A sociological study to explore the knowledge of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis at Rhodes University
- Authors: Ntshinga, Throny
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pre-exposure prophylaxis -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Health education (Higher) -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Students -- Health and hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96247 , vital:31254
- Description: South Africa has a very high prevalence rate of HIV infections, this is why this exploratory qualitative study examines the Rhodes University’s HIV policy and its awareness programmes, with a specific focus on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). The World Health Organisation’s (2016-2017) recommendations for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis has been accepted and rolled-out nationwide by the South African Department of Health. This is to maintain the HIV-negative status of not only the general public, but specifically students at higher institutions of learning. PrEP has been integrated with other HIV prevention methods through the Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS programme. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with five female and four male students, and six health care staff members at Rhodes University. Data was thematically analysed, and the findings show that there is a lack of knowledge of both the HIV policy and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among the participating students. However, the staff members are knowledgeable due to the fact that they work in health care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ntshinga, Throny
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pre-exposure prophylaxis -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Health education (Higher) -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Students -- Health and hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96247 , vital:31254
- Description: South Africa has a very high prevalence rate of HIV infections, this is why this exploratory qualitative study examines the Rhodes University’s HIV policy and its awareness programmes, with a specific focus on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). The World Health Organisation’s (2016-2017) recommendations for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis has been accepted and rolled-out nationwide by the South African Department of Health. This is to maintain the HIV-negative status of not only the general public, but specifically students at higher institutions of learning. PrEP has been integrated with other HIV prevention methods through the Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS programme. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with five female and four male students, and six health care staff members at Rhodes University. Data was thematically analysed, and the findings show that there is a lack of knowledge of both the HIV policy and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among the participating students. However, the staff members are knowledgeable due to the fact that they work in health care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A sociological understanding of urban governance and social accountability: the case of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Sivalo, Delta Mbonisi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Municipal government -- Sociological aspects-- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Municipal government -- Citizen participation -- Zimbabwe -- Harare
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71515 , vital:29860
- Description: This thesis seeks to understand the ways in which urban governance and urban-based civic participation interact with each other in contemporary Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on the factors influencing and shaping social accountability and effective citizen involvement in urban governance processes. This main objective is pursued with specific reference to Bulawayo, which is one of two metropolitan centres in Zimbabwe. The focus is specifically on questions around social accountability, citizen participation and centralised urban governance. In this regard, it is important to recognise that social accountability and urban governance need to be understood in the context of their inherent relationship and how these both shape and determine each other. In this respect, there is need to probe the foundations that shape the lived experiences of communities, through social accountability and urban governance, and how these pattern development and social change. Zimbabwe for over a decade now has gone through a series of economic and political crises which have impacted detrimentally on urban governance. With the economy in free-fall, local authorities have had to pursue a range of strategies to sustain themselves. These socio-economic conditions have forced a change in relations between the state, cities and citizens. Many studies have examined this regarding the politics of contestation between the ruling party (ZANU-PF), the state, and the main opposition party (MDC) in urban governance in Zimbabwe. However, this study zeros in on social accountability and how it is shaped by the prevailing socio-economic and political environment in Zimbabwe. At the same time, the lived experiences of communities vary and this variance influences and affects social accountability interventions and outcomes in cities like Bulawayo. Importantly, the thesis offers a longitudinal study which can map the contextual factors affecting and influencing social accountability in Bulawayo over time. Though recognising the debilitating effects of centralised urban governance on social accountability, the thesis also raises questions about the shifting, and often tenuous, relationship between the city and the central state, on one hand, and the city and its citizens on the other. In doing so, it considers the role of citizens, institutions and actors in responding to the impacts of urban governance and social accountability. In pursuing this thesis, a range of mainly qualitative research methods were used, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, observation and use of documents. In the end, the thesis offers a nuanced analysis of the everyday complexities and challenges for social accountability in urban Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and thereby contributes to theorising social accountability and urban governance in Africa more broadly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sivalo, Delta Mbonisi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Municipal government -- Sociological aspects-- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Municipal government -- Citizen participation -- Zimbabwe -- Harare
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71515 , vital:29860
- Description: This thesis seeks to understand the ways in which urban governance and urban-based civic participation interact with each other in contemporary Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on the factors influencing and shaping social accountability and effective citizen involvement in urban governance processes. This main objective is pursued with specific reference to Bulawayo, which is one of two metropolitan centres in Zimbabwe. The focus is specifically on questions around social accountability, citizen participation and centralised urban governance. In this regard, it is important to recognise that social accountability and urban governance need to be understood in the context of their inherent relationship and how these both shape and determine each other. In this respect, there is need to probe the foundations that shape the lived experiences of communities, through social accountability and urban governance, and how these pattern development and social change. Zimbabwe for over a decade now has gone through a series of economic and political crises which have impacted detrimentally on urban governance. With the economy in free-fall, local authorities have had to pursue a range of strategies to sustain themselves. These socio-economic conditions have forced a change in relations between the state, cities and citizens. Many studies have examined this regarding the politics of contestation between the ruling party (ZANU-PF), the state, and the main opposition party (MDC) in urban governance in Zimbabwe. However, this study zeros in on social accountability and how it is shaped by the prevailing socio-economic and political environment in Zimbabwe. At the same time, the lived experiences of communities vary and this variance influences and affects social accountability interventions and outcomes in cities like Bulawayo. Importantly, the thesis offers a longitudinal study which can map the contextual factors affecting and influencing social accountability in Bulawayo over time. Though recognising the debilitating effects of centralised urban governance on social accountability, the thesis also raises questions about the shifting, and often tenuous, relationship between the city and the central state, on one hand, and the city and its citizens on the other. In doing so, it considers the role of citizens, institutions and actors in responding to the impacts of urban governance and social accountability. In pursuing this thesis, a range of mainly qualitative research methods were used, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, observation and use of documents. In the end, the thesis offers a nuanced analysis of the everyday complexities and challenges for social accountability in urban Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and thereby contributes to theorising social accountability and urban governance in Africa more broadly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A spatio-temporal, landscape perspective on Acacia dealbata invasions and broader land use and cover changes in the northern Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Gouws, Aidan J, Prof.Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Gouws, Aidan J , Prof.Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179670 , vital:43156 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7204-y"
- Description: Biological invasions and human land use both have the potential to drastically alter the patterns and processes of landscapes, driving habitat fragmentation and altering natural disturbance regimes. The proliferation of an invasive species depends on composition and configuration of the landscape, as well as the invasiveness of the species. To effectively manage a highly invasive species, such as Acacia dealbata, it is crucial to understand the historical progression of the invasion within the landscape. This study sought to examine the landscape dynamics of biological invasions by tracking the historical spread of A. dealbata and broader land use/land cover (LULC) changes at different spatiotemporal scales in the northern Eastern Cape. A timeseries of aerial photographs were systematically classified according to designated A. dealbata and LULC categories in ArcGIS to track the changes in the extent and rate of spread of A. dealbata. Markedly dynamic, multi-directional, and spatio-temporally variable LULC transitions were observed across the northern Eastern Cape over the last six decades. A. dealbata frequently retained a high proportion of cover over time, and despite the loss of cover to other LULC classes, a net increase in A. dealbata cover occurred as it spread at an overall annual rate of 0.11–0.21%, occupying approximately 8–18% of land cover across all sampled sites by 2013.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gouws, Aidan J , Prof.Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179670 , vital:43156 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7204-y"
- Description: Biological invasions and human land use both have the potential to drastically alter the patterns and processes of landscapes, driving habitat fragmentation and altering natural disturbance regimes. The proliferation of an invasive species depends on composition and configuration of the landscape, as well as the invasiveness of the species. To effectively manage a highly invasive species, such as Acacia dealbata, it is crucial to understand the historical progression of the invasion within the landscape. This study sought to examine the landscape dynamics of biological invasions by tracking the historical spread of A. dealbata and broader land use/land cover (LULC) changes at different spatiotemporal scales in the northern Eastern Cape. A timeseries of aerial photographs were systematically classified according to designated A. dealbata and LULC categories in ArcGIS to track the changes in the extent and rate of spread of A. dealbata. Markedly dynamic, multi-directional, and spatio-temporally variable LULC transitions were observed across the northern Eastern Cape over the last six decades. A. dealbata frequently retained a high proportion of cover over time, and despite the loss of cover to other LULC classes, a net increase in A. dealbata cover occurred as it spread at an overall annual rate of 0.11–0.21%, occupying approximately 8–18% of land cover across all sampled sites by 2013.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A Statistical assessment of available solar resource across multiple sites in South Africa
