Parental influence on next-generation family members in South African black-owned family businesses
- Authors: Ntari, Lwando
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Black , Family-owned business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62299 , vital:72376
- Description: This study focuses on the parental influence on next-generation family members in South African Black-owned family businesses. In both developed and developing countries, the majority of businesses are family-owned and contribute significantly to their country's economic growth. To be sustainable, family businesses should anticipate, recognise and understand the impact parents have on their next-generation family members’ intentions to join the family business. Controlling a family business with the intent to transfer it to the next family generation is often seen as the defining characteristic of family businesses. Transferring the control of a family business to the next generation presents a critical managerial challenge. It has been noted that parents are the most important influence in a child’s life and could therefore have the greatest influence on their career choice. This study discusses parents' impact on their next-generation family members’ career choices in the context of career choice theories: Holland’s theory of vocational personalities in the work environment, Super’s developmental self-concept theory, and social cognitive career theory. Moreover, the important influence that parents have on their children and the impact of the parent is elaborated on; the characteristics of the parent's job, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, parent's relationship, parental expectations, parent's style, and cultural influence are discussed. In addition, career choice theories in the South African context are also briefly discussed. The lack of desire of next-generation family members to join the family business endangers its long-term sustainability. Although numerous factors influence a person's career choice, including the decision to join their family business, parents are by far the most influential. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify the influence parents have on a next-generation family member’s intention to join the family business. A structured questionnaire was distributed to South African respondents with parents who own a family business. Respondents were identified by means of judgemental sampling. A total of 317 usable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The validity of the scales measuring the dependent and independent variables was assessed using factor analysis, and the scales’ reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. The family businesses iv associated with the respondents were mostly first-generation owned. The majority of respondents were Xhosa and Zulu speakers and represented family businesses that employed more than five employees. The next-generation family members who participated in this study were predominantly males under the age of 25 years, and most had no post-matric qualification. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the hypothesised relationships. The results indicate that four parental influences (parental style, culture, self-efficacy and parental identification) significantly influence a next-generation family member’s intention to join the family business. It is important for parents to understand which factors influence their children's decision to join the family business, as this allows the parents to manage these factors best. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Ntari, Lwando
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Black , Family-owned business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62299 , vital:72376
- Description: This study focuses on the parental influence on next-generation family members in South African Black-owned family businesses. In both developed and developing countries, the majority of businesses are family-owned and contribute significantly to their country's economic growth. To be sustainable, family businesses should anticipate, recognise and understand the impact parents have on their next-generation family members’ intentions to join the family business. Controlling a family business with the intent to transfer it to the next family generation is often seen as the defining characteristic of family businesses. Transferring the control of a family business to the next generation presents a critical managerial challenge. It has been noted that parents are the most important influence in a child’s life and could therefore have the greatest influence on their career choice. This study discusses parents' impact on their next-generation family members’ career choices in the context of career choice theories: Holland’s theory of vocational personalities in the work environment, Super’s developmental self-concept theory, and social cognitive career theory. Moreover, the important influence that parents have on their children and the impact of the parent is elaborated on; the characteristics of the parent's job, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, parent's relationship, parental expectations, parent's style, and cultural influence are discussed. In addition, career choice theories in the South African context are also briefly discussed. The lack of desire of next-generation family members to join the family business endangers its long-term sustainability. Although numerous factors influence a person's career choice, including the decision to join their family business, parents are by far the most influential. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify the influence parents have on a next-generation family member’s intention to join the family business. A structured questionnaire was distributed to South African respondents with parents who own a family business. Respondents were identified by means of judgemental sampling. A total of 317 usable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The validity of the scales measuring the dependent and independent variables was assessed using factor analysis, and the scales’ reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. The family businesses iv associated with the respondents were mostly first-generation owned. The majority of respondents were Xhosa and Zulu speakers and represented family businesses that employed more than five employees. The next-generation family members who participated in this study were predominantly males under the age of 25 years, and most had no post-matric qualification. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the hypothesised relationships. The results indicate that four parental influences (parental style, culture, self-efficacy and parental identification) significantly influence a next-generation family member’s intention to join the family business. It is important for parents to understand which factors influence their children's decision to join the family business, as this allows the parents to manage these factors best. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Parental perceptions of their child’s social and emotional wellness amid a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Authors: Colloty, Elizabeth
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Emotional wellness , Social wellness
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66378 , vital:75037
- Description: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is well described from a biomedical perspective, which is consistent with the typical pharmacological treatment approach. Measures of improvement are for the most part based on the scholastic performance. However, a child’s wellness is not only limited to academic performance, but also involves their functioning outside of the learning environment. It is therefore important to explore alternative measures of social and emotional wellness to support the biomedical treatment of a child. This study explored parental perceptions related to the social and emotional wellness of a diagnosed child, using principles of wellness put forward by Roscoe (2009). It took an instrumental case study approach using a semi-structured interview to gather data with a single participant. The participant is the parent of a child diagnosed with ADHD and was selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis followed Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s (2020) data analysis method. Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness was used to ensure the integrity of the study. Findings confirmed the prioritisation of academic wellness above that of social and emotional wellness. Parental emotional intelligence is vital to the child’s social and emotional wellness. Parental investment into the child’s exploration of self may further contribute to a positive, realistic and development sense of self which fosters resilience. Based on these findings, a multimodal intervention approach to ADHD is suggested. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Science, Department of Behavioral Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Colloty, Elizabeth
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Emotional wellness , Social wellness
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66378 , vital:75037
- Description: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is well described from a biomedical perspective, which is consistent with the typical pharmacological treatment approach. Measures of improvement are for the most part based on the scholastic performance. However, a child’s wellness is not only limited to academic performance, but also involves their functioning outside of the learning environment. It is therefore important to explore alternative measures of social and emotional wellness to support the biomedical treatment of a child. This study explored parental perceptions related to the social and emotional wellness of a diagnosed child, using principles of wellness put forward by Roscoe (2009). It took an instrumental case study approach using a semi-structured interview to gather data with a single participant. The participant is the parent of a child diagnosed with ADHD and was selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis followed Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s (2020) data analysis method. Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness was used to ensure the integrity of the study. Findings confirmed the prioritisation of academic wellness above that of social and emotional wellness. Parental emotional intelligence is vital to the child’s social and emotional wellness. Parental investment into the child’s exploration of self may further contribute to a positive, realistic and development sense of self which fosters resilience. Based on these findings, a multimodal intervention approach to ADHD is suggested. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Science, Department of Behavioral Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Perceptions about the role of social entrepreneurship in the provision of employment in South Africa: A case study of buffalo city Metropolitan municipality
- Authors: Damane, Qaqamba
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Job creation , socioeconomic status , Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61075 , vital:69722
- Description: The high rates of unemployment and poverty in South Africa are significant barriers to economic advancement in the country. According to Statistics South Africa (2022), the country’s unemployment rate is 34.5 percent, while it has been reported that the proportion of the population living in poverty was 55.5 percent in 2020. Social entrepreneurship has been recognised as a means of tackling these socioeconomic challenges, by providing innovative social solutions. However, the lack of a universal definition for social entrepreneurship has caused misperceptions regarding its potential for job creation, poverty alleviation and economic development. In order to understand the relationship between social entrepreneurship and job creation, this study focused on existent perceptions of social entrepreneurship as pertaining to job creation in South Africa; the study used the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality as a case study. An in-depth literature review was conducted on the relevant literature related to the concept of social entrepreneurship, and its role in job creation. This study employed a qualitative research approach, in this respect, it relied on inductive reasoning. The research design followed the hermeneutic phenomenological method, for which non-probability purposive sampling was used in order to select participants. The study sample comprised of twelve social entrepreneurs registered on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality's Local Economic Development database for social entrepreneurs. For the purpose of data collection, the study employed semi-structured interviews which relied on open-ended questions; in this regard, the study achieved a 100 percent response rate. The primary research findings indicated that the youth of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality participate in, and promote, social entrepreneurship as a solution to the metropole’s high youth unemployment rate. The results of the study support current government policy by encouraging the implementation of local government policy initiatives that support social entrepreneurship, which could eventually result in the creation of jobs, and a decline in the country's unemployment rate. In addition, the study identified the need for government support, specifically in terms of the provision of funding and resources as a perceived government function; this would assist in the creation of social entrepreneurshipbased jobs. The study contributes to the existent body of work on the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship, and to further understanding the role this phenomenon plays in job creation in South Africa. Local government should acknowledge and support social entrepreneurship through the improvement of its current systems and the reallocation of government resources, so as to encourage openness and participation, in order to foster an environment that is vi favorable to social innovation. Furthermore, by capitalizing on the commercial aspects of social enterprises, and abandoning reliance on traditional Local Economic Development policies, local government can develop policy frameworks that promote socio-economic development in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Damane, Qaqamba
