On the characterisation of diffused light and optical elements in high concentrator photovoltaic modules
- Authors: Schultz, Ross Dane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Photovoltaic cells , Solar concentrators , Optical materials
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5170 , vital:20817
- Description: High Concentrated Photovoltaics (H-CPV) promise a more efficient, higher power output than traditional photovoltaic modules. This is achieved by concentrating sunlight onto a small triple junction (CTJ) InGaP/InGaAs/Ge cell (ranging from 3.14 mm2 to 1 cm2) by using precision optical systems. These systems utilise non-imaging optics to concentrate and distribute the incident solar flux uniformly onto the CTJ device receiver to achieve maximum performance and power output from an H-CPV module. However, the performance of the device can be reduced due to the partial or complete absorption of a range of wavelengths present in the solar spectrum by the optical materials that are used for concentration. An investigation to determine the current density topographies of each subcell in a CTJ cell by multiple raster scans of an optical fibre receiver of a spectrometer in the plane of the aperture of the secondary’s optical element was conducted. Results showed that the physical properties of the optical elements’ material absorbed different amounts of the spectral content with respect to the subcell photosensitive wavelength regions. The facet properties of the primary optical Fresnel lens showed that the more rounded the Fresnel facets were, the lower the concentration of sunlight incident onto the CTJ cell. The increase in facet numbers showed an increase in scattering of the incident sunlight and chromatic aberrations. Chromatic aberration created by the refractive optics showed a variation in the amount of concentration on each individual subcell as well as the difference in intensity profiles across for the different subcells. Based on these results and the development of new multi-junction devices by industry, the performance of a four and six-junction device with the optical materials was investigated by simulations. The simulations showed that the careful integration of an additional subcell in a multi-junction device could rectify current mismatch between the subcells in the device. Based on the simulations, the best performing multi-junction cell was identified as the four-junction device that showed a cell and module efficiency under operation of 42.5 % and 35.5 %, respectively. Additionally, based on the performance results observed from the H-CPV module, the development of an HCPV module that would attempt to harness the incident tracked diffuse sunlight available to a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module for additional energy yield was undertaken. The part of the study comprised of measurements of the solar source, design of a prototype Hybrid High Concentrator Photovoltaic (HH-CPV) module. Results showed that power generation from the H-CPV system was highly dependent on the DNI levels and fluctuates greatly with variation in the DNI. The irradiance levels within the diffuse regions of the H-CPV module showed that the baseplate and vertical sides had an average irradiance range of 140-450 and 50-225 W.m-2, respectively. Irradiance topographic raster scans revealed that the baseplate and vertical sides had a relatively uniform intensity distribution and was identified as favourable sites for diffuse cell population. Simulations of various PV technologies showed the most suitable technology for the placement within the cavity of the HH-CPV module. The developed HH-CPV module was finalized with the utilization of CIS modules to harness the diffuse irradiance. During a 3 month power monitoring of the HH-CPV system, it was determined that the major power generation for the HH-CPV module come from the CPV component, while the CIS modules showed a minor power contribution. The total energy yield for the monitoring period was 45.99, 3.89 and 1.76 kW.h for the CPV, four-vertical sides and baseplate components, respectively. The increase in energy yield of the HH-CPV module when compared to the standard H-CPV module was determined to be 12.35 % for the monitoring period. The incorporation of the CIS modules into the H-CPV module to create the HH-CPV module did increase the energy yield of the module during high DNI conditions and did offset the almost zero power generation during low DNI conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Schultz, Ross Dane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Photovoltaic cells , Solar concentrators , Optical materials
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5170 , vital:20817
- Description: High Concentrated Photovoltaics (H-CPV) promise a more efficient, higher power output than traditional photovoltaic modules. This is achieved by concentrating sunlight onto a small triple junction (CTJ) InGaP/InGaAs/Ge cell (ranging from 3.14 mm2 to 1 cm2) by using precision optical systems. These systems utilise non-imaging optics to concentrate and distribute the incident solar flux uniformly onto the CTJ device receiver to achieve maximum performance and power output from an H-CPV module. However, the performance of the device can be reduced due to the partial or complete absorption of a range of wavelengths present in the solar spectrum by the optical materials that are used for concentration. An investigation to determine the current density topographies of each subcell in a CTJ cell by multiple raster scans of an optical fibre receiver of a spectrometer in the plane of the aperture of the secondary’s optical element was conducted. Results showed that the physical properties of the optical elements’ material absorbed different amounts of the spectral content with respect to the subcell photosensitive wavelength regions. The facet properties of the primary optical Fresnel lens showed that the more rounded the Fresnel facets were, the lower the concentration of sunlight incident onto the CTJ cell. The increase in facet numbers showed an increase in scattering of the incident sunlight and chromatic aberrations. Chromatic aberration created by the refractive optics showed a variation in the amount of concentration on each individual subcell as well as the difference in intensity profiles across for the different subcells. Based on these results and the development of new multi-junction devices by industry, the performance of a four and six-junction device with the optical materials was investigated by simulations. The simulations showed that the careful integration of an additional subcell in a multi-junction device could rectify current mismatch between the subcells in the device. Based on the simulations, the best performing multi-junction cell was identified as the four-junction device that showed a cell and module efficiency under operation of 42.5 % and 35.5 %, respectively. Additionally, based on the performance results observed from the H-CPV module, the development of an HCPV module that would attempt to harness the incident tracked diffuse sunlight available to a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module for additional energy yield was undertaken. The part of the study comprised of measurements of the solar source, design of a prototype Hybrid High Concentrator Photovoltaic (HH-CPV) module. Results showed that power generation from the H-CPV system was highly dependent on the DNI levels and fluctuates greatly with variation in the DNI. The irradiance levels within the diffuse regions of the H-CPV module showed that the baseplate and vertical sides had an average irradiance range of 140-450 and 50-225 W.m-2, respectively. Irradiance topographic raster scans revealed that the baseplate and vertical sides had a relatively uniform intensity distribution and was identified as favourable sites for diffuse cell population. Simulations of various PV technologies showed the most suitable technology for the placement within the cavity of the HH-CPV module. The developed HH-CPV module was finalized with the utilization of CIS modules to harness the diffuse irradiance. During a 3 month power monitoring of the HH-CPV system, it was determined that the major power generation for the HH-CPV module come from the CPV component, while the CIS modules showed a minor power contribution. The total energy yield for the monitoring period was 45.99, 3.89 and 1.76 kW.h for the CPV, four-vertical sides and baseplate components, respectively. The increase in energy yield of the HH-CPV module when compared to the standard H-CPV module was determined to be 12.35 % for the monitoring period. The incorporation of the CIS modules into the H-CPV module to create the HH-CPV module did increase the energy yield of the module during high DNI conditions and did offset the almost zero power generation during low DNI conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
On the characterisation of photovoltaic device parameters using light beam induced current measurements
- Bezuidenhout, Lucian John-Ross
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Lucian John-Ross
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Solar cells--Materials , Semiconductors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020282
- Description: Light Beam Induced Current (LBIC) measurement is a non-destructive technique used to perform localized characterization of solar cells using a light beam as a probe. The technique allows the determination of local photo response of a cell, the electrical parameters and defects that occur in the individual solar cell. The semiconductor materials used to create solar cells are not always defect free and these defects reduce the electrical performance of the device. It is therefore important to use a system that will allow the characterization and extract the solar cell parameters as can be done using the LBIC system. By analysing these parameters and cell defects, further studies can be done to enhance the cell’s lifetime and hence its efficiency. Light beam induced current (LBIC) is a technique that focuses light onto a solar cell device and thus creating a photo-generated current that can be measured in the external circuit for analyses. By scanning this beam probe across a solar cell while measuring the current-voltage characteristics, a map of various parameters can be obtained. This thesis presents the design of the LBIC system, the software interfacing of the data acquisition system and local photo-response within different solar cell technologies. In addition, this thesis represent two curve fitting algorithms namely: the Gradient Descent Optimisation and the Differential Evolution used for the extraction of solar cell device parameters. The algorithms are based on the one-diode solar cell model and make use of the light generated current-voltage (I-V) data obtained from the LBIC system. Different solar cell technologies namely; single crystalline (c-Si) and multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) was used for analysis. LBIC maps and I-V characteristics of both technologies was obtained. The LBIC maps shows performance degrading defects present in the bulk and the surface of the solar cells as a function of spatial distribution. These localised defects acts as trapping mechanism for the charge carriers and therefore limits recombination within the solar cell and thus decreasing the performance of the solar cell device. The resulting I-V characteristics obtained from the LBIC system were used to determine the performance parameters using the two algorithms. The resultant effect of these parameters on the performance of the solar cells was observed. The overall results showed that LBIC is a useful tool for identifying and characterising defects in solar cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Lucian John-Ross
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Solar cells--Materials , Semiconductors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020282
