Physicians' perspectives on personal health records: a descriptive study
- Authors: Harmse, Magda Susanna
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing , Medical records -- Management , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Hospitals , Personal information management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6876 , vital:21156
- Description: A Personal Health Record (PHR) is an electronic record of a patient’s health-related information that is managed by the patient. The patient can give access to other parties, such as healthcare providers and family members, as they see fit. These parties can use the information in emergency situations, in order to help improve the patient’s healthcare. PHRs have an important role to play in ensuring that a patient’s complete health history is available to his healthcare providers at the point of care. This is especially true in South Africa, where the majority of healthcare organizations still rely on paper-based methods of record-keeping. Research indicates that physicians play an important role in encouraging the adoption of PHRs amongst patients. Whilst various studies have focused on the perceptions of South African citizens towards PHRs, to date no research has focused on the perceptions of South African physicians. Considering the importance of physicians in encouraging the adoption of PHRs, the problem being addressed by this research project thus relates to the lack of information relating to the perceptions of South African physicians of PHRs. Physicians with private practices at private hospitals in Port Elizabeth, South Africa were surveyed in order to determine their perceptions towards PHRs. Results indicate perceptions regarding benefits to the physician and the patient, as well as concerns to the physician and the patient. The levels of trust in various potential PHR providers and the potential uses of a PHR for the physician were also explored. The results of the survey were compared with the results of relevant international literature in order to describe the perceptions of physicians towards PHRs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Property development: a lead-time management framework
- Authors: Stander, Ruan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Planned communities -- South Africa Land subdivision -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12703 , vital:27110
- Description: Property development is a complex activity, with a series of stages involving many players with differing objectives, all operating within the building cycle context and its interaction with business and credit cycles. Before developers commit to acquiring land and sign a building contract, they first evaluate the market to establish a project’s viability, and secure finance and planning consents. (Cadman and Topping, 1995: 27). The residential property developer must have a fair knowledge of the changes in the economy and be able to interpret data collected. This knowledge is critical in order to make good business decisions and for future project planning. Understanding the economic variables and the impact these have on households, provides knowledge to the consumer to assist with financial planning and future investment options (Vogel, 2012: 14). Currently, everyone is aware of the huge negative impact of the global economic crisis, especially concerning international investment companies in western countries. Many businesses have ceased operations and some investment banks have experienced large scale bankruptcy due to the economic crisis and resulting recession. The Chinese economy suffered losses in the crisis as well (Yiping, 2011: 6). Even though the export industry experienced a huge negative impact in the economic crisis, the Chinese government announced that GDP growth remained at 8.7% in 2009. The highest contributor towards the Chinese GDP growth was the real estate industry (Yiping, 2011: 6). Presently in China, the real estate industry is a new economic growth point and the main industry in its Gross Domestic Product. Currently, the real estate market in China is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges (Yiping, 2011: 6). From the above-mentioned statement by Yiping (2011: 6), it is evident that property development plays a major role in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of global economies worldwide as well as in South Africa and that change in the supply and demand value of property impacts the performance of the property market. In times of property booms, the property market escalates and there is an under supply of property. This makes it a seller’s market, which stimulates the economy, as was the case during the period of 2004 to 2008. When the property bust hit in 2009, the world experienced an inevitable downturn in economic markets. This was known as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and was due to various factors such as: increased interest rates; increase of stricter mortgage bond approvals; recession and other possible financial regulatory factors. A downturn in property prices became evident and property development was negatively impacted (Reed, Sims and Cadman, 2015). This impact on the property sector caused a relative over supply of property, making it a limited buyer’s market and forced real estate agents, property developers and owners to decrease the price of property thus negatively affecting the GDP of the economy. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature as well as an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted with the use of a quantitative statistical approach. In this study, research questionnaires as a data collection tool were distributed to members of the sample population. The primary objective of the study was to develop a framework for the successful delivery of residential developments in South Africa, especially in the context of time. A descriptive survey was conducted among professional property development practitioners, real estate agencies, conveyancers and project managers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Protection of personal information in the South African cloud computing environment: a framework for cloud computing adoption
- Authors: Skolmen, Dayne Edward
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures Data protection -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Privacy, Right of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12747 , vital:27117
