Employee motivation, workplace surveillance and employee engagement among selected Zimbabwe revenue authority employees
- Tsvangirai, Fidelis Pedzisai
- Authors: Tsvangirai, Fidelis Pedzisai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation Employee motivation--Zimbabwe Organizational effectiveness--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17384 , vital:40961
- Description: Orientation: The study is located in the micro environmental circumstances in Zimbabwe where the size of the informal sector is overtaking that of the formal sector. The country is experiencing a high labour turnover averaging at 19percent per year due to an unstable economic setting. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is experiencing an employee engagement score as low as 2.1 out of 5. This low employee engagement level and high labour turnover call for employers to find strategies not only to keep their employees motivated and engaged but also to monitor how they work. Research purpose: The study sought to examine how employee motivation mediates between workplace surveillance and employee engagement among selected employees at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). Motivation of the study: Public organisations often face the criticism that they do not deliver the quality of service expected and one in every five of their employees is disengaged from their work. ZIMRA’s mandate has a significant impact on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the organisation needs to deliver against all odds. Currently no research exists which provides information on the mediating effect of employee motivation on the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement in Zimbabwe. Research philosophy, design and method: This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and a survey research design, which is quantitative and descriptive in nature. The study utilised the principles of structural equation modelling (SEM) in formulating the research hypotheses and in data analysis. Main findings: The findings of the study, through utilising SEM, were that a negative relationship exists between workplace surveillance and employee engagement and that employee motivation has a positive significant relationship with employee engagement. The study also found that workplace surveillance positively relates to employee motivation. The study also found that employee motivation partially mediates the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. Practical/Managerial implications: A negative relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to seek employee buy-in when implementing workplace surveillance measures. A positive relationship between employee motivation and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to invest much in these two variables. A positive relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation calls for ZIMRA management to put in place policies that ensure employees do not abuse work time by doing their own business. Contribution or value-add: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the debate around the impact of employee motivation as a mediator of the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. This study agree with the vast amount of literature that the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation is not always negative.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tsvangirai, Fidelis Pedzisai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation Employee motivation--Zimbabwe Organizational effectiveness--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17384 , vital:40961
- Description: Orientation: The study is located in the micro environmental circumstances in Zimbabwe where the size of the informal sector is overtaking that of the formal sector. The country is experiencing a high labour turnover averaging at 19percent per year due to an unstable economic setting. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is experiencing an employee engagement score as low as 2.1 out of 5. This low employee engagement level and high labour turnover call for employers to find strategies not only to keep their employees motivated and engaged but also to monitor how they work. Research purpose: The study sought to examine how employee motivation mediates between workplace surveillance and employee engagement among selected employees at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). Motivation of the study: Public organisations often face the criticism that they do not deliver the quality of service expected and one in every five of their employees is disengaged from their work. ZIMRA’s mandate has a significant impact on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the organisation needs to deliver against all odds. Currently no research exists which provides information on the mediating effect of employee motivation on the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement in Zimbabwe. Research philosophy, design and method: This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and a survey research design, which is quantitative and descriptive in nature. The study utilised the principles of structural equation modelling (SEM) in formulating the research hypotheses and in data analysis. Main findings: The findings of the study, through utilising SEM, were that a negative relationship exists between workplace surveillance and employee engagement and that employee motivation has a positive significant relationship with employee engagement. The study also found that workplace surveillance positively relates to employee motivation. The study also found that employee motivation partially mediates the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. Practical/Managerial implications: A negative relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to seek employee buy-in when implementing workplace surveillance measures. A positive relationship between employee motivation and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to invest much in these two variables. A positive relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation calls for ZIMRA management to put in place policies that ensure employees do not abuse work time by doing their own business. Contribution or value-add: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the debate around the impact of employee motivation as a mediator of the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. This study agree with the vast amount of literature that the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation is not always negative.
