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Consumer use of Mobile Payments as a mode of remittance for e-Commerce in a developing economy

  • Authors: Liwani, Samkelo
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Mobile commerce -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48731 , vital:41066
  • Description: E-commerce is penetrating emerging economies in sub-Saharan Africa as customers seek convenient shopping experiences that offer high quality products. This has led to the emergence of e-commerce, a borderless channel, which both regionally local and international retailers have exploited. The low income market segment of e-commerce customers has been found to be apprehensive of e-commerce due to trust concerns over card-mandating payment solutions, living a large unbanked market in developing economies excluded from the e-commerce experience due to a lack of inclusive electronic payment systems. Mobile payment systems offer a source of distinctive value for both merchants and consumers, thereby increasing the e-commerce market. Due to their high level of adoption, mobile payments are capable of providing a mode for reaching new market segments and opening opportunities to bring value propositions to segments that had been unreachable in the past. This study sought to uncover the perception of consumers in an emerging economy about the use of mobile payments as a mode of remittance in e-commerce transactions. This was done by describing the factors that influence the intention to use mobile payments on internet stores. The study also investigated the effect of demographic profile on intention and use in the South African context. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to a convenience sample of retail consumers on social media platforms, and the collected data was analysed using the SPSS statistical package. The results confirmed that compatibility, personal innovativeness, perceived trust, perceived regulatory support, and promotional benefit have a direct influence to intention to use mobile payments as a mode of remittance for e-commerce transactions. Furthermore, social influence does not have a direct influence on intention to use mobile payments in the South African context. The results also revealed that, in South Africa, the largest population group, male and female gender groups do not differ in their opinion around mobile payments. The study findings illustrate the importance of context when considering technology innovation introduction to a new market. Despite social influence not being found to be a factor for intention to use mobile payments in the South African context, the same conclusion should not be generalised as it is contextual. Recommendations and conclusions were drawn from the discussion of the findings of this research.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Computational fluid dynamics design and performance testing of a cyclone heat exchanger used in a gasification plant

  • Authors: George, Tomy
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics Renewable energy sources Biomass gasification
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19087 , vital:39877
  • Description: Renewable energy resources are considered to be the most promising source of energy in the coming centuries owing to its potential to get replenished by the nature itself. However, there are a number of challenges that are to be addressed prior to considering a particular resource as a reliable and effective one according to the energy demand fluctuations. Energy extracted from the biomass available in the nature has a lot of potential especially in the case of producing energy from syngas produced by the controlled burning of wood. This research deals with the minimisation of energy wastage in a gasification plant where syngas is produced from wood and transferred to an internal combustion engine to further generate electrical energy. The syngas produced from the wood is to be fed through a cyclone for purification before it can be fed into the IC engine, where the dust, carbon and other impurities are separated from the syngas by making use of the centrifugal force developed inside the cyclone. This syngas is further cooled and fed into the IC engine in its purest form as specified by the requirements of the engine. It is envisaged that if it is possible to recover the heat energy otherwise wasted in the cyclone and through the cooling circuit, it can be used for preheating the wood or for other minor heating purposes, and thereby the heat wastage can be minimised. Therefore, in this research, a series of numerical investigation conducted which involved the modelling of heat exchanger around a cyclone in order to extract heat from the surface of the cyclone. Two basic design of the Heat exchanger were considered in the study, a rectangular and a conical design. With a water flow rate of 2 l/min in conical design, the heat absorbed by the water was found to be 5.555 kJ/s and in rectangular design, the heat absorbed by the water was 4.872 kJ/s. An experimental analysis conducted to validate the simulation by a rectangular Heat exchanger shows the amount of heat absorbed by the water is 4.87 kJ/s. In a study with variable water flow rate through the jacket, it is observed that heat absorbed by the water in conical heat exchanger is more than heat absorbed by the water in rectangular jacket within the flow rate of 4 l/min. and the heat absorbed by the water in rectangular heat exchanger is higher than conical heat exchanger with water flow rate above 4 l/min.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services