- Authors: Eastwood, Kirstie
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mathematical statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39907 , vital:35505
- Description: Around the globe, fossil fuels remain the primary source of energy at around 78% of the world’s total energy consumption. However, the associated carbon emissions, environmental impact, the depletion of fossil fuels and price and cost volatility are factors influencing the growing popularity of research into renewable energy. Solar power is acknowledged as the fastest-growing renewable energy, but the uncertainty surrounding the long-term projections of solar irradiance available for energy conversion is a hindrance when discussing the financial risk with potential investors. This study investigates the quality of freely available solar resource data in South Africa as well as proposes techniques for potential solar farm site comparisons. Tolerance intervals derived within a Bayesian framework provide information on the future available solar resource across multiple sites. These techniques capture the inherent variability in the available solar resource which equips investors with statistical methods that lead to the better understanding of the solar resource and thus aids in better decision-making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Eastwood, Kirstie
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mathematical statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39907 , vital:35505
- Description: Around the globe, fossil fuels remain the primary source of energy at around 78% of the world’s total energy consumption. However, the associated carbon emissions, environmental impact, the depletion of fossil fuels and price and cost volatility are factors influencing the growing popularity of research into renewable energy. Solar power is acknowledged as the fastest-growing renewable energy, but the uncertainty surrounding the long-term projections of solar irradiance available for energy conversion is a hindrance when discussing the financial risk with potential investors. This study investigates the quality of freely available solar resource data in South Africa as well as proposes techniques for potential solar farm site comparisons. Tolerance intervals derived within a Bayesian framework provide information on the future available solar resource across multiple sites. These techniques capture the inherent variability in the available solar resource which equips investors with statistical methods that lead to the better understanding of the solar resource and thus aids in better decision-making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategic HRM framework for improving corporate governance in a municipal environment
- Gomomo, Jongisizwe Augustine
- Authors: Gomomo, Jongisizwe Augustine
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate governance -- South Africa , Personnel management Personnel departments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39698 , vital:35349
- Description: In South Africa, the concept of corporate governance in a municipal environment is relatively new and the application of corporate governance principles remains a challenge (Ard and Berg, 2010, pp. 80-82). Previous research on corporate governance in a municipal environment mainly focused on challenges with regards to corporate governance and not on the role of strategic Human Resource Management in improving corporate governance. The main purpose of this study was therefore to develop a SHRM framework that could be utilised by municipalities to improve corporate governance. The following actions were taken to achieve this objective: A literature study was conducted to examine theory related to corporate governance and to consider corporate governance from an international, African and local government perspective. Various approaches, principles and practices related to corporate governance were also examined. The literature study further explored the legislative frameworks introduced in South Africa to improve corporate governance and in this respect the contribution of the Constitution of South Africa, the King Reports I-IV, Batho-Pele principles, municipal structures, municipal integrated development plans and the South African Board for People Practice are outlined. Existing SHRM models were analysed and specific HR strategies for improving corporate governance in municipalities were extracted from these models. The findings from the literature review were then integrated into a best practice SHRM framework for establishing corporate governance at municipalities. This integrated SHRM framework was used as a basis for the development of a survey questionnaire administered to employees in leadership positions at selected Eastern Cape metropolitan and district municipalities and the Eastern Cape Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The questionnaire incorporated seven main HR strategies, indicators of corporate governance and corporate governance challenges at municipalities. The empirical results from this study revealed that HR Risk Management and Performance Management strategies were the main predictors of corporate governance at municipalities. Combining the HR strategies into a summative factor also demonstrated that HR strategies should be vertically aligned with the overall vision and mission of municipalities (effective and efficient service delivery) and horizontally integrated for optimal impact on corporate governance. Challenges experienced at municipalities did not moderate the relationship between the summative HR strategies and corporate governance. As such, these challenges cannot be justification for poor corporate governance at municipalities. The study makes a valuable theoretical and empirical contribution to the field of corporate governance, HRM and specifically corporate governance in a municipal environment. The integrated SHRM framework developed in the study is comprehensive and tested. Furthermore, the framework provides a specific context for corporate governance in a municipal environment by incorporating the legal Regulatory and Statutory framework for corporate governance, the SABPP Code of Conduct for HR practitioners, and the seven main SHRM focus areas, namely HR vision and strategy, employment practices, on-boarding practices, human capital development practices, Performance Management, designing and establishing an ethical organisation and HR Risk Management. In addition, it provides a link between these strategies and corporate governance indicators that is deemed important in a municipal environment where effective and efficient service delivery is the ultimate test for success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gomomo, Jongisizwe Augustine
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate governance -- South Africa , Personnel management Personnel departments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39698 , vital:35349
- Description: In South Africa, the concept of corporate governance in a municipal environment is relatively new and the application of corporate governance principles remains a challenge (Ard and Berg, 2010, pp. 80-82). Previous research on corporate governance in a municipal environment mainly focused on challenges with regards to corporate governance and not on the role of strategic Human Resource Management in improving corporate governance. The main purpose of this study was therefore to develop a SHRM framework that could be utilised by municipalities to improve corporate governance. The following actions were taken to achieve this objective: A literature study was conducted to examine theory related to corporate governance and to consider corporate governance from an international, African and local government perspective. Various approaches, principles and practices related to corporate governance were also examined. The literature study further explored the legislative frameworks introduced in South Africa to improve corporate governance and in this respect the contribution of the Constitution of South Africa, the King Reports I-IV, Batho-Pele principles, municipal structures, municipal integrated development plans and the South African Board for People Practice are outlined. Existing SHRM models were analysed and specific HR strategies for improving corporate governance in municipalities were extracted from these models. The findings from the literature review were then integrated into a best practice SHRM framework for establishing corporate governance at municipalities. This integrated SHRM framework was used as a basis for the development of a survey questionnaire administered to employees in leadership positions at selected Eastern Cape metropolitan and district municipalities and the Eastern Cape Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The questionnaire incorporated seven main HR strategies, indicators of corporate governance and corporate governance challenges at municipalities. The empirical results from this study revealed that HR Risk Management and Performance Management strategies were the main predictors of corporate governance at municipalities. Combining the HR strategies into a summative factor also demonstrated that HR strategies should be vertically aligned with the overall vision and mission of municipalities (effective and efficient service delivery) and horizontally integrated for optimal impact on corporate governance. Challenges experienced at municipalities did not moderate the relationship between the summative HR strategies and corporate governance. As such, these challenges cannot be justification for poor corporate governance at municipalities. The study makes a valuable theoretical and empirical contribution to the field of corporate governance, HRM and specifically corporate governance in a municipal environment. The integrated SHRM framework developed in the study is comprehensive and tested. Furthermore, the framework provides a specific context for corporate governance in a municipal environment by incorporating the legal Regulatory and Statutory framework for corporate governance, the SABPP Code of Conduct for HR practitioners, and the seven main SHRM focus areas, namely HR vision and strategy, employment practices, on-boarding practices, human capital development practices, Performance Management, designing and establishing an ethical organisation and HR Risk Management. In addition, it provides a link between these strategies and corporate governance indicators that is deemed important in a municipal environment where effective and efficient service delivery is the ultimate test for success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategy for adopting cloud computing services in small, medium and micro enterprises (SME) in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Sarpong, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cloud computing , Technological innovations -- Management Information technology -- Management Management information systems New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43567 , vital:36920