- Full Text:
Exploration of Nahoon beach milieu for lignocellulose degrading bacteria and optimizing fermentation conditions for holocellulase production by selected strains
- Authors: Fatokun, Evelyn
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lignocellulose Lignocellulose -- Biodegradation Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1529 , vital:27413
- Description: A significant trend in the modern day industrial biotechnology is the utilization and application of renewable resources, and ecofriendly approach to industrial processes and waste management. As a consequence thereof, the biotechnology of holocellulases: cellulase and xylanase and, enzymatic hydrolysis of renewable and abundant lignocellulosic biomass to energy and value added products are rapidly increasing; hence, cost effective enzyme system is imperative. In that context, exploration of microbiota for strains and enzymes with novel industrial properties is vital for efficient and commercially viable enzyme biotechnology. Consequent on the complex characteristics of high salinity, variable pressure, temperature and nutritional conditions, bacterial strains from the marine environment are equipped with enzyme machinery of industrial importance for adaptation and survival. In this study, bacterial strains were isolated form Nahoon beach and optimized for holocellulase production. Three isolates selected for lignocellulolytic potential were identified by 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence analysis. Isolate FS1k had 98 percent similarity with Streptomyces albidoflavus strain AIH12, was designated as Streptomyces albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and deposited in the GenBank with accession number KU171373. Similarly, isolates CS14b and CS22d with respective percentage similarity of 98 and 99 (percent) with Bacillus cereus strains and Streptomyces sp. strain WMMB251 were named Bacillus cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 and Streptomyces sp. strain SAMRC-UFH6; and were deposited in the GenBank with accession number KX524510 and KU171374 respectively. Optimal pH, temperature and agitation speed for cellulase production by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5, and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 were 6 and 7; 40 and 30 (°C); and 100 and 150 (rpm) respectively; while xylanase production was optimal at pH, temperature and agitation speed of 8 and 7; 40 and 30 (°C); and 150 and 50 (rpm) respectively. Maximum cellulase activity of 0.26 and 0.061(U/mL) by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 were attained at 60 h respectively, while maximal xylanase activity of 18.54 and 16.6 (U/mL) was produced by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 at 48 h and 60 h respectively. Furthermore, xylanase production by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 was maximally induced by wheat straw and xylan respectively, while cellulase production was best induced by mannose and carboxymethyl cellulose respectively. On the other hand, cellulase and xylanase production by Streptomyces sp. strain SAMRC-UFH6 was optimal at pH, temperature and agitation speed of 7 and 8, 40 °C and 100 rpm, respectively. Highest production of cellulase and xylanase was attained at 84 and 60 h with respective activity of 0.065 and 6.34 (U/mL). In addition, cellulase and xylanase production by the strain was best induced by beechwood xylan. Moreover, xylanase produced by Streptomyces sp. strain SAMRC-UFH6 at optimal conditions was characterized by optimal pH and temperature of 8 and 80-90 °C respectively; retaining over 70 percent activity at pH 5-10 after 1 h and 60 percent of initial activity at 90 °C after 90 min of incubation. In all, optimization improved cellulase and xylanase production yields, being 40 and 95.5, 10.89 and 72.17, and 10 and 115- fold increase by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5, B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 and Streptomyces sp. SAMRC-UFH6 respectively. The results of this study suggest that the marine bacterial strains are resource for holocellulase with industrial applications.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fatokun, Evelyn
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lignocellulose Lignocellulose -- Biodegradation Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1529 , vital:27413