  • Authors: Somi, Zoleka
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35469 , vital:33735
  • Description: This study highlights challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services. Although the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) is primarily responsible for the rendering of environmental health services, the local municipalities that have environmental health practitioners within their areas of jurisdiction were appointed to act as its agents in the rendering of municipal health services. Sarah Baartman District Municipality therefore currently utilises the external service delivery mechanism. In 2004 the Sarah Baartman District Municipality was allocated powers and functions for the rendering of municipal health services which were previously a shared responsibility between the Eastern Cape Department of Health, the district municipality and local municipalities. In terms of section 78 (1) of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), on the allocation of new powers and functions, a municipality is required to assess conditions and capacity to deliver the service. In 2008 Sarah Baartman District Municipality appointed the Klyveld, Peat, Marwick and Groerdeler (KPMG) accounting firm to assess these conditions. The assessment identified a number of challenges regarding the current external service delivery mechanism. Based on the outcomes of this section 78 assessment, it was quite clear that the current external service delivery mechanism is the foundation for challenges in the effective rendering of Environmental Health Services at Sarah Baartman District Municipality. The aim of this study was to identify, explore and describe the challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services in terms of its current external service delivery mechanism. The study was qualitative, with explorative and descriptive designs by nature. It was conducted at Sarah Baartman District Municipality which is made up of seven local municipalities. The target population for this study was 21 environmental health practitioners practicing within the SBDM (N=21). A purposive sample of eight (n=8) environmental health practitioners were identified to participate in the study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the in-depth interviews and a focus group. Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The study revealed that the current external service delivery mechanism is the foundation for challenges in the effective rendering of environmental health services at SBDM. This study proposes that Sarah Baartman District Municipality should bring back the function of environmental health from the local municipalities and utilise the internal service delivery mechanism in the rendering of environmental health services.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

An investigation of the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and financial performance of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa

  • Authors: Soko, Leon Lenny Kudzaishe
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7078 , vital:21215
  • Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between CSR and financial performance in South African companies which are listed on the FTSE/JSE SRI Index. Specifically, whether there is a difference in financial performance of companies that perform CSR activities, and those that do not. If so, which direction does this association have? The selection process of companies used in this study will now be explained step-bystep. The JSE SRI Index results show that there were 80 successful constituents as of February 2015 (JSE, 2015). These 80 companies are listed alphabetically in Appendix A, while the top 100 companies as ranked by Turnover are linked in Appendix B. Of these 100 companies, 67 were constituents of the JSE SRI Index continuously in 2015 and are shown in Appendix C. This leaves 33 companies in the top 100 which are not listed on the JSE SRI Index. Companies that were listed on the JSE SRI Index were assumed to be ‘good’ companies as the listing requirements included the performance of numerous CSR activities such as Employee development, environmental sustainability practices and stakeholder engagement. The financial performance of these 67 companies was compared to the financial performance of the 33 companies that were not listed on the JSE SRI Index which were included in the population sample of one hundred companies. Financial performance was measured using the ratios: Return on Assets and Return on Equity. The data analysis process used in this study was as follows: 1. The ratios for each company were obtained from the iNET (BFA) database, and annual and integrated reports for the period 2011 - 2015 (Appendix D;E;F). 2. The ratios for Non-SRI and SRI companies were then compared for each of the three ratios using a T-Test. The purpose of the T-Test was to show whether there is a difference in the ratios between SRI and Non-SRI companies on a year to year basis. The direction of the difference was shown by whether the SRI ratio was higher than or lower than the Non-SRI ratio. The results of this study do not seem to support any of the CSR theories, as the study concluded that there is no significant difference between the financial performance of companies that perform CSR activities and those that do not. This means that investing in CSR activities does not have a significant effect on the financial performance of a company.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Factors affecting the implementation of the Water Services Provision (WSP) strategy at Amathole District Municipality (ADM)