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Job creation , socioeconomic status , Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61075 , vital:69722
- Description: The high rates of unemployment and poverty in South Africa are significant barriers to economic advancement in the country. According to Statistics South Africa (2022), the country’s unemployment rate is 34.5 percent, while it has been reported that the proportion of the population living in poverty was 55.5 percent in 2020. Social entrepreneurship has been recognised as a means of tackling these socioeconomic challenges, by providing innovative social solutions. However, the lack of a universal definition for social entrepreneurship has caused misperceptions regarding its potential for job creation, poverty alleviation and economic development. In order to understand the relationship between social entrepreneurship and job creation, this study focused on existent perceptions of social entrepreneurship as pertaining to job creation in South Africa; the study used the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality as a case study. An in-depth literature review was conducted on the relevant literature related to the concept of social entrepreneurship, and its role in job creation. This study employed a qualitative research approach, in this respect, it relied on inductive reasoning. The research design followed the hermeneutic phenomenological method, for which non-probability purposive sampling was used in order to select participants. The study sample comprised of twelve social entrepreneurs registered on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality's Local Economic Development database for social entrepreneurs. For the purpose of data collection, the study employed semi-structured interviews which relied on open-ended questions; in this regard, the study achieved a 100 percent response rate. The primary research findings indicated that the youth of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality participate in, and promote, social entrepreneurship as a solution to the metropole’s high youth unemployment rate. The results of the study support current government policy by encouraging the implementation of local government policy initiatives that support social entrepreneurship, which could eventually result in the creation of jobs, and a decline in the country's unemployment rate. In addition, the study identified the need for government support, specifically in terms of the provision of funding and resources as a perceived government function; this would assist in the creation of social entrepreneurshipbased jobs. The study contributes to the existent body of work on the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship, and to further understanding the role this phenomenon plays in job creation in South Africa. Local government should acknowledge and support social entrepreneurship through the improvement of its current systems and the reallocation of government resources, so as to encourage openness and participation, in order to foster an environment that is vi favorable to social innovation. Furthermore, by capitalizing on the commercial aspects of social enterprises, and abandoning reliance on traditional Local Economic Development policies, local government can develop policy frameworks that promote socio-economic development in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Perceptions of mental illness among the residents of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: The influence of culture and religion on their coping strategies.: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Sikrweqe, Odwa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Mental illness , Mental illness--Religious aspects , Mental illness-- Culture aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60445 , vital:65507
- Description: Mental illness has become a global concern, with consequences that may result in a mental health pandemic. Studies conducted on mental illness suggest that religious and cultural beliefs not only affect the expression of mental illness, but also the diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions. South Africa is a country imbued with cultural and religious diversity, which creates different groupings of people, holding diverse beliefs regarding mental illness. In many contexts, supernatural beliefs, traditional healing and indigenous medicines and treatments are considered in the treatment of the symptoms associated with mental illnesses, especially on contexts where there is a reliance on religio-cultural beliefs. Even though there has been a significant increase in the contribution to research focusing on mental health in diverse contexts, much of this research has focused on subjective experiences. Little to no information is available on population-based studies in South Africa regarding mental illness in diverse contexts, thus limiting the generalisation of findings related to cultural and religious influences on mental illness. This dearth of information further limits the development of psychological interventions. The study aimed to explore how mental illness is perceived by the participants and thereafter explored the influence of culture and religion in coping with mental illness by the residents of the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and adopted an exploratory-descriptive design. The researcher made use of a questionnaire as a research tool and QuestionPro was utilized as a platform. A convenience sampling technique was utilised. In ensuring rigour of the study, the researcher ensured maximal validity (accurate representation of the data) and reliability (ability to repeat the research procedure). Ethical principles have been adhered to as per the principles on the Belmont Report, to ensure safety of the participants and this includes anonymity, confidentiality and the right to withdraw from participation in the study. Data has been analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A sample size of 101 participants from the general population of residents of the Eastern Cape completed the online survey. The results of the study revealed that the residents of the Eastern Cape have substantial knowledge pertaining the cause of mental illness and indicated both positive and negative attitudes towards the mentally ill and possess coping strategies to deal with a mental illness. In addition, the results show that there is a relation between religion/culture and coping with a mental illness by the participants of the study. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of public education efforts that understand and respect people's cultural diversity, as well as teamwork among traditional and medical professionals. Future studies should focus on the use of discourse analysis to better investigate indigenous groups' conceptions of mental illness and their views about its aetiology and treatment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Sikrweqe, Odwa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Mental illness , Mental illness--Religious aspects , Mental illness-- Culture aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60445 , vital:65507
- Description: Mental illness has become a global concern, with consequences that may result in a mental health pandemic. Studies conducted on mental illness suggest that religious and cultural beliefs not only affect the expression of mental illness, but also the diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions. South Africa is a country imbued with cultural and religious diversity, which creates different groupings of people, holding diverse beliefs regarding mental illness. In many contexts, supernatural beliefs, traditional healing and indigenous medicines and treatments are considered in the treatment of the symptoms associated with mental illnesses, especially on contexts where there is a reliance on religio-cultural beliefs. Even though there has been a significant increase in the contribution to research focusing on mental health in diverse contexts, much of this research has focused on subjective experiences. Little to no information is available on population-based studies in South Africa regarding mental illness in diverse contexts, thus limiting the generalisation of findings related to cultural and religious influences on mental illness. This dearth of information further limits the development of psychological interventions. The study aimed to explore how mental illness is perceived by the participants and thereafter explored the influence of culture and religion in coping with mental illness by the residents of the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and adopted an exploratory-descriptive design. The researcher made use of a questionnaire as a research tool and QuestionPro was utilized as a platform. A convenience sampling technique was utilised. In ensuring rigour of the study, the researcher ensured maximal validity (accurate representation of the data) and reliability (ability to repeat the research procedure). Ethical principles have been adhered to as per the principles on the Belmont Report, to ensure safety of the participants and this includes anonymity, confidentiality and the right to withdraw from participation in the study. Data has been analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A sample size of 101 participants from the general population of residents of the Eastern Cape completed the online survey. The results of the study revealed that the residents of the Eastern Cape have substantial knowledge pertaining the cause of mental illness and indicated both positive and negative attitudes towards the mentally ill and possess coping strategies to deal with a mental illness. In addition, the results show that there is a relation between religion/culture and coping with a mental illness by the participants of the study. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of public education efforts that understand and respect people's cultural diversity, as well as teamwork among traditional and medical professionals. Future studies should focus on the use of discourse analysis to better investigate indigenous groups' conceptions of mental illness and their views about its aetiology and treatment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural Science, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Performance management of the academic staffs in Ugandan public and private universities
- Authors: Kansiime, Grace
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Performance--Management , Academic staff , Higher education institutions -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60938 , vital:69246
- Description: This study, at the outset, seeks to assess the effectiveness of a performance management system (PMS) in determining the academic staffs‟ performance in teaching and research in selected Ugandan public and private universities. The participants of this study comprised full-time and parttime academic staffs from public and private universities located in the four regions in Uganda. The purposive sampling method was used to select the universities for this study. Convenient sampling was used to select the academic staffs in the universities. An online structured questionnaire collected quantitative data and analysed it using descriptive and inferential statistics. The quantitative analysis of the responses showed that many participants were made up of public university academic staffs, lecturers, assistant lecturers, master‟s degree holders and permanent fulltime staffs. Factor analyses were run for each section and sub-section within the questionnaire to explore the dimensionality of the scales and generate composite factor scores to be used for further analyses. While, internal consistency was examined using Cronbach‟s alpha. In addition, descriptive statistics for the factors within sections were determined. Pearson‟s correlation coefficients were calculated for each pair of factor scores for each section and sub-section to explore the relationships between the factors identified in this study. Additionally, the comparison of factor scores across selected demographic variables and independent samples t-tests for the equality of means was used to establish whether there were significant differences between the factor scores of various demographic variables. Finally, one-way ANOVAs were considered to compare the composite factor scores across various demographic variables. Factor score analysis showed that 44.9% of the academic staffs had a moderate attitude towards the PMS process; whereas 84.9% had a high attitude towards PA criteria and 64.2% had a high attitude towards PFPS. The results of the study suggest a high attitude of the academic staffs towards PA and PFP in teaching and research. In addition, the majority (78.0%) of the academic staffs had a high attitude towards their