- Description: Cloud Computing has advanced to the point where it may be considered an attractive proposition for an increasing number of South African organisations, yet the adoption of Cloud Computing in South Africa remains relatively low. Many organisations have been hesitant to adopt Cloud solutions owing to a variety of inhibiting factors and concerns that have created mistrust in Cloud Computing. One of the top concerns identified is security within the Cloud Computing environment. The approaching commencement of new data protection legislation in South Africa, known as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI), may provide an ideal opportunity to address the information security-related inhibiting factors and foster a trust relationship between potential Cloud users and Cloud providers. POPI applies to anyone who processes personal information and regulates how they must handle, store and secure that information. POPI is considered to be beneficial to Cloud providers as it gives them the opportunity to build trust with potential Cloud users through achieving compliance and providing assurance. The aim of this dissertation is, therefore, to develop a framework for Cloud Computing adoption that will assist in mitigating the information security-related factors inhibiting Cloud adoption by fostering a trust relationship through compliance with the POPI Act. It is believed that such a framework would be useful to South African Cloud providers and could ultimately assist in the promotion of Cloud adoption in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Reporting on radiographic images in after-hours trauma units :Experiences of radiographers and medical practitioners
- Authors: Van der Venter, Riaan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical -- Image quality Radiography, Medical -- Examinations, questions, etc Nurse practitioners -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23779 , vital:30619
- Description: Globally there is a lack of radiologists, which results in unreported radiographic examinations, or a delay in reporting on radiographic images even in emergency situations. In order to mitigate and alleviate the situation, and optimise the utilisation of radiographers a red dot system was introduced in the United Kingdom, which later aided in the transformation of the role of radiographers in terms of formal reporting of various radiographic examinations. Although there is a shortage of medical practitioners and radiologists in South Africa the extended role of radiographers has not been yet realised for radiographers. At present, radiographers and medical practitioners work in collaboration to interpret and report on radiographic examinations informally, to facilitate effective and efficient patient management, but this is done illegally because the regulations defining the scope of the profession of radiography does not allow for such practice, putting radiographers and organisations at risk of litigation. In order to gain an in-depth knowledge of the phenomena, to enable the researcher to provide recommendations to the Professional Board of Radiography and Clinical Technology (PBRCT) of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research study was undertaken. Radiographers and medical practitioners were interviewed in order to elicit rich descriptions of their experiences regarding reporting of trauma related radiographic images in the after-hours trauma units. Data were gathered using in-depth semi-structured interviews, and the data were analysed using kesch’s method of thematic synthesis. Three themes emerged from the data, namely the challenges radiographers and medical practitioners face in the after-hours trauma units respectively, with regards to reporting of trauma related adiographs, and suggestions were proposed to optimize the participation of radiographers with regard to trauma related radiographs in these units. A thick description and literature control was done using quotes from participants. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical research practices were also implemented. Thereafter, recommendations were put forward for the PBRCT of the HPCSA, using current literature and inferences made from the findings of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Scoping of a commercial micro reformer for the production of hydrogen
- Authors: Koorts, Waldo Pieter
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hydrogen as fuel , Fuel processors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8175 , vital:25942
- Description: Hydrogen has gained interest as fuel recently as the harmful effects of fossil fuels on the environment can no longer be ignored. Hydrogen, which produces no pollutants, forms the feed for cleaner fuel cells systems currently in use. Fuel cells, although not as economically viable as fossil fuels, have found a foothold in the energy market in various markets like power backup and use in remote locations. Production of hydrogen is still largely done via fossil fuel reforming and this technology has received renewed interest for use with fuel cells in the form of micro- reformers or fuel processors. This study entailed the performance benchmarking of a so called Best-in-Class commercial micro reformer (as available in 2010), the 1 kW WS FLOX Reformer, and was undertaken under the auspices of the national HySA programme. The study’s focus was primarily on reformate output quality (carbon monoxide concentration), and start up time, thermal efficiency and hydrogen output (15 SCLM). The reformer consisted of a combustion section encased in an outer reforming section consisting of three reactors in series, steam reforming, water gas shift and selective methanation. As-provided temperature control is simplified though the use of only one temperature setpoint in the combustion chamber and temperature control in the CO clean up stages obtained through means of heat transfer with incoming water being evaporated. Combustion takes place through flame combustion or by means of the supplier’s patented FLOX (flameless oxidation) combustion. The purchased FLOX Reformer assembly was integrated into a fully automated unit with all balance of plant components as well as microGC and flue gas analysis for measurement of outlet conditions. The FLOX Reformer was tested at multiple combustion temperatures, combustion flowrates, reforming loads and steam-to-carbon ratios to obtain a wide set of benchmark data. From the testing it was found that the reformer was able to produce the necessary 15 SCLM hydrogen with a carbon monoxide purity of less than 10 ppm as required in fuel cells for all testing if the reaction temperatures