  • Authors: Snombo, Kanyisa
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5533 , vital:20939
  • Description: Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa changed its water service provision strategy in 2012 from decentralized to a centralized strategy as a way of trying to improve its water service delivery. Since this change, no study has been done to explore how the centralized water service strategy has so far been implemented at ADM. The aim of this exploratory qualitative study was to describe how ADM implemented its centralized water strategy and also assess the extent of alignment of strategy execution using Higgins’ (2005) 8 “S” model. Purposively, a total of five senior managers were identified and interviewed in East London as they were intimately involved in the daily operation of the water service provision over the years. Data gathered through audio recorded, in-depth and semi-structured interviews with each of the senior managers and also documented reports on Water Service Provision (WSP) were analyzed using thematic analysis into meaningful patterns reflecting each of the components of Higgins’ (2005) 8 “S” model. Findings of this qualitative study reveal that senior managers had different but complementary views of what strategy they were implementing at ADM. More importantly, the implementation of centralized water services provision model by ADM was characterized by deep and persistent vacancies of key technical but also managerial positions in the new structure. Furthermore while human and financial resources were inadequate to match with the depth and variety of changes necessary to have the requisite number of staff, ADM implemented the centralized water service strategy with poor skills mix which negatively impacted on quality of water service. While ADM had ten espoused shared values, none of these were commonly and widely shared by employees in their day-to-day world of work. Instead, employee’s behavior at ADM was practically shaped by the emergent values of cooperation, and employee care and recognition. Thus there was misalignment between espoused and practiced shared values. Furthermore there was also recurrent and deep misalignment between structure, staff, resources and water quality systems which compounded the difficulties experienced by ADM in pursuit of centralized water service provision. While the use of outsourced mechanical and electrical services was a remedy to staff shortages and the lack of skills mix, it ultimately further aggravated the financial challenges of ADM by draining more of the already limited financial resources. Recommendations for improving the implementation of centralized water service strategy and areas for further research are suggested.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on growth performance, faecal ammonia emissions, carcass characteristics and the quality of meat from broiler chickens

  • Authors: Mxunyelwa, Avela,
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Moringa oleifera Meat -- Quality Broilers (Chickens)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15034 , vital:40154
  • Description: The objective of the study was to determine growth performance, faecal ammonia gas emission, carcass characteristics and physico-chemical meat traits from broilers fed one of the four dietary treatments, containing 0percent, 1percent, 3percent or 5percent Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) (T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively). Dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric for a starter (0-14 days), grower (15-21days) and finisher (22-35 days). A total of 160 day old Cobb 500 broiler chickens, initially weighing an average of 45g were randomly allocated to each of the dietary treatments, each with four replicates, in 16 pens. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Feed intakes (FI), average daily gain (ADG), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were measured weekly. At the end of the feeding trial, the feed was withdrawn from the birds for 12 hours with water available ad libitum and the birds were slaughtered using standard abattoir procedures. The breast muscle of each carcass was sampled for meat quality analysis. Organ and carcass weights differences were measured. Birds fed with T1 had the highest FI. Birds fed with T4 had the best FCE at day 14, 21 and 35. At day 7 and 35, there were no significant differences in FCE in all the treatments. At 0 to 35 days, faecal ammonia emission decreased (P<0.05) as MOLM concentration and age of birds increased. Moringa fed broilers had the highest body weights in all the periods despite the incorporation level in the diet. The results showed that inclusion of MOLM had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the heart, neck, and head weights but had no significant effect on liver, gizzard, intestine and feet. Broilers fed with T1 had heavier heart, neck and head weights compared to MOLM fed broilers. In terms of carcass traits, MOLM had a significant effect (P<0.05) on wings and thighs but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on breast and drumsticks. Moringa oleifera leaf meal had a significant effect on carcass weights, control diet had heavier weights (1185g ± 28.96) compared to chickens fed with MOLM diets (1121g±28.96, 1070g ± 28.96, 1030g± 28.96). Broilers fed with MOLM had higher values of lightness (L*) and (b*) values (P<0.05) at 45 minutes and 24 hours and no difference was observed in redness (a*) at 45 minutes and 24 hours. The L* values dropped at 24 hours for all the treatments and MOLM fed broilers had the lowest values (46.59 ± 0.76,46 ± 0.76,49 ± 0.76) compared to the control diet (50 ± 0.76). The pH levels were comparable after 24 hours; T2 had the highest pH values (5.95 ± 0.024) compared to other treatments (5.90 ± 0.024, 5.75 ± 0.024, 5.73 ± 0.024). The results of this study demonstrated that even though the FI was reduced in MOLM fed broilers, they efficiently consumed and used nutrients, as a result MOLM fed birds had higher weights and low ammonia concentration throughout the experiment, which may improve the house environment without affecting the quality of meat.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in an indigenous forest in the Keiskammahoek Forest Estate, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Kiva, Luthando
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Forest ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forests and forestry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2743 , vital:28071
  • Description: This study investigates environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in the Dontsa Forest Management Unit (FMU) of the Keiskammahoek Estate Forest which is located in the Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape in the Republic of South Africa. The patterns of forest edge movement were analysed to show trends of forest edge movement from 1975 to 1985, 1975 to 1992, 1975 to 2002, 1975 to 2014, 1985 to 1992, 1985 to 2002, 1985 to 2014, 1992 to 2002, 1992 to 2014 and 2002 to 2014 by digitizing and assessing the scale of forest edge movement using georeferenced aerial photographs. Belt transects were established in six sites that were selected on the basis of physiographic elements for determination of the driving forces of forest ecotonal changes. The results of the study show that the forest edge moved positive towards the grassland biome while in other sites there was contraction of the forest edge from 1975 to 2014. The findings of the study show that some forest patches moved with few individual pioneer species towards the grassland while indigenous species dominated in the ecotone area of the forest in other research sites. D whyteana, A latifolius, R melanophloes, A facultus, R prenoides, C aurea, C bispinosa, C inerme, and S martina are the plant species with high density in the forest ecotone while A latifolius, R prenoides, R melanophloes were highly distributed along the grassland area. The results also show that harvesting of Pinus patula and illegal harvesting of understory species are major factors that result in ecotonal changes of Dontsa FMU. The research sites adjacent to residential areas have experienced reduction of ecotone area as compared to the research sites in high altitude areas of the Amathole Mountains where there is less disturbance. The eastern facing aspect of the forest exhibited a high density of plants in the forest ecotone as compared to the west facing slope.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Leisure time and holiday aspirations of black upper middle class in East London