- Description: Light Beam Induced Current (LBIC) measurement is a non-destructive technique used to perform localized characterization of solar cells using a light beam as a probe. The technique allows the determination of local photo response of a cell, the electrical parameters and defects that occur in the individual solar cell. The semiconductor materials used to create solar cells are not always defect free and these defects reduce the electrical performance of the device. It is therefore important to use a system that will allow the characterization and extract the solar cell parameters as can be done using the LBIC system. By analysing these parameters and cell defects, further studies can be done to enhance the cell’s lifetime and hence its efficiency. Light beam induced current (LBIC) is a technique that focuses light onto a solar cell device and thus creating a photo-generated current that can be measured in the external circuit for analyses. By scanning this beam probe across a solar cell while measuring the current-voltage characteristics, a map of various parameters can be obtained. This thesis presents the design of the LBIC system, the software interfacing of the data acquisition system and local photo-response within different solar cell technologies. In addition, this thesis represent two curve fitting algorithms namely: the Gradient Descent Optimisation and the Differential Evolution used for the extraction of solar cell device parameters. The algorithms are based on the one-diode solar cell model and make use of the light generated current-voltage (I-V) data obtained from the LBIC system. Different solar cell technologies namely; single crystalline (c-Si) and multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) was used for analysis. LBIC maps and I-V characteristics of both technologies was obtained. The LBIC maps shows performance degrading defects present in the bulk and the surface of the solar cells as a function of spatial distribution. These localised defects acts as trapping mechanism for the charge carriers and therefore limits recombination within the solar cell and thus decreasing the performance of the solar cell device. The resulting I-V characteristics obtained from the LBIC system were used to determine the performance parameters using the two algorithms. The resultant effect of these parameters on the performance of the solar cells was observed. The overall results showed that LBIC is a useful tool for identifying and characterising defects in solar cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
On the characterisation of solar cells using light beam induced current measurements
- Authors: Kwarikunda, Nicholas
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Solor cells Spectrum, Solar
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11147 , vital:26889
- Description: The presence of inhomogeneities in semiconductor materials used to fabricate solar cell devices may result in spatial non uniformities in the device properties which may affect current generation in these devices. Besides, current reducing defects such as inclusions, local shunts and optical blockages may be introduced during the various device manufacturing processes which may adversely affect the performance and overall efficiency of solar cells. Diagnostic techniques are therefore needed to identify these defects so as to improve the production technology. This thesis presents the Light Beam Induced Current (LBIC) technique for mapping spatial non uniformities in solar cell devices. The LBIC is a non destructive characterisation technique that uses a focused light beam to raster scan a solar cell surface as the photo-generated current is recorded as a function of position to generate a photo-response map. The technique was used to obtain photoresponse maps for a mc-Si, Back contact Back junction (BC-BJ) silicon solar cell and the InGaP/InGaAs/Ge concentrating triple junction (CTJ) solar cell from which various local current reducing defects were mapped. A reflection signal detector was incorporated into the LBIC measurement system to enable us distinguish between optical blockages on the cell surface and current reducing defects within the solar cell devices. By dynamically biasing the solar cell devices, the electrical activity of the identified defects was investigated and also point-by-point current-voltage (I-V) characteristics were obtained. An interval division algorithm was applied to the measured point-by-point I-V characteristics to extract device and performance parameters from which device and performance parameter uniformity of the devices were mapped. Dark and full cell solar illumination I-V characteristics were also measured to extract device parameters. Analysis of extracted parameters revealed differences between extracted dark and illuminated device parameters which was attributed to departure from the superposition principle due to non-linearity of the semiconductor device equations with respect to carrier concentration. An investigation into the effect of illumination intensity on the I-V parameters of a spot illuminated BC-BJ Si solar cell showed a linear increase and a logarithmic increase of the short circuit current and open circuit voltage respectively with intensity while the series resistance decreased with intensity, which was attributed to increase in conductivity of the active layer. The ideality factor and saturation current were observed to increase while the shunt resistance initially increased before decreasing at higher intensity levels. Under monochromatic illumination, the photo-response of the BC-BJ Si cell was higher at 785nm than at 445nm due to low absorption coefficient of Si for longer wavelength radiations, resulting in carrier generation within the bulk, where there is a higher probability of carriers being collected at the p-n junction before they recombine. Under solar illumination, as the spectral content was altered using long pass colour filters with cut off wavelengths of 610nm and 1000nm, the performance parameters were observed to decrease and this was mainly due to decrease in intensity. For the CTJ solar cell, however, blocking of radiations below 610nm resulted in current mismatch that severely degraded the short circuit current (Isc). The current mismatch affected the extracted device and performance parameters. With a 1000nm long pass filter, a dark I-V was obtained since only the bottom Ge subcell was activated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kwarikunda, Nicholas
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Solor cells Spectrum, Solar
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11147 , vital:26889
- Description: The presence of inhomogeneities in semiconductor materials used to fabricate solar cell devices may result in spatial non uniformities in the device properties which may affect current generation in these devices. Besides, current reducing defects such as inclusions, local shunts and optical blockages may be introduced during the various device manufacturing processes which may adversely affect the performance and overall efficiency of solar cells. Diagnostic techniques are therefore needed to identify these defects so as to improve the production technology. This thesis presents the Light Beam Induced Current (LBIC) technique for mapping spatial non uniformities in solar cell devices. The LBIC is a non destructive characterisation technique that uses a focused light beam to raster scan a solar cell surface as the photo-generated current is recorded as a function of position to generate a photo-response map. The technique was used to obtain photoresponse maps for a mc-Si, Back contact Back junction (BC-BJ) silicon solar cell and the InGaP/InGaAs/Ge concentrating triple junction (CTJ) solar cell from which various local current reducing defects were mapped. A reflection signal detector was incorporated into the LBIC measurement system to enable us distinguish between optical blockages on the cell surface and current reducing defects within the solar cell devices. By dynamically biasing the solar cell devices, the electrical activity of the identified defects was investigated and also point-by-point current-voltage (I-V) characteristics were obtained. An interval division algorithm was applied to the measured point-by-point I-V characteristics to extract device and performance parameters from which device and performance parameter uniformity of the devices were mapped. Dark and full cell solar illumination I-V characteristics were also measured to extract device parameters. Analysis of extracted parameters revealed differences between extracted dark and illuminated device parameters which was attributed to departure from the superposition principle due to non-linearity of the semiconductor device equations with respect to carrier concentration. An investigation into the effect of illumination intensity on the I-V parameters of a spot illuminated BC-BJ Si solar cell showed a linear increase and a logarithmic increase of the short circuit current and open circuit voltage respectively with intensity while the series resistance decreased with intensity, which was attributed to increase in conductivity of the active layer. The ideality factor and saturation current were observed to increase while the shunt resistance initially increased before decreasing at higher intensity levels. Under monochromatic illumination, the photo-response of the BC-BJ Si cell was higher at 785nm than at 445nm due to low absorption coefficient of Si for longer wavelength radiations, resulting in carrier generation within the bulk, where there is a higher probability of carriers being collected at the p-n junction before they recombine. Under solar illumination, as the spectral content was altered using long pass colour filters with cut off wavelengths of 610nm and 1000nm, the performance parameters were observed to decrease and this was mainly due to decrease in intensity. For the CTJ solar cell, however, blocking of radiations below 610nm resulted in current mismatch that severely degraded the short circuit current (Isc). The current mismatch affected the extracted device and performance parameters. With a 1000nm long pass filter, a dark I-V was obtained since only the bottom Ge subcell was activated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Optimising the teaching-learning environment of first-year nursing students at a public nursing college
- Matshotyana, Ntombiyakhe Victoria
- Authors: Matshotyana, Ntombiyakhe Victoria
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: College student development programs , Nursing students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018274
- Description: Transition from secondary to tertiary education presents unique challenges for first-year nursing students, similar to those experienced by other first-year students at any other tertiary education institution. Nursing students’ experiences are further complicated by the fact that nursing education incorporates almost equal amounts of time for class attendance and clinical practice placement. As a facilitator of learning for first-year nursing students, the researcher had observed how some new students were apprehensive and uncertain in their first year of study at the college. These and other observations, including those of the researcher’s colleagues, prompted the researcher to conduct a study to obtain information on how the first-year students at her college experience their first year of the nursing programme. This study, therefore, examined the experiences of first-year nursing students at a public college in the Eastern Cape Province enrolled in the four-year diploma programme that leads to registration as a nurse and midwife with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). Insights into these experiences were used to develop guidelines for nurse educators to optimise the teaching-learning environment of these students.Kotzé’s (1998) nursing accompaniment theory was used as a theoretical grounding for the study. The study followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. Two of the college’s campuses were sampled for the study. One campus was in a more rural area and the other in a more urban area. Data was collected using purposive sampling of second-year students who were requested to think back to their first year of the nursing programme. Semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face, individual interviews were conducted. Interview sessions were digitally recorded and then transcribed verbatim by the researcher. The researcher and an independent coder analysed the transcriptions using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The study’s trustworthiness was demonstrated through the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability and authenticity. The results indicated that students had positive and negative experiences in their first year of the nursing programme. Literature control placed the study’s findings within the existing body of knowledge with regard to students’ experiences of their first year. The students’ suggestions on how to enhance first-year nursing students’ experiences were incorporated into the guidelines that were developed for nurse educators to optimise the teaching-learning environment of first-year nursing students at this college.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Matshotyana, Ntombiyakhe Victoria
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: College student development programs , Nursing students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018274
