Leadership style and organisational culture's effect on employee organisational commitment at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority
- Authors: Garande, Bertha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Corporate culture Organizational commitment Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAdmin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8429 , vital:32787
- Description: Orientation: “Any company can become a great place to work for”. This is an appealing statement but how are great places to work characterised? In an era characterised by turbulent changes in business environment due to elements like globalisation, organisations are trying their best to attain competitive advantage. Organisational commitment has been pointed by most researchers as a survival aspect for most organisations. However, internal organisational aspects such as leadership style and organisational culture needs to be closely looked at as they influence the level of commitment employees will have to an organisation. Research purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the effect of leadership style and organisational culture on employee organisational commitment. Motivation for the study: Employee organisational commitment is becoming a challenge for organisations regardless of the type or field of operation. Factors like leadership style and organisational culture needs to be closely scrutinised if organisations are to be successful as they are constantly affected by drastic changes facing organisations in today’s world. Research design, approach and method: A questionnaire was used as a method for data collection and it was administered to a sample of 250 respondents at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority in Zimbabwe. Random sampling was used to select respondents. Main findings: Chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis were applied in testing the statistical significance of the relationship among variables. The results indicated that leadership style and organisational culture had a significant positive relationship on organisational commitment. Practical implications: The results of this study showed that managers should strategise or develop programmes that enhances employee retention so as to overcome labour turnover problems due to lack of employee commitment. The study also clearly indicated that better leadership style and organisational culture is fundamental in enhancing employee commitment in an organisation. Contribution: The findings of this study showed that leadership style and organisational culture have a positive significant effect on employee commitment.
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Local versus international celebrity endorsement credibility and consumer purchase intentions in the cosmetic industry
- Authors: Nyamakanga,Nyarai Faith
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Purchasing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13891 , vital:39724
- Description: In order for a firm to create and improve the image of its product or services, celebrity endorsement is considered to be a highly effective tool which can influence consumer behaviour. This is evident in the increasing number of marketers who are harnessing the power of celebrities to endorse their products. However, for endorsement to be successful the celebrity endorsers must be viewed as credible by consumers. It has been shown that there are three dimensions that determine the level of credibility in celebrity endorsements: trustworthiness, expertise and attractiveness. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of the credibility of local versus international celebrity endorsement in advertising on consumers’ intention to purchase cosmetic products in a South African (SA) context. This study focused on the cosmetic industry as it is an industry that relies heavily on endorsement to advertise and attract consumers to purchase products. Firms in this industry need to be aware of the criteria when selecting celebrity endorsers such as whether to hire an international or local celebrity as brand representatives. Thus, the researcher aimed to determine whether there is a difference in terms of credibility between local and international celebrity endorsers as viewed by SA consumers with respect to the cosmetic industry. The credibility of the celebrities was rated using the credibility scale developed by Ohanian (1990). The credibility scale rates the credibility of celebrities using the three factors of attractiveness, trustworthiness and expertise. Two models were proposed for the study, one testing the credibility of local endorsers whilst the other testing the credibility of international endorsers. These dimensions were hypothetically by the researcher to determine their effect on consumer purchase intention. To hypothetically test the dimensions, a quantitative approach and design were used as methods of gathering and analysing data. A total of 237 selfadministered questionnaires were distributed at a University in the Eastern Cape (EC). Analysis and interpretation of findings was done using the descriptive statistical measures with the help of Statistical Package for Social Scientists. The inferential statistics were analysed using the multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the statistical significance of the model, which was found to be statistically significant for both models. The regression coefficients where then used to determine the strength of the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable for each model. iii The study concluded that consumers perceive both local and international celebrity endorsers as credible and are influenced to purchase cosmetics products because of perceived credibility. The data analysis showed that local celebrity endorsers are perceived as more credible than international celebrity endorsers within the context of marketing cosmetic products in the South African industry. This means that consumers can be easily persuaded to purchase cosmetics products when marketed using locally based celebrity endorsers. The outcome of the research informatively helps managers to carefully select