were within the recommended limits. Intermediary water gas shift analysis showed methane and carbon monoxide conversion in the reforming and water gas shift stages to be identical to thermodynamic equilibrium conversion – 95% and higher for all temperatures. iii Selective methanation conversion obtained was 99%, but not always at equilibrium conversion due to increased selective methanation temperatures, where carbon dioxide methanation was also observed at the higher temperatures. Temperature control through heat exchange with incoming water in the CO removal stages was found to be less than ideal as the temperature inside these stages fluctuated dramatically due to inaccuracies in the water pump and a lagged response to flowrate changes. Startup times of less than an hour was observed for multiple combustion flowrates and the reformer boasts a standby function to reduce this to less than half an hour. The thermal efficiency was independently confirmed and tested and found to be higher than 70 % for flame combustion and on par with other commercially available fuel processors. The suppliers trademark FLOX combustion only reaching 65% due to decreased combustion efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The drivers of customer satisfaction at National Dairy Equipment (NDE)
- Authors: Laubscher, Ryno
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction Quality of products , SERVQUAL (Service quality framework)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13085 , vital:27150
- Description: National Dairy Equipment (Pty) Ltd (NDE) is a privately owned stockist and distributor of stainless steel products and is a respected player in the South African stainless steel industry. NDE operates from within all four major cities in South Africa namely, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. The organisation, with its wide range of corrosion resistant products, serves industries such as the architecture and construction, automotive, catering, and food and beverage industry. With the stainless steel industry growing in terms of the number of competitors, NDE performs a number of functions in order to achieve customer satisfaction. The general purpose of the study was to indentify the attributes that would act as drivers of customer satisfaction at NDE. Five attributes were identified namely, Service quality, Trust and commitment, Product quality, Commercial aspects and Reliability. The results of this study could assist managers at NDE in improving service delivery to customers. The literature study provided an overview of overall customer satisfaction and possible measurement models for customer satisfaction. Measurement models included, SERVQUAL, SERVPERF, the Two-factor theory, the Kano model and the Three-factor model. The latter proved to be of particular importance to the study as the model was used to classify the identified drivers into basic, performance and excitement factors. Furthermore, a literature review was provided based on each of the identified potential drivers of customer satisfaction. The empirical data needed to complete the study was collected by means of a survey, using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed by sales representatives at NDE. A total of 320 useable questionnaires were received. The study revealed the following: each of the five proposed attributes had a positive relationship with overall customer satisfaction,thus all five attributes were confirmed as drivers of customer satisfaction at NDE. Commercial aspects and Reliability were classified as basic satisfiers. Trust and commitment was classified as a performance satisfier, and Service quality was identified as the only excitement satisfier. Product quality did not receive any classification. All importance mean scores were higher than the corresponding satisfaction mean scores. This study contributed to the existing body of literature and is seemingly the first of its kind in the South African stainless steel industry. The study is also the first to attempt the measurement of overall customer satisfaction levels at NDE. The methodology used in the current study can be applied to stainless steel industries internationally, in order to verify whether the confirmed drivers would also act as drivers of satisfaction in a similar industry elsewhere in the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The effective management of customer orders received by a pharmaceutical manufacturer
- Authors: Botha, Risca
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- Customer services , Business logistics , Physical distribution of goods -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9087 , vital:26463
- Description: There is a great need for a pharmaceutical manufacturer to provide its customers with the right product at the right time, place and price and also to deliver the product in the right quantity and quality. Should pharmaceutical customers not receive their orders on time from the pharmaceutical manufacturer, the customers might face out-of-stock situations. As a result, the patients or customers might turn to an alternative product from a different pharmaceutical manufacturer, which has the required stock readily available. This could lead to loss in sales and even death amongst its customers. The main objective of this study was to determine the key factors that form part of the demand and operations planning strategies to ensure that these factors are in place to effectively manage and execute the supply chain and logistics processes to reduce possible out-of-stock situations amongst its customers. As a starting point to the study, an analysis was performed based on the review of relevant research and literature from various text books, journals, publications, as well as internet sources. The literature study covered various aspects such as demand planning, production planning, the use of different demand and operations planning strategies, as well as the importance of continuous internal and external customer service levels to ensure that customer orders are delivered on time. The analysis of the literature review was used to establish a theoretical basis for the design and structure of the questionnaire that was used as a research instrument in this study. A survey was conducted amongst the employees that are responsible for executing the supply chain and logistics processes within Aspen Pharmacare. These employees resided within the three main departments of the pharmaceutical manufacturer, namely, the Demand and Operations Planning, Production and Packing, as well as the