- Description: A significant trend in the modern day industrial biotechnology is the utilization and application of renewable resources, and ecofriendly approach to industrial processes and waste management. As a consequence thereof, the biotechnology of holocellulases: cellulase and xylanase and, enzymatic hydrolysis of renewable and abundant lignocellulosic biomass to energy and value added products are rapidly increasing; hence, cost effective enzyme system is imperative. In that context, exploration of microbiota for strains and enzymes with novel industrial properties is vital for efficient and commercially viable enzyme biotechnology. Consequent on the complex characteristics of high salinity, variable pressure, temperature and nutritional conditions, bacterial strains from the marine environment are equipped with enzyme machinery of industrial importance for adaptation and survival. In this study, bacterial strains were isolated form Nahoon beach and optimized for holocellulase production. Three isolates selected for lignocellulolytic potential were identified by 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence analysis. Isolate FS1k had 98 percent similarity with Streptomyces albidoflavus strain AIH12, was designated as Streptomyces albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and deposited in the GenBank with accession number KU171373. Similarly, isolates CS14b and CS22d with respective percentage similarity of 98 and 99 (percent) with Bacillus cereus strains and Streptomyces sp. strain WMMB251 were named Bacillus cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 and Streptomyces sp. strain SAMRC-UFH6; and were deposited in the GenBank with accession number KX524510 and KU171374 respectively. Optimal pH, temperature and agitation speed for cellulase production by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5, and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 were 6 and 7; 40 and 30 (°C); and 100 and 150 (rpm) respectively; while xylanase production was optimal at pH, temperature and agitation speed of 8 and 7; 40 and 30 (°C); and 150 and 50 (rpm) respectively. Maximum cellulase activity of 0.26 and 0.061(U/mL) by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 were attained at 60 h respectively, while maximal xylanase activity of 18.54 and 16.6 (U/mL) was produced by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 at 48 h and 60 h respectively. Furthermore, xylanase production by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5 and B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 was maximally induced by wheat straw and xylan respectively, while cellulase production was best induced by mannose and carboxymethyl cellulose respectively. On the other hand, cellulase and xylanase production by Streptomyces sp. strain SAMRC-UFH6 was optimal at pH, temperature and agitation speed of 7 and 8, 40 °C and 100 rpm, respectively. Highest production of cellulase and xylanase was attained at 84 and 60 h with respective activity of 0.065 and 6.34 (U/mL). In addition, cellulase and xylanase production by the strain was best induced by beechwood xylan. Moreover, xylanase produced by Streptomyces sp. strain SAMRC-UFH6 at optimal conditions was characterized by optimal pH and temperature of 8 and 80-90 °C respectively; retaining over 70 percent activity at pH 5-10 after 1 h and 60 percent of initial activity at 90 °C after 90 min of incubation. In all, optimization improved cellulase and xylanase production yields, being 40 and 95.5, 10.89 and 72.17, and 10 and 115- fold increase by S. albidoflavus strain SAMRC-UFH5, B. cereus strain SAMRC-UFH9 and Streptomyces sp. SAMRC-UFH6 respectively. The results of this study suggest that the marine bacterial strains are resource for holocellulase with industrial applications.
- Full Text:
Genetics, physiology, proteomics of quality protein maize inbred lines under drought and heat stress
- Authors: Pfunde, Cleopatra Nyaradzo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Corn Drought-tolerant plants Proteomics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , Crop Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11696 , vital:39098
- Description: When plants perceive heat stress alone or in combination with drought, they activate several responses to synchronize development and molecular activities to ensure survival. In this study, a multidiscipline approach was adopted to investigate the plant genetics, proteomics and physiology for understanding the mechanisms underlying the adaptive response to combined drought and heat stress. The quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines used had varied degrees of tolerance to both heat stress alone and in combination with drought. The overall objective of this study was to identify drought and heat tolerant germplasm that combine well under drought and heat stress for use in breeding programs to develop new QPM varieties. Initially, the genetic diversity among available inbred lines was estimated using two molecular markers, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The results indicated that moderate diversity exists among the QPM inbred lines which can be exploited to generate high performing hybrids. Cross combinations between QS26 and CIM2 and those between QS6 and