- Description: Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa continue to form the foundation for growing the economy. Thus, these enterprises have a significant role in to play in helping the country to eliminate poverty and unemployment. In order for these businesses to continue to grow and stay abreast with the changing business landscape, these businesses need to adopt some or other form of technology. One such technology is cloud computing, which is at times referred to as external hosting. Cloud computing is a type of technology that allows any business to operate as if it had a team of dedicated professional information technology (IT) personnel continually checking and monitoring its IT systems. As a result, cloud computing often allows a business to save on costs, improve communication with clients and speed up the transfer of information across the business. Thus, as SMEs often have small or non-existent IT departments, cloud computing offers these business an opportunity to compete with larger corporations without having to compromise on the quality of their service. However, in spite of these benefits, cloud computing still remains something of a novelty to many small businesses that operate in Nelson Mandela Metropole, as these businesses tend to either adopt a small portion of the technology or not to adopt the technology at all. The reasons for not significantly investing in the technology are usually far ranging but are often linked to these businesses not understanding how the service can be best used to help their business to grow. This study includes a description of a strategy that SMEs can follow when adopting cloud computing services as part of their business models. In addition to this, this study includes a discussion on the various benefits and disadvantages that await SMEs that make the decision to invest in the service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sarpong, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cloud computing , Technological innovations -- Management Information technology -- Management Management information systems New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43567 , vital:36920
- Description: Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa continue to form the foundation for growing the economy. Thus, these enterprises have a significant role in to play in helping the country to eliminate poverty and unemployment. In order for these businesses to continue to grow and stay abreast with the changing business landscape, these businesses need to adopt some or other form of technology. One such technology is cloud computing, which is at times referred to as external hosting. Cloud computing is a type of technology that allows any business to operate as if it had a team of dedicated professional information technology (IT) personnel continually checking and monitoring its IT systems. As a result, cloud computing often allows a business to save on costs, improve communication with clients and speed up the transfer of information across the business. Thus, as SMEs often have small or non-existent IT departments, cloud computing offers these business an opportunity to compete with larger corporations without having to compromise on the quality of their service. However, in spite of these benefits, cloud computing still remains something of a novelty to many small businesses that operate in Nelson Mandela Metropole, as these businesses tend to either adopt a small portion of the technology or not to adopt the technology at all. The reasons for not significantly investing in the technology are usually far ranging but are often linked to these businesses not understanding how the service can be best used to help their business to grow. This study includes a description of a strategy that SMEs can follow when adopting cloud computing services as part of their business models. In addition to this, this study includes a discussion on the various benefits and disadvantages that await SMEs that make the decision to invest in the service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategy for improving the maturity levels of IT service management in higher education institutions in South Africa
- Authors: Hilmer, Thomas
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Information technology Education, Higher -- South Africa Education -- Effect of technological innovations on -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40161 , vital:35824
- Description: IT Service Management (ITSM) refers to a set of activities that an organisation can perform to develop, supply, operate, manage and improve information technology related services in order to meet the needs of the business. The interest in ITSM is based on the expectation that applying best practice ITSM processes will result in lower expenses, fewer incidents and improved customer satisfaction. Various standards, frameworks, methodologies and processes have evolved to support this move to a value-driven, service-orientated approach to managing an organisation’s information systems. Between 2007 and 2009, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa benefited from a national project to improve the quality of their IT services through training in ITIL, a best practice ITSM framework. An assessment at the time, however, found that the maturity levels of the ITIL processes implemented after the intervention remained low, and this observation is common in other industries as well. The implementation of industry best practice ITSM frameworks does not always proceed smoothly; they can be costly, have long implementation times, and can be seen as excessively complicated and suited mainly for large organisations. Therefore, it is often challenging for organisations such as HEIs to improve their ITSM process maturity levels. The aim of this study is to develop a strategy that may assist South African HEIs in taking steps to improve their IT Service Management maturity levels. This primary research objective is addressed through a number of secondary research objectives, namely, to understand the challenges that HEIs often encounter when implementing ITSM; to determine the ITSM implementation status at a number of South African HEIs; to determine the various elements and components required to formulate the ITSM strategy; to determine whether alternatives to ITIL are feasible options for HEIs in South Africa; and to validate the proposed strategy by verifying its quality, utility and efficacy. A comprehensive literature review provides information on various ITSM standards, frameworks and methodologies. It also investigates ITSM adoption and implementation by organisations in general, and HEIs in particular, and how modern practices such as DevOps, Agile and Lean relate to ITSM. Thereafter, an online survey is used to determine the status of ITSM maturity levels at South African HEIs, and whether alternatives to ITIL are being used. Expert interviews are used to obtain additional information on what is required to formulate the proposed strategy. The findings from the literature review, survey and expert interviews are used to develop a four-step strategy, which was evaluated for its quality, utility and efficacy through an online assessment by the same experts. This strategy can be considered a useful tool for Higher Education Institutions in South Africa if they wish to increase their levels of IT Service Management maturity. The findings of this study make a substantial contribution to the field of ITSM research at South African Higher Education Institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hilmer, Thomas
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Information technology Education, Higher -- South Africa Education -- Effect of technological innovations on -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40161 , vital:35824
- Description: IT Service Management (ITSM) refers to a set of activities that an organisation can perform to develop, supply, operate, manage and improve information technology related services in order to meet the needs of the business. The interest in ITSM is based on the expectation that applying best practice ITSM processes will result in lower expenses, fewer incidents and improved customer satisfaction. Various standards, frameworks, methodologies and processes have evolved to support this move to a value-driven, service-orientated approach to managing an organisation’s information systems. Between 2007 and 2009, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa benefited from a national project to improve the quality of their IT services through training in ITIL, a best practice ITSM framework. An assessment at the time, however, found that the maturity levels of the ITIL processes implemented after the intervention remained low, and this observation is common in other industries as well. The implementation of industry best practice ITSM frameworks does not always proceed smoothly; they can be costly, have long implementation times, and can be seen as excessively complicated and suited mainly for large organisations. Therefore, it is often challenging for organisations such as HEIs to improve their ITSM process maturity levels. The aim of this study is to develop a strategy that may assist South African HEIs in taking steps to improve their IT Service Management maturity levels. This primary research objective is addressed through a number of secondary research objectives, namely, to understand the challenges that HEIs often encounter when implementing ITSM; to determine the ITSM implementation status at a number of South African HEIs; to determine the various elements and components required to formulate the ITSM strategy; to determine whether alternatives to ITIL are feasible options for HEIs in South Africa; and to validate the proposed strategy by verifying its quality, utility and efficacy. A comprehensive literature review provides information on various ITSM standards, frameworks and methodologies. It also investigates ITSM adoption and implementation by organisations in general, and HEIs in particular, and how modern practices such as DevOps, Agile and Lean relate to ITSM. Thereafter, an online survey is used to determine the status of ITSM maturity levels at South African HEIs, and whether alternatives to ITIL are being used. Expert interviews are used to obtain additional information on what is required to formulate the proposed strategy. The findings from the literature review, survey and expert interviews are used to develop a four-step strategy, which was evaluated for its quality, utility and efficacy through an online assessment by the same experts. This strategy can be considered a useful tool for Higher Education Institutions in South Africa if they wish to increase their levels of IT Service Management maturity. The findings of this study make a substantial contribution to the field of ITSM research at South African Higher Education Institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategy for sustainable ICT development in deep rural environments
- Authors: Medupe, Tsietsi Jacob
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology , Sustainable development Information technology -- Developing countries Rural development -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41438 , vital:36483
- Description: This study provides a strategy for sustainable Information and Communcation Technology (ICT) development in deep rural environments and describes a case study conducted within the community of the AmaJingqi traditional council. It investigates the sustainability of the ICT services within a rural environments, the income profile and affordability of different members of the community and the strategy formulation model. The study’s main focus is on creating a strategy to be used as a guideline for the successful development and implementation of sustainable ICT development in deep rural environments and on defining ICT Sustainability. Furthermore, the different ICT users are profiled based on affordability and access to services, and deep rural environments are also defined. Moreover, the study describes the complete composition of sustainable ICT. It discusses design science research methodology and the reasons why the method is used is motivated and advanced. The study also outlines various research paradigms and philosophies and a number of research strategies are also discussed. The literature review focuses on various policies and frameworks which have been formulated to advance the universal access of ICT services by rural communities. It also outlines some of the ICT initiatives which have failed and the reasons for the failures and what will be corrected for similar mistakes not to be repeated. The study discusses the concepts of a strategy framework that outlines the theoretical foundation of the strategy formulation model, strategy implementation and control. It also discusses the diagnostics and outlines the various strategy guiding polices. The strategy is validated, expert reviews are solicited and the strategy is revised and finalised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Medupe, Tsietsi Jacob
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology , Sustainable development Information technology -- Developing countries Rural development -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41438 , vital:36483