- Description: Transition from secondary to tertiary education presents unique challenges for first-year nursing students, similar to those experienced by other first-year students at any other tertiary education institution. Nursing students’ experiences are further complicated by the fact that nursing education incorporates almost equal amounts of time for class attendance and clinical practice placement. As a facilitator of learning for first-year nursing students, the researcher had observed how some new students were apprehensive and uncertain in their first year of study at the college. These and other observations, including those of the researcher’s colleagues, prompted the researcher to conduct a study to obtain information on how the first-year students at her college experience their first year of the nursing programme. This study, therefore, examined the experiences of first-year nursing students at a public college in the Eastern Cape Province enrolled in the four-year diploma programme that leads to registration as a nurse and midwife with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). Insights into these experiences were used to develop guidelines for nurse educators to optimise the teaching-learning environment of these students.Kotzé’s (1998) nursing accompaniment theory was used as a theoretical grounding for the study. The study followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. Two of the college’s campuses were sampled for the study. One campus was in a more rural area and the other in a more urban area. Data was collected using purposive sampling of second-year students who were requested to think back to their first year of the nursing programme. Semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face, individual interviews were conducted. Interview sessions were digitally recorded and then transcribed verbatim by the researcher. The researcher and an independent coder analysed the transcriptions using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The study’s trustworthiness was demonstrated through the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability and authenticity. The results indicated that students had positive and negative experiences in their first year of the nursing programme. Literature control placed the study’s findings within the existing body of knowledge with regard to students’ experiences of their first year. The students’ suggestions on how to enhance first-year nursing students’ experiences were incorporated into the guidelines that were developed for nurse educators to optimise the teaching-learning environment of first-year nursing students at this college.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Organizational culture in the South African construction industry : effects on work-life balance and individual performance
- Dlamini, Gcebekile Tikhokhile
- Authors: Dlamini, Gcebekile Tikhokhile
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa , Work-life balance -- South Africa , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018513
- Description: The South African construction industry plays an important role in the economy and overall development of the country, with respect to its total fiscal contribution and the total number of people who are employed. In addition, it is a major contributor to infrastructure development. However, the human resource base within this industry is confronted with a plethora of challenges that are inherent to the construction industry. These manifest themselves in stressful working conditions and long working hours, labour intensive jobs, reduced job security due to job losses and short-term projects, and the feeble health and safety (H&S) standards. Together with a variety of socio-economic and political issues, these challenges form a perceived and broad organisational culture of this industry, which impacts on the industry‟s productivity. As construction management efforts in the development of the human resources base increase, the industry recognises that work-life balance is an important and critical issue in the 21st century. Construction management is a discipline that embodies two interdependent dimensions; the management of the business of construction and the management of projects. Of the latter, the key principles thereof are, as part of a management strategy, planning, organizing, leading, controlling and coordinating projects. To achieve these strategic components, an effective human resource base is required. Work-life balance is therefore a management issue and organizational culture sets a backdrop from which it can be understood. This study focused on the status of the organisational culture of the production establishments that form part of the construction industry and the manner in which it manifests on the work-life balance of the workers. Furthermore, the correlation between work-life balance and individual work performance was examined. An exploratory research approach was adopted and the research technique followed an interview protocol. The main findings demonstrate that the South African construction industry is predominantly a clan culture with minor characteristics of the hierarchy, adhocracy and market cultures. Furthermore, work-life balance is difficult to attain and it influences individual work performance. The main conclusion is that organizational culture in construction firms is imbalanced. Thus, the main recommendation is that the industry adopts a balanced organizational culture and modern human resource practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Dlamini, Gcebekile Tikhokhile
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa , Work-life balance -- South Africa , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018513
- Description: The South African construction industry plays an important role in the economy and overall development of the country, with respect to its total fiscal contribution and the total number of people who are employed. In addition, it is a major contributor to infrastructure development. However, the human resource base within this industry is confronted with a plethora of challenges that are inherent to the construction industry. These manifest themselves in stressful working conditions and long working hours, labour intensive jobs, reduced job security due to job losses and short-term projects, and the feeble health and safety (H&S) standards. Together with a variety of socio-economic and political issues, these challenges form a perceived and broad organisational culture of this industry, which impacts on the industry‟s productivity. As construction management efforts in the development of the human resources base increase, the industry recognises that work-life balance is an important and critical issue in the 21st century. Construction management is a discipline that embodies two interdependent dimensions; the management of the business of construction and the management of projects. Of the latter, the key principles thereof are, as part of a management strategy, planning, organizing, leading, controlling and coordinating projects. To achieve these strategic components, an effective human resource base is required. Work-life balance is therefore a management issue and organizational culture sets a backdrop from which it can be understood. This study focused on the status of the organisational culture of the production establishments that form part of the construction industry and the manner in which it manifests on the work-life balance of the workers. Furthermore, the correlation between work-life balance and individual work performance was examined. An exploratory research approach was adopted and the research technique followed an interview protocol. The main findings demonstrate that the South African construction industry is predominantly a clan culture with minor characteristics of the hierarchy, adhocracy and market cultures. Furthermore, work-life balance is difficult to attain and it influences individual work performance. The main conclusion is that organizational culture in construction firms is imbalanced. Thus, the main recommendation is that the industry adopts a balanced organizational culture and modern human resource practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Paediatric bipolar disorder and the lived experience of parents: a systematic review
- Authors: Stols, Gabriël Jacobus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Manic-depressive illness , Depression, Mental
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6040 , vital:21033
- Description: Many international studies have been conducted on paediatric bipolar disorder, but few research studies have been conducted on parenting a child diagnosed with bipolar disorder, both on an international and national level. The researcher utilised Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as the theoretical framework in exploring and describing this research field. The study has been conducted by means of a systematic review and all of the articles included in the review examined some aspect of parenting and paediatric bipolar disorder. The articles were systematically assessed, and six themes emerged which include: paediatric bipolar on the rise; the effects of paediatric bipolar disorder, post-paediatric bipolar disorder; managing paediatric bipolar disorder is a family responsibility; foundations for effective parenting; and supporting parents of a paediatric bipolar patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Stols, Gabriël Jacobus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Manic-depressive illness , Depression, Mental
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6040 , vital:21033
- Description: Many international studies have been conducted on paediatric bipolar disorder, but few research studies have been conducted on parenting a child diagnosed with bipolar disorder, both on an international and national level. The researcher utilised Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as the theoretical framework in exploring and describing this research field. The study has been conducted by means of a systematic review and all of the articles included in the review examined some aspect of parenting and paediatric bipolar disorder. The articles were systematically assessed, and six themes emerged which include: paediatric bipolar on the rise; the effects of paediatric bipolar disorder, post-paediatric bipolar disorder; managing paediatric bipolar disorder is a family responsibility; foundations for effective parenting; and supporting parents of a paediatric bipolar patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Parents' perceptions of discipline with young children
- Authors: Van der Walt, Bianca Anne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Discipline of children , Child rearing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4023 , vital:20505
- Description: Little research is available in South Africa regarding discipline with young children in families. In order to understand the various influences acting upon discipline within a family, it is important to understand the influences acting upon the family system. The current research proposes to understand parents’ perceptions of disciplining children in the age range of 2 to 5 years, the methods they use and the factors they perceive as influencing their methods of discipline. The proposed study will make use of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystemic Theory of Human Development as the guiding theoretical framework in exploring and describing this research area. The study will use semi-structured interviews with parents to obtain qualitative data. The data obtained from the participants will be analysed by using content analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van der Walt, Bianca Anne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Discipline of children , Child rearing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4023 , vital:20505
- Description: Little research is available in South Africa regarding discipline with young children in families. In order to understand the various influences acting upon discipline within a family, it is important to understand the influences acting upon the family system. The current research proposes to understand parents’ perceptions of disciplining children in the age range of 2 to 5 years, the methods they use and the factors they perceive as influencing their methods of discipline. The proposed study will make use of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystemic Theory of Human Development as the guiding theoretical framework in exploring and describing this research area. The study will use semi-structured interviews with parents to obtain qualitative data. The data obtained from the participants will be analysed by using content analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Perceptions of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan obstetric unit midwives regarding consulting advanced midwives
- Sonti, Balandeli Siphumelele Israel
- Authors: Sonti, Balandeli Siphumelele Israel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Midwives -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021196