self-performance planning in their institution. The results of the study suggest a high level of self-performance planning of the academic staffs in teaching and research in the selected Ugandan HEIs. A reasonable number (45.4%) of the academic staffs from public universities and 49.1% from private universities had a high attitude towards supervisors‟ participation in performance planning and performance feedback. Moreover, 44.0% of the academic staffs from public universities and 66.7% of the academic staffs from private universities rated the workload as high. The results of the study suggest that the academic staffs‟ workload was high. In xx addition, factor score analysis showed that the academic staffs‟ performance rewards were low. Only 24.9% of the academic staffs had received more than 67% of the available rewards suggesting that the academic staffs‟ managers in the surveyed institutions did not use a variety of performance rewards to compensate for the academic staffs‟ performance. In addition, the average factor score for teaching skills was 94.8%, while perceived teaching abilities were 95.1% high on average. Besides, the factor score analysis results showed that teaching skills were 84.81% and 86.34%, respectively. Only 29.1% of the academic staffs from both public and private universities had high research skills. The results suggested that the academic staffs‟ teaching skills were high while their research skills were low. The findings thus suggested that the academic staffs in Ugandan public and private universities were highly involved in teaching activities, but their involvement in research activities was low. Similarly, results from testing hypotheses suggested that academic staffs in the surveyed Ugandan public and private universities rated PA criteria and PFPS higher than the PMS process. The study results indicated that self-performance planning and supervisors‟ involvement in performance feedback improved academic staffs‟ teaching skills. In contrast, performance planning, review, clarity on feedback, evaluation and rewards increased academic staffs‟ performance in perceived teaching abilities. In addition, an increase in the research workload contributed to an increase in the academic staffs‟ perception of their research knowledge and skills. The study made major conclusions regarding academic staffs‟ PM in Ugandan public and private universities. First, correlation results on performance planning and teaching skills and abilities for public and private universities were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Therefore, the study concludes that the academic staffs‟ performance planning in the selected Ugandan HEIs positively affected the academic staffs‟ performance in teaching. In addition, correlation results for supervisor involvement in feedback and teaching skills for both public and private universities were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Thus, the study concludes that supervisors‟ involvement in feedback improved academic staffs‟ performance in teaching skills. In addition, correlation results showed that performance reviews and teaching abilities were statistically significant for public universities (p=0.001), and (p=0.034) for private universities. Thus, the study concludes that the academic staffs‟ performance reviews improved academic staffs‟ teaching abilities in selected public and private universities. Equally, correlation results for performance evaluation and perceived teaching abilities for public universities was statistically significant (p< 0.001) for public universities, and (p=0.006) for private universities. Therefore, the study concludes that performance evaluation increased xxi teaching abilities of the academic staffs in both Ugandan public and private universities. In addition, rewards significantly impacted academic staffs‟ perceived teaching abilities in private universities. Correlation results for rewards and perceived teaching abilities for private universities was statistically significant (p< 0.011). Therefore, the study concludes that the more academic staffs were rewarded, the more they participated in setting, administering and marking tests, assisgnments and examinations, and adhering to deadlines set for administering tests and assignments. Similarly, the study made various recommendations to improve academic staffs‟ performance in teaching and research in Ugandan public and private universities. To achieve the required performance in teaching and research, the study recommends that the academic staffs be involved in the entire planning process to be aware of the required performance and the kind of results expected from their performance and work towards achieving the set performance in teaching and research. Additionally, performance reviews and feedback should be one-on-one discussions between the managers and the academic staffs to identify how far the staffs are performing towards the set goals. The study recommends that the academic staffs need information regarding their performance for feedback to be effective. In addition, the study recommends that the academic staffs‟ managers should increase financial and non-financial rewards to motivate the academic staffs to increase their performance in teaching. Correlation results showed that rewards had a significant impact on teaching abilities (p=0.011). Thus, rewards should as well be increased to improve academic staffs‟ teaching abilities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Research and Engagement, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Kansiime, Grace
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Performance--Management , Academic staff , Higher education institutions -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60938 , vital:69246
- Description: This study, at the outset, seeks to assess the effectiveness of a performance management system (PMS) in determining the academic staffs‟ performance in teaching and research in selected Ugandan public and private universities. The participants of this study comprised full-time and parttime academic staffs from public and private universities located in the four regions in Uganda. The purposive sampling method was used to select the universities for this study. Convenient sampling was used to select the academic staffs in the universities. An online structured questionnaire collected quantitative data and analysed it using descriptive and inferential statistics. The quantitative analysis of the responses showed that many participants were made up of public university academic staffs, lecturers, assistant lecturers, master‟s degree holders and permanent fulltime staffs. Factor analyses were run for each section and sub-section within the questionnaire to explore the dimensionality of the scales and generate composite factor scores to be used for further analyses. While, internal consistency was examined using Cronbach‟s alpha. In addition, descriptive statistics for the factors within sections were determined. Pearson‟s correlation coefficients were calculated for each pair of factor scores for each section and sub-section to explore the relationships between the factors identified in this study. Additionally, the comparison of factor scores across selected demographic variables and independent samples t-tests for the equality of means was used to establish whether there were significant differences between the factor scores of various demographic variables. Finally, one-way ANOVAs were considered to compare the composite factor scores across various demographic variables. Factor score analysis showed that 44.9% of the academic staffs had a moderate attitude towards the PMS process; whereas 84.9% had a high attitude towards PA criteria and 64.2% had a high attitude towards PFPS. The results of the study suggest a high attitude of the academic staffs towards PA and PFP in teaching and research. In addition, the majority (78.0%) of the academic staffs had a high attitude towards their self-performance planning in their institution. The results of the study suggest a high level of self-performance planning of the academic staffs in teaching and research in the selected Ugandan HEIs. A reasonable number (45.4%) of the academic staffs from public universities and 49.1% from private universities had a high attitude towards supervisors‟ participation in performance planning and performance feedback. Moreover, 44.0% of the academic staffs from public universities and 66.7% of the academic staffs from private universities rated the workload as high. The results of the study suggest that the academic staffs‟ workload was high. In xx addition, factor score analysis showed that the academic staffs‟ performance rewards were low. Only 24.9% of the academic staffs had received more than 67% of the available rewards suggesting that the academic staffs‟ managers in the surveyed institutions did not use a variety of performance rewards to compensate for the academic staffs‟ performance. In addition, the average factor score for teaching skills was 94.8%, while perceived teaching abilities were 95.1% high on average. Besides, the factor score analysis results showed that teaching skills were 84.81% and 86.34%, respectively. Only 29.1% of the academic staffs from both public and private universities had high research skills. The results suggested that the academic staffs‟ teaching skills were high while their research skills were low. The findings thus suggested that the academic staffs in Ugandan public and private universities were highly involved in teaching activities, but their involvement in research activities was low. Similarly, results from testing hypotheses suggested that academic staffs in the surveyed Ugandan public and private universities rated PA criteria and PFPS higher than the PMS process. The study results indicated that self-performance planning and supervisors‟ involvement in performance feedback improved academic staffs‟ teaching skills. In contrast, performance planning, review, clarity on feedback, evaluation and rewards increased academic staffs‟ performance in perceived teaching abilities. In addition, an increase in the research workload contributed to an increase in the academic staffs‟ perception of their research knowledge and skills. The study made major conclusions regarding academic staffs‟ PM in Ugandan public and private universities. First, correlation results on performance planning and teaching skills and abilities for public and private universities were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Therefore, the study concludes that the academic staffs‟ performance planning in the selected Ugandan HEIs positively affected the academic staffs‟ performance in teaching. In addition, correlation results for supervisor involvement in feedback and teaching skills for both public and private universities were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Thus, the study concludes that supervisors‟ involvement in feedback improved academic staffs‟ performance in teaching skills. In addition, correlation results showed that performance reviews and teaching abilities were statistically significant for public universities (p=0.001), and (p=0.034) for private universities. Thus, the study concludes that the academic staffs‟ performance reviews improved academic staffs‟ teaching abilities in selected public and private universities. Equally, correlation results for performance evaluation and perceived teaching abilities for public universities was statistically significant (p< 0.001) for public universities, and (p=0.006) for private universities. Therefore, the study concludes that performance evaluation increased xxi teaching abilities of the academic staffs in both Ugandan public and private universities. In addition, rewards significantly impacted academic staffs‟ perceived teaching abilities in private universities. Correlation results for rewards and perceived teaching abilities for private universities was statistically significant (p< 0.011). Therefore, the study concludes that the more academic staffs were rewarded, the more they participated in setting, administering and marking tests, assisgnments and examinations, and adhering to deadlines set for administering tests and assignments. Similarly, the study made various recommendations to improve academic staffs‟ performance in teaching and research in Ugandan public and private universities. To achieve the required performance in teaching and research, the study recommends that the academic staffs be involved in the entire planning process to be aware of the required performance and the kind of results expected from their performance and work towards achieving the set performance in teaching and research. Additionally, performance reviews and feedback should be one-on-one discussions between the managers and the academic staffs to identify how far the staffs are performing towards the set goals. The study recommends that the academic staffs need information regarding their performance for feedback to be effective. In addition, the study recommends that the academic staffs‟ managers should increase financial and non-financial rewards to motivate the academic staffs to increase their performance in teaching. Correlation results showed that rewards had a significant impact on teaching abilities (p=0.011). Thus, rewards should as well be increased to improve academic staffs‟ teaching abilities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Research and Engagement, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Personal branding as a market tool
- Authors: Botha, Alylin
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Personal Branding , marketing tool
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60993 , vital:69591