- Description: This study provides a strategy for sustainable Information and Communcation Technology (ICT) development in deep rural environments and describes a case study conducted within the community of the AmaJingqi traditional council. It investigates the sustainability of the ICT services within a rural environments, the income profile and affordability of different members of the community and the strategy formulation model. The study’s main focus is on creating a strategy to be used as a guideline for the successful development and implementation of sustainable ICT development in deep rural environments and on defining ICT Sustainability. Furthermore, the different ICT users are profiled based on affordability and access to services, and deep rural environments are also defined. Moreover, the study describes the complete composition of sustainable ICT. It discusses design science research methodology and the reasons why the method is used is motivated and advanced. The study also outlines various research paradigms and philosophies and a number of research strategies are also discussed. The literature review focuses on various policies and frameworks which have been formulated to advance the universal access of ICT services by rural communities. It also outlines some of the ICT initiatives which have failed and the reasons for the failures and what will be corrected for similar mistakes not to be repeated. The study discusses the concepts of a strategy framework that outlines the theoretical foundation of the strategy formulation model, strategy implementation and control. It also discusses the diagnostics and outlines the various strategy guiding polices. The strategy is validated, expert reviews are solicited and the strategy is revised and finalised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategy to effectively manage the disaster recovery plan (DRP) at the city of Johannesburg: roads sector
- Authors: Maphutha, Selina Masai
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Management information systems , Data recovery (Computer science) Computer security Emergency management Local government -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40944 , vital:36274
- Description: Electronic information is critical to Municipalities, the City of Johannesburg (Road sector) rely on computerised systems to perform their operations and deliver services to its inhabitants. Disaster recovery planning for the City of Johannesburg is crucial and urgent, as it will ensure that the organisation is able to recover the core business functionality of its software, data, and systems after the occurrence of a natural or man-made disaster. Municipalities should have adequate recovery strategies in place in case of disasters. Planning for recovery from a disaster is quickly becoming recognized as a necessity, however organisational leaders are not putting recovery strategies as a priority and thus result in challenges when implementing the recovery processes i.e. Lack of resources, overlooking risk management, lack of leadership commitment to continuity processes and lack of understanding the concept of DRP and BCP. Disruption can happen when not anticipated, It is impossible to foresee what may hit an organisation. It is thus necessary and compulsory for organisation to plan for disasters most especially with ever-increasing dependence of business processes on technology services. The purpose of this research was to assess the adequacy of the Disaster recovery plan at the City of Johannesburg (Road sector) and to develop a strategy to effectively manage the DRP. The research revealed that the DRP at the City of Johannesburg (Road sector) is not comprehensive and that there are other processes that are not effectively implemented. There is a lack of resources for implementing the DRP. The dedicated staff is not adequately technically skilled to implement the disaster recovery processes. This study has revealed that the challenges noted were common to other institutions. An adequate DRP is crucial; capacity management and seamless procurement processes are also crucial for the success of the disaster recovery processes. Theoretically, this research adds to the literature on disaster recovery management and highlights the challenges and complexities involved. Practically, the research provides several lessons and guiding principles that the organisation may consider around disaster recovery management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Maphutha, Selina Masai
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Management information systems , Data recovery (Computer science) Computer security Emergency management Local government -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40944 , vital:36274
- Description: Electronic information is critical to Municipalities, the City of Johannesburg (Road sector) rely on computerised systems to perform their operations and deliver services to its inhabitants. Disaster recovery planning for the City of Johannesburg is crucial and urgent, as it will ensure that the organisation is able to recover the core business functionality of its software, data, and systems after the occurrence of a natural or man-made disaster. Municipalities should have adequate recovery strategies in place in case of disasters. Planning for recovery from a disaster is quickly becoming recognized as a necessity, however organisational leaders are not putting recovery strategies as a priority and thus result in challenges when implementing the recovery processes i.e. Lack of resources, overlooking risk management, lack of leadership commitment to continuity processes and lack of understanding the concept of DRP and BCP. Disruption can happen when not anticipated, It is impossible to foresee what may hit an organisation. It is thus necessary and compulsory for organisation to plan for disasters most especially with ever-increasing dependence of business processes on technology services. The purpose of this research was to assess the adequacy of the Disaster recovery plan at the City of Johannesburg (Road sector) and to develop a strategy to effectively manage the DRP. The research revealed that the DRP at the City of Johannesburg (Road sector) is not comprehensive and that there are other processes that are not effectively implemented. There is a lack of resources for implementing the DRP. The dedicated staff is not adequately technically skilled to implement the disaster recovery processes. This study has revealed that the challenges noted were common to other institutions. An adequate DRP is crucial; capacity management and seamless procurement processes are also crucial for the success of the disaster recovery processes. Theoretically, this research adds to the literature on disaster recovery management and highlights the challenges and complexities involved. Practically, the research provides several lessons and guiding principles that the organisation may consider around disaster recovery management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategy to promote awareness and adherence to information security policy at Capricorn District Municipality
- Authors: Mamabolo, Mokgadi Hellen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Data protection -- Management Computer security Computer networks -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40867 , vital:36245
- Description: The purpose of this research was to investigate the reasons for non-adherence to the ISP and to measure the current level of adherence to the ISP. The research revealed that non adherence to the ISP is caused by lack of training or awareness, and through non-communication of the ISP to employees. The study was conducted at Capricorn District Municipality, Polokwane Local Municipality, Molemole Local Municipality and Blouberg Local Municipality. A web-based questionnaire (QuestionPro) was developed and it was directed to every official who uses or interacts with municipal information, to quantify the level of adherence to ISP by employees. An email with the questionnaire link administered by www.questionpro.com was then sent to the population of 152 employees. Presently ISP adherence is one of the key concerns that are faced by organisations. Employees are perceived as one of the reasons that there are security breaches within organisations; hence, it is of paramount importance that these security breaches are noticed, as well as technical matters. Most researchers have reasoned that non-adherence to ISP is one of the major challenges faced by organisations. The non-adherence to ISP will lead to potential information security threats and unauthorised access to information that might compromise municipal business operations. The Information Security Officer together with the help of management must educate employees regarding the value of IS and why it is crucial to adhere to these policies. The proposed strategy summarises the various concepts required in the promotion of awareness and adherence to an effective ISP. Ultimately, this research study concludes that if management continually trains employees, raising awareness about ISP and monitoring their adherence to ISP, this should increase the adherence level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mamabolo, Mokgadi Hellen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Computer security -- Management , Data protection -- Management Computer security Computer networks -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40867 , vital:36245
- Description: The purpose of this research was to investigate the reasons for non-adherence to the ISP and to measure the current level of adherence to the ISP. The research revealed that non adherence to the ISP is caused by lack of training or awareness, and through non-communication of the ISP to employees. The study was conducted at Capricorn District Municipality, Polokwane Local Municipality, Molemole Local Municipality and Blouberg Local Municipality. A web-based questionnaire (QuestionPro) was developed and it was directed to every official who uses or interacts with municipal information, to quantify the level of adherence to ISP by employees. An email with the questionnaire link administered by www.questionpro.com was then sent to the population of 152 employees. Presently ISP adherence is one of the key concerns that are faced by organisations. Employees are perceived as one of the reasons that there are security breaches within organisations; hence, it is of paramount importance that these security breaches are noticed, as well as technical matters. Most researchers have reasoned that non-adherence to ISP is one of the major challenges faced by organisations. The non-adherence to ISP will lead to potential information security threats and unauthorised access to information that might compromise municipal business operations. The Information Security Officer together with the help of management must educate employees regarding the value of IS and why it is crucial to adhere to these policies. The proposed strategy summarises the various concepts required in the promotion of awareness and adherence to an effective ISP. Ultimately, this research study concludes that if management continually trains employees, raising awareness about ISP and monitoring their adherence to ISP, this should increase the adherence level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A study of assimilation and alienation in West African fiction and psychic dislocation in South African fiction
- Authors: Poisat, Ross
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) , South African fiction -- History and criticism Assimilation (Sociology) Alienation (Social psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43270 , vital:36776
- Description: This dissertation will provide a study of Assimilation and Alienation in West African fiction of Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy (1956) and Ayi Kwei Armah’s Why Are We So Blest? (1972) and Psychic dislocation in South African fiction of Wulf Sachs’s Black Hamlet (1936/1996). The dissertation plans to examine the specific effects of assimilation, alienation and psychic dislocation by examining them as central lines of argument in the respective texts. In Houseboy, the Catholic mission is depicted as being subordinate to the French Policy of Assimilation in colonial Cameroon. This dissertation examines how Oyono represents the manner in which the French catechists indoctrinated, dehumanized and made ‘other’ the colonized Cameroonian people. The relationship between colonial violence and trauma in Oyono’s text is also explored in relation to how the trauma of the colonized is expressed by them being the subject of and witnessing colonial violence at the hands of French Imperial agents. Oyono’s text was selected because it presents a counter-hegemonic portrayal of the French Policy of Assimilation and the Catholic mission’s complicity in this process. Why Are We So Blest? is analysed in terms of Armah’s depiction of the Modin’s relationship to a Western model of education, which is illustrative of his academic, racial and cultural alienation. The protagonist in Armah’s text can be seen as complicit in the history of colonial oppression due to his intellectual dependency on Western knowledge. Furthermore, this dissertation explores how the Modin is alienated by his relationships with his white academic superiors, who ‘other’, deny him agency, and infantilize him. Furthermore, the Algerian revolution functions as an expression of culture and the African intellectual, by being denied entry to it, is also alienated from the African masses. Armah’s text was selected because of its complex depiction of alienation. The literary analysis of Black Hamlet in this dissertation seeks to address the neglect of the fictional and imaginative aspects of the text in preceding studies. The representation of the psychic dislocation of John as a Shona nganga’s relationship to his ancestors is approached from a cultural and racial perspective in further examining his psychic dislocation in relation to the narrator. Furthermore, this dissertation investigates how Black Hamlet can be seen to suggest that psychic dislocation is tied to the hierarchal nature of colonial relations between John and the white narrator, and to John’s unreal experience of racialized South African and Zulu cultural place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Poisat, Ross