  • Authors: Ngozwana, Baselwa
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Social classes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Lifestyles -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6380 , vital:29600
  • Description: This study examined the holiday and leisure aspirations of the new upper black middle class in East London using qualitative approach. The study investigated aspirations of the black middle class on international travels through the lens of Veblen’s (2002) conspicuous consumption theory which entails that black middle class citizens spend in order to assert their status and belongingness to the middle class. The aim of the study was to understand their holiday and leisure aspirations, what the idea is behind or what motivates their international travels, their travel experiences and class affirmations. This exploration included the challenges and frustrations such as Ebola scare, racism, issues with foreign exchange and variations from these international visits. Data was collected through interviews with upper black middle class who are based in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality in East London, Eastern Cape. Findings from this study revealed that consumption patterns of the emerging black middle class to diverge substantially from the other groups, in terms of greater signalling of social status via visible consumption and preoccupation with reducing an historical asset deficit. Various themes emerged as meanings attached to international travelling and leisure by those black middle class international travellers. These are sense of wealth, status, religion, self-esteem, sense of reward, bonding with friends and conspicuous/visible consumption.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Studies on comparison of aluminium-pillared montmorillonite clay with silica gel on adsorption of methylene blue in waste water

  • Authors: Mselana, Sinazo
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Clay Silica gel Montmorillonite
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8011 , vital:31462
  • Description: Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of methylene blue (MB) onto silica gel and aluminum pillared montmorillonite was studied in a batch system. Variables of the system include contact time, salt concentration and initial methylene blue concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to experimental equilibrium data of methylene blue adsorption. Both models were suitable for the parameters. The advantage of silica gel as applied to water treatment is its high porosity when compared to aluminum pillared montmorillonite clay. Water molecules adhere to the silica gels surface because it exhibits a lower vapour pressure than the surrounding air. When equilibrium of equal pressure is reached, no more adsorption occurs. Thus the higher the humidity of the surrounding air, the greater the amount of water that is adsorbed before equilibrium is reached. The increase in pressure loss on the silica gel filters is 1.5 - 2.0 times smaller than in the case of sand filters, Lorenc (2007).
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Analysing from experience : Gustav Mahler’s Quartetsatz for piano and strings