- Description: Personal Branding is deemed as an unavoidable aspect of entrepreneurship and social acceptance. Individuals should establish, develop, maintain and take advantage of a Personal Brand. The benefits of a Personal Brand should be embraced and used to market themselves and highlight their uniqueness. The aim is to investigate the relationship between Professional Life, Social Media Presence, Values, Competencies, Communication as the independent variables and Personal Branding as the dependent variable. It was concluded that there are important factors that positively influence Interpersonal Personal Brand as well as Intellectual Personal Brand, which are the two components that make up Personal Brand. There is limited research on the factors that influence Personal Branding in South Africa. Through literature review, factors were identified and used to form a conceptual model. This model was tested to measure their relationship with Personal Branding. An online questionnaire was distributed to MBA students, family and friends who made up the study’s respondents. The results obtained after conducting correlation and ChiSquare tests were used to determine the relationship between the identified factors with Personal Branding. This study explores how individuals can use Personal Branding as a marketing tool. These individuals include those who want to create or further expand their current Personal Brand and use it as a marketing tool. This treatise explored the factors needed to be considered for Personal Branding a marketing tool for individuals. Personal Branding can be used at the beginning of a career, during a transition of a career or even when wanting to explore a new career. Personal Brand was initially considered the only factor. However, this study concludes that Personal Branding is made of up of two components: Interpersonal Personal Branding as well as Intellectual Personal Branding. The findings concluded that independent factors, Professional Life, Values, Competencies and Communication all have a positive significant influence on Personal Branding as a whole, as well as the components it is made up of, Interpersonal Personal Branding and Intellectual Personal Branding. The independent factor Social Media Presence positively influences Interpersonal Personal Branding only. v This study makes theoretical contributions by broadening the definition of Personal Branding. The study defines the research methodologies for Personal Branding which could be used for future studies. The Associative Network Theory in relevance to Personal Branding is explored. The practical contribution of this research includes a hypothesised model which was tested. This study should be repeated to include a bigger sample size that is more equally distributed within South Africa. Additionally, for future studies, it would be recommended to incorporate the development of Personal Branding as an independent factor to measure its effect on Personal Branding. Another recommendation for further research is to conduct research on policies, which can be put forward to assist with the managing of Personal Branding for entrepreneurs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Botha, Alylin
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Personal Branding , marketing tool
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60993 , vital:69591
- Description: Personal Branding is deemed as an unavoidable aspect of entrepreneurship and social acceptance. Individuals should establish, develop, maintain and take advantage of a Personal Brand. The benefits of a Personal Brand should be embraced and used to market themselves and highlight their uniqueness. The aim is to investigate the relationship between Professional Life, Social Media Presence, Values, Competencies, Communication as the independent variables and Personal Branding as the dependent variable. It was concluded that there are important factors that positively influence Interpersonal Personal Brand as well as Intellectual Personal Brand, which are the two components that make up Personal Brand. There is limited research on the factors that influence Personal Branding in South Africa. Through literature review, factors were identified and used to form a conceptual model. This model was tested to measure their relationship with Personal Branding. An online questionnaire was distributed to MBA students, family and friends who made up the study’s respondents. The results obtained after conducting correlation and ChiSquare tests were used to determine the relationship between the identified factors with Personal Branding. This study explores how individuals can use Personal Branding as a marketing tool. These individuals include those who want to create or further expand their current Personal Brand and use it as a marketing tool. This treatise explored the factors needed to be considered for Personal Branding a marketing tool for individuals. Personal Branding can be used at the beginning of a career, during a transition of a career or even when wanting to explore a new career. Personal Brand was initially considered the only factor. However, this study concludes that Personal Branding is made of up of two components: Interpersonal Personal Branding as well as Intellectual Personal Branding. The findings concluded that independent factors, Professional Life, Values, Competencies and Communication all have a positive significant influence on Personal Branding as a whole, as well as the components it is made up of, Interpersonal Personal Branding and Intellectual Personal Branding. The independent factor Social Media Presence positively influences Interpersonal Personal Branding only. v This study makes theoretical contributions by broadening the definition of Personal Branding. The study defines the research methodologies for Personal Branding which could be used for future studies. The Associative Network Theory in relevance to Personal Branding is explored. The practical contribution of this research includes a hypothesised model which was tested. This study should be repeated to include a bigger sample size that is more equally distributed within South Africa. Additionally, for future studies, it would be recommended to incorporate the development of Personal Branding as an independent factor to measure its effect on Personal Branding. Another recommendation for further research is to conduct research on policies, which can be put forward to assist with the managing of Personal Branding for entrepreneurs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Play-based approaches in teaching and learning in selected early childhood development centres in Buffalo City
- November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
- Authors: November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- Activity programs , Play
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26042 , vital:64785
- Description: This study endeavoured to investigate the perspectives of principals and practitioners working in selected early childhood development (ECD) centres in the Buffalo Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, on the use of play-based techniques in educational and pedagogical practices of 3 to 4 years age group. Although most practitioners are aware of the significance of play-based learning, many report experiencing challenges when attempting to incorporate play-based strategies into their teaching of, and lessons aimed at, young children ages 3 to 4 years. For the purpose of ECD, it is recommended that the teaching of, and learning by, young children take the form of play (NCF, DBE, 2015). In this particular research undertaking, a qualitative design approach was adopted. A descriptive case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the key method of data generation was used to study play-based approaches between practitioners and children ages birth to four years at three ECD centres located within the Buffalo City Municipality District. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the three principals of the ECD centres and six practitioners, during the data-collection phase. Recording of the interviews was done then they were transcribed and thematic coding employed before the data were analysed for themes. The study participants’ responses revealed that the insufficient professional training of practitioners, on play-based approaches, presented a challenge. Play as a way of teaching and developing young children is further hampered by a variety of issues such as poor infrastructure, unqualified practitioners, funding of the ECD centres and lack of relevant resources prevalent in the ECD sector. As the findings indicate, government intervention will facilitate the training of practitioners for in-depth knowledge and understanding of play methodology in ECD, while the sector will benefit from additional funding and infrastructure provision as this has impact on indoor and outdoor play-based activities, as well as the appointment of qualified human resources instead of job seekers. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- Activity programs , Play
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26042 , vital:64785
- Description: This study endeavoured to investigate the perspectives of principals and practitioners working in selected early childhood development (ECD) centres in the Buffalo Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, on the use of play-based techniques in educational and pedagogical practices of 3 to 4 years age group. Although most practitioners are aware of the significance of play-based learning, many report experiencing challenges when attempting to incorporate play-based strategies into their teaching of, and lessons aimed at, young children ages 3 to 4 years. For the purpose of ECD, it is recommended that the teaching of, and learning by, young children take the form of play (NCF, DBE, 2015). In this particular research undertaking, a qualitative design approach was adopted. A descriptive case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the key method of data generation was used to study play-based approaches between practitioners and children ages birth to four years at three ECD centres located within the Buffalo City Municipality District. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the three principals of the ECD centres and six practitioners, during the data-collection phase. Recording of the interviews was done then they were transcribed and thematic coding employed before the data were analysed for themes. The study participants’ responses revealed that the insufficient professional training of practitioners, on play-based approaches, presented a challenge. Play as a way of teaching and developing young children is further hampered by a variety of issues such as poor infrastructure, unqualified practitioners, funding of the ECD centres and lack of relevant resources prevalent in the ECD sector. As the findings indicate, government intervention will facilitate the training of practitioners for in-depth knowledge and understanding of play methodology in ECD, while the sector will benefit from additional funding and infrastructure provision as this has impact on indoor and outdoor play-based activities, as well as the appointment of qualified human resources instead of job seekers. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Pleistocene vertebrate trace fossils from the Cape south coast of South Africa: inferences and implications
- Authors: Helm, Charles William
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Geology, Stratigraphic -- Pleistocene , Vertebrates, Fossil -- South Africa , Paleontology -- Pleistocene
- Language: English
- Type: Doctor's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60589 , vital:65942
- Description: Palaeoichnology, the study of fossil tracks and traces, has had a relatively late start on the Cape south coast of South Africa. Since its inception in 2007 the Cape south coast ichnology project has led to the identification of 326 Pleistocene vertebrate ichnosites in aeolianites (cemented dunes) and cemented foreshore deposits between the community of Arniston in the west and the Robberg Peninsula in the east, a distance of approximately 350 kilometres. As a result, significant palaeoevironmental, palaeocological and palaeoanthropological inferences have been made. This thesis brings together this corpus of work, and attempts to answer the question of how ichnology can inform the understanding of the Cape south coast Pleistocene environment, and how the trace fossil record can complement the body fossil record. Achieving this objective involves the development of a definitive regional account. This includes descriptions of the regional geological context, Quaternary sea-level changes, and the state of knowledge of the region’s Pleistocene palaeoenvironment, palaeoanthropology, and body fossil record, along with an understanding of the roles of substrate and taphonomy in regional ichnology. A discussion of geochronology includes the age results from specimens submitted for dating through optically stimulated luminescence – dated deposits range in age from Marine Isotope Stage 11 through Marine Isotope Srage 3. The body of the thesis is formed by systematic descriptions of the vertebrate ichnosites, accompanied by interpretation and comments. Three databases have been compiled: ichnosites, photographs, and photogrammetry images. In synthesizing this data, four underlying questions are addressed: what is the global relevance of the Cape south coast ichnosites, how can these studies complement the vertebrate body fossil record, how can they contribute to the understanding of Pleistocene palaeoenvironments and palaeocology, and how can they contribute to palaeoanthropology? The Cape south coast is of global ichnological importance. Unanticipated findings which augment the sparse reptilian body fossil record include tracks and traces of crocodiles, monitor lizards, very large tortoises (the first of their kind in the global record), and hatchling sea turtles. Two new ichnogenera have been erected to describe the sea turtle tracks, each containing a new ichnospecies: ustralochelichnus agulhasii and Marinerichnus latus. Avian ichnosites are the oldest in southern v Africa, and include the presence of tracks of larger-than-expected birds, which may represent large chronosubspecies or may suggest the possibility of extinctions which are not evident from the body fossil record. Unique examples of the non-hominin mammalian ichnosites include sand-swimming traces that resemble those of the ‘Namib mole’: as a result a new ichnogenus (Natatorichnus) has been erected, containing two ichnospecies, N. subarenosa and N. sulcatus. The first elephant trunk-drag impressions and the first pinniped ichnosites in the global record have been identified. The role of elephant tracks as precursors to coastal potholes was previously unsuspected. Equid tracksites indicate a widespread presence of the extinct giant Cape horse (Equus capensis). The identification of a giraffe tracksite represents a major range extension. In particular, tracks and traces of giraffe, crocodiles, breeding sea turtles, and sand-swimming golden moles have significant palaeoenvironmental implications. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Helm, Charles William
