Promoting innovation through intrapreneurship at Eskom distribution (Eastern Cape)
- Authors: Phillips, Abraham James
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Technological innovations -- Economic aspects , Satellite solar power stations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13060 , vital:27148
- Description: Maintaining and improving innovation is vital to any organisation.There are many challenges organisations are faced with, both internally and externally when it comes to maintain and improving innovation. Eskom is such an organisation. The employees, both non-managerial and managerial, of Eskom are faced with various challenges in their daily activities. The quest for innovation advantages requires increased creativity to assist employees in adopting an intrapreneurial outlook to provide proactive solutions. Intrapreneurship is an autonomous process. Eskom which bulk suppliers South Africa mission is to provide electricity reliably at a low cost to all South African. This seems less reachable with high operating cost, slow capacity growth and aging infrastructure. This study focused and contributed to the innovation environment of Eskom, with the area of study being confined within the Eastern Cape. The study objectives sought to review Eskom Distribution’s business plan and innovation policy, while identifying if employees have intrapreneurial trait, if organisational culture, system and managerial styles are conducive for intraprenuership, if the external environment will promote intrapreneurship within the organisation, and which ideas have best adoption rates of innovation within the organisation, these factors may hinder the success of innovation in the organisation, based on the theoretical findings of the literature study. Employees, at both managerial and non-managerial levels participated in a research study. The research instrument used comprised of questions that covered the various objectives listed above. This provided the basis for a quantitative study to be done. Using statistical methods to identify any special relationships or trends, the research was conducted and recommendations were made based on the objectives of this study in relation to the organisation under study, Eskom Distribution, Eastern Cape Operating Unit. Based on the findings, recommendations to improve innovation, through intrapreneurship methods were made.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Property development: a lead-time management framework
- Authors: Stander, Ruan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Planned communities -- South Africa Land subdivision -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12703 , vital:27110
- Description: Property development is a complex activity, with a series of stages involving many players with differing objectives, all operating within the building cycle context and its interaction with business and credit cycles. Before developers commit to acquiring land and sign a building contract, they first evaluate the market to establish a project’s viability, and secure finance and planning consents. (Cadman and Topping, 1995: 27). The residential property developer must have a fair knowledge of the changes in the economy and be able to interpret data collected. This knowledge is critical in order to make good business decisions and for future project planning. Understanding the economic variables and the impact these have on households, provides knowledge to the consumer to assist with financial planning and future investment options (Vogel, 2012: 14). Currently, everyone is aware of the huge negative impact of the global economic crisis, especially concerning international investment companies in western countries. Many businesses have ceased operations and some investment banks have experienced large scale bankruptcy due to the economic crisis and resulting recession. The Chinese economy suffered losses in the crisis as well (Yiping, 2011: 6). Even though the export industry experienced a huge negative impact in the economic crisis, the Chinese government announced that GDP growth remained at 8.7% in 2009. The highest contributor towards the Chinese GDP growth was the real estate industry (Yiping, 2011: 6). Presently in China, the real estate industry is a new economic growth point and the main industry in its Gross Domestic Product. Currently, the real estate market in China is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges (Yiping, 2011: 6). From the above-mentioned statement by Yiping (2011: 6), it is evident that property development plays a major role in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of global economies worldwide as well as in South Africa and that change in the supply and demand value of property impacts the performance of the property market. In times of property booms, the property market escalates and there is an under supply of property. This makes it a seller’s market, which stimulates the economy, as was the case during the period of 2004 to 2008. When the property bust hit in 2009, the world experienced an inevitable downturn in economic markets. This was known as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and was due to various factors such as: increased interest rates; increase of stricter mortgage bond approvals; recession and other possible financial regulatory factors. A downturn in property prices became evident and property development was negatively impacted (Reed, Sims and Cadman, 2015). This impact on the property sector caused a relative over supply of property, making it a limited buyer’s market and forced real estate agents, property developers and owners to decrease the price of property thus negatively affecting the GDP of the economy. This research was conducted by means of a review of the related literature as well as an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted with the use of a quantitative statistical approach. In this study, research questionnaires as a data collection tool were distributed to members of the sample population. The primary objective of the study was to develop a framework for the successful delivery of residential developments in South Africa, especially in the context of time. A descriptive survey was conducted among professional property development practitioners, real estate agencies, conveyancers and project managers in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Protection of personal information in the South African cloud computing environment: a framework for cloud computing adoption
- Authors: Skolmen, Dayne Edward
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures Data protection -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Privacy, Right of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12747 , vital:27117
- Description: Cloud Computing has advanced to the point where it may be considered an attractive proposition for an increasing number of South African organisations, yet the adoption of Cloud Computing in South Africa remains relatively low. Many organisations have been hesitant to adopt Cloud solutions owing to a variety of inhibiting factors and concerns that have created mistrust in Cloud Computing. One of the top concerns identified is security within the Cloud Computing environment. The approaching commencement of new data protection legislation in South Africa, known as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI), may provide an ideal opportunity to address the information security-related inhibiting factors and foster a trust relationship between potential Cloud users and Cloud providers. POPI applies to anyone who processes personal information and regulates how they must handle, store and secure that information. POPI is considered to be beneficial to Cloud providers as it gives them the opportunity to build trust with potential Cloud users through achieving compliance and providing assurance. The aim of this dissertation is, therefore, to develop a framework for Cloud Computing adoption that will assist in mitigating the information security-related factors inhibiting Cloud adoption by fostering a trust relationship through compliance with the POPI Act. It is believed that such a framework would be useful to South African Cloud providers and could ultimately assist in the promotion of Cloud adoption in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Public private partnerships for the development of rural commercial beekeeping in the Amathole District Municipality
- Authors: Musisi, Lawrence Ssensalire
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public-private sector cooperation -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality , Bee culture -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7290 , vital:21315