Warehouse and Distribution departments. Each question posed in the questionnaire related to the role of each employee within these departments that are responsible for the logistics processes within Aspen Pharmacare. The empirical results from the study indicated that the respondents were in support that specific key factors are important for a pharmaceutical manufacturer to manage incoming customer orders efficiently and effectively to reduce possible out-of-stock situations amongst its end customers. However, the respondents also highlighted that there were a number of obstacles preventing them from implementing the key factors that are required to manage incoming customer orders more efficiently within the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Some of these obstacles include: the lack of pro- activeness; lack of accountability; and the lack of constant communication between the employees from the three main departments. Furthermore, incomplete hand-over information during shift changes amongst the employees of the Production and Packing department created unnecessary down-time. Also, the employees from the Warehouse and Distribution department were not informed timeously when changes to the production schedule were made. These obstacles will have a negative impact on the ultimate customer delivery dates and need to be addressed. The empirical results highlighted some recommendations to assist pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to more effectively and efficiently manage their incoming customer orders to reduce or eliminate any possible out-of-stock situations amongst its end customers. Some recommendations include: improved communication between the three main departments; to react immediately to out-of-stock products; and to ensure that internal and external customer service levels are adhered to at all times. The implementation of the recommendations based on the empirical findings of the study will assist the pharmaceutical manufacturing company to achieve excellence and to become a world-class supplier of generic pharmaceutical products. In this way, all incoming customer orders can be fulfilled on time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The management of chacma baboons and humans in a peri-urban environment: a case study from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's George Campus
- Authors: Botes, Peet
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Human-animal relationships , Animal behavior , Human beings , Bestiality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5135 , vital:20812
- Description: Conflicts between humans and baboons (Papio ursinus) have become a significant management challenge on Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s (NMMUs) George Campus, which is located in peri-urban George in the Garden Route, of the Western Cape of South Africa. Current management policy, although required to be ‘scientifically’ based, largely relies on studies done outside the Garden Route. This study addresses the question of how the management of human-baboon relations could be improved on the campus. A case study was undertaken which aimed at addressing the cohabitation of baboons and humans on the NMMU campus, specifically human-baboon resource selection and interaction. The research methodology and the related analytical tools were primarily quantitative but were supplemented by some qualitative data drawn from interviews. Data collected was used to determine landscape features acting as Keystone Resource Areas (KRAs) for both humans and baboons on the campus. Relationships between the frequency and location of negative interactions, and resident-baboon distribution on the campus were also determined. Two key findings emerged from the research. First, residences, non-residence buildings and waste disposal stations act as KRAs for both humans and baboons. Second, the frequency of negative interaction correlates with the time spent by residents and baboons at residences, where common negative interactions between baboons and humans are known to occur. It is postulated that cohabitation on the NMMU George Campus is causing the habituation of baboons, a loss of fear of humans and association of humans with high energy foods. As a result, present cohabitation contributes to negative human-baboon relations in the George area. To ensure sustainable co-existence between humans and baboons on the George Campus, management should implement zonation and wildlife monitoring to reverse the loss of baboon fear of humans and better limit the availability of human-derived foods. In addition, management should consider giving stakeholders co-management roles to foster and facilitate knowledge and responsibility partnerships, and subsequently correct any misunderstandings related to human-baboon relations on the campus. Recommendations for further research include sampling beyond campus boundaries to compensate for regional variations in baboon behaviour and the biophysical environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The rationale of using standard costing in manufacturing organisations in the Eastern Cape when modern alternatives are available
- Authors: Januarie, Xavier Sebastian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Manufacturing industries -- Accounting , Managerial accounting , Cost accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6838 , vital:21153
- Description: This paper investigates the rationale of using standard costing in modern manufacturing organisations. Researchers argue that standard costing does not easily fit in with the modern idea of continuous improvement. The benefits and limitations of standard costing and other modern alternative approaches in Eastern Cape manufacturing organisations are examined. Furthermore the factors affecting the accuracy of standards are investigated. Lastly, it is concluded that standard costing is used in Eastern Cape manufacturing organisations and those organisations using standard costing have considered the benefits and limitations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The use of conceptual costume design to express the emotional trajectory of the play sounds of South End
- Authors: Chingosho, Vimbai
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Fashion -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Costume design -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11449 , vital:26926