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Geology, Stratigraphic -- Pleistocene , Vertebrates, Fossil -- South Africa , Paleontology -- Pleistocene
- Language: English
- Type: Doctor's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60589 , vital:65942
- Description: Palaeoichnology, the study of fossil tracks and traces, has had a relatively late start on the Cape south coast of South Africa. Since its inception in 2007 the Cape south coast ichnology project has led to the identification of 326 Pleistocene vertebrate ichnosites in aeolianites (cemented dunes) and cemented foreshore deposits between the community of Arniston in the west and the Robberg Peninsula in the east, a distance of approximately 350 kilometres. As a result, significant palaeoevironmental, palaeocological and palaeoanthropological inferences have been made. This thesis brings together this corpus of work, and attempts to answer the question of how ichnology can inform the understanding of the Cape south coast Pleistocene environment, and how the trace fossil record can complement the body fossil record. Achieving this objective involves the development of a definitive regional account. This includes descriptions of the regional geological context, Quaternary sea-level changes, and the state of knowledge of the region’s Pleistocene palaeoenvironment, palaeoanthropology, and body fossil record, along with an understanding of the roles of substrate and taphonomy in regional ichnology. A discussion of geochronology includes the age results from specimens submitted for dating through optically stimulated luminescence – dated deposits range in age from Marine Isotope Stage 11 through Marine Isotope Srage 3. The body of the thesis is formed by systematic descriptions of the vertebrate ichnosites, accompanied by interpretation and comments. Three databases have been compiled: ichnosites, photographs, and photogrammetry images. In synthesizing this data, four underlying questions are addressed: what is the global relevance of the Cape south coast ichnosites, how can these studies complement the vertebrate body fossil record, how can they contribute to the understanding of Pleistocene palaeoenvironments and palaeocology, and how can they contribute to palaeoanthropology? The Cape south coast is of global ichnological importance. Unanticipated findings which augment the sparse reptilian body fossil record include tracks and traces of crocodiles, monitor lizards, very large tortoises (the first of their kind in the global record), and hatchling sea turtles. Two new ichnogenera have been erected to describe the sea turtle tracks, each containing a new ichnospecies: ustralochelichnus agulhasii and Marinerichnus latus. Avian ichnosites are the oldest in southern v Africa, and include the presence of tracks of larger-than-expected birds, which may represent large chronosubspecies or may suggest the possibility of extinctions which are not evident from the body fossil record. Unique examples of the non-hominin mammalian ichnosites include sand-swimming traces that resemble those of the ‘Namib mole’: as a result a new ichnogenus (Natatorichnus) has been erected, containing two ichnospecies, N. subarenosa and N. sulcatus. The first elephant trunk-drag impressions and the first pinniped ichnosites in the global record have been identified. The role of elephant tracks as precursors to coastal potholes was previously unsuspected. Equid tracksites indicate a widespread presence of the extinct giant Cape horse (Equus capensis). The identification of a giraffe tracksite represents a major range extension. In particular, tracks and traces of giraffe, crocodiles, breeding sea turtles, and sand-swimming golden moles have significant palaeoenvironmental implications. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Professional Registration in the engineering industry: The impacts and relevancy
- Authors: Dlamini, Lunika Sibusiso
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Industrial engineering , Professional Engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61154 , vital:69789
- Description: In this treatise paper, the focus is on the understanding the relationship between professional registration in engineering, and the success of projects within the engineering sector. It is assumed that if a projects completion time exceeded its due date, or expenses overran the budget, or outcomes did not satisfy a company's predetermined performance criteria, the project was assumed to be a failure. (Belassi & Tukel, 1996) We know that projects in recent rimes have become ever more complex, and their critical factors of success and failure have been previously researched (Belassi & Tukel, 1996) (Jha & Iyer, 2006) , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Dlamini, Lunika Sibusiso
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Industrial engineering , Professional Engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61154 , vital:69789
- Description: In this treatise paper, the focus is on the understanding the relationship between professional registration in engineering, and the success of projects within the engineering sector. It is assumed that if a projects completion time exceeded its due date, or expenses overran the budget, or outcomes did not satisfy a company's predetermined performance criteria, the project was assumed to be a failure. (Belassi & Tukel, 1996) We know that projects in recent rimes have become ever more complex, and their critical factors of success and failure have been previously researched (Belassi & Tukel, 1996) (Jha & Iyer, 2006) , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Role of leader initiated innovated triggers in motivating employees to innovate in the public sector at a provincial government department in the Western Cape province
- Authors: Zata, Hebert
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Provincial government--Western Cape , Public sector--Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63196 , vital:73194
- Description: The South African public sector has become known for poor service delivery due to a number of factors; these factors include a lack of innovation, or inadequate innovation, which could be as a result of the compliance requirements of various laws and regulations. As a result, the public sector must find ways to innovate within its operating context, even as efforts are being made to reform its structure and manner of operation. This research followed a case study approach, focussed on a provincial government department in the Western Cape province of South Africa, in order to investigate the role of leader-initiated innovation triggers in motivating employees to innovate. The premise was that staff would be motivated to innovate if public sector top leadership demonstrate that it is possible to do so within the current operational framework; this would, potentially, lead to the successful establishment of an innovation culture within the organisation. The methodology employed in this empirical study was exploratory sequential mixed methods research. Senior management from the case subject organisation were interviewed in order to obtain their views on pertinent issues relating to the research topic. Themes that emerged from the interviews were combined with key elements from the literature review in order to formulate a model of how leader-initiated innovation triggers can potentially motivate employees to innovate. The model was subsequently tested, quantitatively, using a questionnaire survey. The study responded to the primary research objective by establishing the existence of moderately positive relationships between leader-initiated innovation triggers and employee motivation to innovate; this confirmed that leaders' display of certain practices, actions and behaviours can motivate employees to innovate and, subsequently, help build an innovation culture within a bureaucratic public sector environment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Zata, Hebert
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Provincial government--Western Cape , Public sector--Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63196 , vital:73194
- Description: The South African public sector has become known for poor service delivery due to a number of factors; these factors include a lack of innovation, or inadequate innovation, which could be as a result of the compliance requirements of various laws and regulations. As a result, the public sector must find ways to innovate within its operating context, even as efforts are being made to reform its structure and manner of operation. This research followed a case study approach, focussed on a provincial government department in the Western Cape province of South Africa, in order to investigate the role of leader-initiated innovation triggers in motivating employees to innovate. The premise was that staff would be motivated to innovate if public sector top leadership demonstrate that it is possible to do so within the current operational framework; this would, potentially, lead to the successful establishment of an innovation culture within the organisation. The methodology employed in this empirical study was exploratory sequential mixed methods research. Senior management from the case subject organisation were interviewed in order to obtain their views on pertinent issues relating to the research topic. Themes that emerged from the interviews were combined with key elements from the literature review in order to formulate a model of how leader-initiated innovation triggers can potentially motivate employees to innovate. The model was subsequently tested, quantitatively, using a questionnaire survey. The study responded to the primary research objective by establishing the existence of moderately positive relationships between leader-initiated innovation triggers and employee motivation to innovate; this confirmed that leaders' display of certain practices, actions and behaviours can motivate employees to innovate and, subsequently, help build an innovation culture within a bureaucratic public sector environment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
South African plantation forest nursery pesticide -use: current status, pesticide identification for management, and screening of fungicides for pathogen control
- Authors: Opperman, Ilke
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Forest insects –Control – South Africa , Pesticides -- Environmental aspects , Pest management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61370 , vital:70618
- Description: Forest nurseries are exposed to many challenges during the production of plant material, with pests and pathogens two of the most important. Management of pests and diseases require the use of multiple methods, including cultural, biological, and chemical control strategies in an integrated nursery pest management plan (IPM). In most nurseries, where hygiene practices and biological controls do not prevent the presence of pests and pathogens, they are managed through the use of pesticides. Forestry companies are regulated by both Government and Forestry Certification bodies. These include South African legislation pertaining to pesticides regulated by the Registrar Act 36 of 1947, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). A limited number of pesticides, with an even more limited range of active ingredients, and not targeting all known plantation forestry pests/pathogens, are currently registered for use against pests and pathogens in plantation forestry in South Africa. Many of these have been in use for more than a decade, posing a serious risk in terms of resistance build-up. There is a major need for the identification and testing of additional/alternative products (biological natural or synthetic) for use against the range of pests and pathogens that occur on the various plantation tree species and hybrid combinations that are raised in nurseries. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science & Management, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Opperman, Ilke
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Forest insects –Control – South Africa , Pesticides -- Environmental aspects , Pest management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61370 , vital:70618
