 and Connected Application Portfolios (CAPs) in Shell South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Downstream-One (DS-1) Business/Lubricants (B2B/Lubes) Project Implementation Programme. It assessed whether employees accepted or rejected change prior to the implementation of SAP R/3 and CAP’s. In 2005 globally Shell launched its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. Its 16th implementation was conducted in Shell South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (Shell SA) in 2008. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Anthony, Lizel Angelique
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: SAP R/3 , Organizational change -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:16137 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1415 , SAP R/3 , Organizational change -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of this research was to explore employee responses to the implementation of SAP R/3 and Connected Application Portfolios (CAPs) in Shell South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Downstream-One (DS-1) Business/Lubricants (B2B/Lubes) Project Implementation Programme. It assessed whether employees accepted or rejected change prior to the implementation of SAP R/3 and CAP’s. In 2005 globally Shell launched its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. Its 16th implementation was conducted in Shell South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (Shell SA) in 2008. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploratory study of the impact of land redistribution on the rural poor : the case of Nkonkobe municipality
- Authors: Hule, Zwelandile Cyril
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1251 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (South Africa)
- Description: This is an exploratory study of the impact of the land redistribution programme on the rural poor of Nkonkobe Municipality. There is a brief historical overview of land redistribution in the South African context. The study demonstrates the impact of the programme of land redistribution and its challenges for the rural poor. The critical question is whether the programme benefitted the rural poor of Nkonkobe Municipality. Chapter one deals with the aims of the research, background of the study, sub-related questions, delimitation of the study and the research method. Chapter two deals with the theoretical framework, a brief description of the study area, a discussion of the land question in South Africa including land reform experiences, redistribution policy and the government land reform programme. Chapter three deals with methodology, discussing the research design and research methods used. Chapter four deals with findings and recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hule, Zwelandile Cyril
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1251 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (South Africa)
- Description: This is an exploratory study of the impact of the land redistribution programme on the rural poor of Nkonkobe Municipality. There is a brief historical overview of land redistribution in the South African context. The study demonstrates the impact of the programme of land redistribution and its challenges for the rural poor. The critical question is whether the programme benefitted the rural poor of Nkonkobe Municipality. Chapter one deals with the aims of the research, background of the study, sub-related questions, delimitation of the study and the research method. Chapter two deals with the theoretical framework, a brief description of the study area, a discussion of the land question in South Africa including land reform experiences, redistribution policy and the government land reform programme. Chapter three deals with methodology, discussing the research design and research methods used. Chapter four deals with findings and recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An exploratory study of the role of synergy between the state and civil society in popular participation with reference to the province of Kwazulu-Natal
- Mtaka, Nhlanhla Dalibhurhwana
- Authors: Mtaka, Nhlanhla Dalibhurhwana
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Civil society , Responsibility , Political ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1135 , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Civil society , Responsibility , Political ethics
- Description: A healthy democracy is generally seen as one in which citizens participate regularly in formal political activities. Citizens’ participation in governance has come to be accepted as an expression of their rights and the manifestation of citizen agency. Access to information remains a crucial component of the right to participate. Transparency, as a normative and constitutional value, represents a means, not an end. The means is the mechanism of access to information. Within the South African context, there is evidence of an increase in participation of a variety of interest groups by means of different processes, as well as through the establishment of numerous consultative bodies and mechanisms for popular participation at all levels of the political structure (Houston, 2001:1). However, accountability to citizens can best be gauged by assessing citizens’ opportunities to influence legislation between elections. Ultimately, the effectiveness and sustainability of mechanisms aim at improving citizens’ participation in policy formulation in order to become effective when they are “institutionalized” and when the state’s own “internal” mechanisms are rendered more transparent and open to civic engagement. Furthermore, the success depends on some form of effective interaction between the state and civic society. In the case of South Africa, whilst the political context and culture for participation exist in the form of the constitutional provisions and several pieces of legislation, a discrepancy exist whereby many South Africans are excluded or devalued by the vast differences in wealth. Citizen’s votes may