  • Authors: Du Plessis, Jacques
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Mahler, Gustav, 1860-1911. -- Quartet, piano, violin, viola, cello, A minor , Musical analysis , Music appreciation , Phenomenology and music
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: vital:2696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017818
  • Description: Musical analysis has traditionally been located within the context of musicology. It is therefore an activity usually considered the purview of music scholars rather than practical musicians. The musical analyses produced by music scholars therefore provide us with intellectual understandings of musical works, rather than insights into the experience of listening to or playing music. In this thesis, I will propose that those agents involved in practical music-making can produce insights into musical works that are as valid as the work of traditional music scholarship. I will attempt to re-conceptualize the position of the ‘knower’ or ‘experiencer’ - the performer - of music as one with primary access to knowledge of a musical work, and therefore ideally suited to offer analyses of these works. The establishment of the performer as a bearer of central analytical knowledge functions in direct opposition to the traditional distinction between ‘theory’ and ‘practice’. My thesis will trace the Platonic origins of the philosophical separation of practice and research, and as an alternative to the traditional separation of practice and research, I shall explore the concept of Practice-Based Research (PBR). My exploration of PBR will be informed by phenomenological approaches to music scholarship. As a field of enquiry which concerns itself with experience, the phenomenology of music suggests that the mind and body of the practitioner are important sources of musical insight. To address this issue, Bourdieu’s notion of habitus will be explored. The habitus will be shown to contain a vast network of socio-cultural codes informing the practitioner’s relationship with the musical work. A central aim of this thesis is to explore the possibilities of using practice-based research as the foundation for the study and analysis of a composition, in order to allow for a deeper understanding of the work by means of the generation and harnessing of practical knowledge. Thus, the theoretical outline of PBR provided in this thesis will be applied to a piece of practical performance-based analysis. As such, an analysis of Mahler’s Quartetsatz will be used as the basis on which to draw knowledge in this project.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The effect of leadership styles on cultural diversity management of employees in the workplace

  • Authors: Khatywa, Ongeziwe
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Personnel management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3110 , vital:28262
  • Description: This study investigates the effect of leadership styles on cultural diversity management of employees in the workplace. The main objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between leadership styles and cultural diversity management; and to develop a deeper understanding of the nature and extent of the relationship between leadership styles and cultural diversity management. Results indicated positive correlation on effect of leadership styles on cultural diversity management of employees in the workplace. The majority of the correlational results found in the study add to a generally high level of support for most of the relationships found in the literature.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Using vehicle activated signs as an integrated measure to improve road safety in South Africa

  • Authors: Swanepoel, Charl
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Traffic signs and signals -- South Africa , Electronic traffic controls
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3745 , vital:20460
  • Description: Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific Road safety is an aspect of major concern on road networks, not only on a local scale in South Africa, but also on a global scale. South Africa is experiencing an unacceptably high rate of fatal road traffic crashes and as a result has one of the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 was published in 2011 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to guide and assist countries with the improvement of road safety. The management of vehicle speeds is one of numerous important interventions identified in the Global Plan. The technical and economic feasibility of using a specific technology, namely Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), to contribute to the overall improvement of road safety on a national level in South Africa were investigated, with particular emphasis on the improvement of road safety through the reduction of fatal road traffic crashes. VAS are part of a range of measures that can be used to curb vehicle speeds, similar to conventional measures like speed cameras and traffic calming devices. VAS technology has seen limited use in South extrapolation of results from SCC’s VAS effectiveness study, and the application of these results to the South African road safety and road user statistics for the one year period March 2011 to March 2012. Key factors relating to speed and general driver obedience were also taken into consideration. It was established that the use of VAS would lead to a moderate reduction in the number of fatal road traffic crashes that occur annually, which in turn holds financial and socio-economic benefits for South Africa. A comparison of selected products available from two South African based electronic road sign manufacturing companies with conventional VAS was also carried out, focussing on product function, use and cost. It has been concluded that it would be technically and economically feasible to introduce VAS on the South African road network to improve the prevailing road safety situation.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The impact of the Local Economic Development (LED) implementation on socio-economic environments in Intsika local municipality

  • Authors: Koyo, Mxolisi
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1591 , vital:27481
  • Description: Local Economic Development has (LED) become essential in the ever changing global economy. It is seen as a sustainable substitute to traditional development approaches in a dynamic global environment characterised by the emergence of local political players and territorial governance. The research investigated to what extent the implementation of Local Economic Development strategies have turn to be necessary and viable in improving the social and economic state of people in lntsika Yethu Local Municipality. The population for the study was council employees, the mayoral committee and councillors of the lntsika Yethu Local Municipality. The study unity was limited to lntsika Yethu Municipal area. Convenience sampling method or theoretical sampling method was used for the sampling purposes. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was gathered through the completion of the questionnaire and through focus group interviews using the same set of questions in the questionnaire.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The power of investor sentiment: an analysis of the impact of investor confidence on South African financial markets