- Description: Beekeeping and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are the key words in this study. The study investigates the effectiveness of the use of PPP for the development of commercial beekeeping for the small-scale beekeepers in selected rural areas of the Amathole District Municipality. The small-scale beekeepers do not seem to be achieving the required results of meeting market demands for honey and other bee by-products, due to challenges associated with production and marketing of these products. Significant investment (physical, human and financial) is required to develop the capacity of the small scale beekeepers in order to generate honey for the market and associated revenue in any significant quantity. While job creation and poverty alleviation are key issues on the government’s service delivery agenda, specifically through entrepreneurial development, government alone does not have the capacity to provide all the necessary resources for the establishment of commercial beekeeping to the resource-poor small-scale beekeepers. Based on the results of this study, all respondents (beekeepers and officials) in the study had a general understanding of “Public Private Partnerships”. However, the general interpretation of PPP was where government, business and civil society are working together in areas of mutual interest to achieve common or complementary goals than the regulated PPP arrangements guided by the specialized Treasury PPP Unit, whereby contractual obligation between different role players is paramount. In the context of small-scale beekeeping, all respondents were in support of type of PPP, whereby the association or partnership would involve the transfer of substantial financial, technical and operational risks. Besides the numerous limitations faced by the small-scale beekeepers in the running of their beekeeping operations, the study identified the following as the major factors believed to be compromising and limiting the proper functioning of PPP.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Quantitative microstructural evaluation of 12 Cr creep aged steels after welding
- Authors: Marx, Genevéve , Neethling, Jan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Stainless steel -- Welding , Electron microscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7232 , vital:21307
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the quantitative microstructural evaluation of new and creep aged X20 (12 Cr) stainless steel after welding. X20 stainless steel has been widely used in the high temperature and pressure pipework of coal-fired power plants. Consequently, this material has to withstand extreme conditions of high temperature and stress during service exposure. Under these conditions, creep deteriorates the strength of the material. The material’s resistance to creep damage due to its microstructure can be quantitatively described by the back-stress. There are four microstructural contributions to the back-stress: Precipitate Hardening, Sub-Boundary Hardening, Solid-Solution Hardening and Dislocation Hardening. Fusion welding is performed on creep aged materials when a component needs to be replaced. This high temperature process results in the formation of different microstructural regions within the weldment. These creep damaged components have a weldability limit as set by the life management strategy of the power plant company. Measuring techniques capable of quantifying the microstructural contributions (precipitates, subgrains and dislocations) were developed and evaluated in this study. These techniques were then used to characterise the different microstructural regions within a new and creep aged X20 steel weldment. Differences in the microstructure of the new and creep aged X20 steel was illustrated by the results of this study. The measured size and number densities of the precipitates in the creep aged X20 material showed that there is a decrease in PH during creep exposure. There was a decrease in SBH and DH stress for the creep aged X20 material due to coarsening of the subgrains and annealing of dislocations during creep exposure. The quantitative techniques demonstrated in this study opens up the possibility to perform life assessment on weldments with inhomogeneous microstructures by following a microstructural based approach.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Reaching the isolated through the design of air clinic facility in Moshoeshoe II, Maseru Lesotho pre-hospital care and transport
- Authors: Lesia, Tumelo Emmanuel
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medical centers -- Lesotho -- Maseru -- Designs and plans Health facilities -- Lesotho -- Maseru
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39284 , vital:35071
- Description: The purpose of this research is to develop a design of an Air Clinic Facility, to reach the isolated people in the highlands of Lesotho. This came through the realization of the access barrier created by the mountainous terrain, making it difficult to supply medical care to isolated communities. The aim of this research is to investigate a suitable architectural approach to an air clinic facility as a device that will make reaching the isolated effortless. Emergency healthcare architecture principles have been employed as a remedial strategy to the design. The motive behind this treatise originates from the authors desire to understand the role that architecture can play to solve the accessibility issues facing the uplands. The choice to address the realm of emergency healthcare architecture also originates from the desire to understand the effect that architecture can have on the lives of ordinary people. The main architectural intervention will focus on the process of accessing and using the air clinic facility, whereby a mutually beneficial interaction between the program and the context will be realised.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Recapitalisation and development programme for cattle producing farmers in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sontundu, Qaqamba
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12790 , vital:27121
- Description: This thesis examines the impact of the recapitalisation and development programme on cattle producing farmers in Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani Districts. This research is based on the insight that most of the Eastern Cape cattle producing farmers are facing financial problems and their farms are dilapidated even though there are interventions from the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and Rural Development and Land Reform through programmes such as CASP and RADP for rescuing the cattle producing farmers. The major challenges faced by the cattle producing farmers into getting the funding will be established in this study. The main focus is on the farms that have already got the funding and also on the ones that are still in the pipeline for being funded by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. To a lesser extent, the thesis draws on findings from careful considerations of case studies comprising ten farms, thus five farms from Joe Gqabi and five from Chris Hani Districts. The research methods under this research design yielded data that was descriptive and exploratory based on human experiences and are associated with discovering changes in situations. The research findings show that delays in releasing recapitalisation and development funds for land reform beneficiaries have been recognised as one of the main reasons for the collapse of land reform projects. In most cases the funds are arriving long after they were needed for important faming activities. The delays are also leading to permanent closure of the farms. Therefore, it is essential for the success of land reform programmes to ensure that the production model is designed so as to generate benefits for land reform beneficiaries. This thesis is concluded by making recommendations to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in order to address the identified Recapitalisation and Development Funding challenges as well as to identify what can be considered as effective financial support to the land reform projects.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Refuse exchange: the design of of waste management and recycling facility for the 5th avenue, Walmer waste tip in Port Elizabeth/Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
- Authors: Hunter, Casey Lauren
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Refuse disposal facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Waste disposal sites -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38808 , vital:34975