count equally, but they are still not able to participate on an equal basis between elections. Participatory mechanisms established to ensure citizen’s participation, access to information and monitoring inside and outside the legislature, remain ineffective. These unequal opportunities mean that the poorer and less organised segments of society are prejudiced in terms of influencing legislation and policy. Their lack of full and meaningful participation means legislative outcomes are less representative of, and responsive to, the interests of the poorer segments of society (Habib, Shultz – Herzenberg, 2005: 144). The focus of this study is limited to the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The aim is to, firstly, assess the extent to which citizens can control those who make collective decisions about public affairs. Secondly, it assess the extent to which citizens participate in the existing participatory mechanisms, and thirdly, the study explores the possibilities of the synergy between the state and civil society in promoting effective participation by its citizens. The study, therefore : 1. Assess the theoretical and policy framework for citizen’s participation in South Africa; and 2. Evaluate the level of participation and effectiveness of participatory mechanisms inside and outside the KwaZulu - Natal Legislature. The study introduces the theoretical and conceptual framework of citizen participation through a literature review; followed by an empirical study of citizen participation in the legislative process in the kwaZulu Natal legislature. The study makes the following findings: 1. The literature review concurs that South Africa has one of the most progressive and liberal constitutions in the world. This is coupled with a sound policy framework demonstrating genuine political will for citizens’ participation in policy formulation. 2. Within the political context and culture for citizen participation, the main question of how much control citizens have over the actions of their government remains. Another issue is whether existing mechanisms in the legislature are effective in engendering citizen’s participation and quality input in public policy – making processes. 3. The study showed that ultimately the effectiveness and sustainability of citizen participation mechanisms is improved when they are “institutionalised” and when the state’s own internal mechanisms of accountability are rendered more transparent and open to civic engagement. The study also highlighted the need for synergy between the state and civil society. This includes, among other things, participatory budgeting, public expenditure tracking, monitoring of public service delivery, investigative journalism and citizens’ advisory boards. The study, therefore, makes two recommendations: 1. A comparative Citizens Education and Outreach Programme be developed and spearheaded by both the legislature and civil society in kwaZulu-Natal; and 2. A further study needs to be undertaken to investigate the possible structural nature of the synergy (relationship) between the state and civil society in the province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mtaka, Nhlanhla Dalibhurhwana
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Civil society , Responsibility , Political ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1135 , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Civil society , Responsibility , Political ethics
- Description: A healthy democracy is generally seen as one in which citizens participate regularly in formal political activities. Citizens’ participation in governance has come to be accepted as an expression of their rights and the manifestation of citizen agency. Access to information remains a crucial component of the right to participate. Transparency, as a normative and constitutional value, represents a means, not an end. The means is the mechanism of access to information. Within the South African context, there is evidence of an increase in participation of a variety of interest groups by means of different processes, as well as through the establishment of numerous consultative bodies and mechanisms for popular participation at all levels of the political structure (Houston, 2001:1). However, accountability to citizens can best be gauged by assessing citizens’ opportunities to influence legislation between elections. Ultimately, the effectiveness and sustainability of mechanisms aim at improving citizens’ participation in policy formulation in order to become effective when they are “institutionalized” and when the state’s own “internal” mechanisms are rendered more transparent and open to civic engagement. Furthermore, the success depends on some form of effective interaction between the state and civic society. In the case of South Africa, whilst the political context and culture for participation exist in the form of the constitutional provisions and several pieces of legislation, a discrepancy exist whereby many South Africans are excluded or devalued by the vast differences in wealth. Citizen’s votes may count equally, but they are still not able to participate on an equal basis between elections. Participatory mechanisms established to ensure citizen’s participation, access to information and monitoring inside and outside the legislature, remain ineffective. These unequal opportunities mean that the poorer and less organised segments of society are prejudiced in terms of influencing legislation and policy. Their lack of full and meaningful participation means legislative outcomes are less representative of, and responsive to, the interests of the poorer segments of society (Habib, Shultz – Herzenberg, 2005: 144). The focus of this study is limited to the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The aim is to, firstly, assess the extent to which citizens can control those who make collective decisions about public affairs. Secondly, it assess the extent to which citizens participate in the existing participatory mechanisms, and thirdly, the study explores the possibilities of the synergy between the state and civil society in promoting effective participation by its citizens. The study, therefore : 1. Assess the theoretical and policy framework for citizen’s participation in South Africa; and 2. Evaluate the level of participation and effectiveness of participatory mechanisms inside and outside the KwaZulu - Natal Legislature. The study introduces the theoretical and conceptual framework of citizen participation through a literature review; followed by an empirical study of citizen participation in the legislative process in the kwaZulu Natal legislature. The study makes the following findings: 1. The literature review concurs that South Africa has one of the most progressive and liberal constitutions in the world. This is coupled with a sound policy framework demonstrating genuine political will for citizens’ participation in policy formulation. 