- Description: The aim of this study is to illustrate how, in the design of costumes, adopting design elements used to produce conceptual fashion can create conceptual costumes that have the ability to express emotions. The play Sounds of South End (2013) contains such qualities; therefore it has been selected to illustrate how the mood and emotional trajectory of a play can be interpreted through symbolism. The play illustrates the life before and after the forced removals during the apartheid (1960s and 1970s), of a fictional family, the Dietrichs, who live in South End, a suburb in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A focus on the nature of emotional changes experienced by the family has been used to determine the overall mood of the play, leading to a translation of the shifting mood through a collection of conceptual costumes. The final collection was exhibited as an installation artwork that is an interpretation of the altering moods and emotions that occur in the life of the Dietrich family as the play unfolds. The conceptual costumes have been constructed to imbue the narrative of the play with deep meaning by using symbolic elements, such as colour, texture and weight, to suggest the emotional trajectory within the play. The eight costumes portray the interrelated gradual decline and resultant deterioration of human relations experienced by the Dietrichs, from a contented state of harmonious living to a wounded state of despair.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Trends in the game industry in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ferreira, Janene
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Wildlife management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5451 , vital:20846
- Description: The game industry has become one of the fastest-growing industries in South Africa and consequently, during recent years, a growing number of stock farms have been converted to game farms. All forms of utilization within the game industry play a vital role with regards to sustainability and simultaneously contributing a significant boost to the national economy. It is therefore important to ensure that game ranchers are as well-informed as possible in their decision-making, as well as in assessing their outputs and endeavours. However, the information available on the game industry in the Eastern Cape is limited. This research study therefore focuses on the emerging trends in the game industry in the province. The objectives of the research are to examine various pertinent factors associated with the game industry, investigate the trends and discuss whether these trends have any implications for future purposes. The research commenced with a literature review, as well as information from earlier survey studies of the Eastern Cape game industry. For the current study, a replicate survey was conducted throughout the Eastern Cape, involving as many game ranchers as possible, and data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The dilemma confronting the black wildebeest in the Eastern Cape was thoroughly investigated, together with farmers’ opinions and trends for the future of the species. It was important to include this particular aspect in the research, as at the time of the survey, widespread concerns were expressed with regards to new legislation which emerged during that time. The research cast light on several aspects associated with the industry which could positively assist game ranchers towards improved management and planning, as well as provide guidelines for future development purposes. Furthermore, the research identified crucial issues that should receive immediate attention from stakeholders across the industry as well as government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Urban agriculture and access to microfinance in Snake Park, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Makoni, Charmaine Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe -- Finance , Economic development projects -- Zimbabwe -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8099 , vital:24993
- Description: The role that urban farming plays in the food supply of cities and towns to compliment rural agriculture is increasingly gaining traction. In Zimbabwe, urban agriculture has equally become an important contributor of urban food, particularly for low income households. Urban agriculture is increasingly being viewed as a viable measure to ameliorate urban food insecurity. In spite of the important role it serves in the urban landscape, it is yet to attain political legitimacy and more importantly to gain recognition from the formal financial economy. This in turn has limited the contribution that the urban agriculture can make towards poverty alleviation and inequality for the urban poor. Access to finance and lines of credit for the urban poor can have a significant impact towards not only their agricultural productivity but also their ability to weather economic shocks. This study therefore sought to investigate factors that limit access of small scale urban farmers to agricultural microcredit. The findings of this study are derived from qualitative and quantitative data collected from small scale urban farmers in Snake Park and key informant interviews conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study establishes that the lack of information on credit opportunities, loan apathy and too high interest rates were some of the reasons divulged by farmers in not seeking credit from financial institutions. The results reveal that married women have an added constraint to accessing finance by virtue of husband being head of the house, mean that they hold power to cede assets as collateral. The findings from the financial institution indicated that though the majority of firms focused on large scale commercial farming ventures, some did offer microcredit for small scale urban farmers. The results also showed that though collateral facilitated access to credit and finance for urban agriculture, proven business record, group solidarity (a form of guarantee) and character were equally important. The study recommends amongst others that farmers form groups and embark on savings schemes. Added to this, bankers and farmer associations need to meet to arrive at realistic forms of security for small loans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
User experience factors for mobile banking adoption: South African case study
- Authors: Louw, Jacques Gerrit
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Technological innovations -- South Africa , Mobile commerce -- South Africa , Telecommunication -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39207 , vital:35059