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) , South African fiction -- History and criticism Assimilation (Sociology) Alienation (Social psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43270 , vital:36776
- Description: This dissertation will provide a study of Assimilation and Alienation in West African fiction of Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy (1956) and Ayi Kwei Armah’s Why Are We So Blest? (1972) and Psychic dislocation in South African fiction of Wulf Sachs’s Black Hamlet (1936/1996). The dissertation plans to examine the specific effects of assimilation, alienation and psychic dislocation by examining them as central lines of argument in the respective texts. In Houseboy, the Catholic mission is depicted as being subordinate to the French Policy of Assimilation in colonial Cameroon. This dissertation examines how Oyono represents the manner in which the French catechists indoctrinated, dehumanized and made ‘other’ the colonized Cameroonian people. The relationship between colonial violence and trauma in Oyono’s text is also explored in relation to how the trauma of the colonized is expressed by them being the subject of and witnessing colonial violence at the hands of French Imperial agents. Oyono’s text was selected because it presents a counter-hegemonic portrayal of the French Policy of Assimilation and the Catholic mission’s complicity in this process. Why Are We So Blest? is analysed in terms of Armah’s depiction of the Modin’s relationship to a Western model of education, which is illustrative of his academic, racial and cultural alienation. The protagonist in Armah’s text can be seen as complicit in the history of colonial oppression due to his intellectual dependency on Western knowledge. Furthermore, this dissertation explores how the Modin is alienated by his relationships with his white academic superiors, who ‘other’, deny him agency, and infantilize him. Furthermore, the Algerian revolution functions as an expression of culture and the African intellectual, by being denied entry to it, is also alienated from the African masses. Armah’s text was selected because of its complex depiction of alienation. The literary analysis of Black Hamlet in this dissertation seeks to address the neglect of the fictional and imaginative aspects of the text in preceding studies. The representation of the psychic dislocation of John as a Shona nganga’s relationship to his ancestors is approached from a cultural and racial perspective in further examining his psychic dislocation in relation to the narrator. Furthermore, this dissertation investigates how Black Hamlet can be seen to suggest that psychic dislocation is tied to the hierarchal nature of colonial relations between John and the white narrator, and to John’s unreal experience of racialized South African and Zulu cultural place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A study of malicious software on the macOS operating system
- Authors: Regensberg, Mark Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Malware (Computer software) , Computer security , Computer viruses , Mac OS
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92302 , vital:30701
- Description: Much of the published malware research begins with a common refrain: the cost, quantum and complexity of threats are increasing, and research and practice should prioritise efforts to automate and reduce times to detect and prevent malware, while improving the consistency of categories and taxonomies applied to modern malware. Existing work related to malware targeting Apple's macOS platform has not been spared this approach, although limited research has been conducted on the true nature of threats faced by users of the operating system. While macOS focused research available consistently notes an increase in macOS users, devices and ultimately in threats, an opportunity exists to understand the real nature of threats faced by macOS users and suggest potential avenues for future work. This research provides a view of the current state of macOS malware by analysing and exploring a dataset of malware detections on macOS endpoints captured over a period of eleven months by an anti-malware software vendor. The dataset is augmented with malware information provided by the widely used Virus. Total service, as well as the application of prior automated malware categorisation work, AVClass to categorise and SSDeep to cluster and report on observed data. With Windows and Android platforms frequently in the spotlight as targets for highly disruptive malware like botnets, ransomware and cryptominers, research and intuition seem to suggest the threat of malware on this increasingly popular platform should be growing and evolving accordingly. Findings suggests that the direction and nature of growth and evolution may not be entirely as clear as industry reports suggest. Adware and Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) make up the vast majority of the detected threats, with remote access trojans (RATs), ransomware and cryptocurrency miners comprising a relatively small proportion of the detected malware. This provides a number of avenues for potential future work to compare and contrast with research on other platforms, as well as identification of key factors that may influence its growth in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Regensberg, Mark Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Malware (Computer software) , Computer security , Computer viruses , Mac OS
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92302 , vital:30701
- Description: Much of the published malware research begins with a common refrain: the cost, quantum and complexity of threats are increasing, and research and practice should prioritise efforts to automate and reduce times to detect and prevent malware, while improving the consistency of categories and taxonomies applied to modern malware. Existing work related to malware targeting Apple's macOS platform has not been spared this approach, although limited research has been conducted on the true nature of threats faced by users of the operating system. While macOS focused research available consistently notes an increase in macOS users, devices and ultimately in threats, an opportunity exists to understand the real nature of threats faced by macOS users and suggest potential avenues for future work. This research provides a view of the current state of macOS malware by analysing and exploring a dataset of malware detections on macOS endpoints captured over a period of eleven months by an anti-malware software vendor. The dataset is augmented with malware information provided by the widely used Virus. Total service, as well as the application of prior automated malware categorisation work, AVClass to categorise and SSDeep to cluster and report on observed data. With Windows and Android platforms frequently in the spotlight as targets for highly disruptive malware like botnets, ransomware and cryptominers, research and intuition seem to suggest the threat of malware on this increasingly popular platform should be growing and evolving accordingly. Findings suggests that the direction and nature of growth and evolution may not be entirely as clear as industry reports suggest. Adware and Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) make up the vast majority of the detected threats, with remote access trojans (RATs), ransomware and cryptocurrency miners comprising a relatively small proportion of the detected malware. This provides a number of avenues for potential future work to compare and contrast with research on other platforms, as well as identification of key factors that may influence its growth in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A study of the role of heritage in brand affinity of south African millennials for iconic South African beer brands
- Authors: Kingwill, Kelly
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Advertising -- Alcoholic beverages , Advertising -- Brewing industry , Consumers' preferences -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40610 , vital:36198
- Description: Hollis (2007) states that iconic brands address acute contradictions in society by tapping into a collective desire and that they develop a status that transcends functional benefits. According to Holt (2004) iconic brands hold strong appeal because of their reputation, as told by their brand story, their identity-value or resonance with the consumer and their culture or intense relationship that takes the consumer from merely consuming the brand to sharing the branded lifestyle with like-minded consumers. The reason iconic brands have managed to create seamless integration in consumers’ lives is because they have managed to build a foundation of brand resonance (Carruthers, 2012). Iconic brands in the 21st century have achieved brand saliency, which represents the depth and breadth of brand awareness that goes beyond basic recognition and recall. They have developed not only brand loyalty, but brand affinity in the minds of consumers. Recent years have demonstrated a shift in consumer behaviour. Brand loyalty is on the decrease (Scheuer, 2015), as there are increasing considerations for consumers to make in their purchase decision process. Not only are there more factors to consider, but the number of brands competing has grown exponentially. According to Raynor (2007), iconic brands are forced to remain flexible in this turbulent, consumer empowered environment. The myth of adaptability has seen brands fail as they have been unable to match the pace of these environmental changes. This has bought about the need for iconic brands to become more flexible, allowing them to anticipate future scenarios, formulate optimal strategies and operate effectively by knowing when and where to meet their consumer’s functional and emotional needs (Raynor, 2007).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kingwill, Kelly
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Advertising -- Alcoholic beverages , Advertising -- Brewing industry , Consumers' preferences -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40610 , vital:36198
- Description: Hollis (2007) states that iconic brands address acute contradictions in society by tapping into a collective desire and that they develop a status that transcends functional benefits. According to Holt (2004) iconic brands hold strong appeal because of their reputation, as told by their brand story, their identity-value or resonance with the consumer and their culture or intense relationship that takes the consumer from merely consuming the brand to sharing the branded lifestyle with like-minded consumers. The reason iconic brands have managed to create seamless integration in consumers’ lives is because they have managed to build a foundation of brand resonance (Carruthers, 2012). Iconic brands in the 21st century have achieved brand saliency, which represents the depth and breadth of brand awareness that goes beyond basic recognition and recall. They have developed not only brand loyalty, but brand affinity in the minds of consumers. Recent years have demonstrated a shift in consumer behaviour. Brand loyalty is on the decrease (Scheuer, 2015), as there are increasing considerations for consumers to make in their purchase decision process. Not only are there more factors to consider, but the number of brands competing has grown exponentially. According to Raynor (2007), iconic brands are forced to remain flexible in this turbulent, consumer empowered environment. The myth of adaptability has seen brands fail as they have been unable to match the pace of these environmental changes. This has bought about the need for iconic brands to become more flexible, allowing them to anticipate future scenarios, formulate optimal strategies and operate effectively by knowing when and where to meet their consumer’s functional and emotional needs (Raynor, 2007).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A study on technology adoption in agriculture in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Keevy, Christine