- Description: The perceptions of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality obstetric unit midwives regarding consulting advanced midwives were researched. Currently South Africa is burdened with an increasing maternal mortality rate despite the control measures that have been put in place. One of those control measures is the skilling of midwives and ensuring that skilled birth attendants assist every woman in confinement. A concern, though, was observed by the researcher that an increasing number of midwives in the country now have an additional qualification in advanced midwifery and yet the maternal and neonatal mortality rates are gradually increasing. The researcher, as a midwife and a midwifery lecturer in that capacity, observed that in the clinical areas midwives prefer to consult with the doctor rather than the advanced midwife. In most cases looking and waiting for the doctor delays the management of the labouring woman as the doctor may not be immediately available. The advanced midwives are supposed to have advanced skills which should be used to assist in the absence of the doctor, particularly in the midwife obstetrics units. The study objectives were firstly, to describe and explore the perceptions of NMM obstetric unit midwives regarding consulting with advanced midwives. Secondly, based on the results of the study, to make recommendations to the managers of the obstetric units within the NMM that will enhance consulting between advanced midwives and midwives in obstetric units. The study was quantitative in nature and utilised an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. Sampling was made possible through simple random probability sampling using the non-replacement approach. The method of data collection was by self-administered questionnaires that were developed by the researcher under the guidance of a qualified and experienced statistician and researcher and the supervision of the research supervisor. Data was collected during July and September of 2014. One hundred and thirty questionnaires were distributed and ninety four were returned. Responses were captured on a spread sheet for easy and accurate calculation and the numerical data was categorized, ordered and manipulated with the help of a statistician using the software package Statistica Version 21 to ensure efficacy of the results The findings were presented by describing the biographic profile of participants, their competence in the identification and management of high risk situations, their consultation with advanced midwives in high risk situations, their reasons for not consulting advanced midwives and a description of factors that might encourage midwives to consult the advanced midwives. Literature controls were utilized to compare findings with current views of other researchers. Trustworthiness was maintained by observing the principles of reliability and validity. The ethical considerations of confidentiality, anonymity and protection of the participants from harm were maintained by the researcher. The findings revealed that there were significant numbers of midwives with many years of clinical experience and years in the units. The age difference of the midwives in the obstetrics units was seen to be an added advantage to the care of women as the young and old could complement each other with the latest information and experience in dealing with midwifery related emergencies respectively. The difference in gender was as expected but did not have an influence on the non-consulting with advanced midwives by the midwives who are working in the obstetrics units. Also, the limited confidence of midwives regarding their performance of certain low risk skills and their confidence in the performance of the advanced midwives was a reason to consult with the advanced midwives in their areas of speciality. Based on these findings, the researcher attended to the second objective and made the necessary recommendations to the managers of the obstetric units within the NMM to enhance consulting with advanced midwives by midwives in obstetric units. Midwives globally would gain information that would assist them in motivating recommendations to the managers of the obstetric units with regard to consulting with advanced midwives by midwives in their obstetric units.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sonti, Balandeli Siphumelele Israel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Midwives -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021196
- Description: The perceptions of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality obstetric unit midwives regarding consulting advanced midwives were researched. Currently South Africa is burdened with an increasing maternal mortality rate despite the control measures that have been put in place. One of those control measures is the skilling of midwives and ensuring that skilled birth attendants assist every woman in confinement. A concern, though, was observed by the researcher that an increasing number of midwives in the country now have an additional qualification in advanced midwifery and yet the maternal and neonatal mortality rates are gradually increasing. The researcher, as a midwife and a midwifery lecturer in that capacity, observed that in the clinical areas midwives prefer to consult with the doctor rather than the advanced midwife. In most cases looking and waiting for the doctor delays the management of the labouring woman as the doctor may not be immediately available. The advanced midwives are supposed to have advanced skills which should be used to assist in the absence of the doctor, particularly in the midwife obstetrics units. The study objectives were firstly, to describe and explore the perceptions of NMM obstetric unit midwives regarding consulting with advanced midwives. Secondly, based on the results of the study, to make recommendations to the managers of the obstetric units within the NMM that will enhance consulting between advanced midwives and midwives in obstetric units. The study was quantitative in nature and utilised an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. Sampling was made possible through simple random probability sampling using the non-replacement approach. The method of data collection was by self-administered questionnaires that were developed by the researcher under the guidance of a qualified and experienced statistician and researcher and the supervision of the research supervisor. Data was collected during July and September of 2014. One hundred and thirty questionnaires were distributed and ninety four were returned. Responses were captured on a spread sheet for easy and accurate calculation and the numerical data was categorized, ordered and manipulated with the help of a statistician using the software package Statistica Version 21 to ensure efficacy of the results The findings were presented by describing the biographic profile of participants, their competence in the identification and management of high risk situations, their consultation with advanced midwives in high risk situations, their reasons for not consulting advanced midwives and a description of factors that might encourage midwives to consult the advanced midwives. Literature controls were utilized to compare findings with current views of other researchers. Trustworthiness was maintained by observing the principles of reliability and validity. The ethical considerations of confidentiality, anonymity and protection of the participants from harm were maintained by the researcher. The findings revealed that there were significant numbers of midwives with many years of clinical experience and years in the units. The age difference of the midwives in the obstetrics units was seen to be an added advantage to the care of women as the young and old could complement each other with the latest information and experience in dealing with midwifery related emergencies respectively. The difference in gender was as expected but did not have an influence on the non-consulting with advanced midwives by the midwives who are working in the obstetrics units. Also, the limited confidence of midwives regarding their performance of certain low risk skills and their confidence in the performance of the advanced midwives was a reason to consult with the advanced midwives in their areas of speciality. Based on these findings, the researcher attended to the second objective and made the necessary recommendations to the managers of the obstetric units within the NMM to enhance consulting with advanced midwives by midwives in obstetric units. Midwives globally would gain information that would assist them in motivating recommendations to the managers of the obstetric units with regard to consulting with advanced midwives by midwives in their obstetric units.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Perceptions on the use of social media in the banking industry
- Authors: Cupp, Nicole Leshaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Banks and banking -- Social aspects , Internet marketing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5489 , vital:20870
- Description: As banks operate in a competitive environment, it is important for managers and marketers to identify how customer satisfaction and customer retention levels can be can be improved through social media aspects. Although models of customer satisfaction and customer retention have been well researched for client products/services, the literature available on social media as a marketing tool is limited in quantity compared to other more established areas of marketing. This research study reviews existing literature on the banking industry in terms of its characteristics and challenges. Literature on customer satisfaction and customer retention as relevant to the banking industry is reviewed, as well as how social media aspects can improve customer satisfaction and customer retention. Thus the primary objective of this study is to identify the social media aspects (benefits, clients’ trust and content) that influence the intervening variable (customer satisfaction) and dependent variable (customer retention) in the banking industry. An empirical investigation was undertaken to establish whether the independent variables; namely benefits, clients’ trust and content as related to social media can possibly influence customer satisfaction and ultimately customer retention in the banking industry. A positivistic research paradigm was followed for this study. Quantitative data was gathered by distributing questionnaires to a sample of bank clients and managers. The sample size consisted of 150 bank clients and 30 bank managers in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area in South Africa. The questionnaires were statistically analysed using the computer programmes Microsoft Excel and Statistica Version 12.0. The validity of the study was measured by utilising Exploratory Factor analysis. Cronbach’s Alpha correlation coefficients were calculated to measure the reliability and internal consistency of the measurement instrument of this study. Data was analysed in four phases. Descriptive statistics concerning the respondents and variables were calculated for this study. The validity of the measuring instrument was tested by performing EFA to consider construct validity. Thereafter, the internal reliability of the data was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha correlation coefficients. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses were calculated. Through multiple regression calculations, the relationships predicted by the four hypotheses were analysed. Finally, t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted. The empirical investigation revealed that significant positive relationships exist between the independent variables benefits, trustworthy content and the intervening variable customer satisfaction, as well as between these two independent variables and the dependent variable customer retention. From the empirical results it was concluded that if banks offer benefits and trustworthy content to their clients through social media channels, clients are likely to be satisfied with and retained by their bank. This study established and confirmed the significant positive relationship that exists between customer satisfaction and customer retention in the banking industry. All bank managers and marketers will benefit from the empirical results as well as the recommendations of this study on how to improve customer satisfaction and customer retention through social media channels which will ultimately improve the performance of banks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Cupp, Nicole Leshaan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Banks and banking -- Social aspects , Internet marketing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5489 , vital:20870