- Description: Forest nurseries are exposed to many challenges during the production of plant material, with pests and pathogens two of the most important. Management of pests and diseases require the use of multiple methods, including cultural, biological, and chemical control strategies in an integrated nursery pest management plan (IPM). In most nurseries, where hygiene practices and biological controls do not prevent the presence of pests and pathogens, they are managed through the use of pesticides. Forestry companies are regulated by both Government and Forestry Certification bodies. These include South African legislation pertaining to pesticides regulated by the Registrar Act 36 of 1947, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). A limited number of pesticides, with an even more limited range of active ingredients, and not targeting all known plantation forestry pests/pathogens, are currently registered for use against pests and pathogens in plantation forestry in South Africa. Many of these have been in use for more than a decade, posing a serious risk in terms of resistance build-up. There is a major need for the identification and testing of additional/alternative products (biological natural or synthetic) for use against the range of pests and pathogens that occur on the various plantation tree species and hybrid combinations that are raised in nurseries. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science & Management, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Teacher's perceptions of the policy on progression in the Further Education and Training phase in New Brighton high schools, Gqeberha
- Authors: Fuzani, Zukisa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Policy , Postsecondary education and training , Nelson Mandela District -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63462 , vital:73369
- Description: The South African education system is severely faced with high dropout challenges. In recent years, the Department of Basic Education witnessed a significant improvement in learners' dropout rates. To address the high rates of learners dropping out of school, the government introduced the Policy on Progression (2013). This study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of the Policy on Progression. The qualitative research approach guided this study. A phenomenology was employed in this study. Purposive sampling was chosen to select the participants of this study. Teachers teaching in the FET Phase in New Brighton high schools participated in the study. The participants consisted of ten (10) teachers, two (2) Post Level 1, and three (3) School Management Team (SMT) members from each school. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data for this study. The research procedure involved interviewing teacher participants about their lived experiences within the context of their teaching environments. Raw data were transcribed, analysed using thematic analysis, and reduced into smaller units to understand them. The raw data were categorised into units of meaning for analysis and the identification of themes. A policy can negatively impact teaching, learning, and assessment if not interpreted correctly and implemented appropriately. This impact of interpretation and implementation of this policy has behavioural implications that affect the well-being of learners and teachers. In this study, the researcher sought to understand whether teachers and the school management teams believe that the Policy on Progression has yielded the intended results by exploring teacher perceptions dealing with high school progression. Thus, new understandings of the policy would emerge, and the participants would advise the stakeholders about the policy from an informed position. The findings of this study reveal the fair part of the Policy on Progression on learners, as it allows continuity. The findings further reveal that the Policy on Promotion has yielded the intended results. However, the findings of this study revealed a partial relationship that exists between the parents of the progressed learner. Furthermore, the findings indicate challenges in the Policy on Progression such as favouritism, inconsistency, lack of monitoring from the Department of Basic Education, and inferences with the progression process. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Fuzani, Zukisa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Policy , Postsecondary education and training , Nelson Mandela District -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63462 , vital:73369
- Description: The South African education system is severely faced with high dropout challenges. In recent years, the Department of Basic Education witnessed a significant improvement in learners' dropout rates. To address the high rates of learners dropping out of school, the government introduced the Policy on Progression (2013). This study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of the Policy on Progression. The qualitative research approach guided this study. A phenomenology was employed in this study. Purposive sampling was chosen to select the participants of this study. Teachers teaching in the FET Phase in New Brighton high schools participated in the study. The participants consisted of ten (10) teachers, two (2) Post Level 1, and three (3) School Management Team (SMT) members from each school. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data for this study. The research procedure involved interviewing teacher participants about their lived experiences within the context of their teaching environments. Raw data were transcribed, analysed using thematic analysis, and reduced into smaller units to understand them. The raw data were categorised into units of meaning for analysis and the identification of themes. A policy can negatively impact teaching, learning, and assessment if not interpreted correctly and implemented appropriately. This impact of interpretation and implementation of this policy has behavioural implications that affect the well-being of learners and teachers. In this study, the researcher sought to understand whether teachers and the school management teams believe that the Policy on Progression has yielded the intended results by exploring teacher perceptions dealing with high school progression. Thus, new understandings of the policy would emerge, and the participants would advise the stakeholders about the policy from an informed position. The findings of this study reveal the fair part of the Policy on Progression on learners, as it allows continuity. The findings further reveal that the Policy on Promotion has yielded the intended results. However, the findings of this study revealed a partial relationship that exists between the parents of the progressed learner. Furthermore, the findings indicate challenges in the Policy on Progression such as favouritism, inconsistency, lack of monitoring from the Department of Basic Education, and inferences with the progression process. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Technology acceptance model perceptions of operational staff on the implementation of advanced radiography equipment
- Authors: James, Bryan Gerard Anthony
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Medical technology , Radiography--Equipment and supplies
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61393 , vital:70634
- Description: Throughout the recent history of South Africa, the increasing requirements from state and private sector healthcare institutions have relied heavily upon medical imaging technologies for the purposes of improved patient healthcare and service quality standards. Developments in this field of healthcare have seen many interesting and challenging operational changes: from the first implementation and use of X-ray equipment demonstrated in Krugersdorp in 1899; to the current advanced digital systems found in the medical imaging services sector of healthcare. This research study measured the medical imaging operational staff perceptions about new advanced medical imaging equipment and technologies. The theory crossed the academic disciplines through a quantitative survey about technology, operations management and healthcare. Together with staff perceptions about future medical imaging technologies’ usefulness and ease of use, the findings may impact their daily operations within a conducive technology acceptance management paradigm. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: James, Bryan Gerard Anthony
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Medical technology , Radiography--Equipment and supplies
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61393 , vital:70634
- Description: Throughout the recent history of South Africa, the increasing requirements from state and private sector healthcare institutions have relied heavily upon medical imaging technologies for the purposes of improved patient healthcare and service quality standards. Developments in this field of healthcare have seen many interesting and challenging operational changes: from the first implementation and use of X-ray equipment demonstrated in Krugersdorp in 1899; to the current advanced digital systems found in the medical imaging services sector of healthcare. This research study measured the medical imaging operational staff perceptions about new advanced medical imaging equipment and technologies. The theory crossed the academic disciplines through a quantitative survey about technology, operations management and healthcare. Together with staff perceptions about future medical imaging technologies’ usefulness and ease of use, the findings may impact their daily operations within a conducive technology acceptance management paradigm. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The analysis of social networking sites usage by the public relations management students from Walter Sisulu University: Buffalo city campus (Chiselhurst site)
- Authors: Kwinana, Zingisa. N
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27589 , vital:69318
- Description: This study analysed the use of social networking sites by undergraduate Public Relations Management students from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. The reason for this study was to seek student’s opinions on what drove them to open SNs accounts, use social networking sites and examine these motivations in relationship to the building blocks of the uses and gratification theory, which are information search or education, selfactualization, socializing and entertainment. A qualitative online questionnaire was employed in this study. 218 questionnaires were sent through to the participants WhatsApp class groups, 168 questionnaires were answered and returned back to the researcher. The discovery of the study was that the participants are diverse in many different ways and made use of social networking sites for many various reasons. Furthermore, this study indicated that the participants were motivated to use social networking sites because they wanted to interact and stay connected with their family, peers and loved ones, and to meet people or create connections. The study argued that the participants’ reasons for use of social networking sites was not only for socialising but also for entertainment, self-actualization get academic and general information. This study concluded that SNs have a meaningful role in the life of a student’s life doing public relations management from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Kwinana, Zingisa. N
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27589 , vital:69318
- Description: This study analysed the use of social networking sites by undergraduate Public Relations Management students from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. The reason for this study was to seek student’s opinions on what drove them to open SNs accounts, use social networking sites and examine these motivations in relationship to the building blocks of the uses and gratification theory, which are information search or education, selfactualization, socializing and entertainment. A qualitative online questionnaire was employed in this study. 218 questionnaires were sent through to the participants WhatsApp class groups, 168 questionnaires were answered and returned back to the researcher. The discovery of the study was that the participants are diverse in many different ways and made use of social networking sites for many various reasons. Furthermore, this study indicated that the participants were motivated to use social networking sites because they wanted to interact and stay connected with their family, peers and loved ones, and to meet people or create connections. The study argued that the participants’ reasons for use of social networking sites was not only for socialising but also for entertainment, self-actualization get academic and general information. This study concluded that SNs have a meaningful role in the life of a student’s life doing public relations management from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government: the case of Raymond Mhlaba local municipality in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kapayi, Nceba Isaac
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Local government , community development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61431 , vital:70641