the endorser that will be able to create awareness, attract and retain loyal consumers through the advertisement. Inasmuch as marketers have to endorse local celebrities, it is also safe for them to consider international celebrity endorsers as their credibility to a lesser extent influences consumers to purchase products. However, marketers need to define and determine the target market, and select an endorser that aligns with the characteristics of the market. One of the study’s objectives was to test which of the three dimensions mentioned earlier had a stronger impact on consumer’s intention to purchase for both local and international endorsers. The attractiveness dimension indicated a much stronger influence on consumer purchase intention in comparison to the other dimensions for local celebrities and was found to be statistically significant. As the cosmetic industry is a beauty industry, it is recommended that firms in the industry use local attractive endorsers to market the cosmetic products. However, the endorser must also be trustworthy as it ranks second in terms of influence to intention to purchase. On the other hand the expertise dimension in international celebrities had the highest coefficient score indicating a greater strength and influence on consumer purchase intention and was the only dimension statistically significant. It is recommended that marketers in the cosmetic industry could employ international celebrities as endorsers by considering their level of expertise and experience in the cosmetics and other industries such the fashion industry, as well as previous advertisements they would have endorsed. The trend is often for marketers to consider, select and endorse the most attractive celebrities especially in the cosmetic industry, but this research has indicated that attractiveness is not the most important dimension that marketers should be using in selecting international celebrity endorsers. If marketers within a firm have adopted international celebrity endorsement, it is recommended they use it within a target market that is less price-sensitive whereby the high prices charged can cover the endorsement costs. It was also suggested that marketers can use international celebrity endorsers with expertise when introducing new products as consumers would need a iv lot of information on the product. Local celebrity endorsers would then be used when the product has been established
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Market participation effect on profitability of Zanyokhwe and Melani irrigation schemes in Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Qapeshu, Sipumle
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15639 , vital:40493
- Description: Profit accumulation is one of the key benefits associated with market access. However, market access tend to be the major challenge to many smallholder farmers and that ends up influencing their profitability. Irrigation schemes became one of the coping mechanisms for such farmers whereby they work collectively with the aim of overcoming the various technical and institutional constraints they confront. This study examined how profitability is influenced by market participation of irrigation schemes by identifying the market structures used by irrigation schemes and describing the challenges encountered by smallholder irrigation scheme members who operate in those markets and assessing the profitability of the identified market. Primary data were collected using a comprehensive questionnaire made up of both open and closed ended questions. Data were collected from two irrigation schemes namely: Melani irrigation scheme (Alice – Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality) and Zanyokhwe irrigation scheme (Keiskammahoek – Amahlathi Local Municipality). Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 respondents. SPSS (version 22) and Microsoft Excel computer programmes were employed to conduct the wide range of descriptive and inferential analyses involved. Frequencies, percentages and means were used for the descriptive results to describe the general characteristics (example: gender, age, marital status and level of education) and socioeconomic features of the respondents. A regression model (Binary logistic model) was done to examine how profitability is influenced by market participation. Furthermore, Gross Margin Analysis was conducted to find out the profitability of the market structures used by these irrigation schemes. The descriptive results showed that there is a relationship between profitability and market participation of smallholder irrigation schemes in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, by participate on markets this can improve the livelihood of farmers. The binary logistic regression model results revealed that there are five significant variables at different statistical levels. Age (10percent), years of schooling (1percent), distance to markets (1percent), farming experience (5percent) and the household income at (10percent) had a statistically significant influence on the market participation decision. These findings suggest that an improvement in each of the significant variables can significantly influence farmer market participation decisions. Furthermore, based on the results of the study, policy recommendations are suggested, including improving dissemination of market information to farmers, encouraging farmers to seek markets before production and encouraging farmers to add value to their produce. The Gross Margin Analysis that was performed showed that in Melani irrigation scheme farmers had positive gross margins and farmers in Zanyokhwe irrigation scheme had a negative gross margin. Therefore it can be concluded that the market that is available to Zanyokhwe irrigation scheme does not give good returns, suggesting a need for changing the market so as to ensure that farmers derive meaningful access. The study recommends the improvements to market participation through credit to low income farmers, formal training, market information, better price and tax policies for smallholder irrigation farming to ensure sustainable improvements in profitability of smallholder irrigation schemes.