- Description: Our cities can be viewed as urban mines, full of resources that already exist within the urban fabric. This treatise focuses on the design of a recycling facility to be used as a tool for metabolising waste and separating it into valuable resources. It then goes further into the uses of waste and its up-cycling in the realms of (I would say industrial products, arts and crafts and even in the fabric of architecture. The treatise aims to perpetuate Regenerative Sustainability and its application in design and architecture. It tries to understand the impact waste has on social, economic and environmental aspects of the community and how the better management of waste can positively affect these aspects of modern urban life. The study is separated into two parts. The first part is research into the topic and the second part is the application of this research into the design. The research section is broken down into two main chapters that investigate various issues and processes relating to the nature of the program and the nature of the site. The main focus of part two is on the conceptual development that will lead to a final design. Chapter one is an introduction to the theoretical discourse to be discussed in this project. It also discuses the connotations, history and development in waste management. Chapter two discusses the various programmatic concerns relating to the Waste Management and Recycling Facility and a paradigm shift towards integrated infrastructural development in an urban environment. Chapter three analyses site criteria to choose a site best suited to this program. It then analyses precedent studies of projects done in similar contextual environments. Through this a conclusion is made about the nature of the site. It considers how this project can be developed from the organising elements and the opportunities for improvement and the re-scripting of the site. The final chapter of part two explains the process used to arrive at a final design. It starts with the development of an urban intervention and the vision for the project. It goes on to explain the nature of the spaces in the facility, their various connections and locations in relation to the site and other related spaces. This chapter then develops the plan and physical form as well as the tectonic and materials to be implemented in the facility. The themes of the project are to [RE] cycle, [RE]cover, [RE]manufacture and [RE]materialise. Recycle refer to the program of the building and the physical act of separating waste. Recover refers to the way the facility will try to extract energy and useful resources from the waste stream such as biogas, electricity and fertiliser from anaerobic digesters. Thirdly, remanufacture refers to the up-cycling of waste in order to improve its value by transforming it into art, crafts and even building materials. Finally, the ultimate goal of the project is to rematerialise the connotations of waste in society, changing its perception from a dirty, unwanted by-product of society to a minefield of possibilities.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses in Uganda
- Authors: Nuwagaba, Geoffrey , Struwig, Miemie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cash management -- Uganda , Informal sector (Economics) -- Uganda , Small business -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12319 , vital:27054
- Description: This study investigates the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses in Uganda. Whereas anecdotal evidence has for some time revealed that informal businesses in Uganda are faced with the challenge of cash management, no specific studies have been conducted to investigate how this relates to the growth of businesses where evidence has also indicated that most of these businesses do not exist for very long. In particular, the study assesses and explores the growth levels of informal businesses in terms of sales volume, growth in employment and length of existence. The study investigates the various ways in which informal businesses manage their cash and investigates the various internal and external factors that moderate cash management and the growth of the informal businesses. Furthermore, the study proposes a possible framework to manage cash in informal businesses and makes recommendations to informal business owners and managers on how to effectively manage cash in order to stimulate business growth. In order to investigate the relationships between the variables, an empirical investigation was undertaken. Based on the literature review, the primary objective of the study was formulated to investigate the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses amidst the external and internal environment in Uganda in order to suggest a framework for effective management of cash by informal businesses that would enhance their growth. A positivistic research paradigm was adopted in this study. A sample of 383 informal businesses was drawn from the five divisions of Kampala district namely; Central, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Rubaga. To ensure validity and reliability, EFA and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were computed. Six hypotheses were developed to test the relationships between cash management and growth of informal businesses. The empirical results revealed that there is a significant relationship between cash management and the external environment in which informal businesses operate, a significant relationship between the external environment and the growth of informal businesses and a significant relationship between cash management and growth of informal businesses where the external environment will have a moderating influence on the relationship. The empirical results did not establish a significant relationship between cash management and the internal environment in which informal businesses operate, the internal environment and growth of informal businesses and cash management and growth of informal businesses where internal environment will have a moderating influence on the relationship. The results of this study show that the growth of informal businesses is largely hampered by poor cash management practices and challenges such as the lack of cash planning, lack of cash forecasting and budgeting, lack of financial controls and reporting, the tendency to invest largely in short-term assets which limits their profitability, the employment of less competent and skilled staff and lack of formal accounting information systems. The magnitude of the impact of these is accelerated by the external environment such as competition and the legal and regulatory environment which put pressure on the little cash resources owned by these businesses. Based on the study results, several strategies based on individual cash components of cash planning, cash forecasting and budgeting, financial controls and reporting, short-term investment of cash surplus, competence and skills of staff and accounting information systems were recommended for implementation. It was further recommended that these strategies should be implemented while giving due attention to the external environment if informal businesses are to effectively manage cash and enhance their growth.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Remittances as an external source of finance for investments in developing countries
- Authors: Gadzikwa, Francis
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emigrant remittances -- Developing countries Economic development -- Developing countries , Economic development -- Developing countries Developing countries -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7664 , vital:22785