- Description: Smartphone devices are driving the transformation of online banking to satisfy the needs and desires of the consumer. This has led South African commercial banks to launch mobile banking applications on smartphones to enhance the growth of the economy and to provide more opportunities to improve the deprived sector of the economy, at acceptable rates. Moreover, opportunities exist for revenue growth, such as the delivery of greater real-time access to products and the offering of a wide variety of banking services. South African commercial banks could realise opportunities for economical and revenue growth should they focus on specific criteria that could enhance mobile banking adoption. Such criteria could not until recently, be realised by commercial banks in South Africa as the adoption rate of mobile banking remained low at 9%. Numerous South African studies have attempted to determine factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. There is, however, a lack of South African studies attempting to identify user experience factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. User experience refers to the subjective feeling of the user that results from their interaction or intention to interact with a product, to perform a specific task in a specific environment. One of the most important components for the success of any product is a positive user experience. When the user interface and functionality of a product match the expectations of the users and make the users effective and efficient, feel safe and attain some level of self-worth from using or possessing the product, their interaction with the product becomes more satisfactory. Consequently, the importance of designing for a positive user experience opens up the potential for identifying potential user experience factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. The user experience factors identified in this study infer their components from the user experience aspect of persuasive design and its elements, namely persuasion and trust, that led to the emergence of scarcity, reciprocation and security factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. A case study was employed to confirm the factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. The findings from the case study and the extensive literature review culminated in a set of user experience factors that in future could enhance the adoption of mobile banking in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
"Soliloquy: the untold story of Sleeping Beauty's dreams"; a re-vision of Charles Perrault's "The sleeping beauty in the woods."
- Authors: Ledwick, Lisa-Mari
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Perrault, Charles, 1628-1703 , Symbolism in fairy tales , Sleeping Beauty (Tale) in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3155 , vital:20405
- Description: Taken as a whole, the purpose of the practical and theoretical components of this research aims to contextualise and present a contemporary fairy tale heroine who recuperates and re-values traditional aspects of femininity within a feminist context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A comparative study of performance and efficiency of a tube and fin type domestic solar water heat collector
- Authors: Kleyn, Gysbert
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Solar collectors , Solar water heaters -- Testing , Solar heating
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7959 , vital:24329
- Description: The main purpose of this research project was to do a comparative study, by identifying a testing methodology for transient conditions, through which to allow the expression of the relative thermal performance of two DSWH collectors in comparison. The study started off by considering literature about Solar Domestic Water Heaters and National Standards-based test methods, most of which were for Steady State testing conditions. Thereafter establishing a testing methodology and setup, identifying factors to be considered. The results were analyzed and conclusions drawn. The hypothesis was to allow the reduction in the complexity of testing equipment and methods, and by doing transient condition testing and still utilizing the Hottel-Whillier-Bliss relationship as a way of expressing efficiency, the hypothesis was proven.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A framework for the integration of skilled / professional self-initiated expatrites into Qatari organisations
- Authors: Pieterse, Regan Christopher Ebrahim
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human capital -- Qatar , Cultural relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3074 , vital:20396
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify a framework that can be utilised for the integration of skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) into Qatari organisations. The main research problem gave rise to six sub-problems that were addressed through the following actions: A literature study was conducted to explore what the existing literature revealed about facilitating successful expatriate integration. In particular, the theoretical guidelines for expatriate recruitment and selection, orientation and cross-cultural integration were presented and discussed. Special attention was given to community embeddedness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten members from the sample group. These were undertaken to obtain their views on the expectations that their organisations had of them upon their arrival in Qatar, as well as on what they felt made it easy or difficult for them to adjust. Subsequently, a structured survey questionnaire was developed using the theoretical guidelines from the literature review and the insights gained from the semi-structured interviews. The survey was conducted in Qatar and administered to 102 skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates from diverse backgrounds and three work sectors, namely: healthcare, education and aviation. The final sample size was 94 due to eight questionnaires not being completed properly. The results from the empirical study revealed a gap between theoretical guidelines/ best practices and the recruitment and selection, orientation and cross-cultural integration practices at the respondents’ organisations. The knowledge gained from the existing literature and from the quantitative and qualitative results of the empirical study were combined and developed into a framework for the integration of skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates into Qatari