2. Within the political context and culture for citizen participation, the main question of how much control citizens have over the actions of their government remains. Another issue is whether existing mechanisms in the legislature are effective in engendering citizen’s participation and quality input in public policy – making processes. 3. The study showed that ultimately the effectiveness and sustainability of citizen participation mechanisms is improved when they are “institutionalised” and when the state’s own internal mechanisms of accountability are rendered more transparent and open to civic engagement. The study also highlighted the need for synergy between the state and civil society. This includes, among other things, participatory budgeting, public expenditure tracking, monitoring of public service delivery, investigative journalism and citizens’ advisory boards. The study, therefore, makes two recommendations: 1. A comparative Citizens Education and Outreach Programme be developed and spearheaded by both the legislature and civil society in kwaZulu-Natal; and 2. A further study needs to be undertaken to investigate the possible structural nature of the synergy (relationship) between the state and civil society in the province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An illustrated information leaflet for low-literate HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy : design, development and evaluation
- Authors: Ramela, Thato
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Statistics Communication in medicine -- South Africa Communication in public health -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007563
- Description: South Africa's HIV prevalence rate is estimated to be 5.7 million and at the end of2007 a total of 45845 HIV/AIDS adult patients were taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). The global incidence of HIV/AIDS has been slowly decreasing over the years but is still widespread. This disease is still more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa than in other parts of the world, with more than 60% people living with HIV/AIDS. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the treatment of choice, slows the progression of the human immunovirus but demands a high adherence rate in excess of 95%. Patients who are poorly informed about antiretrovirals (ARVs) and misunderstand medicine-taking instructions or experience unexpected side effects may interrupt therapy, predisposing them to the development of resistance. Such patients need information but, given the poor literacy skills prevalent in South Africa, written information is often not fully comprehended and is often written at too high a reading level. The objectives of this research project were to design, modify and evaluate HIV / AIDS patient education materials for low-literate isiXhosa speaking adults residing in Grahamstown and to examine their impact on the understanding of various aspects of the disease and its treatment. Pictograms illustrating common side effects of ARVs (e.g. stavudine, efavirenz, lamivudine), as well as various sources 'for purchasing nonprescription medicines, storage and medicine-taking instructions were designed and evaluated both qualitatively, using group discussions, and quantitatively through individual interviews where interpretation of the pictograms was assessed. These pictograms were incorporated in a patient information leaflet (PIL) which had been specifically designed for people with limited reading skills and was a simple document containing the minimum of essential text. A previously developed PIL was modified in collaboration with the target population and two versions were produced, one incorporating pictograms illustrating side effects, the other with none. Pictograms were used in both to illustrate other medicine-taking instructions. The PILs were tested objectively to assess the readability, format, content, and general design. They were translated into isiXhosa prior to being qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in a low-literate isiXhosa speaking population. Understanding of the PILs was assessed by asking a series of questions about the PIL content. Participant opinion of the readability and appearance of the PIL was recorded. The relationship between PIL understanding and selected demographic variables was investigated. Findings from this study illustrated that well designed pictograms assist in the location of information in written leaflets and they may enhance understanding of the information. It was further demonstrated that education influences total understanding of PIL content thus emphasizing the need for tailor-written information in accordance with the education level of the target population. A desire to receive PILs incorporating pictograms was expressed by the majority of participants. Collaboration with the intended target population is essential to design culturally acceptable, easily interpreted pictograms and to produce user-friendly, easy-to-read, comprehensible patient education materials. The rigorous, iterative design, modification and testing process described in this study is one that should be adopted in producing all health-related education materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ramela, Thato