- Description: A number of studies by academics, scholars and researchers have been conducted on the subject of remittances. The focus of these studies has been on developing countries where remittance corridors have long been established. These studies have focused more on the effects of remittances at micro level, in other words poverty alleviation as result of the decline of FDI; PI and ODA. Established remittance corridors are found in Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa as well as North Africa. Few studies have been conducted into new emerging corridors that are still being established, such as the South Africa-Zimbabwe, Botswana-Zimbabwe and the Namibian-Zimbabwe corridors where a large number of Zimbabweans have migrated to. Economic growth and development are major challenges facing developing countries due to lack of finance. With the decline of FDI, PI, ODA as well as credit since the global financial crisis in 2008, there is a need for research to determine other alternative sustainable sources of finance to enable economic growth and development. Available literature and empirical evidence on the subject matter suggest remittances as a complementary source not a substitute of FDI, PI, ODA and credit. This means that governments in developing countries should not neglect their duty to collect revenue, should promote FDI and PI and not be dependant solely on remittances. Like FDI, PI and ODA, the flow of remittances is also determined by the socio-economic and political factors. Any negative effect on the socio-economic and political factors may also lead to the decline of remittance flows. Whilst other developing countries in established remittance corridors have put policies and systems in place to harness and ensure maximum benefits of remittances, countries such as Zimbabwe have not done much to realise potential and the impact that remittances can make. This is evidenced from the lack of reliable data which according to Chami et al. (2008:21) places severe constraints on the types of questions that can be asked and conclusions that can be drawn from statistical analyses. Secondly, emigration from Zimbabwe can be regarded to be in its infancy stage compared countries like Nigeria and Egypt where migration to developed countries has reached maturity stage. The evidence of this is seen on the volume of remittances currently being received by these two countries. Therefore, this study will complement existing data and literature available particularly on this corridor. Remittances are channelled either through formal or informal channels. The literature available and empirical evidence suggests that the bulk of remittances are channelled through informal channels as opposed to formal channels (Crush et al.,2012:20). Within the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor, 85 percent of remittances to Zimbabwe are channelled informally (von Burgsdorff, 2012: 17) and are not captured in the official statistics such as the Balance of Payments. The drawback of this is lack of accurate data which precludes more rigorous statistical analysis in this field (von Burgsdorff, 2010:12). This study will endeavour to capture valuable statistics with regards to remittances. Most developing countries that have relied on aid are also burdened with huge unsustainable external debts (Obasanjo, 2000). The external debts continue to have an adverse effect of slowing down economic growth and development as these countries have an obligation to pay back the debts. Settling of external debts has been one of the biggest challenges facing developing countries. With the rise of remittances, Olubiyi (2013:1) sees them as a replacement to credit to a country that is constrained. Instead of borrowing finance for growth and development, remittances can be used instead. Apart from substituting credit with remittances, countries which are not burdened with external debts are able to use remittances as a leverage to obtain foreign loans (Taylor, 1999:69). The loans acquired can used for supplementing revenue derived from the fiscus and other sources of external finance such as FDI, PI and ODA.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Reporting on radiographic images in after-hours trauma units :Experiences of radiographers and medical practitioners
- Authors: Van der Venter, Riaan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical -- Image quality Radiography, Medical -- Examinations, questions, etc Nurse practitioners -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23779 , vital:30619
- Description: Globally there is a lack of radiologists, which results in unreported radiographic examinations, or a delay in reporting on radiographic images even in emergency situations. In order to mitigate and alleviate the situation, and optimise the utilisation of radiographers a red dot system was introduced in the United Kingdom, which later aided in the transformation of the role of radiographers in terms of formal reporting of various radiographic examinations. Although there is a shortage of medical practitioners and radiologists in South Africa the extended role of radiographers has not been yet realised for radiographers. At present, radiographers and medical practitioners work in collaboration to interpret and report on radiographic examinations informally, to facilitate effective and efficient patient management, but this is done illegally because the regulations defining the scope of the profession of radiography does not allow for such practice, putting radiographers and organisations at risk of litigation. In order to gain an in-depth knowledge of the phenomena, to enable the researcher to provide recommendations to the Professional Board of Radiography and Clinical Technology (PBRCT) of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research study was undertaken. Radiographers and medical practitioners were interviewed in order to elicit rich descriptions of their experiences regarding reporting of trauma related radiographic images in the after-hours trauma units. Data were gathered using in-depth semi-structured interviews, and the data were analysed using kesch’s method of thematic synthesis. Three themes emerged from the data, namely the challenges radiographers and medical practitioners face in the after-hours trauma units respectively, with regards to reporting of trauma related adiographs, and suggestions were proposed to optimize the participation of radiographers with regard to trauma related radiographs in these units. A thick description and literature control was done using quotes from participants. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical research practices were also implemented. Thereafter, recommendations were put forward for the PBRCT of the HPCSA, using current literature and inferences made from the findings of the study.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Research as hope intervention: a visual participatory study with rural South African school children
- Authors: Cherrington, Avivit Miriam
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Affective education -- South Africa , Critical pedagogy -- South Africa , Hope -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8350 , vital:26348
- Description: There is a dearth of knowledge on rural South African children’s perspectives of hope, and how their hope can be nurtured, shaped, and strengthened. Guided by a qualitative approach, and located within a critical transformative paradigm, this study explores the following research question: How could visual participatory methodology as ‘research as intervention’ enable rural South African primary school children to explore their conceptualisations of hope, as well as strengthen their hope? To answer this question I pose two sub-questions: Firstly, what are rural primary school children’s conceptualisations of hope? Secondly, how could using visual participatory methodology to explore their hope also strengthen the children’s hope? Hope plays a key role in the lives of people, influencing decisions and behaviour, as well as coping skills and wellbeing. The socio-economic and cultural contexts in which rural South African children find themselves are critical in enabling hope and influencing their psychosocial wellbeing. While international hope research boasts a diversity of theories, there is scarce representation of such research from an African perspective. Unable to turn to an Afrocentric theory of hope this study is framed by two theories from the global-North: Scioli’s (2007) Integrative theory of hope which provides a description of the individual’s hope process, and Prilleltensky and Prilleltensky’s (2007) Framework of psychosocial wellbeing which provides a broader context in which to view this process. Over a period of a year I engaged with twelve purposively selected 9-13 year old Basotho children, beneficiaries of a children’s programme situated in a rural village in the QwaQwa region, Free State, South Africa, to explore their hope. Using visual participatory methodology, data was co-constructed through four visual data generating tools (collage-making, drawing, Mmogo-method®, and photovoice), as well as individual interviews, a group interview, and notes and photographs kept in my research journal. A qualitative thematic analysis was followed, and a literature control conducted to re-contextualise the findings. The results of this study are presented in themes. The first three themes, Hope is having a better life; Hope is community participation and togetherness; and Hope is weakened by others and by one’s environment, combine to represent hope as a multi-layered, multi-dimensional experience towards attaining a better life on a contextual, personal, relational, and collective level. These levels of hope are all inter-related, interdependent, and influenced by cultural factors and the children’s belief system (or worldview). I therefore conclude that, according to these rural South African school children, hope is an internal process of being that