CIM14 were selected as crosses likely to give substantial heterosis in the field because of the high genetic distances that were found between them using SNPs. Screening of inbred lines for drought and heat tolerance was done at the early germination and seedling stages. Differences in heat tolerance at both stages of growth were observed. Heat tolerant inbred lines at early germination stage had longer coleoptiles and radicles after recovery. The following inbred lines exhibited acquired thermo-tolerance, QS6, CIM7, QS17 and QS19, while CIM12, QS1, CIM21 and QS32 showed basal thermo-tolerance. At the early seedling stage inbred lines with significant differences (P< 0.001) in morpho-physiological traits were noted under heat stress alone and under combined drought and heat stress. However, no significant differences were noted for morpho-physiological measurements in the control treatment. Electron transport rate, sub-stomatal CO2, and stomatal conductance were significantly (P<0.001) reduced in response to combined drought and heat stress. Thus, drought coupled with heat stress resulted in stomatal closure, decreased photosynthetic rate, enhanced respiration and increased leaf temperature for susceptible inbred lines. The combined effects of drought and heat stress were more deleterious than the individual effect of heat stress alone as indicated by the reduction in dry weight. Based on the physiological parameters, biomass and tolerance indices, inbred lines QS22, CIM18 and QS6 showed tolerance to combined drought and heat stress, while CIM18, QS14 and QS30 exhibited thermo-tolerance. Inbred line CIM18 showed cross tolerance to combined drought and heat stress, and to heat stress alone. Further investigations into the comparative proteomic analysis of CIM18 (tolerant) with QS21 (susceptible) under combined drought and heat stress at seedling stage revealed that photosynthetic and stress related proteins were upregulated in CIM18. In addition, the abundance of heat shock proteins such as HSP70 and sHSP 17.8 kDa meant that CIM18 was better able to maintain cellular homeostasis and metabolism. The presence of metabolism related proteins meant that the energy needs of photosynthesis and other activities were met under drought and heat stress. Anti-oxidant enzymes such as glutathione s transferase were responsible for detoxification of reactive oxygen species induced by oxidative stress. These proteins mediated tolerance to combined stress in CIM18. The proteins that were micro-sequenced have previously been identified in individual drought and heat stress studies. The expression of these proteins under combined stress indicated that mechanisms from both stresses were pooled to confer tolerance in CIM18. Accordingly, the study proposes that CIM18 is a drought and heat tolerant QPM inbred line and is recommended for inclusion in breeding programs aimed at the development of drought and heat tolerant varieties. QPM has the potential to improve human nutrition in several rural households. The combining ability analysis of inbred lines revealed that GCA effects under combined drought and heat stress were significant for ears per plant, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, anthesis silking interval, days to 50percent silking and ear length. Specific combining ability effects were significant for grain yield, days to 50percent anthesis, chlorophyll content and senescence. The study revealed that non-additive gene action was more important in determining grain yield under combined drought and heat stress. Inbred lines L2, L3, L7 and L3, L7 and L11 were good sources of genes for high grain yield under well-watered and combined drought and heat stress respectively. Cross combinations L3 x L13 (3.05 t/ha) and L5 x L9 (2.95 t/ha) were the best performing single cross hybrids for grain yield while cross combination L2 x L10 (1.33t/ha) was the least performing hybrid under combined stress conditions. Under well-watered conditions, the highest yielding crosses were between L2 x L13 (6.51t/ha) and L2 x L8 (6.46 t/ha). The inbred lines identified as sources of drought and heat tolerance and the high yielding cross combinations maybe useful for improving tolerance by generating hybrids or synthetic QPM maize varieties. The inbred lines which exhibited tolerance to both drought and heat stress were genetically diverse and were able to maintain photosynthesis and hence growth during stressful conditions. The ability of these genotypes to accumulate biomass or produce yield under stressful conditions highlights underlying mechanisms which need to be further exploited. While partial proteomic work was done in this study, a more comprehensive study looking into greater depth at the genes responsible for these mechanisms is paramount to fully utilize and/or transfer these genes to other desirable genotypes.