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural implements -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48628 , vital:41054
- Description: arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought with it a vast array of new technologies that can be applied across many industries and various applications, to help solve many of the social, economic and environmental issues the world faces. However, it also heralds in an unprecedented rate of change. The agricultural industry is expected to be heavily affected by new technology. As they are run by smaller management teams they may need support from organisations to introduce technologies. The study aims to identify drivers and barriers to technology adoption in agriculture through a conceptual model based on the Technology Adoption Model, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and a Technology-Organisation-Environment Model, along with a thorough industry analysis. The study obtained quantitative data from 59 respondents from the Eastern Cape farming community. The key findings include the identification of Perceived Usefulness and Industry Pressures as the variables with a significant driving influence on the intention to adopt new technologies. However, Perceived Ease of Use, Employee Knowledge and External Support Structures were found to have a negative relationship with the adoption of technology. It has been interpreted that improvements in these areas may enable farmers to adopt technology more easily but that farmers feel sufficient pressure to make them adopt technology despite the complexities and lack of required internal skills or external support. Due to the low number of respondents, it is not possible to infer the findings on the larger population of farmers. The findings can therefore only be used as exploratory findings which need to be verified in focus groups, with farmers, before any action is taken. However, the findings in the study can be used to aid the definition of frameworks for further studies and the development of action plans to support farmers in the adoption of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Keevy, Christine
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural implements -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48628 , vital:41054
- Description: arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought with it a vast array of new technologies that can be applied across many industries and various applications, to help solve many of the social, economic and environmental issues the world faces. However, it also heralds in an unprecedented rate of change. The agricultural industry is expected to be heavily affected by new technology. As they are run by smaller management teams they may need support from organisations to introduce technologies. The study aims to identify drivers and barriers to technology adoption in agriculture through a conceptual model based on the Technology Adoption Model, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and a Technology-Organisation-Environment Model, along with a thorough industry analysis. The study obtained quantitative data from 59 respondents from the Eastern Cape farming community. The key findings include the identification of Perceived Usefulness and Industry Pressures as the variables with a significant driving influence on the intention to adopt new technologies. However, Perceived Ease of Use, Employee Knowledge and External Support Structures were found to have a negative relationship with the adoption of technology. It has been interpreted that improvements in these areas may enable farmers to adopt technology more easily but that farmers feel sufficient pressure to make them adopt technology despite the complexities and lack of required internal skills or external support. Due to the low number of respondents, it is not possible to infer the findings on the larger population of farmers. The findings can therefore only be used as exploratory findings which need to be verified in focus groups, with farmers, before any action is taken. However, the findings in the study can be used to aid the definition of frameworks for further studies and the development of action plans to support farmers in the adoption of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A suitability study for the implementation of a corporate geographic information system at the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality
- Authors: Triegaardt, Inge
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Geographic information systems , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Geography Information technology Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:37044
- Description: A tender in the Government Gazette in 2013 for the implementation of a Corporate Geographic Information System (CGIS) at the King Sabata Dalindeybo (KSD) Local Municipality, created an opportunity for a study to be conducted for the implementation of a Corporate Geographic Information System (CGIS). A CGIS is a suitable management system for implementation at a municipality, given that the municipality is ready. Internationally the implementation of CGIS at municipalities has been done successfully. In South Africa, however, the implementation of said software has been slow and at times unsuccessful. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the current GIS knowledge and infrastructure of the KSD Local Municipality for the municipality to be a suitable candidate for the implementation of a CGIS. The evaluation was done by the collection of data through three questionnaires, two interviews and observations. The findings of this research study are discussed according to the qualitative data collected from the KSD Local Municipality and recommendations based on the results of the data collection have been made for the municipality to be implementation ready. The qualitative instruments such as pre-training, post-training/pre-implementation and postimplementation questionnaires, observations and interviews with the IT Technician and the CGIS Specialist were processed by the researcher to obtain insight to the perceptions of the employees and the current state of GIS in the KSD Local Municipality. The results from this research study were in-line with the benefits and barriers of implementation of a CGIS in municipalities in international literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Triegaardt, Inge
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Geographic information systems , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Geography Information technology Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:37044
- Description: A tender in the Government Gazette in 2013 for the implementation of a Corporate Geographic Information System (CGIS) at the King Sabata Dalindeybo (KSD) Local Municipality, created an opportunity for a study to be conducted for the implementation of a Corporate Geographic Information System (CGIS). A CGIS is a suitable management system for implementation at a municipality, given that the municipality is ready. Internationally the implementation of CGIS at municipalities has been done successfully. In South Africa, however, the implementation of said software has been slow and at times unsuccessful. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the current GIS knowledge and infrastructure of the KSD Local Municipality for the municipality to be a suitable candidate for the implementation of a CGIS. The evaluation was done by the collection of data through three questionnaires, two interviews and observations. The findings of this research study are discussed according to the qualitative data collected from the KSD Local Municipality and recommendations based on the results of the data collection have been made for the municipality to be implementation ready. The qualitative instruments such as pre-training, post-training/pre-implementation and postimplementation questionnaires, observations and interviews with the IT Technician and the CGIS Specialist were processed by the researcher to obtain insight to the perceptions of the employees and the current state of GIS in the KSD Local Municipality. The results from this research study were in-line with the benefits and barriers of implementation of a CGIS in municipalities in international literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A sustainable industrialisation model for the ocean economy of South Africa
- Authors: Williams, Mark
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Marine resources , Shipping -- Economic aspects Marine terminals -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44401 , vital:37164
- Description: South African role players recognise that when truly exploited and well-managed, the South African ocean economy can constitute a source of wealth and significantly increase South Africa’s fortunes and, by doing so, contribute towards the increased economic growth, employment growth and ultimately the development of South Africa. However, as a result of the multi-dimensional and complex nature of ocean economic systems, role players in South Africa faced the problem of identifying the factors that influence the success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa. The aim of this research was to contribute to the promotion and sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa, in an effort to address the challenge mentioned above. In order to achieve this aim, the objective was to develop and test a conceptual theoretical model which will assist industrialists and other role players in South Africa to increase their economic activities sustainably in the ocean economy. Evidence from this research indicated that if the factors influencing the industrialisation of the ocean economy could be identified, assessed and recommendations could be made which may contribute to the promotion and sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa. The focus of the literature study was firstly on the global perspective of the marine industry, particularly how nations around the world are involved in the various components of the ocean economy and the challenges, as well as issues, the world confronts in respect of the marine industry and secondly, to give consideration to global solutions that are relevant for South Africa. The research effort, furthermore, explored South Africa’s legislative, policy and other consideration that has a direct impact on the ocean economy. The literature study on both global and South African perspectives of ocean economies found ten major variables that influence the sustainability of the industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa. These variables include one intervening variable, infrastructure development as well as nine independent variables namely demand planning, strategic partnering, knowledge management, access to finance, institutional environment, value-chain integration, resource management, regulatory environment, and innovation. All variables were hypothesised as they were perceived to positively influence the dependent variable namely: the perceived success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa The influencing factors, defined and operationalised, were then structured in a questionnaire which was sent randomly to specialists in the ocean economies around the world. Data was collected from 246 respondents and subjected to various statistical analysis techniques. Firstly, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to assess the discriminant validity of the research instrument. Secondly, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated for each of the identified factors to confirm the reliability of the research instrument. The significance of the hypothesised relationships in the revised model was then tested by using the statistical technique known as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The key contribution of this research to the South Africa’s ocean economy body of knowledge is as follows: The research into the contributing factors which influence the success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa, The development of a theoretical model for the industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa that can be used by role players in South Africa to promote economic activities sustainably in the ocean economy, The research investigated the ocean economy ecosystem, the global economic exploitation of the ocean and issues and challenges surrounding such exploitation, Consider South Africa’s own efforts at economic exploitation of the ocean and the issues and challenges surrounding such exploitation. Findings and recommendations on empirically accessed factors which significantly affect the likelihood of the sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa. In conclusion, the theoretical model and operational recommendations that are offered in this research do serve as a useful guideline as to what the key success factors are that will influence the sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Williams, Mark