develops within the individual, with assistance from external resources, and then extends outwardly through hopeful beliefs, feelings, and behaviours to promote togetherness, care, and respect in one’s community. The last three themes, Strengthened personal hope; Enhanced relational hope; and Mobilised collective hope, show that using visual participatory methodology to engage the participants in an exploration of hope potentially strengthened, enhanced, and mobilised their hope across three inter-related and overlapping levels: Personal, Relational, and Collective. The participants expressed a growing understanding of their hoping process, increased sense of autonomy, and improved coping skills for strengthening their own hope. They also began to refer to themselves as Hope Champions - able to foster hope in others by behaving in a hopeful manner, teaching others about hope, and offering care and support. I therefore conclude that this shifting view of themselves as competent and valuable members of the community mobilised their collective level of hope as they began to formulate ideas of how they could be active citizens in their community, pursuing collective wellbeing for themselves and other members of the community so that everyone could live a better life. The findings have several implications for educational psychologists working with marginalised and vulnerable children’s hope, for fostering hope in school contexts, and for educational hope research with marginalised children in rural South African communities. While this study cannot presume to have achieved long-term social change, it does certainly lay the foundation for proposing that ‘research as intervention’ has promising potential as ‘research as hope-intervention’ in educational contexts. In responding to the research question, I argue that visual participatory research methodology, when focused on hope, is in and of itself a hope-enhancing intervention. Consequently, combining visual participatory methodology with hope-focused explorations enables ‘research as hope-intervention’, facilitating a strengthening of the participants’ hope, and resulting in meaningful personal transformation. I conclude that using ‘research as hope-intervention’ with rural South African children holds many possibilities for mobilising a ‘pedagogy of hope’.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Resilience and attachment as mediators impacting upon the psychosocial sequelae of unwanted early sexual experiences
- Authors: Defferary,Tanya Elizabeth Michele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) Child sexual abuse , Attachment behaviour , Psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12494 , vital:27074
- Description: Unwanted early sexual experiences (UESE) are traumatic experiences that many children worldwide are exposed to on a daily basis. Some of these victims struggle to adapt to life, whereas others become survivors, exhibiting post-traumatic growth after such an experience. South Africa has some of the highest UESE prevalence rates in the world, highlighting the importance of research conducted within this field in the country. With an overarching psychofortogenic framework, and through the implementation of a convergent parallel mixed methods research design, the study explored and described whether resilience and attachment act as mediators impacting upon the psychosocial sequelae which a UESE survivor might experience. The study was divided into three phases. Phase 1 consisted of a small-scale survey design which was conducted with 304 participants while Phase 2 consisted of nine semi-structure interviews with UESE survivors, who were volunteers from the original sample. Finally, Phase 3 provided an integrated summary of the findings from the first two phases. During Phase 1 significant findings relating to the survivors of UESE, their levels of resilience and attachment relationships were outlined. Of the total sample, 32.43% males and 30.5% females indicated that they had been exposed to a UESE. Most of the perpetrators were known to the survivors with friends being identified as the most common perpetrators. Parental relationships characterised by trust, open communication and less alienation were found to impact upon the degree to which participants reported being bothered by the UESE. Furthermore, parental alienation at the time of the UESE had a significantly negative impact on the survivors’ adult relationship styles. During Phase 2 a number of themes emerged including the manner of disclosure, reasons for delayed disclosure, relationship to the confidant, confidant’s response to disclosure, effects of the response to disclosure, the impact of the UESE upon the survivor, impact of the UESE on relationships, coping/resilience, advice to professionals, the confidant, and the survivor. The final phase confirmed the research hypothesis that resilience and attachment act as mediating factors impacting upon a variety of psychosocial sequelae which a UESE survivor might experience. Serendipitously, disclosure was found to be a mediating factor, securing a significant role within the study. In conclusion a future intervention titled ‘Post-Traumatic Growth: A UESE model of Disclosure, Resilience and Attachment’, was outlined, based on the study’s findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Resolving the service delivery backlog at the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements
- Authors: Hlamandana, Zukiswa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5303 , vital:20831
- Description: The purpose of this study is resolving the service delivery backlog at the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements. The problem of service delivery backlogs is not one unique to South Africa but a problem faced by many developing nations. South African government in all spheres still faces a challenge of creating the good life for its citizen, even more on local Municipality as they are government closest to the people and interacts more closely with communities. It is two decades since South Africa became a democratic state and despite promises and efforts to improve service delivery to the public there still exist backlog in service delivery. In order to address the research problem and to fulfil the research objectives, an in-depth literature study was done on the current state and the role of the Department of Human settlements as well as the current backlog facing the department. Housing process and procedures, challenges, policies, finance, factors influencing housing allocation and delivery were also reviewed. Empirical studies were also performed by means of questionnaires with the community and officials in the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements. The literature and empirical study made it possible to identify causes, challenges and impact of service delivery backlog and to recommend possible solutions for resolving service delivery backlogs. These recommendations should be of value to the department and the country as a whole. In this study research methodology was focused on the research design, target population of study, sampling design and procedures, data collection instrument, data collection procedures, data presentation, analysis and interpretation. The major findings were identified in the study such as poor workmanship, delays in procurement processes, illegal acts, vandalism, poor planning, finance, project management and quality assurance. The study also offers recommendations such as revising procurement policy, source more funds from National, employ more qualified staff, involve community and all stakeholders in decision making in order to address the service delivery backlog successfully .All kinds of approaches that the government needs to employ in order to also improve its performance of delivering service to the public in South Africa were determined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Rethinking biokinetics: a philosophical critique concerning the roles and responsibilities of practitioners and patients
- Authors: Greene, Mark A
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Holistic education -- South Africa Physical education and training -- South Africa -- History Exercise therapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10381 , vital:26743