- Description: The notion of public participation in decision-making processes is one of the mechanisms that seek to entrench equality and transform social coherence between government and citizens. This view relates to the provision of quality and sustainability of goods and services. The individuals, both in their capacity as citizens and consumers of public goods and services should be allowed to participate in the development that affect in terms of the regulatory frameworks. They should be permitted and encouraged to express their views on governance and development matters pertaining to them. Nevertheless, there are number of factors that impede the participation of the local communities in development planning processes, such as a communication gap between government officials and communities, socio-economic inequalities, poor service delivery, unemployment, a lack of capacity building and transparency to mention a few. The planning and implementation of municipal projects should be accepted only after considerable discussion and consultation with communities. This process is seen as allowing deprived groups and individuals to have voices in future development initiatives. As such, public participation enables for full involvement of ordinary members of the community in decision making, planning, designing, organising and executing development initiatives that affect them. The Researcher decided to embark on a study entitled: The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government. The case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Adopting the quantitative research design, data was collected through questionnaires for the key informants consisting of 3 participants, 3 officials from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Data was also collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of the communities from Kataga in Adelaide, Gaga Village in Alice and Magaleni location in Fort Beaufort. Eighteen (18) community members were selected to participate in the study from both communities inclusive of ward councillors. Community members were organised into 1 focus group participants in each location (comprising of 6 people per group).To support the data obtained from focus group 3 key informants from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality participated in the investigation. A heterogeneous population of 21 respondents participated in this study. The thematic analysis was vii used to analyse data. The findings consistently show that the ability of a local government to work effectively dependent on inclusive planning, implementation and decision making processes. This means that local government development is also required for the impartial and efficient operation of public institutions. Public confidence in local municipalities is expressed as one of the main factors that determine the government‘s competitiveness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Kapayi, Nceba Isaac
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Local government , community development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61431 , vital:70641
- Description: The notion of public participation in decision-making processes is one of the mechanisms that seek to entrench equality and transform social coherence between government and citizens. This view relates to the provision of quality and sustainability of goods and services. The individuals, both in their capacity as citizens and consumers of public goods and services should be allowed to participate in the development that affect in terms of the regulatory frameworks. They should be permitted and encouraged to express their views on governance and development matters pertaining to them. Nevertheless, there are number of factors that impede the participation of the local communities in development planning processes, such as a communication gap between government officials and communities, socio-economic inequalities, poor service delivery, unemployment, a lack of capacity building and transparency to mention a few. The planning and implementation of municipal projects should be accepted only after considerable discussion and consultation with communities. This process is seen as allowing deprived groups and individuals to have voices in future development initiatives. As such, public participation enables for full involvement of ordinary members of the community in decision making, planning, designing, organising and executing development initiatives that affect them. The Researcher decided to embark on a study entitled: The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government. The case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Adopting the quantitative research design, data was collected through questionnaires for the key informants consisting of 3 participants, 3 officials from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Data was also collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of the communities from Kataga in Adelaide, Gaga Village in Alice and Magaleni location in Fort Beaufort. Eighteen (18) community members were selected to participate in the study from both communities inclusive of ward councillors. Community members were organised into 1 focus group participants in each location (comprising of 6 people per group).To support the data obtained from focus group 3 key informants from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality participated in the investigation. A heterogeneous population of 21 respondents participated in this study. The thematic analysis was vii used to analyse data. The findings consistently show that the ability of a local government to work effectively dependent on inclusive planning, implementation and decision making processes. This means that local government development is also required for the impartial and efficient operation of public institutions. Public confidence in local municipalities is expressed as one of the main factors that determine the government‘s competitiveness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The co-construction of a sustainable process model for school-based support teams in community schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole
- Authors: Deysel, Sanet
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Construction , Sustainable School-based management , Community schools, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole -- Eastern Cape (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63402 , vital:73348
- Description: Many factors contribute to the critical state of Schooling in South Africa. Challenges experienced by schools are socio-economic factors, overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, dysfunctional schools and inequalities (Spaull, 2012). A grouping of community schools from a socio-economically marginalised area in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole in the Eastern Cape of South Africa organised itself into a formal network of schools called the Manyano Network. The Manyano schools approached the Centre for the Community School (CCS), which is affiliated with the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University, for assistance in the establishment and support of School-based Support Teams to support learners who experience barriers to learning. To ensure the voice of all participants in the study were heard, the Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) design and methodology were used. A multidimensional theoretical framework, Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological systems model, Kolb’s experiential learning, and Epstein’s model were employed in the study, providing insights into the multi-faceted nature of the Manyano community schools. Furthermore, multiple paradigms, participatory paradigm, critical paradigm, and interpretive paradigm were implemented as a lens through which to interpret and understand the data. The main research question of the thesis is What are the fundamental elements required towards the co-construction of a sustainable process model for School Based Support Teams in South African Community Schools? The three sub-questions are: • •What are the perceptions of School-based Support Team members in SouthAfrican community schools regarding the main barriers to learning? • •What support structures are available for School-based Support Teammembers who encounter learners presenting barriers to learning? • •How can the PALAR process enable the formulation of a sustainable processmodel for School Based Support Teams in South African community schools? The aim of the thesis is to explore the fundamental elements required toward the co-construction of a sustainable process model for School-based Support Teams in South African Community schools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Initial Teacher Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Deysel, Sanet
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Construction , Sustainable School-based management , Community schools, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole -- Eastern Cape (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63402 , vital:73348
- Description: Many factors contribute to the critical state of Schooling in South Africa. Challenges experienced by schools are socio-economic factors, overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, dysfunctional schools and inequalities (Spaull, 2012). A grouping of community schools from a socio-economically marginalised area in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole in the Eastern Cape of South Africa organised itself into a formal network of schools called the Manyano Network. The Manyano schools approached the Centre for the Community School (CCS), which is affiliated with the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University, for assistance in the establishment and support of School-based Support Teams to support learners who experience barriers to learning. To ensure the voice of all participants in the study were heard, the Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) design and methodology were used. A multidimensional theoretical framework, Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological systems model, Kolb’s experiential learning, and Epstein’s model were employed in the study, providing insights into the multi-faceted nature of the Manyano community schools. Furthermore, multiple paradigms, participatory paradigm, critical paradigm, and interpretive paradigm were implemented as a lens through which to interpret and understand the data. The main research question of the thesis is What are the fundamental elements required towards the co-construction of a sustainable process model for School Based Support Teams in South African Community Schools? The three sub-questions are: • •What are the perceptions of School-based Support Team members in SouthAfrican community schools regarding the main barriers to learning? • •What support structures are available for School-based Support Teammembers who encounter learners presenting barriers to learning? • •How can the PALAR process enable the formulation of a sustainable processmodel for School Based Support Teams in South African community schools? The aim of the thesis is to explore the fundamental elements required toward the co-construction of a sustainable process model for School-based Support Teams in South African Community schools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Initial Teacher Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The design and synthesis of novel fluorescent coumarin-based derivatives as chemosensory for the application of toxic metal ion detection
- Authors: Schoeman,Stiaan
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Fluorescent polymers -- South Africa , Polymerization , Chemosensory
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61270 , vital:69851
- Description: The rise of humankind has caused pollution, increasing damage to the environment. The actions of humans over hundreds of years have led to an increase in the release of heavy metal cations in concentrations that are toxic to plants, animals and humans. These toxic metals can find their way into humans’ diets through water sources or bioaccumulation in plants and animals such as fish. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury are known to cause serious health issues when consumed, affecting the functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems and causing developmental disorders. Other metal cations, such as iron and copper, can be found in the human body. However, detrimental health issues can occur when normal concentrations are disturbed (either too high or too low). Iron, for example, can be toxic if in excess in the human body, causing damage to the liver and heart and can cause neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. Many methods have been employed to detect and measure the concentrations of toxic metal cations. However, these methods are performed in a laboratory and need skilled operators using expensive equipment. This results in long and tedious sample collection, long feedback time and costly analysis. Chemosensors have been researched and proposed as a cost-effective, on-site, real-time alternative for use as metal detectors. Chemosensory can selectively detect specific metal cations and can be sensitive up to the nanomolar range. Various chemosensors have been synthesised and screened for their colourimetric and fluorometric abilities. Colourimetric chemosensors can be used to visually detect cationic and anionic analytes, whereas fluorometric chemosensors are used to detect anions using their emission properties which handheld devices can measure. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Schoeman,Stiaan
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Fluorescent polymers -- South Africa , Polymerization , Chemosensory
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61270 , vital:69851