  • Authors: Argyros, Robert
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange Stockholders Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa Stock Exchanges Investments
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1032 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004169
  • Description: Whether investor sentiment has any authority over financial markets has long been a topic of discussion in the field of finance. This study investigates the relationship between investor sentiment and share returns in South Africa. Determining this relationship will add to the existing work which has documented important determinants of share returns on the stock exchange in South Africa, as well adding to the inconclusive link between sentiment and the South African financial markets. Does sentiment influence share returns or do share returns influence sentiment? Using quarterly data for the period 1996-2010, the study makes use of the FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index as a proxy for investor sentiment, and the FTSE/JSE All Share Index to represent the South African financial markets. A regression analysis was conducted along with granger-causality tests, impulse response functions and variance decompositions in order to determine the nature of this relationship. The results showed that investor sentiment has a statistically significant relationship with share returns in South Africa. However, sentiment is only able to account for a very small portion of the variation in returns, with returns able to account for a larger portion of the variation in sentiment. Therefore investor sentiment is not a suitable predictor of share returns in South Africa. In addition, granger-causality tests indicate that returns are actually the leading indicator, suggesting that changes in South African investors’ confidence levels occur following changes in the state of the JSE. The limitations of the study include the infrequent nature of the sentiment measure used, thereby failing to capture important changes in sentiment and their immediate impact on financial markets. In addition, the sentiment of foreign investors must be taken into account due to the large foreign investment in the JSE.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Waste management in the pharmaceutical industry : an evaluation report of Dr Reddy's Laboratories