- Description: The specialist responsible for providing prescribed exercise as a form of medicine to the South African population is the biokineticist. Biokinetics is a relatively new profession developed in response to empirical research supporting exercise as medicine. Although the role of the biokineticist is clearly defined by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), there is still confusion concerning this profession and its services. At present, the dominant medicalscientific and capitalist-economic discourses offer a narrowly mechanistic and instrumental understanding of the human body and its treatment, which contributes to this confusion. This dissertation proposes a new point of departure, enriched by historical and philosophical understandings of the human body, from which the biokineticist can begin to redefine him/herself. The study aims to shift biokinetics as a practice away from the reductionist and dehumanising influences of instrumentalist, scientific and neoliberal capitalist-economic discourses, and to restore to biokineticists, and their clients, the ability they need to interact as relatively autonomous individuals. The study draws on the ideas of Michel Foucault, specifically on his notions for ‘discipline’, ‘docility’, and ‘the care of the self’ (1991; 2005), as well as Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari and their ideas of ‘becoming’ and ‘rhizomatic thinking’ (1983; 1987); ultimately presenting a philosophically enriched, holistic representation of the human body. From here recommendations for best practice in contemporary biokinetics are suggested that encourage interactions and connections between the professional and his/her patients, which move beyond the mere physiological interpretations currently dominating health discourse.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Rhenium complexes with multidentate imine-, amine-, thione-, thiol-, hydroxy- and carboxamide chelates
- Authors: Habarurema, Gratien
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rhenium Metal complexes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12679 , vital:27106
- Description: This study entails the synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of new rhenium complexes with multidentate imine-, amine-, thione-, thiol-, hydroxy- and carboxamide chelates in various oxidation states. Rhenium(I) and (V) complexes with imidazolidine, pyrimidine and bridging pyridyl derivatives are reported in Chapter 3. The reactions of the potential tridentate N,N,Odonor ligand 2,2'-dipyridylketone (dpk) with trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2], (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] and trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] led to the isolation of cis-[ReOCl2(edpm)], cis-[ReOCl2(dpk.OH)] and [ReO3(dpk.OH)] respectively (see Scheme 1). The reaction of (E)-N-((pyridine-2-yl)methylene)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine (pbt) with trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] produced a mononuclear oxorhenium(V) complex cis- [ReOCl2(epm)(PPh3)]. Both dpk and pbt exhibited a nucleophilic attack by acetonitrile (for Hedpm), water (for dpk) and ethanol (for pbt) leading to chelates that act as uninegative tridentate N,N,O- and bidentate N,O-donor chelates respectively. The reaction of [Re(CO)5Cl] with 2,3-dihydro-2,2-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (H2dpb), (2,6-diaza-cyclohex-1-enylolonium)2-aza-benzoate (H2den) and 2-(2-(pyridine-2-yl)imidazolidin-2-yl)pyridine (H2pip) (see Scheme 1) gave rise to novel rhenium(I) complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(H2dmb)Cl], fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhdm)] and fac-[Re(CO)3(H2pip)]Cl respectively. The monomeric cationic salt fac-[Re(CO)3(H2salbam)]Br and ligand-bridged dimer fac- (μ-H2salet)[Re(CO)3]2 complexes were formed by the reactions of [Re(CO)5X] (X = Br or Cl) with the potentially heptadentate Schiff base 2,2,2-tris (salicylideneimino)- triethylamine (H3salet; Scheme 2) respectively. The reactions of the potentially hexadentate ligands acting as tridentate monoanionic N,N,O- or N,O,O-donor chelates N1-(3-(2-hydroxy enzylideneamino) propylamino) ethyl)benzylidenepropane-1,3-diamine (H2salpd) and N,N -bis(salicylidene) -3,6-dioxa-1,8-diaminooctane (H2saldane) (Scheme 2) with [Re(CO)5Cl] led to the isolation of the mononuclear and dinuclear complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(Hsaldane)] and fac-(μ-salpd)[Re(CO)3]2 respectively. The reactions of [Re(CO)5Cl] with the tetradentate ligands 2-{[2-hydroxy-3-{[(E)-(2- hydroxyphenyl)-methylidene]amino}propyl)imino]methyl}phenol (H2hmp), 6-((6E)- ((3E)-3-((oxocyclohexa-2,4-dienyl)methyleneamino)-2-hydroxypropylimino)methyl)- cyclohexa-2,4-dienone (H2hcd.H2O) zwitterion and 2-((1E)-1-((E)-3-(2-hydoxyphenylmethylideneamino)propylimino)methyl)phenol (H2hdp) (see Scheme 2) resulted in the formation of the neutral fac-[Re(CO)3(Hamp)], fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhetp)] and fac- [Re(CO)3(Happ)] respectively. The treatment of 2-((3-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-propylamino)methyl)phenol (H2hbp) with [Re(CO)3Cl] and trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] gave the fac-[Re(CO)3(Hhbp)] and (μ-O)[ReO(hbp)]2 complexes. The reactions of the ligands H2hmp, H2hdp and H2hap (see Scheme 2) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] and trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] produced dinuclear oxo-bridged rhenium(V) complexes (μ-O)[ReO(hmp)]2, [(μ-O)[ReO(hdp)]2 and (μ-O)[ReO(hap)]2 respectively. The neutral and anionic binding modes of thiosemicarbazones to the fac-[Re(CO)3]+, cis- [ReO2]+ and trans-[ReO2]+ cores have been investigated in Chapter 6. The reactions of the potentially tridentate ligand 1-{1-(2- hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene}-4- phenylthiosemicarbazide (H2hpt) (see Scheme 3) with [Re(CO)5Cl], cis-[ReO2I(PPh3)2]cand trans-[ReO2(py)4]Cl led to the isolation of the complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(H2hpt)2]Cl, [Re(hipt)(Hipht)(PPh3)] and trans-[ReO(hpt)(Hhpt)] respectively. The X-ray crystal analysis of the complexes show that the ligand H2hpt exhibits decomposition, thiol-enol tautomerism and a thiolate-iminium zwitterionic process, and coordinates in the neutral form via its thione sulfur and nitrogen and anionic through the azo nitrogen, thiolate sulfur and acetophenolic oxygen. A series of nitrogen-heterocyclic amide-, acid-, thiol- and diol-based ligands as well as their related monomeric rhenium(III) and (V) complexes have also been studied (see Chapter 7). The reaction of N-(2-(pyrazine-2-carboxamido)phenyl)pyrazine-2- carboxamide (H2ppc) (Scheme 3) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] yielded the complex trans- [ReBr2(Hppca)(PPh3)2]. The reactions of trans-[ReOX3(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br) with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2pda) produced the neutral oxorhenium(V) complexes [ReOX2(epca)(PPh3)]. The treatment of trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] with 2-mercaptopyridine- 3-carboxylic acid (H2mpc) gave rise to the rhenium(III) complex [Re(empc)3(PPh3)]. The reaction of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (H2bhp) with trans-[ReOI2(EOt)(PPh3)2], trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] and [Re(CO)5Cl] gave the complexes [ReO(Hbhp)2(PPh3)]I.PPh3, cis-[ReOBr2(Hbhp)(PPh3)] and fac-(μ- O)2[Re(CO)3(Hbhp)]2 respectively. Their X-ray crystal structures indicate that the ligand acts as a bidentate monoanionic N,O-donor chelate leaving a free aliphatic hydroxyl group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Rhenium complexes with pontentially multidentate ligands containing the amino, imino, hydroxy and thiol groups
- Authors: Mukiza, Janvier
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rhenium Thiols Ligands
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12308 , vital:27053