- Description: As banks operate in a competitive environment, it is important for managers and marketers to identify how customer satisfaction and customer retention levels can be can be improved through social media aspects. Although models of customer satisfaction and customer retention have been well researched for client products/services, the literature available on social media as a marketing tool is limited in quantity compared to other more established areas of marketing. This research study reviews existing literature on the banking industry in terms of its characteristics and challenges. Literature on customer satisfaction and customer retention as relevant to the banking industry is reviewed, as well as how social media aspects can improve customer satisfaction and customer retention. Thus the primary objective of this study is to identify the social media aspects (benefits, clients’ trust and content) that influence the intervening variable (customer satisfaction) and dependent variable (customer retention) in the banking industry. An empirical investigation was undertaken to establish whether the independent variables; namely benefits, clients’ trust and content as related to social media can possibly influence customer satisfaction and ultimately customer retention in the banking industry. A positivistic research paradigm was followed for this study. Quantitative data was gathered by distributing questionnaires to a sample of bank clients and managers. The sample size consisted of 150 bank clients and 30 bank managers in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area in South Africa. The questionnaires were statistically analysed using the computer programmes Microsoft Excel and Statistica Version 12.0. The validity of the study was measured by utilising Exploratory Factor analysis. Cronbach’s Alpha correlation coefficients were calculated to measure the reliability and internal consistency of the measurement instrument of this study. Data was analysed in four phases. Descriptive statistics concerning the respondents and variables were calculated for this study. The validity of the measuring instrument was tested by performing EFA to consider construct validity. Thereafter, the internal reliability of the data was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha correlation coefficients. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses were calculated. Through multiple regression calculations, the relationships predicted by the four hypotheses were analysed. Finally, t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted. The empirical investigation revealed that significant positive relationships exist between the independent variables benefits, trustworthy content and the intervening variable customer satisfaction, as well as between these two independent variables and the dependent variable customer retention. From the empirical results it was concluded that if banks offer benefits and trustworthy content to their clients through social media channels, clients are likely to be satisfied with and retained by their bank. This study established and confirmed the significant positive relationship that exists between customer satisfaction and customer retention in the banking industry. All bank managers and marketers will benefit from the empirical results as well as the recommendations of this study on how to improve customer satisfaction and customer retention through social media channels which will ultimately improve the performance of banks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Perspectives of stakeholders on engagement around benefits and use of the Wilderness and Swartvlei lakes
- Authors: Roos, Aneri
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lake ecology -- South Africa , Environmental management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6588 , vital:21121
- Description: The objective of this research was to determine how stakeholder engagement impacts on the use and sharing of ecosystem service benefits derived from large lake systems. The Wilderness and Swartvlei lake systems, which form an integral part of the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), were chosen as the study area. The park is juxtaposed with urban and other land uses making it one of the most integrated urban conservation areas in South Africa. The park is an open-access park with only enclosed areas being the camping and chalet areas that borders onto the Touw River Estuary. A major contribution of this research was that it classified stakeholder groups into ten meta-identities (associations, businesses, charity organisations, conservancies, government departments, informal groupings, learning/educational institutions, multiple stakeholder projects, spiritual groupings and sports clubs) and that through an iterative research approach it stimulated dialogue between individuals across the various meta-identities. Engagement is a way of allowing stakeholders to develop a sense of ownership through the decision-making process. This could also lead to a higher level of trust and cooperation. The main insights drawn from this research were that, history is important; engagement is characterised by an on-going blame-game (at least in part as a result of this particular history); meta-identities share some values, but differ in how they see the world; there is a concern over social issues (widespread concern, but few mechanisms to address the issue); management agencies are stewards of the feedbacks between social and ecological systems (responsible for regulating flows of benefits), but in open-access systems cannot do so on their own; all meta-identities are keen to contribute and this can, with appropriate facilitation, be harnessed towards collective action. Stakeholders associated with all ten meta-identities identified provisioning and cultural services as a benefit derived from the lakes. No regulating or supporting services were identified as benefits. This could indicate a gap in awareness of the importance of these services. A category that emerged from this study is the importance of employment opportunities linked to the management of natural resources. The study showed that engagement does not occur around the benefits that can be derived from the lakes, but rather around the issues that have a direct or indirect influence on the ecosystem services and therefore the suite of benefits that would be available for sharing. The issues could be divided into two broad themes; social issues and developmental pressures. The social issues pose an indirect threat to the lakes while the developmental pressures pose a direct threat. As the mandates across agencies differ, with the municipalities concerned with the social issues and SANParks with the pressures, the importance of communication and cooperative governance was highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Roos, Aneri
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lake ecology -- South Africa , Environmental management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6588 , vital:21121
- Description: The objective of this research was to determine how stakeholder engagement impacts on the use and sharing of ecosystem service benefits derived from large lake systems. The Wilderness and Swartvlei lake systems, which form an integral part of the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), were chosen as the study area. The park is juxtaposed with urban and other land uses making it one of the most integrated urban conservation areas in South Africa. The park is an open-access park with only enclosed areas being the camping and chalet areas that borders onto the Touw River Estuary. A major contribution of this research was that it classified stakeholder groups into ten meta-identities (associations, businesses, charity organisations, conservancies, government departments, informal groupings, learning/educational institutions, multiple stakeholder projects, spiritual groupings and sports clubs) and that through an iterative research approach it stimulated dialogue between individuals across the various meta-identities. Engagement is a way of allowing stakeholders to develop a sense of ownership through the decision-making process. This could also lead to a higher level of trust and cooperation. The main insights drawn from this research were that, history is important; engagement is characterised by an on-going blame-game (at least in part as a result of this particular history); meta-identities share some values, but differ in how they see the world; there is a concern over social issues (widespread concern, but few mechanisms to address the issue); management agencies are stewards of the feedbacks between social and ecological systems (responsible for regulating flows of benefits), but in open-access systems cannot do so on their own; all meta-identities are keen to contribute and this can, with appropriate facilitation, be harnessed towards collective action. Stakeholders associated with all ten meta-identities identified provisioning and cultural services as a benefit derived from the lakes. No regulating or supporting services were identified as benefits. This could indicate a gap in awareness of the importance of these services. A category that emerged from this study is the importance of employment opportunities linked to the management of natural resources. The study showed that engagement does not occur around the benefits that can be derived from the lakes, but rather around the issues that have a direct or indirect influence on the ecosystem services and therefore the suite of benefits that would be available for sharing. The issues could be divided into two broad themes; social issues and developmental pressures. The social issues pose an indirect threat to the lakes while the developmental pressures pose a direct threat. As the mandates across agencies differ, with the municipalities concerned with the social issues and SANParks with the pressures, the importance of communication and cooperative governance was highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Political communication: a case study of the Democratic Alliance and its use of digital media in the 2014 South African General Elections
- Authors: Chong, Sandra Pow
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Communication -- Political aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Political campaigns -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11416 , vital:26923
- Description: Political organisations are now using a two-way path of communication thanks to the development of technological platforms that work in-sync with the internet to allow this to happen. Information can now flow across new networks to allow exchanges from the many to the many. This study sets out to explore the use of social media by political organisations as a means of political communication. A case study was conducted which focussed on online communication used by the Democratic Alliance in the 2014 General Elections in South Africa. The social media strategies adopted by the Democratic Alliance was examined. Reference is made to the 2008 Obama Campaign. The study revealed that the DA primarily made use of two-way asymmetrical communication despite the party posting a lot of consistent information and content; however in response to many questions and comments posted on the social media fora by online users, the DA only selectively responded to a handful of these.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chong, Sandra Pow
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Communication -- Political aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Political campaigns -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11416 , vital:26923
- Description: Political organisations are now using a two-way path of communication thanks to the development of technological platforms that work in-sync with the internet to allow this to happen. Information can now flow across new networks to allow exchanges from the many to the many. This study sets out to explore the use of social media by political organisations as a means of political communication. A case study was conducted which focussed on online communication used by the Democratic Alliance in the 2014 General Elections in South Africa. The social media strategies adopted by the Democratic Alliance was examined. Reference is made to the 2008 Obama Campaign. The study revealed that the DA primarily made use of two-way asymmetrical communication despite the party posting a lot of consistent information and content; however in response to many questions and comments posted on the social media fora by online users, the DA only selectively responded to a handful of these.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Post-settlement support for the beneficiaries of the land redistribution for the agricultural development programme
- Authors: Mahlathini, Evans Phefo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3625 , vital:20447
- Description: The Land Reform projects are primarily challenged by post-settlement support. They mainly rely on government grants to survive and in some instances, projects have failed due to lack of sufficient post-settlement support. There are many government and private institutions and mandated and private businesses that offer post-settlement support to LRAD beneficiaries. Their impact can only be measured against improvements in the livelihoods of beneficiaries. While land reform has been in existence in SA, the main source of support evidently seems to have been the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) in the form of a government grants. The existence of other sources of post-settlement support cannot be ignored, but the extents to which these support mechanisms are combined have contributed to the improvement of sustainable livelihood of the beneficiaries, as measured through livelihood assets. The main aim of this study is to explore how the LRAD beneficiaries in the Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape employ their livelihood strategies. It explores the types of support received by the beneficiaries and how the support has been used. To determine the progress made through the post-settlement support received by the beneficiaries in an attempt to achieve rural livelihoods strategies, the study discusses the status of the farms during the inception and also the current status. Many studies done by role players and academics in the field of land reform mainly explore the monetary benefit and ignore or pay less attention to the livelihood in five capitals. The needs confronting beneficiaries in the form of livelihood strategies are presented in the form of capital; for example, physical, natural, human, social, economic and financial capitals. This paper seeks to establish an understanding of how beneficiaries of land reform achieve their livelihood, given the constraints of post-settlement support to land reform in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mahlathini, Evans Phefo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3625 , vital:20447