  • Authors: Letsitsi, Ezekiel Tebogo
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- Waste disposal -- Case studies Hazardous wastes -- Management -- South Africa Hazardous wastes -- Management -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Dr Reddy's Laboratories
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:718 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001872
  • Description: The pharmaceutical industry must worry about managing pharmaceutical waste as it poses a health risk to human beings and its presence in the environment can also contribute to loss of biodiversity. Ngwuluka, Ochekpe, and Odumosu (2011: 11259) state that “Pharmaceuticals, though used to treat and manage diseases, are poisons, which justify the growing concerns about their presence in the environment.” Various forms of pharmaceutical waste exist, Ngwuluka et al. (2011) identified the following forms of pharmaceutical waste: Expired dosage forms, non-reworkable formulations, spilled pharmaceuticals, rejected active pharmaceutical ingredients, expired active pharmaceutical ingredients, and wastewater resulting from the water used for process operations during manufacturing and could come from the water used to clean equipment, pipes and floors, and would contain amongst other materials, chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). A review on the pharmaceutical industry and the progress they have made in environmental management by generating health, safety and environmental programs, preventing pollution, waste minimization, recycling and reusing materials, investing in projects and facilities to ensure environmental sustainability have been established (Berry & Rondinelli, 2000). Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories is an Indian based pharmaceutical company which imports, markets and sells medicines in South Africa. Dr. Reddy’s has plans to set up a manufacturing plant in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to research waste management practices at Dr. Reddy’s plant in India and to draw parallels between India’s and South Africa’s waste legislation. This is to enable Dr. Reddy’s to review all aspects of its waste management systems, in order to revise where necessary and to improve the overall achievement of its waste management objectives in order to become a more sustainable organisation and to meet South African Waste legislation before setting up a plant in South Africa. 3 ii. Objective of the Evaluation Report The purpose of this research is to evaluate and analyse the development and implementation of a waste management system in a pharmaceutical company, specifically Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. This is primarily to enable the company to review and analyse all aspects of waste management pertaining to pharmaceutical manufacturing and to revise or improve where necessary to ensure adherence to waste regulations as outlined by government. The following research goals have been also been identified:  To identify and describe waste management practices at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, on the inherent assumption by the researcher that the company has a successful waste management strategy that would need to be reviewed to identify areas of improvement before expanding manufacturing facilities into South Africa.  To evaluate, assess and compare similarities and/or differences between the identified South African Legislation for Waste Management with those identified during research conducted at Dr. Reddy’s iii. Importance of the Research Conducted Waste Management is important in that it not only removes from the environment, substances that can be harmful to humans and animals but it also enables an organisation to be more sustainable. According to Seadon (2010: i) “Integrated waste management is considered from a systems’ approach, with a particular emphasis on advancing sustainability”. The study will provide guidance to senior management, shop floor managers and employees who work in Dr. Reddy’s manufacturing plants as well as overall employees at Dr. Reddy’s on how to successfully implement a Waste Management programme to enhance sustainability at the organisation and realise the benefits to the organisation of being more sustainable. Weybrecht (2010) identified the following benefits that companies could gain by adopting sustainable waste management practices: reduced costs, resource preservation, keeping up with legislation, enhanced reputation, business differentiation from competitors, and attraction and retention of quality employees, and customer need satisfaction amongst many other benefits. This research needs to address the gap in analysing waste management practices (with more emphasis on waste treatment, waste minimisation, re-use, recycling and disposal), and implementation and understanding of waste management in the pharmaceutical industry as prior research was done mostly in other chemical industries and not to a large scale in the pharmaceutical industry. South African Waste Legislation, Indian Waste Legislation (as Dr. Reddy’s is based in India), as well as International Pharmaceutical Waste Management Guidelines, and International Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices provide a framework and benchmark of leading pharmaceutical waste management practices that can guide Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories’ leadership into integrating their waste management practices into their plans of setting up a manufacturing plant in South Africa. 5. Research Methodology This is evaluation research in the form of a case study and the data collection method employed is the conduction of a survey through questionnaires. The evaluation research also involves a document analysis of the organisation’s 2011 and 2012 annual reports, Dr. Reddy’s 2010 Sustainability Report as well as literature compiled by the organisation’s Corporate Communications Division. The research would also include review of existing literature on waste management. v. Structure of Dissertation This dissertation consists of three sections. Section 1: The Evaluation Report The section introduces the research area, provides the objectives of the research, provides contextual background information and describes the rationale for conducting the research. This section further describes Dr. Reddy’s waste management practice as outlined in relevant company documentation; it is also intended to highlight the specific waste management processes that were followed in the formulation and implementation of the waste management strategy. This section further describes the sample and presents the results of the survey, where the results are collated and reviewed in the context of the criteria set in the South African Waste Legislation, Indian Waste Legislation, as well as in International Pharmaceutical Waste Management Guidelines, and International Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices. The overall findings of this case study suggest that although management at Dr. Reddy’s are satisfied with waste management practices and results achieved at it manufacturing plant, there is however dissatisfaction amongst employees who believe the organisation has not successfully disseminated information and sufficiently trained them on waste management policies, processes and practices. There is therefore a desire amongst employees to be trained and to see the company improve on its waste management processes, this desire is a very important attribute as it indicates that employees at Dr. Reddy understand and are committed to the importance of waste management. Future research should be conducted to measure the legal impact of non-compliance to legislation governing waste management in the pharmaceutical company. Section 2: Literature Review The objective of the literature review is to provide a critical assessment and evaluation of previous research in the field of waste management in general as prior research was done mostly in other industries and not to a large scale in the pharmaceutical industry. The literature review evaluates the key elements of an effective waste management strategy implementation and is followed by a review of literature pertaining to the description of Pharmaceutical waste. Section 3: Research Methodology This section presents a description of how the work in this research was conducted. It presents the research process followed in compiling this case study, represented by the aims and objectives, research methodology and design, data collection techniques and data analysis.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Investigating the utilisation of enterprise risk management at East London industrial development zone

  • Authors: Tutani, Luvo
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Risk management , Decision making
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8773 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012651 , Risk management , Decision making
  • Description: The aim of this study was to suggest ways to use enterprise risk management (ERM) effectively towards achieving strategic objectives at East London Industrial Development Zone. The results of the research will contribute to the set of tools which business can utilise in effective business planning and achieve sustainability of enterprises. Enterprise risk management provides stakeholders with reasonable assurance that management has taken due care in drawing up strategies aligned with their appetite for risk. The objective was to investigate the utilisation of Enterprise Risk Management at East London Industrial Development Zone. The literature review revealed shortcomings of the traditional risk management strategy. Examples of the shortcomings are its preoccupation with hazard risks and its disconnection with other functions in an organisation. ERM has emerged as the organisation wide approach to the handling of risk. Effectively integrated with strategy-setting and performance management, ERM strengthens opportunity-seeking behaviour by helping directors and managers develop the confidence that they truly understand the risks inherent in the organization’s strategy and have the capabilities in place to manage and monitor those risks. The assessment of risks after the strategy formulation process results in defective risk management. The result could be strategic objectives that are unrealistic and risk management that is just an appendage to performance management. The empirical study consisted of face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. The respondents were Business Unit Managers at East London Industrial Development Zone who advised on current practice of ERM in the organization. The main findings of the empirical investigation revealed that ERM started with organisational survival in mind but ended up being a compliance activity. Also, ERM is under-resourced as there are no dedicated ERM financial and human resources. The organization’s unstructured and informal approach to ERM could place the strategic objectives at risk. Recommendations conclude the investigation and address the shortcomings and improvements that can be made to the utilisation of ERM within the organization. The recommendations are ensuring strong commitment towards ERM and widening the participation of all employees in ERM; developing an ERM road map; allocation of resources to ERM initiative; development of a business case for ERM; training of all managers and all employees on ERM; and focusing on low-hanging return, which may result in quicker realisation of the value added by ERM to the organization.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2011