- Full Text:
Genetics, physiology, proteomics of quality protein maize inbred lines under drought and heat stress
- Authors: Pfunde, Cleopatra Nyaradzo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Corn Drought-tolerant plants Proteomics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , Crop Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11696 , vital:39098
- Description: When plants perceive heat stress alone or in combination with drought, they activate several responses to synchronize development and molecular activities to ensure survival. In this study, a multidiscipline approach was adopted to investigate the plant genetics, proteomics and physiology for understanding the mechanisms underlying the adaptive response to combined drought and heat stress. The quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines used had varied degrees of tolerance to both heat stress alone and in combination with drought. The overall objective of this study was to identify drought and heat tolerant germplasm that combine well under drought and heat stress for use in breeding programs to develop new QPM varieties. Initially, the genetic diversity among available inbred lines was estimated using two molecular markers, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The results indicated that moderate diversity exists among the QPM inbred lines which can be exploited to generate high performing hybrids. Cross combinations between QS26 and CIM2 and those between QS6 and CIM14 were selected as crosses likely to give substantial heterosis in the field because of the high genetic distances that were found between them using SNPs. Screening of inbred lines for drought and heat tolerance was done at the early germination and seedling stages. Differences in heat tolerance at both stages of growth were observed. Heat tolerant inbred lines at early germination stage had longer coleoptiles and radicles after recovery. The following inbred lines exhibited acquired thermo-tolerance, QS6, CIM7, QS17 and QS19, while CIM12, QS1, CIM21 and QS32 showed basal thermo-tolerance. At the early seedling stage inbred lines with significant differences (P< 0.001) in morpho-physiological traits were noted under heat stress alone and under combined drought and heat stress. However, no significant differences were noted for morpho-physiological measurements in the control treatment. Electron transport rate, sub-stomatal CO2, and stomatal conductance were significantly (P<0.001) reduced in response to combined drought and heat stress. Thus, drought coupled with heat stress resulted in stomatal closure, decreased photosynthetic rate, enhanced respiration and increased leaf temperature for susceptible inbred lines. The combined effects of drought and heat stress were more deleterious than the individual effect of heat stress alone as indicated by the reduction in dry weight. Based on the physiological parameters, biomass and tolerance indices, inbred lines QS22, CIM18 and QS6 showed tolerance to combined drought and heat stress, while CIM18, QS14 and QS30 exhibited thermo-tolerance. Inbred line CIM18 showed cross tolerance to combined drought and heat stress, and to heat stress alone. Further investigations into the comparative proteomic analysis of CIM18 (tolerant) with QS21 (susceptible) under combined drought and heat stress at seedling stage revealed that photosynthetic and stress related proteins were upregulated in CIM18. In addition, the abundance of heat shock proteins such as HSP70 and sHSP 17.8 kDa meant that CIM18 was better able to maintain cellular homeostasis and metabolism. The presence of metabolism related proteins meant that the energy needs of photosynthesis and other activities were met under drought and heat stress. Anti-oxidant enzymes such as glutathione s transferase were responsible for detoxification of reactive oxygen species induced by oxidative stress. These proteins mediated tolerance to combined stress in CIM18. The proteins that were micro-sequenced have previously been identified in individual drought and heat stress studies. The expression of these proteins under combined stress indicated that mechanisms from both stresses were pooled to confer tolerance in CIM18. Accordingly, the study proposes that CIM18 is a drought and heat tolerant QPM inbred line and is recommended for inclusion in breeding programs aimed at the development of drought and heat tolerant varieties. QPM has the potential to improve human nutrition in several rural households. The combining ability analysis of inbred lines revealed that GCA effects under combined drought and heat stress were significant for ears per plant, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, anthesis silking interval, days to 50percent silking and ear length. Specific combining ability effects were significant for grain yield, days to 50percent anthesis, chlorophyll content and senescence. The study revealed that non-additive gene action was more important in determining grain yield under combined drought and heat stress. Inbred lines L2, L3, L7 and L3, L7 and L11 were good sources of genes for high grain yield under well-watered and combined drought and heat stress respectively. Cross combinations L3 x L13 (3.05 t/ha) and L5 x L9 (2.95 t/ha) were the best performing single cross hybrids for grain yield while cross combination L2 x L10 (1.33t/ha) was the least performing hybrid under combined stress conditions. Under well-watered conditions, the highest yielding crosses were between L2 x L13 (6.51t/ha) and L2 x L8 (6.46 t/ha). The inbred lines identified as sources of drought and heat tolerance and the high yielding cross combinations maybe useful for improving tolerance by generating hybrids or synthetic QPM maize varieties. The inbred lines which exhibited tolerance to both drought and heat stress were genetically diverse and were able to maintain photosynthesis and hence growth during stressful conditions. The ability of these genotypes to accumulate biomass or produce yield under stressful conditions highlights underlying mechanisms which need to be further exploited. While partial proteomic work was done in this study, a more comprehensive study looking into greater depth at the genes responsible for these mechanisms is paramount to fully utilize and/or transfer these genes to other desirable genotypes.
- Full Text:
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