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Mobile phone banking : a comparative analysis of e-service quality and customer loyalty
- Authors: Chigori, Darlington Tawanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electronic commerce Customer loyalty Consumer satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:39077
- Description: Mobile phone banking optimisation around the world is becoming more significant. Banks are investing heavily to improve service quality of both mobile phone banking applications and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking in a bid to retain existing customers and win new ones. The majority of studies focusing on mobile phone banking have related to adoption and the validation of theories and factors affecting mobile phone banking. This study focused on contrasting the two categories of mobile phone banking, specifically mobile banking applications and USSD banking. This comparison is drawn in terms of e-service quality of these modes of banking and their resultant effects on customer loyalty. To validate and determine the nature of the relationships in the proposed model, the study examined e-service quality in terms of efficiency, fulfilment, privacy and systems availability as well as the overall influence of service quality on customer loyalty with respect to the two types of mobile banking. The positivistic paradigm was employed and thus, due to the scope of data and nature of the study, the quantitative approach was considered as the most appropriate approach. Previously used reliable and valid scales were adapted through a self-administered survey questionnaire. The results from a total number of 218 students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) were analysed through Pearson correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and Smart Partial Least Squares structural equation models (PLS-SEM). Based on the findings, various recommendations and implications were suggested to banks, practitioners and academics. The findings indicated that fulfilment, privacy and efficiency were all significantly related to overall service quality and customer loyalty. Systems availability was not significantly related to overall service quality and customer loyalty. The findings showed that privacy, fulfilment and efficiency are critical to both mobile banking applications (MB App) and USSD/cellphone banking.
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Modelling the performance of a calorifier installed at a university residence intended to be retrofited by an air source heat pump
- Authors: Mzolo, Noluthando Precious Duduzile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Caloric engines Heat pumps
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4660 , vital:28485
- Description: Sanitary hot water production contributes significantly to the electrical energy consumption in the university campus. An in-depth understanding of the current hot water technology, number of students, capacity of water used per student, time of use of hot water, total volume of hot water consumed and the total energy used on an average weekday in a university residence are very crucial in opting for energy efficient technology like an air source heat pump (ASHP) water heater. The study focused on quantitative and qualitative analysis of data collected for the hot water profiles in one of the university residences (Elitheini 1) from the conduction of experiment and questionnaires. The results revealed that 94% of the 75 students used hot water during the Eskom morning peak and 61% during the Eskom evening peak. In addition, the average daily energy consumption of the 12 kW Calorifier was 139.49 kWh, while the measured volume of hot water usage was 1950 L which is in strong agreement with the total volume (1945 L) of hot water consumption from the questionnaires. The p-value of the average volume of hot water usage measured by experiment and questionnaires was 0.7 and is of no mean significant difference. The monthly energy consumption for the week days was projected to be 2929.31 kWh. By retrofitting of calorifier with an ASHP unit, the energy consumption could reduce to 976.43 kWh based on its consecutive coefficient of performance of 3. Finally, from the energy consumption reduction analysis and the current Eskom tariffs, it can be alluded that the payback period of the proposedASHP unit as a retrofit to the calorifier is going to be less than 2 years and is worthy to invest into such technology under this study due to its favourable payback period and the reliability and lifespan of the ASHP unit.