Stakeholders' perceptions of the shift to democratic leadership in a secondary school in the Eastern Cape : a case study

Perceptions of selected beneficiaries regarding government grants for sustainable development projects

  • Authors: Gwam, Zukiswa Sylvia
  • Date: 2007
  • Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Government aid -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/517 , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Government aid -- South Africa
  • Description: The overall aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of beneficiaries of government grants for the sustainability of development projects. A qualitative method was used following an explorative and descriptive design, as the researcher seeks to understand paradigm shifts from a welfare perspective to a developmental perspective. The qualitative approach is most suitable when the aim of the researcher is to understand a phenomenon from the point of view of participants (Creswell, 1998:17) and to elicit thought processes and feelings (Straus and Corbin, 1998:11). The methods of data collection included in-depth semi-structured interviews, field notes as well as the use of focus groups. The semi-structured interviews allowed the researcher to ask specific questions in an open-ended manner when necessary. Data analysis was done according to Tesch’s eight steps for analyzing qualitative research data (Creswell, 1994: 154-155). Guba’s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of research findings for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research (Krefting, 1990: 214-222). It is envisaged that this study will provide insights into the perceptions of beneficiaries of government social development grants. Findings indicate that a great deal of skills development for sustainability of development projects is needed, and will be used for further research in the area of social development.
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  • Date Issued: 2007

Principals' perceptions of the management of staff appraisal in schools.

  • Authors: Blaauw, Lindiwe Ellen
  • Date: 2000
  • Subjects: Educational evaluation , Teachers -- Rating of
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:2011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016080
  • Description: Teacher appraisal has long been a contentious and contested area in educational management. The recent implementation of a new system of appraisal in Eastern Cape Schools has led to renewed interest in the role and management of appraisal. The objective of this study was to investigate principals' perception of the management of staff appraisal. An interpretive paradigm was adopted and the research is a case study of four secondary schools in Port Elizabeth. Two methods were used in collecting data, namely, questionnaires and interviews. The content comparative method was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study showed areas of continuities and discontinuities with the literature and the new document on appraisal. There is a clear understanding among the principals interviewed that staff appraisal should be used to assess individual teacher performance and that it should also be developmental. There is clear support from the principals on the involvement of other stakeholders. They see the process as transformative and participatory. They find it acceptable and are willing to be involved. However, the findings also indicate a lack of readiness on the part of the principals to fully embrace a fully participative and developmental approach to appraisal. On the strength of these findings I conclude the thesis by making recommendations for policy, principals, teachers and for future researchers in the field.
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  • Date Issued: 2000

Attempts to improve the teaching of English by Black teachers in selected areas of the Eastern Cape and the Transkei, through educational workshops and resource materials

  • Authors: Ziskovsky, Lorraine
  • Date: 1986
  • Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers Education -- South Africa Teaching -- Aids and devices
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003060
  • Description: This action research study covers the period November 1983 to August 1985, and is an ethnographic account of what started as a small-scale attempt to assist black teachers of English at the Standard 6, 7 and 8 level, in Grahamstown. During this period, the writer was employed by the South African Council for Higher Education's Grahamstown branch as a part- time English tutor of black and coloured teachers engaged in private study for the Joint Matriculation Board and UNISA. It was under Sached's aegis that the project started, with the writer holding the belief that poor matriculation examination results obtained by blacks were at least partially caused by poor English language communication skills. It was hoped that assistance to black teachers of English as a second language (ESL) at the chosen level (Standards 6, 7 and 8) would be of some help in freeing black students from the necessity of having to achieve academically and linguistically at the same time, in Standards 9 and 10.
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  • Date Issued: 1986
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