- Description: The Land Reform projects are primarily challenged by post-settlement support. They mainly rely on government grants to survive and in some instances, projects have failed due to lack of sufficient post-settlement support. There are many government and private institutions and mandated and private businesses that offer post-settlement support to LRAD beneficiaries. Their impact can only be measured against improvements in the livelihoods of beneficiaries. While land reform has been in existence in SA, the main source of support evidently seems to have been the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) in the form of a government grants. The existence of other sources of post-settlement support cannot be ignored, but the extents to which these support mechanisms are combined have contributed to the improvement of sustainable livelihood of the beneficiaries, as measured through livelihood assets. The main aim of this study is to explore how the LRAD beneficiaries in the Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape employ their livelihood strategies. It explores the types of support received by the beneficiaries and how the support has been used. To determine the progress made through the post-settlement support received by the beneficiaries in an attempt to achieve rural livelihoods strategies, the study discusses the status of the farms during the inception and also the current status. Many studies done by role players and academics in the field of land reform mainly explore the monetary benefit and ignore or pay less attention to the livelihood in five capitals. The needs confronting beneficiaries in the form of livelihood strategies are presented in the form of capital; for example, physical, natural, human, social, economic and financial capitals. This paper seeks to establish an understanding of how beneficiaries of land reform achieve their livelihood, given the constraints of post-settlement support to land reform in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Poverty alleviation projects in Amahlathi local municipality
- Authors: Nyatela, Mzukisi Eric
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9865 , vital:26628
- Description: Introduction: Poverty is the burden of South African people and is the result of the laws of the apartheid system. Poverty affects millions of people most of which live in the rural areas. Thus poverty alleviation is one of the priorities of the government. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is one of the policy documents that aimed to build a democratic government. The RDP document (in African National Congress, 1994:4) stated that poverty alleviation or attacking poverty was the priority of the government from the beginning of democracy and that it is the same case today with the poverty alleviation projects by the Department of Social Development (DoSD):- “But an election victory is only a first step. No political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government”. Therefore the statement above echoed the sentiments of the newly elected democratic government of 1994. The aim was to provide houses for all specifically the disadvantaged people, to provide water and sanitation for all, to provide electricity, maintenance of roads, improvement of health facilities, job creation, improvement of skills, improvement of income and many more. These privileges were not enjoyed by all during the apartheid era specifically the black masses. The above promises are not all fulfilled but the government is busy providing programmes through different departments. For an example this research report is about poverty alleviation projects that are being provided by the DoSD. This section of the study attempts to provide an overview of the study, including the rationale and background of the study as well as the study area and its challenges. Included in this overview is the context of the study, the research problem, the research question, the research purpose, and the research objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nyatela, Mzukisi Eric
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9865 , vital:26628
- Description: Introduction: Poverty is the burden of South African people and is the result of the laws of the apartheid system. Poverty affects millions of people most of which live in the rural areas. Thus poverty alleviation is one of the priorities of the government. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is one of the policy documents that aimed to build a democratic government. The RDP document (in African National Congress, 1994:4) stated that poverty alleviation or attacking poverty was the priority of the government from the beginning of democracy and that it is the same case today with the poverty alleviation projects by the Department of Social Development (DoSD):- “But an election victory is only a first step. No political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government”. Therefore the statement above echoed the sentiments of the newly elected democratic government of 1994. The aim was to provide houses for all specifically the disadvantaged people, to provide water and sanitation for all, to provide electricity, maintenance of roads, improvement of health facilities, job creation, improvement of skills, improvement of income and many more. These privileges were not enjoyed by all during the apartheid era specifically the black masses. The above promises are not all fulfilled but the government is busy providing programmes through different departments. For an example this research report is about poverty alleviation projects that are being provided by the DoSD. This section of the study attempts to provide an overview of the study, including the rationale and background of the study as well as the study area and its challenges. Included in this overview is the context of the study, the research problem, the research question, the research purpose, and the research objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Poverty alleviation through employment creation in Matatiele, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Salukazana, Temate Lucia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Matatiele , Job creation -- South Africa -- Matatiele
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021138
- Description: This paper will be looking at unemployment in South Africa, since this is a serious matter. A number of policies in South Africa have been formulated to address the issue of unemployment since the transition from apartheid to democracy. The paper will attempt to define unemployment and the different types of unemployment. Even though policies have been designed, this does not necessarily mean that unemployment has, therefore, been reduced. In my research I will be concentrating on unemployment. I would be touching on ways that could be used to improve unemployment, in order to alleviate poverty. We are faced with challenges in our country and in the small town where we live: Matatiele. South Africa is faced with challenges, which will be addressed in the study, as it will be looking at the economy since the apartheid era ended, and the commencement of democracy under the African National Congress (ANC) government. The study will tackle the theories that were used in unemployment and the policies that were introduced, in order to improve unemployment. The study will be mentioning the different solutions that could be adopted, in order to improve unemployment and to alleviate poverty. It is not only the responsibility of the government, but through agricultural training and increased access to farming – especially in the area of Matatiele– government needs to subsidise these people, in order to produce people with skills. Unemployment would then decrease. Tourism is a prominent job-creator, because of the many opportunities it creates for semi-skilled labour, and because Matatiele people are friendly and hospitable. This could be accomplished through better education, investment to create more job opportunities, and fostering economic growth in the country (Emeka Okafor). The policy implications are that government should diminish labour-market segmentation, and the obstacles to entering the productive informal sector may be relevant. However, it should also look to other developing countries with high levels of unemployment. How have they coped with these problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Salukazana, Temate Lucia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Matatiele , Job creation -- South Africa -- Matatiele
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021138
- Description: This paper will be looking at unemployment in South Africa, since this is a serious matter. A number of policies in South Africa have been formulated to address the issue of unemployment since the transition from apartheid to democracy. The paper will attempt to define unemployment and the different types of unemployment. Even though policies have been designed, this does not necessarily mean that unemployment has, therefore, been reduced. In my research I will be concentrating on unemployment. I would be touching on ways that could be used to improve unemployment, in order to alleviate poverty. We are faced with challenges in our country and in the small town where we live: Matatiele. South Africa is faced with challenges, which will be addressed in the study, as it will be looking at the economy since the apartheid era ended, and the commencement of democracy under the African National Congress (ANC) government. The study will tackle the theories that were used in unemployment and the policies that were introduced, in order to improve unemployment. The study will be mentioning the different solutions that could be adopted, in order to improve unemployment and to alleviate poverty. It is not only the responsibility of the government, but through agricultural training and increased access to farming – especially in the area of Matatiele– government needs to subsidise these people, in order to produce people with skills. Unemployment would then decrease. Tourism is a prominent job-creator, because of the many opportunities it creates for semi-skilled labour, and because Matatiele people are friendly and hospitable. This could be accomplished through better education, investment to create more job opportunities, and fostering economic growth in the country (Emeka Okafor). The policy implications are that government should diminish labour-market segmentation, and the obstacles to entering the productive informal sector may be relevant. However, it should also look to other developing countries with high levels of unemployment. How have they coped with these problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Poverty reduction strategies in Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM)
- Authors: Twenty, Isaac Lungisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18443 , vital:28646
- Description: The transition period post-apartheid in South Africa since 1994 brought a number of changes in policy making process and the initiated programs by the government in all level with the aim of addressing inequality and poverty reduction strategies. In South Africa prior 1994 division in terms of location access to resources and information was meant for the certain group and participation in the Community development matters. The aim of this research study is to seek and find out the impact of the government policy projects, programme (strategies) in the community to poverty reduction and try to identify the reasons for the failure of other project and to what extend is the capacity building in community members in terms of skill development before the implementation of projects for sustainability and viability of those projects. Also is to explore the community participation or involvement in policy making process such as the formulation of Integrated Development Plan .The study attempts to answer community involvement into their own development, their role and impact to fight poverty and other socio-economic challenges that are faced by the community. The research design for the study could be classified as the mixed design which will include qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample of 30 participants will be drawn from the community unemployed respondents, project employees, those searching for employment, 5 municipality officials from Blue Crane Route, Ward Councillor and projects leaders. On my findings community participation on community development issues must be strengthen for the sake of development .The issue of centralisation of offices for availability of resources to same of the communities makes it difficult to access resources. Lack of skills and training acquired in the job market for artisans, technical and management skills.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Twenty, Isaac Lungisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18443 , vital:28646