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Marine resources , Shipping -- Economic aspects Marine terminals -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44401 , vital:37164
- Description: South African role players recognise that when truly exploited and well-managed, the South African ocean economy can constitute a source of wealth and significantly increase South Africa’s fortunes and, by doing so, contribute towards the increased economic growth, employment growth and ultimately the development of South Africa. However, as a result of the multi-dimensional and complex nature of ocean economic systems, role players in South Africa faced the problem of identifying the factors that influence the success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa. The aim of this research was to contribute to the promotion and sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa, in an effort to address the challenge mentioned above. In order to achieve this aim, the objective was to develop and test a conceptual theoretical model which will assist industrialists and other role players in South Africa to increase their economic activities sustainably in the ocean economy. Evidence from this research indicated that if the factors influencing the industrialisation of the ocean economy could be identified, assessed and recommendations could be made which may contribute to the promotion and sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa. The focus of the literature study was firstly on the global perspective of the marine industry, particularly how nations around the world are involved in the various components of the ocean economy and the challenges, as well as issues, the world confronts in respect of the marine industry and secondly, to give consideration to global solutions that are relevant for South Africa. The research effort, furthermore, explored South Africa’s legislative, policy and other consideration that has a direct impact on the ocean economy. The literature study on both global and South African perspectives of ocean economies found ten major variables that influence the sustainability of the industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa. These variables include one intervening variable, infrastructure development as well as nine independent variables namely demand planning, strategic partnering, knowledge management, access to finance, institutional environment, value-chain integration, resource management, regulatory environment, and innovation. All variables were hypothesised as they were perceived to positively influence the dependent variable namely: the perceived success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa The influencing factors, defined and operationalised, were then structured in a questionnaire which was sent randomly to specialists in the ocean economies around the world. Data was collected from 246 respondents and subjected to various statistical analysis techniques. Firstly, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to assess the discriminant validity of the research instrument. Secondly, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated for each of the identified factors to confirm the reliability of the research instrument. The significance of the hypothesised relationships in the revised model was then tested by using the statistical technique known as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The key contribution of this research to the South Africa’s ocean economy body of knowledge is as follows: The research into the contributing factors which influence the success of sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa, The development of a theoretical model for the industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa that can be used by role players in South Africa to promote economic activities sustainably in the ocean economy, The research investigated the ocean economy ecosystem, the global economic exploitation of the ocean and issues and challenges surrounding such exploitation, Consider South Africa’s own efforts at economic exploitation of the ocean and the issues and challenges surrounding such exploitation. Findings and recommendations on empirically accessed factors which significantly affect the likelihood of the sustainable development of the ocean economy of South Africa. In conclusion, the theoretical model and operational recommendations that are offered in this research do serve as a useful guideline as to what the key success factors are that will influence the sustainable industrialisation of the ocean economy of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A systematic review of operationalizations of culture in post traumatic stress
- Ramasodi, Precious, Cronje, Johan
- Authors: Ramasodi, Precious , Cronje, Johan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43037 , vital:36729
- Description: Research which looks at the influence of culture on posttraumatic experience has explored the culture construct through many differing lenses. This is because of the complex nature of culture. Since investigators may delineate culture in any number of ways there are a host of ways in which culture can be operationalised. The presence of differing operationalisations of culture in the literature is not necessarily a hindrance to the furtherance of knowledge. However, researchers may find it beneficial to employ similar operational terms in order for studies to be compared and amalgamated. The present study reviewed literature studies published between 1980 and 2018 that explored Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) in different cultural cohorts. Thirty qualitative and quantitative research reports were assessed and six different operational terms were found. These were namely: geographic location, nationality, race, language, religion and ethnicity. Many articles in the pooled articles employed more than one operational to delineate the target population. The key themes which emerged from the pooled articles were the impact of differences between researcher and study participants, the differences in symptom expression and the stigma of the posttraumatic disorder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ramasodi, Precious , Cronje, Johan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43037 , vital:36729
- Description: Research which looks at the influence of culture on posttraumatic experience has explored the culture construct through many differing lenses. This is because of the complex nature of culture. Since investigators may delineate culture in any number of ways there are a host of ways in which culture can be operationalised. The presence of differing operationalisations of culture in the literature is not necessarily a hindrance to the furtherance of knowledge. However, researchers may find it beneficial to employ similar operational terms in order for studies to be compared and amalgamated. The present study reviewed literature studies published between 1980 and 2018 that explored Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) in different cultural cohorts. Thirty qualitative and quantitative research reports were assessed and six different operational terms were found. These were namely: geographic location, nationality, race, language, religion and ethnicity. Many articles in the pooled articles employed more than one operational to delineate the target population. The key themes which emerged from the pooled articles were the impact of differences between researcher and study participants, the differences in symptom expression and the stigma of the posttraumatic disorder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A systematic review on contributing factors leading to prison (Correctional Service) escapes.
- Authors: Nunze, Ncediswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Prisoners -- South Africa Escapes -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Criminology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16506 , vital:40726
- Description: The study presents a systematic literature on contributing factors leading to prison escape. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the contributing factors that are associated with escape from correctional centre. Objectives of the study: To investigate the impact of social and cultural dynamics and triggers that motivates inmates to escape from correctional centre e.g. the internal factors and the external factors and to establish prevention strategies to deal with escapes. Method: Secondary data was employed in the study. The researcher collected the data using qualitative approach from different sources, including newspaper, prison journals, articles and the data that was originally collected for other research purposes on prison escape, both internationally and nationally. Specific data within the studies and articles is used to determine the contributing factors leading to prison escape. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: External factors such as: (family problems, missing family, the external environment and contact with the external environment, residency, loss loved ones, loss of liberty and lack of stimulation and loss of control), and internal factors such as: structural factors (e.g., crowding and size of prison, transfers, loss of security); management practices (e.g., management style, staff culture, inadequate institutional management); and environmental influences (e.g., alcohol and drug abuse, institutional crisis situations, parole problems, institutional misconduct and punishment, institutional programs, violence in prison (vulnerability to violence and gang related), limitation of goods and services, limitation of autonomy, sexual deprivation, inadequate facilities, unnatural environmental conditions are contributing factors leading to prison escapes. Conclusion: The more closely the conditions of imprisonment approximate those normally seen outside, the better the inmates can learn to survive without resorting to criminal. This allows them to also learn the ways that will help them survive outside the correctional centre and function as normal citizens. More opportunities must be created for inmates to pursue a meaningful life in prison and the existing programmes should be continuously checked if they are being practised properly. Encourage inmates to keep contact with relatives and mends so that they do not lose contact with the outside world. Correctional staff and administrators pay close attention to the policies and practices for circumstances in which violence is likely to occur, such as during inmate transport.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nunze, Ncediswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Prisoners -- South Africa Escapes -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Criminology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16506 , vital:40726