- Description: The chemistry of rhenium has received considerable interest due to its versatility in various catalytic applications, fixation and especially the potential use of 186Re and 188Re radionuclides in nuclear medicine. This study investigates the synthesis and characterisation of rhenium complexes with potentially multidentate ligands containing the amino, imino, hydroxyl and thiol groups. It reports new rhenium complexes in the +1, +3, +4 and +5 oxidation states, which display structural diversity, from monomers to ligand-bridged dimers as well as metal-metal multiply bonded dimers. The reaction of orotic acid (H2oa) and 2-mercapto-orotic acid (H2moa) with trans- [ReOX3(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br) were studied and led to the formation of ligand-bridged dimers with metal-metal multiple bonds i.e. (μ-Br)(μ-O)(μ-oa)[Re2 IVBr(OEt)2(PPh3)2], (μ-X)(μ-O)(μ-oa)[Re2 IVX2(OiPr)(PPh3)2] and (μ-Cl)(μ-O)(μ-moa)2[Re(PPh3)]2. The reaction of H2oa with [ReO2(py)4]Cl, [Re(dab)Br3(PPh3)2] (H2dab = 1,2- diaminobenzene) and [Re(CO)5Cl] were also studied and monomeric complexes [ReO(py)2(OEt)(oa)], [Re(dab)Br(oa)(PPh3)2] and (Ph4P)[Re(CO)3(H2O)(oa)] were isolated. The treatment of 5-amino-orotic acid (H2aoa) with [ReOBr3(PPh3)2] led to dimers with metal-metal triple bonds ReIV≡ReIV i.e. (μ-Br)(μ-O)(μ-oa)[Re2 IVBr(OEt)2(PPh3)2], (μ-Br)(μ-O)(μ-oa)[Re2 IVBr2(OiPr)(PPh3)2], as well as the monomer [ReV(apd)Br(aoa)(PPh3)2] (apd2− = 5-imidopyrimidine-2,4-dione). The chelating ligand 5-aminopyrimidine-2,4-dione (H2apd) was formed by oxorhenium(V)-catalysed decarboxylation of 5-amino-orotic acid (H2aoa) (see Scheme 1). The reaction of the Schiff base derivative of 5-amino-ortic acid, salicylimine-orotic acid (H2soa), with trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] in ethanol was also investigated and led to the formation of the rhenium(III) complex salt [Re(coa)I(PPh3)2]I [Hcoa = 5-(2- hydroxybenzylideneamino)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione]. The chelating Hcoa is also formed from the oxorhenium(V)-catalysed decarboxylation of H2soa and coordinates to the rhenium(III) ion as a monoanionic tridentate N,O,O-donor chelate via the phenolate and ketonic oxygens, and the imino nitrogen atom. However, decarboxylation of H2soa was not observed in its reaction with [ReOCl3(PPh3)2], which led to the isolation of [ReOCl(soa)(PPh3)]. The reaction of the carboxamide derivative of 5-aminoorotic acid, 5-(5-aminopyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)- dioxamido)-1,2,3,6-tetrahedro-2,6-dioxopyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid (H2ampa) with [Re(CO)5Cl] in ethanol led to the formation of a zwitterionic rhenium(I) complex [Re(CO)3(H2O)(amef)] [amef = {5-(5-ammoniumpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dioxamido)- 1,2,3,6-tetrahedro-2,6-dioxopyrimidine-4-ethylformate}]. The chelating ion amef was formed from the combined tricarbonylrhenium(I)-catalysed esterification and aminoprotonation of H2ampa (see Scheme 1) and coordinates to the fac-[Re(CO)3]+ core as a dianionic bidentate N,N-donor chelate via the amido nitrgens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Risk analysis and management systems in South African construction project management practices
- Authors: Cook, Iain Murray
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction projects -- Management , Construction industry -- Risk management , Project management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3469 , vital:20433
- Description: Risk management (RM) should be seen as one of the most important functions in the South African built environment. Without the effective management of the risks associated with the industry, the noble vision of a sector that is efficient, profitable, and sustainable cannot be achieved. By embracing tried and tested policies that successfully mitigate risk, industry stakeholders will achieve many project successes, and will outlast any competitors that choose to ignore, or are ignorant of the fact, that the negative impact risk has on projects is inversely proportional to the level of RM employed. Construction Project Management (CPM) practices, realising that there are excellent business opportunities across South Africa’s borders, and faced with a competitive South African market, are engaging with developers and government entities involved in cross border projects in the hope of securing these potentially lucrative African projects. With this move into Africa comes increased uncertainty and risk for these CPM practices, and other project stakeholders. Similarly, CPM practices that have made the strategic decision to remain operational only within South Africa’s borders, are faced with a competitive and complex built environment and industry, made increasingly challenging by a weakening economy, exacerbated by industrial strikes, infrastructure deficiencies and a decrease in industry skill levels. This study reports on Project Managers’ (PMs’) perceptions of project failures and inefficiencies resulting from inadequate RM on projects, including the RM methodologies currently being employed. The study focused on perceptions of PMs who operate within South Africa’s borders, PMs that operate across border into other African countries, as well as PMs who operate exclusively within South Africa’s built environment framework. A study was undertaken incorporating qualitative methodologies via a normative survey. The survey was split into three main phases. Phase one employed the use of a pilot survey executed with the objective of further investigating the main sub-problems to gain more insight into the related issues and challenges. For the pilot survey, PMs were selected based on their engagement in CPM activities within South Africa as well as across South Africa’s borders into other African countries. Phase two of the main survey, with the sample stratum being the Association of Construction Project Managers (ACPM), was aimed at PMs within the ACPM who have engaged, or are engaging, in CPM activities both within South Africa’s borders as well as across South Africa’s borders into other African countries. Phase 3 of the main survey, with the sample stratum being the ACPM, was aimed at PMs within the ACPM who have engaged, or are engaging, in CPM activities within South Africa’s borders only and have not engaged in cross border activities. Survey findings identified the commercial sector and value of the projects undertaken by the practices, the level of risk associated with different client typologies, the link between inadequate RM and project inefficiency and failure, and the importance of RM on projects. Findings also identified that RM methodologies are employed by CPM practices, and that CPM practices generally endeavour to create a culture of risk awareness amongst employees. Further findings indicated that CPM practices may not always understand the risks associated with new industry sectors, regions or countries that they are considering operating within, and that that there is room for improvement regarding the effectiveness of current RM systems. Survey findings also indicated that risk is not always transferred to the correct project stakeholder most suited to managing the risk, and CPM practices are not always able to accurately quantify the costs associated with project risk. Furthermore, it was identified that CPM practices do not always undertaken risk assessments (RAs) at the correct project stage resulting in inadequate risk contingencies allowances, regular risk reviews are not always undertaken for projects, project pre-mortems are seen as valuable tools by CPM practices as a method to reduce future risk, and project post-mortems relative to ‘lessons learnt’ are not always undertaken. Conclusions outline the link between effective RM, project inefficiencies and project failure, as well as the increase or decrease in risk relative to ineffective or effective use of risk identification and management methodologies for time, cost, and quality factors respectively. Conclusions also outline the fact that although CPM practices generally understand the link between RM and project success, they are not always able to fully comprehend the risks associated with new industry sectors, regions or cross border countries. This indicates that without the adequate identification of risk, the RM process or steps that follow the qualitative risk identification process will have little or no value. This is indicative of the requirement for professional associations to consolidate risk data for industry activities with the aim of improving the level of RM industry wide. Recommendations highlight the importance of the compiling of sector specific risk registers, compiled by the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) with registered member input, made available to all PMs via the SACPCMPs online database. Further recommendations include: the engendering, by senior management of CPM practices; a healthy ‘risk aware’ culture, by promoting RM practices aligned with best practice methodologies; the implementation of well balanced and formal RM systems throughout the CPM practice, with the aim of achieving effective RM without overburdening PMs with unnecessary documentation or ‘paperwork’; the attendance of risk conferences and workshops by all CPM practices, aimed at specifically identifying challenges that exist with RM and methods that can be employed to improve the status quo; the attendance of formal risk training courses, by all CPM practices, aimed at improving the knowledge base of PMs relative to effective RM, and the appointment of risk professionals, driven by the monetary value and risk levels of the project, to undertake the RM process and unburden PMs from the task, allowing PMs to concentrate on the other project knowledge areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Risk and portfolio management in microfinace institutional governance in Kampala metropolitan region
- Authors: Kyagulanyi, Ronald