- Description: The transition period post-apartheid in South Africa since 1994 brought a number of changes in policy making process and the initiated programs by the government in all level with the aim of addressing inequality and poverty reduction strategies. In South Africa prior 1994 division in terms of location access to resources and information was meant for the certain group and participation in the Community development matters. The aim of this research study is to seek and find out the impact of the government policy projects, programme (strategies) in the community to poverty reduction and try to identify the reasons for the failure of other project and to what extend is the capacity building in community members in terms of skill development before the implementation of projects for sustainability and viability of those projects. Also is to explore the community participation or involvement in policy making process such as the formulation of Integrated Development Plan .The study attempts to answer community involvement into their own development, their role and impact to fight poverty and other socio-economic challenges that are faced by the community. The research design for the study could be classified as the mixed design which will include qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample of 30 participants will be drawn from the community unemployed respondents, project employees, those searching for employment, 5 municipality officials from Blue Crane Route, Ward Councillor and projects leaders. On my findings community participation on community development issues must be strengthen for the sake of development .The issue of centralisation of offices for availability of resources to same of the communities makes it difficult to access resources. Lack of skills and training acquired in the job market for artisans, technical and management skills.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Preference and discrimination in the construction industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Steto, Zoleka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women -- Employment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021156
- Description: The aim of this paper is to discover if women are still discriminated against, given fair and equal opportunities as men in the construction industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. This paper will also provide recommendations and possible solutions to the problem of discrimination. It will look at the policies government developed to ensure equality and women empowerment in the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Steto, Zoleka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women -- Employment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021156
- Description: The aim of this paper is to discover if women are still discriminated against, given fair and equal opportunities as men in the construction industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. This paper will also provide recommendations and possible solutions to the problem of discrimination. It will look at the policies government developed to ensure equality and women empowerment in the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Present state of macrophytes and responses to management scenarios at the St. Lucia and Mfolozi estuaries
- Authors: Rautenbach, Kelly
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Aquatic plants -- South Africa , Estuaries -- South Africa , Marine plants -- Ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3195 , vital:20410
- Description: The St. Lucia Estuary, the largest estuary in South Africa, has been subject to many natural (a decade long drought) and anthropogenic impacts. A particular mouth manipulation activity, the artificial separation of the Mfolozi River and the St Lucia Estuary in 1952, was done to stop the perceived “silting up” of the estuary, but resulted in a decrease in freshwater supply. The changes in inflows (both fresh and marine) are controlled by management decisions and affect other system parameters such as salinity, water level and turbidity, which influence the distribution of biota. Therefore knowledge on the physico-chemical environment and eco-physiological tolerances of macrophytes will lead to informed future management decisions. The first of the three objectives carried out for this study determined the present state and distribution of the macrophytes of the St. Lucia and Mfolozi estuaries. The macrophyte habitats mapped in 2008 and 2013 were the submerged macrophytes, reeds and sedges, mangroves, grass and shrubs, salt marsh (succulent) and swamp forest. Results indicated that low salinity in the lakes and high water level in 2013 caused die-back or expansion of particular habitats. Submerged macrophytes, in particular Stuckenia pectinata, grows well in water with salinity <15 ppt, therefore this habitat increased by 412 ha (96%) in cover since 2008. Salt marsh decreased by 553 ha (57%) due to inundation. Since 2008 the reeds and sedges increased by 390 ha (in North Lake and the Narrows) due to the salinity decrease. In the Narrows the mangroves decreased by 28 ha (9%) in area cover. This was due to the drought that persisted for so many years, which caused low water levels and non-tidal conditions. The second objective was to determine the present state / health of the mangroves at four sites along the Narrows by assessing sediment condition and population structure of the trees. These results were compared to those obtained in 2010. The total density of Avicennia marina increased since 2010, however this was due to the large increase in seedlings at Site 1, the back channel site. The highest sediment salinity (26 ppt) and porewater salinity (29 ppt) was recorded for this site and these results show that this back channel site was strongly influenced by the open Mfolozi Estuary (increase in marine waters) and tidal conditions at the time of sampling in 2013. The total density of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza decreased, but an increase in adults was recorded at Site 2, the freshwater site. The soil collected from the Bruguiera quadrats was fresher and drier than that of the Avicennia quadrats of Site 2. Lack of seedlings (of both species) was due to the dense stands of Acrostichum aureum (mangrove fern) and Phragmites australis (common reed) and a thick, impenetrable mat of Avicennia pneumatophores. At Sites 3 and 4, the drier sites (where sediment moisture contents were the lowest for all sites at 43 and 42% respectively), seedling and sapling density was low, but adults increased in density since 2010. Recruitment and survival were impacted by the harsh environmental conditions that prevailed prior to 2013 (low water level and non-tidal influence), but adults survived. The results of the test that determined the percentage of aerenchyma of the pneumatophores indicated that waterlogging stress did not affect the aerenchyma of the pneumatophores. However the period of inundation was probably not significant enough to have affected the production of aerenchyma. The third objective formed part of an ongoing study by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) on the feasibility of linking the Mfolozi River back to the St Lucia Estuary and the responses of these systems to different management scenarios: 1) the “do nothing” scenario; 2) maintain separate Mfolozi and St Lucia mouths representing an open mouth condition; and 3) actively facilitate a single mouth (therefore linking the Mfolozi and St Lucia mouths). Data gathered on the eco-physiological tolerances of the dominant macrophyte species was used to predict the response of the different habitats to these various management scenarios and the results indicated that the best management scenario would be to actively facilitate a single mouth (Scenario 3) as the estuary habitats would increase significantly because of preferred tidal and saline conditions, as this would represent more natural conditions. The results of the study will provide input to recommendations for future “adaptive management” strategies for the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Rautenbach, Kelly
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Aquatic plants -- South Africa , Estuaries -- South Africa , Marine plants -- Ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3195 , vital:20410
- Description: The St. Lucia Estuary, the largest estuary in South Africa, has been subject to many natural (a decade long drought) and anthropogenic impacts. A particular mouth manipulation activity, the artificial separation of the Mfolozi River and the St Lucia Estuary in 1952, was done to stop the perceived “silting up” of the estuary, but resulted in a decrease in freshwater supply. The changes in inflows (both fresh and marine) are controlled by management decisions and affect other system parameters such as salinity, water level and turbidity, which influence the distribution of biota. Therefore knowledge on the physico-chemical environment and eco-physiological tolerances of macrophytes will lead to informed future management decisions. The first of the three objectives carried out for this study determined the present state and distribution of the macrophytes of the St. Lucia and Mfolozi estuaries. The macrophyte habitats mapped in 2008 and 2013 were the submerged macrophytes, reeds and sedges, mangroves, grass and shrubs, salt marsh (succulent) and swamp forest. Results indicated that low salinity in the lakes and high water level in 2013 caused die-back or expansion of particular habitats. Submerged macrophytes, in particular Stuckenia pectinata, grows well in water with salinity <15 ppt, therefore this habitat increased by 412 ha (96%) in cover since 2008. Salt marsh decreased by 553 ha (57%) due to inundation. Since 2008 the reeds and sedges increased by 390 ha (in North Lake and the Narrows) due to the salinity decrease. In the Narrows the mangroves decreased by 28 ha (9%) in area cover. This was due to the drought that persisted for so many years, which caused low water levels and non-tidal conditions. The second objective was to determine the present state / health of the mangroves at four sites along the Narrows by assessing sediment condition and population structure of the trees. These results were compared to those obtained in 2010. The total density of Avicennia marina increased since 2010, however this was due to the large increase in seedlings at Site 1, the back channel site. The highest sediment salinity (26 ppt) and porewater salinity (29 ppt) was recorded for this site and these results show that this back channel site was strongly influenced by the open Mfolozi Estuary (increase in marine waters) and tidal conditions at the time of sampling in 2013. The total density of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza decreased, but an increase in adults was recorded at Site 2, the freshwater site. The soil collected from the Bruguiera quadrats was fresher and drier than that of the Avicennia quadrats of Site 2. Lack of seedlings (of both species) was due to the dense stands of Acrostichum aureum (mangrove fern) and Phragmites australis (common reed) and a thick, impenetrable mat of Avicennia pneumatophores. At Sites 3 and 4, the drier sites (where sediment moisture contents were the lowest for all sites at 43 and 42% respectively), seedling and sapling density was low, but adults increased in density since 2010. Recruitment and survival were impacted by the harsh environmental conditions that prevailed prior to 2013 (low water level and non-tidal influence), but adults survived. The results of the test that determined the percentage of aerenchyma of the pneumatophores indicated that waterlogging stress did not affect the aerenchyma of the pneumatophores. However the period of inundation was probably not significant enough to have affected the production of aerenchyma. The third objective formed part of an ongoing study by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) on the feasibility of linking the Mfolozi River back to the St Lucia Estuary and the responses of these systems to different management scenarios: 1) the “do nothing” scenario; 2) maintain separate Mfolozi and St Lucia mouths representing an open mouth condition; and 3) actively facilitate a single mouth (therefore linking the Mfolozi and St Lucia mouths). Data gathered on the eco-physiological tolerances of the dominant macrophyte species was used to predict the response of the different habitats to these various management scenarios and the results indicated that the best management scenario would be to actively facilitate a single mouth (Scenario 3) as the estuary habitats would increase significantly because of preferred tidal and saline conditions, as this would represent more natural conditions. The results of the study will provide input to recommendations for future “adaptive management” strategies for the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Public health impacts of storm water canals in Nelson Mandela Bay communities