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Statistics Communication in medicine -- South Africa Communication in public health -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:3834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007563
- Description: South Africa's HIV prevalence rate is estimated to be 5.7 million and at the end of2007 a total of 45845 HIV/AIDS adult patients were taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). The global incidence of HIV/AIDS has been slowly decreasing over the years but is still widespread. This disease is still more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa than in other parts of the world, with more than 60% people living with HIV/AIDS. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the treatment of choice, slows the progression of the human immunovirus but demands a high adherence rate in excess of 95%. Patients who are poorly informed about antiretrovirals (ARVs) and misunderstand medicine-taking instructions or experience unexpected side effects may interrupt therapy, predisposing them to the development of resistance. Such patients need information but, given the poor literacy skills prevalent in South Africa, written information is often not fully comprehended and is often written at too high a reading level. The objectives of this research project were to design, modify and evaluate HIV / AIDS patient education materials for low-literate isiXhosa speaking adults residing in Grahamstown and to examine their impact on the understanding of various aspects of the disease and its treatment. Pictograms illustrating common side effects of ARVs (e.g. stavudine, efavirenz, lamivudine), as well as various sources 'for purchasing nonprescription medicines, storage and medicine-taking instructions were designed and evaluated both qualitatively, using group discussions, and quantitatively through individual interviews where interpretation of the pictograms was assessed. These pictograms were incorporated in a patient information leaflet (PIL) which had been specifically designed for people with limited reading skills and was a simple document containing the minimum of essential text. A previously developed PIL was modified in collaboration with the target population and two versions were produced, one incorporating pictograms illustrating side effects, the other with none. Pictograms were used in both to illustrate other medicine-taking instructions. The PILs were tested objectively to assess the readability, format, content, and general design. They were translated into isiXhosa prior to being qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in a low-literate isiXhosa speaking population. Understanding of the PILs was assessed by asking a series of questions about the PIL content. Participant opinion of the readability and appearance of the PIL was recorded. The relationship between PIL understanding and selected demographic variables was investigated. Findings from this study illustrated that well designed pictograms assist in the location of information in written leaflets and they may enhance understanding of the information. It was further demonstrated that education influences total understanding of PIL content thus emphasizing the need for tailor-written information in accordance with the education level of the target population. A desire to receive PILs incorporating pictograms was expressed by the majority of participants. Collaboration with the intended target population is essential to design culturally acceptable, easily interpreted pictograms and to produce user-friendly, easy-to-read, comprehensible patient education materials. The rigorous, iterative design, modification and testing process described in this study is one that should be adopted in producing all health-related education materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An institutional analysis of community and home based care and support for HIV/AIDS sufferers in rural households in Malawi
- Authors: Munthali, Spy Mbiriyawaka
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Malawi HIV-positive persons -- Care -- Malawi HIV infections -- Malawi Home-based family services -- Malawi Community health services -- Malawi Community development -- Malawi Economic development -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002719
- Description: Standard economic models often emphasize inputs, outputs and an examination of the structures in order to conduct an economic performance evaluation. This study applies the Institutional and Development Framework (IAD) in the broader context of New Institutional Economics (NIE) in order to examine the transaction costs of delivering Community and Home Based Care and Support (CHBC) to HIV/AIDS sufferers. For purposes of unveiling the empirical reality guiding decision making processes in the CHBC service delivery, comparative qualitative research techniques of normative variable and concept formation have been adopted to draw out the relative institutional influences from the HIV/AIDS national response partnerships. The study identifies the conflict between the predominantly standardized and more rigid formal management techniques adopted by key members of the national response and the informal cultural techniques familiar to the rural communities, and a lack of motivational incentives in the CHBC structures as the key factors against CHBC capacities to draw external funding for service delivery. CHBCs are also weakened by incoherent governance structures at the district level for facilitation of funding and information flow exacerbating the community vulnerability. Rationalization of the institutional arrangements and a clarification of roles from district to community levels, a shift of focus to facilitation of informal techniques and an integration of performance enhancing incentives are the critical policy insights envisaged to spur CHBCs to work better.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Munthali, Spy Mbiriyawaka