organisations (refer to Table 5.35). Areas that were identified for improvement related to issues such as the need for Qatari organisations to: provide SIEs with more comprehensive information regarding the role that they will play as knowledge workers with regard to the development/training of Qatari nationals; implement a more comprehensive recruitment, selection and orientation process, and implement a more robust set of strategies to enhance the cross-cultural integration of their expatriate workers. Globalisation has fuelled organisations and countries towards building and/or strengthening knowledge-based economies. However in order to build competitive, knowledge-based economies, organisations and countries require skilled/professional workers. Skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates can provide Qatar with a pipeline of knowledge workers to support the growth of their emerging knowledge-based economy. As such, a framework that will enhance the integration of self-initiated expatriates into Qatari organisations is of paramount importance, specifically with regard to fostering performance excellence, satisfaction and community embeddedness within the Qatari work and cultural system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A skills profile of female managers in the construction and engineering industry of Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Mackenzie, Caleigh Simone
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Women executives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2824 , vital:16229
- Description: The male-dominated nature of the construction and engineering industries is a well-known phenomenon. This research provides insight into the skills required by female managers in order to manage successfully in these industries dominated by males. The primary purpose of this research is to identify the skills profile of female managers in the construction and engineering industry of Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Even though the number of female managers in senior management positions is increasing, South Africa still has a long way to go before men and women are considered equal with regard to the roles that they play and the positions that they occupy in the work-place (Mail & Guardian Online, 2012: 1). Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the skills needed by female managers in the construction and engineering industry of NMB. This study attempts to provide answers to the following research questions: What are the management skills a manager should have? What is the skills profile of female managers in the construction and engineering sector of NMB? Is there a skills gap in the current literature? The literature overview was conducted on roles, functions and skills of managers as well as female managers in male-dominated industries from journals and books published between 2000 and 2014. Topics researched included the roles and functions of managers, generic management skills and industry-specific management skills, females as managers and leaders, barriers to managerial success for females, and the nature of the construction and engineering industries. Chapter four discusses the research design and methodology used in this study. The quantitative research approach was used in order to solve the main problem of this study. A non-probability sampling method was used for this study. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods were used. These methods seemed most appropriate given the small sample size, the fact that self-completion questionnaires were used to gather data from female managers, and the fact that the researcher investigated only the skills exhibited data. The Master Builders’ Association was contacted in order to identify respondents in construction. Respondents in engineering were identified using snowball sampling, which forms part of non-probability sampling. A questionnaire was developed based on the management skills identified in the literature study conducted. Primary data was collected through e-mail distribution of a cover letter requesting the respondent to complete the attached questionnaire. The data was then loaded on an Excel data base for further use and analysis. Once primary data had been collected, it was analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data to determine the skills’ profile of female managers in the construction and engineering industry of NMB, as reflected in the collected data. These results were then used to identify areas for further research. The analysis revealed that the majority of the sample was between the ages of 29 and 38 years old and employed in the construction industry. The sample mainly consisted of top level managers with a Masters as their highest educational qualification (41 per cent). The majority of the respondents agreed that conceptual, technical, political, analytic, administrative, and diagnostic skills are required to effectively manage an organisation. Based on the findings, the majority of the respondents strongly agreed that leadership, planning, organising, conflict management, and project management skills are industry-specific management skills required to manage effectively in the construction and engineering industry. The majority of respondents indicated that they had learned these skills through workplace training and experience. The majority of the respondents agree that female managers excel in certain managerial skills and even believe that female managers possess different skills to those of male managers. The results of this study are expected to create awareness of the current state of the construction and engineering industry in NMB. The information will enable employers as well as FET institutions to create interventions and equip females with the necessary skills to become engineering and construction professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An organic rankine cycle heat engine using a rock thermal battery as the heat source
- Authors: Humm, Jason Christopher
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Heat engineering Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10960 , vital:26861
- Description: Organic Rankine cycles (ORC) have unique properties that are well suited to power generation from low grade heat sources. It is envisaged that a domestic scale ORC Heat Engine can be developed that will be able to run off heat stored in a solar charged rock thermal battery. The use of a thermal battery as the heat source for the ORC system will provide the user with electricity during the day and for a number of hours into the night. The concept presented consists of four key components: rock thermal battery, 1 kW scroll expander, condenser and working fluid pump.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Biomass potential and nutrient export of mature pinus radiata in the southern Cape region of South Africa