- Description: The rise of humankind has caused pollution, increasing damage to the environment. The actions of humans over hundreds of years have led to an increase in the release of heavy metal cations in concentrations that are toxic to plants, animals and humans. These toxic metals can find their way into humans’ diets through water sources or bioaccumulation in plants and animals such as fish. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury are known to cause serious health issues when consumed, affecting the functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems and causing developmental disorders. Other metal cations, such as iron and copper, can be found in the human body. However, detrimental health issues can occur when normal concentrations are disturbed (either too high or too low). Iron, for example, can be toxic if in excess in the human body, causing damage to the liver and heart and can cause neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. Many methods have been employed to detect and measure the concentrations of toxic metal cations. However, these methods are performed in a laboratory and need skilled operators using expensive equipment. This results in long and tedious sample collection, long feedback time and costly analysis. Chemosensors have been researched and proposed as a cost-effective, on-site, real-time alternative for use as metal detectors. Chemosensory can selectively detect specific metal cations and can be sensitive up to the nanomolar range. Various chemosensors have been synthesised and screened for their colourimetric and fluorometric abilities. Colourimetric chemosensors can be used to visually detect cationic and anionic analytes, whereas fluorometric chemosensors are used to detect anions using their emission properties which handheld devices can measure. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The development of a framework to assess the key factors that may impact the future price of weaners (cattle) in South Africa
- Authors: Deyzel, George Ernest
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Cattle -- Prices
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61108 , vital:69761
- Description: The global livestock production systems are changing due to a variety of factors, which have an impact on the price of red meat. The supply of weaners (cattle) is affected by a number of factors including the type of production system, feed costs, diseases and weather conditions. The demand for weaners (cattle) is affected by factors including, amongst various others, consumers’ perception of quality, value for money, health benefits, economic profile, expandable income, urbanisation and socio-economic factors. These factors are complex and interrelated in terms of their potential impact on weaner prices and have a significant influence on production and investment decisions in the industry. This study used quantitative research to investigate the relationship between the factors influencing the price of weaners (cattle). For the purpose of data collection, a closed ended questionnaire was distributed to the respondents. This study was done using non-probability sampling. The sampling method used in this study is referred to as snowball sampling, which is a process using networks. The data was analysed to conclude which factors are impacting the price of weaners (cattle) the most. The results show that the supply factors of weaners are experiencing increasing pressure with changing weather conditions, input costs and animal diseases. The demand factors such as quality, currency and population are increasing the complexity, which implies the market is changing from a producer orientated market to a consumer orientated market. The study provides a framework to predict future prices of weaners, which is expected to influence both production and investment decisions which contribute toward the sustainability of the industry. The study recommends that the South African weaner (cattle) industry has experienced a significant increase in demand, both locally and globally. Meeting this growing demand has its own complexity that limits weaner farmers’ supply of weaners. The market is changing from a producer orientated to a consumer orientated perspective, which will force the supply chain to keep up with the changing consumer factors. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Deyzel, George Ernest
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Cattle -- Prices
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61108 , vital:69761
- Description: The global livestock production systems are changing due to a variety of factors, which have an impact on the price of red meat. The supply of weaners (cattle) is affected by a number of factors including the type of production system, feed costs, diseases and weather conditions. The demand for weaners (cattle) is affected by factors including, amongst various others, consumers’ perception of quality, value for money, health benefits, economic profile, expandable income, urbanisation and socio-economic factors. These factors are complex and interrelated in terms of their potential impact on weaner prices and have a significant influence on production and investment decisions in the industry. This study used quantitative research to investigate the relationship between the factors influencing the price of weaners (cattle). For the purpose of data collection, a closed ended questionnaire was distributed to the respondents. This study was done using non-probability sampling. The sampling method used in this study is referred to as snowball sampling, which is a process using networks. The data was analysed to conclude which factors are impacting the price of weaners (cattle) the most. The results show that the supply factors of weaners are experiencing increasing pressure with changing weather conditions, input costs and animal diseases. The demand factors such as quality, currency and population are increasing the complexity, which implies the market is changing from a producer orientated market to a consumer orientated market. The study provides a framework to predict future prices of weaners, which is expected to influence both production and investment decisions which contribute toward the sustainability of the industry. The study recommends that the South African weaner (cattle) industry has experienced a significant increase in demand, both locally and globally. Meeting this growing demand has its own complexity that limits weaner farmers’ supply of weaners. The market is changing from a producer orientated to a consumer orientated perspective, which will force the supply chain to keep up with the changing consumer factors. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The development of South African secondary school teachers to adopt a STEAM approach: A mixed method study
- Authors: Steyn, Catherina
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Professional Development , Social Cognitive Theory , Mathematics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63218 , vital:73234
- Description: Creativity is seen as one of the most important skills required for success in the 21st century and therefore teachers should set the example and become creative and innovative when skilfully applying their knowledge to teach. In STEAM, art is included in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) mix as a new innovative educational approach which is believed to increase creativity. The advantages of STEAM are widely accepted for a number of reasons and it has become very popular in countries that are known for their excellent mathematics performance, but it is unknown in most South African schools. Although a few studies have been done on STEAM in South Africa there is a lack of research on the professional development of mathematics teachers and the adoption of the STEAM approach in the mathematics classroom. This mixed methods study aims to determine the diffusion of the STEAM approach, and the influence of professional development on that diffusion and adoption in the South African Mathematics classroom. A convergent triangulation design was used in conjunction with a simultaneous quantitative and qualitative approach involving three different groups of participants. The quantitative approach concentrated on the hypothesis that secondary school mathematics teachers still embrace traditional teaching methods. The qualitative approach was directed towards answering the question on the knowledge and awareness of STEAM and the adoption of the innovation. The combination of two theories, namely Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory were found to provide the most suitable framework to describe the process in the findings. The instrument used in the quantitative approach was an online questionnaire and in qualitative approach the data was collected using interviews, assignments and questionnaires. It was found that although Mathematics teachers are open to learning about innovations, they still rely on traditional teaching methods. Teachers recognise the advantages of STEAM and want to use it but feel constrained by the curriculum, the pressure to perform and a lack of resources. Short activities that are curriculum based are welcomed and used by the teachers. However, they struggle to set up their own iii activities and then abandon the idea. In addition, they are not comfortable with projects involving teachers from other disciplines or including art activities in a mathematics lesson. The adoption of STEAM becomes much easier if there is a strong professional learning community and support from school management. The positive reactions of the learners on the STEAM activities motivate the teachers to adopt the approach. The diffusion of STEAM into the mathematics classroom is not instant but takes an average of two to three years. This time factor should be taken into consideration when planning a professional development programme. The programme should include scaffolding to assist teachers to become confident in using STEAM activities but also in using technology which is the key to finding and using new activities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Steyn, Catherina
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Professional Development , Social Cognitive Theory , Mathematics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63218 , vital:73234
- Description: Creativity is seen as one of the most important skills required for success in the 21st century and therefore teachers should set the example and become creative and innovative when skilfully applying their knowledge to teach. In STEAM, art is included in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) mix as a new innovative educational approach which is believed to increase creativity. The advantages of STEAM are widely accepted for a number of reasons and it has become very popular in countries that are known for their excellent mathematics performance, but it is unknown in most South African schools. Although a few studies have been done on STEAM in South Africa there is a lack of research on the professional development of mathematics teachers and the adoption of the STEAM approach in the mathematics classroom. This mixed methods study aims to determine the diffusion of the STEAM approach, and the influence of professional development on that diffusion and adoption in the South African Mathematics classroom. A convergent triangulation design was used in conjunction with a simultaneous quantitative and qualitative approach involving three different groups of participants. The quantitative approach concentrated on the hypothesis that secondary school mathematics teachers still embrace traditional teaching methods. The qualitative approach was directed towards answering the question on the knowledge and awareness of STEAM and the adoption of the innovation. The combination of two theories, namely Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory were found to provide the most suitable framework to describe the process in the findings. The instrument used in the quantitative approach was an online questionnaire and in qualitative approach the data was collected using interviews, assignments and questionnaires. It was found that although Mathematics teachers are open to learning about innovations, they still rely on traditional teaching methods. Teachers recognise the advantages of STEAM and want to use it but feel constrained by the curriculum, the pressure to perform and a lack of resources. Short activities that are curriculum based are welcomed and used by the teachers. However, they struggle to set up their own iii activities and then abandon the idea. In addition, they are not comfortable with projects involving teachers from other disciplines or including art activities in a mathematics lesson. The adoption of STEAM becomes much easier if there is a strong professional learning community and support from school management. The positive reactions of the learners on the STEAM activities motivate the teachers to adopt the approach. The diffusion of STEAM into the mathematics classroom is not instant but takes an average of two to three years. This time factor should be taken into consideration when planning a professional development programme. The programme should include scaffolding to assist teachers to become confident in using STEAM activities but also in using technology which is the key to finding and using new activities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The dismissal of an employee who refuses to vaccinate against Covid-19
- Authors: Mntwelizwe, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66184 , vital:74430
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Public Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Mntwelizwe, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66184 , vital:74430
- Description: Abstract. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Public Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04