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Malawi HIV-positive persons -- Care -- Malawi HIV infections -- Malawi Home-based family services -- Malawi Community health services -- Malawi Community development -- Malawi Economic development -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002719
- Description: Standard economic models often emphasize inputs, outputs and an examination of the structures in order to conduct an economic performance evaluation. This study applies the Institutional and Development Framework (IAD) in the broader context of New Institutional Economics (NIE) in order to examine the transaction costs of delivering Community and Home Based Care and Support (CHBC) to HIV/AIDS sufferers. For purposes of unveiling the empirical reality guiding decision making processes in the CHBC service delivery, comparative qualitative research techniques of normative variable and concept formation have been adopted to draw out the relative institutional influences from the HIV/AIDS national response partnerships. The study identifies the conflict between the predominantly standardized and more rigid formal management techniques adopted by key members of the national response and the informal cultural techniques familiar to the rural communities, and a lack of motivational incentives in the CHBC structures as the key factors against CHBC capacities to draw external funding for service delivery. CHBCs are also weakened by incoherent governance structures at the district level for facilitation of funding and information flow exacerbating the community vulnerability. Rationalization of the institutional arrangements and a clarification of roles from district to community levels, a shift of focus to facilitation of informal techniques and an integration of performance enhancing incentives are the critical policy insights envisaged to spur CHBCs to work better.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An Integrated Connection Management and Control Protocol for Audio Networks
- Foss, Richard, Gurdan, Robby, Klinkradt, Bradley, Chigwamba, Nyasha
- Authors: Foss, Richard , Gurdan, Robby , Klinkradt, Bradley , Chigwamba, Nyasha
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427111 , vital:72415 , https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=15135
- Description: With the advent of digital networks that link audio devices, there is a need for a protocol that integrates control and connection management, allows for streaming of all media content such as audio and video between devices from different manufacturers, and that provides a common approach to the control of these devices. This paper proposes such a protocol, named XFN, currently being standardized as part of the AES X170 project. XFN is an IP-based peer to peer network protocol, in which any device on the network may send or receive connection management, control, and monitoring messages. Essential to the XFN protocol is the fact that each parameter in a device can be addressed via a hierarchical structure that reflects the natural layout of the device.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Foss, Richard , Gurdan, Robby , Klinkradt, Bradley , Chigwamba, Nyasha
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427111 , vital:72415 , https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=15135
- Description: With the advent of digital networks that link audio devices, there is a need for a protocol that integrates control and connection management, allows for streaming of all media content such as audio and video between devices from different manufacturers, and that provides a common approach to the control of these devices. This paper proposes such a protocol, named XFN, currently being standardized as part of the AES X170 project. XFN is an IP-based peer to peer network protocol, in which any device on the network may send or receive connection management, control, and monitoring messages. Essential to the XFN protocol is the fact that each parameter in a device can be addressed via a hierarchical structure that reflects the natural layout of the device.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An intercultural approach to implementing multilingualism at Rhodes University, South Africa
- Kaschula, Russell H, Maseko, Pamela, Dalvit, Lorenzo, Mapi, Thandeka, Nelani, Linda, Nosilela, Bulelwa, Sam, Msindisi S
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Maseko, Pamela , Dalvit, Lorenzo , Mapi, Thandeka , Nelani, Linda , Nosilela, Bulelwa , Sam, Msindisi S
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Multilingualism -- South Africa , Intercultural communication , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Language and culture -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa , Rhodes University
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59390 , vital:27579 , doi: 10.5842/39-0-74
- Description: The work of intercultural communication theorists such as Ting-Toomey (1999) and Gudykunst (2003) has informed curriculum design and teaching methodology of the courses developed for teaching isiXhosa for vocational purposes to second language (L2) learners. This seems to be an appropriate theoretical paradigm within multilingual South Africa, where intercultural communication is becoming a daily reality for a growing portion of the population. We make use of this theory to introduce and develop experiential understanding of multilingualism at Rhodes University in various departments and, more generally, on campus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Maseko, Pamela , Dalvit, Lorenzo , Mapi, Thandeka , Nelani, Linda , Nosilela, Bulelwa , Sam, Msindisi S
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Multilingualism -- South Africa , Intercultural communication , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Language and culture -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa , Rhodes University
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59390 , vital:27579 , doi: 10.5842/39-0-74