- Authors: Van Zyl, Salmon Johannes
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pinus radiata -- South Africa , Forest biomass -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4321 , vital:20584
- Description: South Africa lags behind the rest of the world with regard to the availability of allometric biomass information. There is a complete lack of site specific allometric data for Pinus radiata in the southern Cape region, impeding investment in the renewable energy sector. This shortcoming was addressed by developing up-scalable, single tree biomass models. These models quantify the aboveground biomass of rotation age P. radiata grown in the southern Cape across a range of site conditions. The models use diameter at breast height (DBH) to predict the aboveground component biomass. A nutrient loss risk potential was assigned to each biomass component. Nineteen trees were destructively harvested using a full fresh weight sampling approach. Basic density was determined using a water displacement method, while Newton’s volume equation was used for stemwood volume determination. Log linear models were simultaneously regressed through seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) using the “Systemfit” R statistical package to force component additivity. A categorical variable was applied to the models, grouping the data into two Site Index (SI) based categories, namely “Low” SI and “Medium to High” SI, to account for inter-site variability. The corrected Akaike Information Criteria (AICc) and coefficient of determination (R2) was used to determine the goodness of fit of the models. The McElroy R2 for the SUR system was 0.95. Biomass models were developed that are able to predict various tree component masses at high levels of certainty within site and stand attribute ranges similar to this study. The importance of accurate, site specific wood basic density was demonstrated by its substantial weighting on stem and hence total biomass. Results showed that the stemwood mean basic density range was between 503 kg m-3 and 517 kg m-3 for the “Low” SI sites and 458 kg m-3 for the “Medium to High” SI sites. Site quality can have a major impact on the models, particularly on poorer sites where stemwood production is proportionally less than other tree components. Total aboveground biomass was estimated to range between 58.61 odt ha-1 and 70.85 odt ha-1 for “Low” SI sites, and 185.31 odt ha-1 to 266.58 odt ha-1 for “Medium to High” SI sites. Stemwood biomass accounted for 65% of the total aboveground biomass for “Low” SI sites and 70% for “Medium to High” SI sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) habitat use and diet in the Bontebok National Park, South Africa
- Authors: Strauss, Taniia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Habitat conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Zebras -- Habitat -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11374 , vital:26917
- Description: Cape mountain zebra habitat utilization and diet in the dystrophic fynbos habitat of the Bontebok National Park was found to be highly selective. Mountain zebra concentrated in specific sectors and habitat types in the park on a seasonal basis, preferring recently burnt habitat with a veld age younger than one year in all seasons, except during the warm, dry summer. Proteoid Fynbos with a veld age between one and five years was preferred in the cool winter, while Drainage Lines and the fringes of Inland Pans were preferred during summer. Asteraceous Fynbos was avoided, irrespective of veld age, as well as all other habitats with a veld age greater than five years. Within habitat types with a veld age greater than one year, specific sites were selected and avoided on a seasonal basis, which were found to differ in terms of habitat suitability, based on the availability of dietary plant species. The annual diet consisted of 72.6% grass, 11.8% restio, 5.9% sedge, 8.8% geophyte and less than 1% forb and shrub species. Three grass species formed the bulk of the annual diet, Themeda triandra, Cymbopogon marginatus and Eragrostis curvula, for which leaf use was greater than stem use. Themeda trianda was preferred throughout the year, but contributed to the diet in greatest proportion in the warm, dry summer, when it was available at greatest leaf height and diameter. Cymbopogon marginatus was preferred during the cool winter, when diet composition and greenness was also greater than in other seasons. Preference of Cymbopogon marginatus decreased as leaf height and diameter increased. Eragrostis curvula was preferred in the warm autumn, when it composed the largest proportion of the diet, and selection of this species at feeding sites was based on both greenness and volume. In summer mountain zebra also preferred grass stems and inflorescences of Aristida diffusa, Stipagrostis zeyheri and Briza maxima. During the cool spring the diet included stems and inflorescences of sedges and restios, primarily Ischyrolepis capensis, and in autumn, dry bulbs of the geophyte Moraea collina were utilized. Habitat utilization, as well as grass height and greenness surveys in the Recently Burnt Area, and the nutritional status of mountain zebra was found to be in line with the Summer Nutritional Stress Hypothesis. The hypothesis proposes that the harsh climatic conditions of the area during summer are linked to the low availability of C4 grass, on which grazers would depend in summer. This is supported by the avoidance of the Recently Burnt Area in summer, and the preference of species like Themeda triandra during summer despite low greenness levels. Faecal nitrogen and phosphorus for mountain zebra in Bontebok National Park and De Hoop Nature Reserve were at minimum levels during the warm seasons. Faecal nitrogen was below the threshold for dietary deficiency in all seasons except spring, and faecal phosphorus was above the threshold for deficiency during two seasons only. The findings of this study are in line with other recent work on mountain zebra in the Baviaanskloof suggesting that, due to a high required rate of forage intake, mountain zebra are limited by both poor resource quantity and quality in dystrophic fynbos ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015