- Description: The study presents a systematic literature on contributing factors leading to prison escape. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the contributing factors that are associated with escape from correctional centre. Objectives of the study: To investigate the impact of social and cultural dynamics and triggers that motivates inmates to escape from correctional centre e.g. the internal factors and the external factors and to establish prevention strategies to deal with escapes. Method: Secondary data was employed in the study. The researcher collected the data using qualitative approach from different sources, including newspaper, prison journals, articles and the data that was originally collected for other research purposes on prison escape, both internationally and nationally. Specific data within the studies and articles is used to determine the contributing factors leading to prison escape. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: External factors such as: (family problems, missing family, the external environment and contact with the external environment, residency, loss loved ones, loss of liberty and lack of stimulation and loss of control), and internal factors such as: structural factors (e.g., crowding and size of prison, transfers, loss of security); management practices (e.g., management style, staff culture, inadequate institutional management); and environmental influences (e.g., alcohol and drug abuse, institutional crisis situations, parole problems, institutional misconduct and punishment, institutional programs, violence in prison (vulnerability to violence and gang related), limitation of goods and services, limitation of autonomy, sexual deprivation, inadequate facilities, unnatural environmental conditions are contributing factors leading to prison escapes. Conclusion: The more closely the conditions of imprisonment approximate those normally seen outside, the better the inmates can learn to survive without resorting to criminal. This allows them to also learn the ways that will help them survive outside the correctional centre and function as normal citizens. More opportunities must be created for inmates to pursue a meaningful life in prison and the existing programmes should be continuously checked if they are being practised properly. Encourage inmates to keep contact with relatives and mends so that they do not lose contact with the outside world. Correctional staff and administrators pay close attention to the policies and practices for circumstances in which violence is likely to occur, such as during inmate transport.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A systematic review on South African literature on hegemonic masculinity
- Authors: Pieterse, Carl
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Masculinity , Men -- Psychology Hegemony
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43225 , vital:36761
- Description: The application and use of hegemonic masculinity as a theory and concept in South African literature is confusing and ambiguous. This confusion often results in hegemonic masculinity being equated to the concepts of dominant masculinity or traditional masculinity. Recently, research has suggested that studies on hegemonic masculinity contaminated the concept, whereas only a few have added new and acceptable knowledge. The concept of hegemonic masculinity has an almost hegemonic foundation in global literature, often resulting in the misuse of the concept. The aim of the study was to identify, analyse, and report on the themes and trends in South African literature that represents the understudied populations that create and maintain hegemonic masculinity. A systematic review process was utilised to identify and summarise the data, while thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse, and report on the patterns in the data. The results revealed five major themes that contribute toward the complex and paradoxical ways in which hegemonic masculinity was created and maintained by both individuals and society. In conclusion, the study discovered the complex nexus of paradoxes that exist in South African society and ultimately how they are used to create and maintain heteronormative standards of living by means of alignment with hegemonic masculinity. The study recommends that future research should focus on intersectionality as a lens through which hegemonic masculinity is studied.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Pieterse, Carl
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Masculinity , Men -- Psychology Hegemony
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43225 , vital:36761
- Description: The application and use of hegemonic masculinity as a theory and concept in South African literature is confusing and ambiguous. This confusion often results in hegemonic masculinity being equated to the concepts of dominant masculinity or traditional masculinity. Recently, research has suggested that studies on hegemonic masculinity contaminated the concept, whereas only a few have added new and acceptable knowledge. The concept of hegemonic masculinity has an almost hegemonic foundation in global literature, often resulting in the misuse of the concept. The aim of the study was to identify, analyse, and report on the themes and trends in South African literature that represents the understudied populations that create and maintain hegemonic masculinity. A systematic review process was utilised to identify and summarise the data, while thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse, and report on the patterns in the data. The results revealed five major themes that contribute toward the complex and paradoxical ways in which hegemonic masculinity was created and maintained by both individuals and society. In conclusion, the study discovered the complex nexus of paradoxes that exist in South African society and ultimately how they are used to create and maintain heteronormative standards of living by means of alignment with hegemonic masculinity. The study recommends that future research should focus on intersectionality as a lens through which hegemonic masculinity is studied.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A technical survey of the South African harvesting machine population
- Authors: Mathelele, Ouma Florah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Harvesting -- South Africa , Energy harvesting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40999 , vital:36281
- Description: South Africa adopted the practice of conducting technical surveys from Austria three decades ago. The Austrian technical survey was used to model the South African technical survey. The survey was conducted with the aim of providing the forestry industry with a detailed analysis of the state of timber harvesting operations. The first technical survey in South Africa was conducted in 1987, and the second one in 1998. The most recent study was carried out in 2007. Since 2007, there has been no other technical survey of a similar nature conducted on harvesting and transport operations. There is no recent information quantifying the volumes harvested, identifying harvesting systems and methods used, and determining volumes harvested using these systems and methods. Furthermore, no updated information exists on the type and quantities of timber trucks transporting the volume. A fourth technical survey that quantifies and analyses these aspects in harvesting operations, therefore, was due. The fourth technical survey aimed at quantifying the number of harvesting machines and timber trucks. The survey further investigated the drivers behind the mechanisation and system preference. The four technical surveys were compared to identify trends in harvesting machines and methods. The data were collected from grower companies, harvesting and transport contractors and small-scale timber growers. Questionnaires were sent to all potential respondents from the three target groups, and interviews were later conducted with selected respondents. The harvesting machines were quantified per function i.e. felling, extraction, processing and loading. The results showed that some machines were more common compared to other machines performing the same function. Mechanised felling machines sampled had more units in the fourth survey than the previous surveys had. Of the 10.6 million m3 volume surveyed in 2017, chainsaws had 1 048 units, and their number had decreased from the 5 000 sampled in the first technical survey in 1987 that sampled about 12.8 million m3. Harvesters and feller bunchers also increased from zero in the first technical survey to 94 and 13, respectively in the fourth survey. The drivers towards the increased use of mechanised equipment were identified as safety and health, ergonomics, productivity, labour issues, operational costs, terrain, and company policies. Despite the introduction of mechanisation, however, the use of manual labour was evident in hardwood processing and loading operations. Manual debarking was more common than mechanised debarking in the fourth technical survey. When comparing all four technical surveys, the cut to length (CTL) harvesting method was dominant in hardwood; harvesting 79% of the volume sampled in the 2017 survey. The full tree method was barely applied in the first three technical surveys and in the 2007 survey, it was absent. It was only in the fourth technical survey that the method was applied, felling 27% and 9% of the sampled volumes in softwood and hardwood, respectively. The technical survey provides information to the different stakeholders in the forest industry. Such include harvesting managers and contractors, grower companies, machine distributors and researchers. The information will bring awareness to harvesting managers and contractors about the different machine options available to assist in decision making when selecting systems. Machine distributors will know the number of machines, where machines are operating and their target market. A gap in knowledge will be bridged between the different provinces regarding the different types of harvesting machines out there.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mathelele, Ouma Florah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Harvesting -- South Africa , Energy harvesting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40999 , vital:36281
- Description: South Africa adopted the practice of conducting technical surveys from Austria three decades ago. The Austrian technical survey was used to model the South African technical survey. The survey was conducted with the aim of providing the forestry industry with a detailed analysis of the state of timber harvesting operations. The first technical survey in South Africa was conducted in 1987, and the second one in 1998. The most recent study was carried out in 2007. Since 2007, there has been no other technical survey of a similar nature conducted on harvesting and transport operations. There is no recent information quantifying the volumes harvested, identifying harvesting systems and methods used, and determining volumes harvested using these systems and methods. Furthermore, no updated information exists on the type and quantities of timber trucks transporting the volume. A fourth technical survey that quantifies and analyses these aspects in harvesting operations, therefore, was due. The fourth technical survey aimed at quantifying the number of harvesting machines and timber trucks. The survey further investigated the drivers behind the mechanisation and system preference. The four technical surveys were compared to identify trends in harvesting machines and methods. The data were collected from grower companies, harvesting and transport contractors and small-scale timber growers. Questionnaires were sent to all potential respondents from the three target groups, and interviews were later conducted with selected respondents. The harvesting machines were quantified per function i.e. felling, extraction, processing and loading. The results showed that some machines were more common compared to other machines performing the same function. Mechanised felling machines sampled had more units in the fourth survey than the previous surveys had. Of the 10.6 million m3 volume surveyed in 2017, chainsaws had 1 048 units, and their number had decreased from the 5 000 sampled in the first technical survey in 1987 that sampled about 12.8 million m3. Harvesters and feller bunchers also increased from zero in the first technical survey to 94 and 13, respectively in the fourth survey. The drivers towards the increased use of mechanised equipment were identified as safety and health, ergonomics, productivity, labour issues, operational costs, terrain, and company policies. Despite the introduction of mechanisation, however, the use of manual labour was evident in hardwood processing and loading operations. Manual debarking was more common than mechanised debarking in the fourth technical survey. When comparing all four technical surveys, the cut to length (CTL) harvesting method was dominant in hardwood; harvesting 79% of the volume sampled in the 2017 survey. The full tree method was barely applied in the first three technical surveys and in the 2007 survey, it was absent. It was only in the fourth technical survey that the method was applied, felling 27% and 9% of the sampled volumes in softwood and hardwood, respectively. The technical survey provides information to the different stakeholders in the forest industry. Such include harvesting managers and contractors, grower companies, machine distributors and researchers. The information will bring awareness to harvesting managers and contractors about the different machine options available to assist in decision making when selecting systems. Machine distributors will know the number of machines, where machines are operating and their target market. A gap in knowledge will be bridged between the different provinces regarding the different types of harvesting machines out there.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019