- Description: The work of intercultural communication theorists such as Ting-Toomey (1999) and Gudykunst (2003) has informed curriculum design and teaching methodology of the courses developed for teaching isiXhosa for vocational purposes to second language (L2) learners. This seems to be an appropriate theoretical paradigm within multilingual South Africa, where intercultural communication is becoming a daily reality for a growing portion of the population. We make use of this theory to introduce and develop experiential understanding of multilingualism at Rhodes University in various departments and, more generally, on campus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An intervention to improve reading comprehension for grade 8 learners
- Authors: Coetzee, Ghauderen N
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Reading comprehension
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/934 , English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Reading comprehension
- Description: Since the official opening of ex-model C (previously whites only) schools to learners of all races, cultures and languages, there has been an influx of black learners into these schools. Reasons for this are that many black parents believe the quality of education and resources available at these ex model C schools is better than those available in township schools (De Klerk, 2000). Parents also believe sending their children to English medium schools enables them to compete and be marketable in the global world of work. This dissertation describes a qualitative case study of grade 8 learners who took part in a six week intervention conducted at a school in the Eastern Cape where they learn through an additional language (English). The purpose of the intervention was to equip these learners with skills to enable them to improve their reading and comprehension in this language. Participation in the intervention was voluntarily, based on a selection conducted of learners who wrote a baseline English assessment test. Assessments done during the intervention suggest that isiXhosa home language learners fare academically weaker than their English and Afrikaans counterparts who learn through the medium of English. This correlates with findings done nationally and internationally with regard to South African learners’ literacy levels. This dissertation looks at the affective and cognitive effects of the intervention on its participants. Literature on how additional language learning should be done is examined, as well as the Language in Education policy of South Africa (1997). Findings from the research suggest the importance of establishing a ‘safe’ teaching and learning environment for learning to take place optimally and indicate that interventions to improve English reading can produce positive results. Furthermore the research provides evidence that explicitly teaching reading strategies can improve the participants’ comprehension and overall language competence. While English, as the language of technology and economics is acknowledged, it is argued in this dissertation that due to a lack of information to make informed choices, parents and learners become victims of the ‘straight for English’ phenomenon, and learners are robbed of an opportunity to reach their academic potential. However, if additional language learning takes place under the ideal conditions, learners can be enabled to become academically equipped to deal with the demands of learning through an additional language. What is essential for the afore-mentioned to materialize is that learners need to be equipped with reading and comprehension skills in their home language first, for these skills to be effective in attaining the ‘other’ language. Also, learners need to be aware of the fact that they carry knowledge in their own language that can and should be used to learn (in) the additional language.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Coetzee, Ghauderen N
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Reading comprehension
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/934 , English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Reading comprehension
- Description: Since the official opening of ex-model C (previously whites only) schools to learners of all races, cultures and languages, there has been an influx of black learners into these schools. Reasons for this are that many black parents believe the quality of education and resources available at these ex model C schools is better than those available in township schools (De Klerk, 2000). Parents also believe sending their children to English medium schools enables them to compete and be marketable in the global world of work. This dissertation describes a qualitative case study of grade 8 learners who took part in a six week intervention conducted at a school in the Eastern Cape where they learn through an additional language (English). The purpose of the intervention was to equip these learners with skills to enable them to improve their reading and comprehension in this language. Participation in the intervention was voluntarily, based on a selection conducted of learners who wrote a baseline English assessment test. Assessments done during the intervention suggest that isiXhosa home language learners fare academically weaker than their English and Afrikaans counterparts who learn through the medium of English. This correlates with findings done nationally and internationally with regard to South African learners’ literacy levels. This dissertation looks at the affective and cognitive effects of the intervention on its participants. Literature on how additional language learning should be done is examined, as well as the Language in Education policy of South Africa (1997). Findings from the research suggest the importance of establishing a ‘safe’ teaching and learning environment for learning to take place optimally and indicate that interventions to improve English reading can produce positive results. Furthermore the research provides evidence that