- Authors: Papu, Lumka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Urban runoff -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Public health -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Storm sewers -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3021 , vital:20387
- Description: Public health impacts of storm water canals in Nelson Mandela Bay communities
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Papu, Lumka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Urban runoff -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Public health -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Storm sewers -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3021 , vital:20387
- Description: Public health impacts of storm water canals in Nelson Mandela Bay communities
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Push - and pull forces within outbound destination choice
- Authors: Ferreira, Daniel Petrus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing Tourism -- South Africa -- Marketing Place marketing , Heritage tourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11091 , vital:26884
- Description: Push- and pull forces are considered the most important motivational factors in driving tourism demand. Push forces are motivational forces that arise due to the individual’s need to travel, while pull forces are destination attributes which pull the traveller to the specific destination and in doing so they satisfy the need of the traveller. Understanding why people travel, how they go about selecting their holiday destination and why one country is preferred to the other, is vital to the continued success of the tourism industry. The needs and wants of travellers are constantly changing, therefore, it is imperative that tourism businesses excel at developing new products and services which are better suited to the needs of consumers. The primary objective of this study was to determine the push- and pull forces that influence outbound destination choice in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables (push- and pull factors) influence destination choice (dependent variable). From a comprehensive literature review, a hypothetical model was developed to test the relationships between push-and pull forces and destination choice. Twelve hypotheses were formulated to test the relationship between four push forces, eight pull forces and destination choice. The study sought the perceptions of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole residents and utitised the quantitative research paradigm. A survey was conducted with the aid of a structured self-administered questionnaire, distributed via e-mail and as a hard copy. A combination of convenience- and snowball sampling was utilised. The final sample comprised 302 respondents. The validity of the measuring instrument was ascertained by using exploratory factor analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha values for reliability were calculated for each of the factors identified during the exploratory factor analysis. The top ten destinations visited and intended to be visited were indicated. United Kingdom was the most visited international destination for both leisure and business purposes, while The United States of America was the most popular international destination to visit next for both leisure and business purposes. Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to test the correlation and significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. Three statistically significant relationships were found between the push forces (physical and stature motivators and destination accessibility) and destination choice. Four statistically significant relationships were found between the pull forces (events, natural attractions, political issues and general infrastructure) and destination choice. The empirical findings further confirmed that an inter-relationship between push- and pull forces within destination choice does exist. However, pull forces influence push forces to a larger extent. Analysis of variance calculations were used to identify if significant relationships exist between the twelve demographic variables and nine reliable and valid independent variables. Furthermore, post-hoc Scheffè tests identified where the significant differences occurred between the different categories. Cohen’s d-values were calculated in order to assess the practical significance of the mean scores. A total of sixteen practical significant relationships were identified. Travel companies should compile travel packages and tours that serve the needs of both leisure- and business travellers. They can use social media as a communication- and promotion tool to entice travellers to specific destinations. The business travel packages should be all inclusive and include transportation, accommodation and even entries to events. The visual aids, utilised within the marketing material, should entice travellers to want to visit these destinations, and outline the favourable general infrastructure available. When marketing outbound destinations, travel service providers must pay attention to demographical variables such as gender, age, ethnical affiliation, income and marital status to compile travel packages that satisfy the needs of specific groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ferreira, Daniel Petrus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing Tourism -- South Africa -- Marketing Place marketing , Heritage tourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11091 , vital:26884
- Description: Push- and pull forces are considered the most important motivational factors in driving tourism demand. Push forces are motivational forces that arise due to the individual’s need to travel, while pull forces are destination attributes which pull the traveller to the specific destination and in doing so they satisfy the need of the traveller. Understanding why people travel, how they go about selecting their holiday destination and why one country is preferred to the other, is vital to the continued success of the tourism industry. The needs and wants of travellers are constantly changing, therefore, it is imperative that tourism businesses excel at developing new products and services which are better suited to the needs of consumers. The primary objective of this study was to determine the push- and pull forces that influence outbound destination choice in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables (push- and pull factors) influence destination choice (dependent variable). From a comprehensive literature review, a hypothetical model was developed to test the relationships between push-and pull forces and destination choice. Twelve hypotheses were formulated to test the relationship between four push forces, eight pull forces and destination choice. The study sought the perceptions of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole residents and utitised the quantitative research paradigm. A survey was conducted with the aid of a structured self-administered questionnaire, distributed via e-mail and as a hard copy. A combination of convenience- and snowball sampling was utilised. The final sample comprised 302 respondents. The validity of the measuring instrument was ascertained by using exploratory factor analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha values for reliability were calculated for each of the factors identified during the exploratory factor analysis. The top ten destinations visited and intended to be visited were indicated. United Kingdom was the most visited international destination for both leisure and business purposes, while The United States of America was the most popular international destination to visit next for both leisure and business purposes. Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to test the correlation and significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. Three statistically significant relationships were found between the push forces (physical and stature motivators and destination accessibility) and destination choice. Four statistically significant relationships were found between the pull forces (events, natural attractions, political issues and general infrastructure) and destination choice. The empirical findings further confirmed that an inter-relationship between push- and pull forces within destination choice does exist. However, pull forces influence push forces to a larger extent. Analysis of variance calculations were used to identify if significant relationships exist between the twelve demographic variables and nine reliable and valid independent variables. Furthermore, post-hoc Scheffè tests identified where the significant differences occurred between the different categories. Cohen’s d-values were calculated in order to assess the practical significance of the mean scores. A total of sixteen practical significant relationships were identified. Travel companies should compile travel packages and tours that serve the needs of both leisure- and business travellers. They can use social media as a communication- and promotion tool to entice travellers to specific destinations. The business travel packages should be all inclusive and include transportation, accommodation and even entries to events. The visual aids, utilised within the marketing material, should entice travellers to want to visit these destinations, and outline the favourable general infrastructure available. When marketing outbound destinations, travel service providers must pay attention to demographical variables such as gender, age, ethnical affiliation, income and marital status to compile travel packages that satisfy the needs of specific groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Recapitalization on emerging farmers in the Cacadu District
- Authors: Nelani, Simphiwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5736 , vital:20989
- Description: An agricultural project as implemented by the DRDLR is seen as a strategy and an attempt to alleviate unemployment at improving lifestyle and livelihoods on farms. This study attempts to explore the impact of agricultural projects on alleviating unemployment in the Cacadu District in Grahamstown. The research topic attempts to establish whether these unemployment alleviation projects had sufficient impact and contributed to socio-economic developments of the emerging farmer. A sample of the respondents involved in an agricultural project funded through Recapitalization programme by DRDLR participated in this study. A purposive sampling method was used for this study. Data collected was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Related literature that focuses on agricultural projects for alleviation of unemployment has been reviewed. Various recommendations based on findings of the study have also been made. Among findings that were made, it emerged that the Recapitalisation Programme has not made sufficient impact on the alleviation of unemployment. Findings if the study indicates that beneficiaries were not trained sufficiently with financial management skills which are key in equipping them to make substantial profits from their farm. The research findings indicated that the strategies that were used by the department through Recapitalisation were not effective enough to achieve the desired outcomes of alleviation of unemployment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nelani, Simphiwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5736 , vital:20989
- Description: An agricultural project as implemented by the DRDLR is seen as a strategy and an attempt to alleviate unemployment at improving lifestyle and livelihoods on farms. This study attempts to explore the impact of agricultural projects on alleviating unemployment in the Cacadu District in Grahamstown. The research topic attempts to establish whether these unemployment alleviation projects had sufficient impact and contributed to socio-economic developments of the emerging farmer. A sample of the respondents involved in an agricultural project funded through Recapitalization programme by DRDLR participated in this study. A purposive sampling method was used for this study. Data collected was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Related literature that focuses on agricultural projects for alleviation of unemployment has been reviewed. Various recommendations based on findings of the study have also been made. Among findings that were made, it emerged that the Recapitalisation Programme has not made sufficient impact on the alleviation of unemployment. Findings if the study indicates that beneficiaries were not trained sufficiently with financial management skills which are key in equipping them to make substantial profits from their farm. The research findings indicated that the strategies that were used by the department through Recapitalisation were not effective enough to achieve the desired outcomes of alleviation of unemployment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015