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Uganda -- Kampala , Risk management -- Uganda -- Kampala , Portfolio management -- Uganda -- Kampala
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8532 , vital:26401
- Description: This study was undertaken to examine the issues relating to risk and loan portfolio management in Microfinance institutions in Uganda. The first objective of this study was to establish the extent of governance in MFIs in Kampala, by looking at the overall management of these institutions, assessing how decision are made, and looking at how they are staffed. The second objective is to establish the variables that best explain management of Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs). The third objective is to identify the risk management of loan portfolios and lastly to provide recommendations based on the findings. The researcher used explanatory and survey research designs. A minimum sample 114 participants from 50 MFIs was used in data collection and analysis. The researcher employed principle component analysis (PCA) basing on Eigen values to identify variables above mean-scores and the nodes on the scree plot (ordered eigenvalues) denotes the number of variables that best explain the dimensions and conclusion on each variables was drawn basing on mean values of descriptive statistical analysis. Furthermore the orthonormal loadings display of the variables is employed basing on the first principle component that identified the names of variables above the mean score and final variable is drown basing on descriptive statistical analysis using mean scores focusing on those above the mean. The analysis is based on three dimensions of assessments, namely; Governance, Human capital and Risk Management. In general 227 variables were observed from the 3 dimensions, however by employing the PCA the researcher was in position to come up with those that best explain the 3 dimensions and in summary 29 out of 131 variables were identified by the PCA that best describes governance, 17 out of 72 variables were extracted that best explain what is taking in place in human capital whilst 5 out of 24 variables were extracted in relation to risk management. Furthermore conclusions are drawn by employing descriptive statistical analysis basing on mean scores of the variables identified by the PCA. Therefore out of the 29 variables identified by PCA on governance dimension, 19 variables on average have mean scores above 3 signifying good performance in those areas. Therefore the strength of MFIs under governance is seen in the following areas; The MFIs surveyed have strong board that is professionally ethical and knowledgeable in the area of managing financial institutions. They are performing better in the area of decision making, they do make timely decisions, and the board keeps on monitoring management and making sure that strategies agreed upon are properly implemented. The board is well committed in filing tax returns which is a legal requirement to all taxpaying institutions. However 10 variables showed sign of weakness because they have mean scores on average below 3. Management of MFIs need to strengthen its self in the area of allowing individual initiative in decision making, recognition of management committees in place, this smoothen the operations of the institution and lastly the board need to mentor the management, most of the personnel managing these institutions lack skills in managing the entity. On the side of human capital management, 17 variables identified by PCA, basing on their mean scores, 13 have mean scores above 3 showing good performance of MFIs. In this case the strength of MFIs lies in having educated human resources in place; MFIs gave the ability to exploit the available opportunities more especially targeting low income earners that for long have been neglected. However mores is needed under human capital dimension more especially in those areas where on average their mean scores was below 3 such as training programs where the respondents revealed that the type of training obtained does not match with the job requirements therefore they do not benefit from these programs. There is still a lot of bureaucracy within the management that slows the operations of the MFIs. This is further explained by having directors commuting as loan officers. Failure to accept risk exposes the entire institution to a vague of collapse. The last dimension is risk management and in this way, 5 variables were identified by the PCA, and basing on their mean scores, 3 variables showed good progress and that is having performance management system in place, there are limited complaints from the clients about the MFIs services offered and lastly all employees are given access rights to organisation resources, the loan schemes are open to all employees and no discrimination in service delivery, however 2 variables were identified with mean scores below 3 showing weaknesses within the systems. Therefore MFIs have to improve technologies used in their operations; the use of file carbines, off line computers exposes the institution to high degree of risk. There is need to strengthen their distribution channels so that the financial services offered reach out to clients at ease. Specifically the research study identified various risks like systematic risk, operational risk, credit risk, counterparty risk and legal risk in that they do affect the gross loan portfolio in MFIs and policy measures have been recommended to mitigate such risks in financial institutions. These risks can be mitigated by; • Having Internal control systems of checks and balances • Hedging of transactions through advance booking and paying cash in advance. • Diversification of portfolio, through investing in as many assets possible • Continuous reminder of their obligations and making a fall up of clients and as well insuring the loans. • Investors are encouraged to form a network of partners in the business • Continuous engagement of a legal adviser to the institutions. The study contributed to better understanding of risk management in MFIs, that no single variable can be relied upon to explain effective management of risks but however in this study three dimensions play a crucial role in management of risks. The MFI management should focus on having an internal audit function operating independently in that financial controls should be regularly updated to cope with the changing environment. Audit committee of the board should be complete enough to supervise and regulate internal control systems, written policies in the organization should be effectively implemented with clear division of responsibilities of middle to top managers and lastly Segregation of powers and authority need to be strongly emphasized as a way of enhancing proper management of risks in MFIs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Risk management practices on public sector construction projects: Case studies in Lesotho
- Authors: Nketekete, Molefi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Risk management Construction industry -- Lesotho Risk management -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11228 , vital:26900
- Description: Risk management (RM) is a knowledge area in project management (PM). The challenges of project complexity require astute RM. However, RM practices in Lesotho appear to lag behind international trends. Within the sub-Sahara African region, RM incompetence affects timely delivery of public projects owing to PM practices that do not address risks. This study, which adopts a case study approach, unravels the „how and why‟ of contemporary RM practices which are lacking in Lesotho, despite a poor record of project success in the construction industry. Through the reviewed literature and primary data collection, this study investigates three elements in order to determine the level of RM practice within Lesotho public sector construction projects. These elements were the basis of RM, the RM processes, and the peoples‟ perceptions which were essentially centred on the probability of risk and the impact thereof. The results from the study achieved through cross-case synthesis show that the level of RM practice in the Lesotho public sector construction projects is at variance with international practice. The notable gaps in practice include construction professionals who do not know about or who have not practiced project RM. The study thus propose that the Government of Lesotho (GoL) should invest in educating more people in the areas of construction project management or engage professionals with extensive project RM experience. The recommended initiatives should promote professionalism and accountability that are essential for bracing the RM practice in public sector construction projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016