explicitly teaching reading strategies can improve the participants’ comprehension and overall language competence. While English, as the language of technology and economics is acknowledged, it is argued in this dissertation that due to a lack of information to make informed choices, parents and learners become victims of the ‘straight for English’ phenomenon, and learners are robbed of an opportunity to reach their academic potential. However, if additional language learning takes place under the ideal conditions, learners can be enabled to become academically equipped to deal with the demands of learning through an additional language. What is essential for the afore-mentioned to materialize is that learners need to be equipped with reading and comprehension skills in their home language first, for these skills to be effective in attaining the ‘other’ language. Also, learners need to be aware of the fact that they carry knowledge in their own language that can and should be used to learn (in) the additional language.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into a natural language interface for contact centers
- Authors: Sankar, Gopal Ravi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Telephone selling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10468 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/890 , Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Telephone selling
- Description: Contact centres are the first point of contact between a company and a customer after the purchase of a product or service. These centres make use of contact centre agents to service customer queries. In the past contact centres hired as many agents as they could in order to service customers, which have led to an increase in personnel costs causing contact centres to become costly to run. Automation techniques were introduced to decrease personnel costs and one such technique is the Interactive Voice Response (IVR). The usability of IVR systems is, however, dismal. Customers would rather speak to a contact centre agent than navigate through the menu structure found in these systems. The menu structure has come under scrutiny because it is difficult to use and navigate, is often not aligned to caller usage patterns, and the menu options are long and vague. This research investigated whether a Natural Language Interface (NLI) could alleviate the problems inherent to IVR. NLIs, however, come with their own disadvantages of which the main ones are ambiguity and the loss of context of a conversation. Two prototypes were implemented, one of which resembled an IVR and the other an NLI (using ALICE concepts). An evaluation of two prototypes confirmed the advantages and disadvantages of these concepts in accordance to theory. A Hybrid prototype was proposed with the aid of two models. The model which proposed an NLI using a rule base was chosen for implementation. The Hybrid prototype was then evaluated against the NLI and IVR prototypes to deduce which prototype was the most effective, efficient and satisfying. The evaluation through the aid of descriptive and inferential statistics showed that the Hybrid prototype was the most usable prototype. The evaluation of the Hybrid prototype confirmed that a Hybrid approach could limit the shortcomings of IVR through the elimination of the menu structure found in these systems, thereby allowing users to state their queries in natural language. The incorporated rule base provided the Hybrid system with long term memory, eliminating one of the main disadvantages of NLIs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Sankar, Gopal Ravi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Telephone selling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10468 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/890 , Call centers -- Management , Customer services -- Management , Telephone selling
- Description: Contact centres are the first point of contact between a company and a customer after the purchase of a product or service. These centres make use of contact centre agents to service customer queries. In the past contact centres hired as many agents as they could in order to service customers, which have led to an increase in personnel costs causing contact centres to become costly to run. Automation techniques were introduced to decrease personnel costs and one such technique is the Interactive Voice Response (IVR). The usability of IVR systems is, however, dismal. Customers would rather speak to a contact centre agent than navigate through the menu structure found in these systems. The menu structure has come under scrutiny because it is difficult to use and navigate, is often not aligned to caller usage patterns, and the menu options are long and vague. This research investigated whether a Natural Language Interface (NLI) could alleviate the problems inherent to IVR. NLIs, however, come with their own disadvantages of which the main ones are ambiguity and the loss of context of a conversation. Two prototypes were implemented, one of which resembled an IVR and the other an NLI (using ALICE concepts). An evaluation of two prototypes confirmed the advantages and disadvantages of these concepts in accordance to theory. A Hybrid prototype was proposed with the aid of two models. The model which proposed an NLI using a rule base was chosen for implementation. The Hybrid prototype was then evaluated against the NLI and IVR prototypes to deduce which prototype was the most effective, efficient and satisfying. The evaluation through the aid of descriptive and inferential statistics showed that the Hybrid prototype was the most usable prototype. The evaluation of the Hybrid prototype confirmed that a Hybrid approach could limit the shortcomings of IVR through the elimination of the menu structure found in these systems, thereby allowing users to state their queries in natural language. The incorporated rule base provided the Hybrid system with long term memory, eliminating one of the main disadvantages of NLIs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009