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Multi-temporal analysis of urban land-use and land-cover patterns in Alice, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Manyanye, Owen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Geographic information systems Land use -- Remote sensing Land cover
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8066 , vital:31506
- Description: South Africa is undergoing rapid urbanization coupled with fast demographic change in the major cities and towns. This economic shift leaves behind underdevelopment, particularly in the rural areas such as the Eastern Cape Province. Underdevelopment of rural Eastern Cape can be understood by revisiting the “native reserve policy” of the Union of South Africa (1910 –1948) and the separate development policies of the apartheid government (1948 –1994). These policies have induced landlessness in the rural Eastern Cape and the destruction of rural livelihoods, poverty and under-development of roads, housing, health, education and sanitation facilities, and constrained development of a sustainable local economy. This study was aimed at determining the temporal and spatial land-use / land-cover changes in and around Alice town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa by using multi-date remotely Landsat TM images covering 5 time slices for the years 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009. This was done by using supervised classification to objectively reconstruct changes in land-use and land-cover by compiling time-series maps with four information classes and using the Kappa Coefficient to assess the accuracy of all map outputs. Results of this investigation point to significant changes in land-use and land-cover over the 25-year study period between 1984 and 2009 with built-up areas expanding by 3720 hectares from 3227 hectares in 1984 to 6947 hectares in 2009. This observation is important because it enhances our understanding of the dynamics of urban growth and provides useful insights that aid urban development planning and policy formulation. The research concludes by recommending the use time series remotely sensed imagery as a decision-support tool for urban and environment management.
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Multi-temporal assessment of spatial changes in vegetation distribution in the Swartkops estuary, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Atyosi, Yonwaba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental impact analysis Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13762 , vital:39710
- Description: Over the last decade, image classification has been widely used as a change detection method and provides detailed information for detecting and monitoring changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The main objective of this study was to reconstruct long-term changes in the spatial distribution of different vegetation types in the Swartkops Estuary from 1983 to 2013. The Swartkops Estuary is ecologically important for its wide range of vegetation types that are habitat to estuarine and riverine organisms. Four Landsat images for the years 1984 (Thematic Mapper), 1993 (Thematic Mapper), 2003(Enhanced Thematic Mapper +) and 2013 (Operational Land Imager) were used with the aid of aerial photographs that were used as an ancillary data source. The research methodology comprised of supervised classification, classification accuracy assessment and image differencing. Supervised classification was performed and results of the image classification process for the four time periods were compared to derive information on changes that occurred over the 29-year study period. Images were classified into the following classes: Estuarine water, Salt works, Zostera capensis, Spartina maritima, Terrestrial vegetation, Salt marsh, Swartkops thicket, Built-up areas, Bare areas, and Beach sand, using the Maximum likelihood classifier on Erdas IMAGINE 2014 Software. The significance of the image classification was tested using linear trend regression analysis. Image differencing was performed using 1984 and 2013 Landsat images to reconstruct overall changes in vegetation distribution of the Swartkops Estuary. Results of this investigation revealed significant changes in all land cover types, 24 ha increase from 1984 to 2013 in Zostera capensis as well as Spartina maritima, salt marshes increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 2013, terrestrial vegetation declined by 18 ha between 1984 and 2013. There was a stable increase in estuarine water from 1984 to 2013 by a total area of 29 ha. Water increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 1993, 11 ha increase between 1993 and 2003. However, there was a decline in estuarine water in the period between 2003 and 2013.This decline is associated with the increase in submerged macrophytes like Zostera capensis which utilise open water habitat. The dominant salt marsh species Limonium peregrinum, Sarcoconia pillansii and Spartina maritima occurred in the intertidal, supratidal and floodplain areas where the water table was the shallowest, with the soil moisture being the highest. These results indicate that Remote Sensing and GIS can be effectively used to detect and monitor changes in estuarine biodiversity and habitat in South Africa.
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Narratives of challenge and motivation : the stories of East London Community Health Care volunteers
- Authors: Ngconjana, Unati
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community health services Volunteer workers in social service Home care services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6325 , vital:29569
- Description: The research study was aimed at exploring the narratives of motivations and challenges that home-based health care workers experience in their voluntary service provision. It was conducted in East London in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. A total of seven participants who volunteer in home based care programmes were interviewed and their mean age was 30 years; all were females, two married, one a widow, one divorced and two single females. The narrative framework was used to explore the volunteers' interpretation of volunteering experiences, highlighting themes that emerged on what encourages them to volunteer as home based health care workers, and how they deal with challenges that arise during the provision of services. The research was also aimed at exploring the social factors supporting the volunteers' decision to continue volunteering. Narratives from the interviewed community health workers [CHWs] indicate that the motives for participating in CHW programmes are mainly altruistic although people are sometimes motivated by self-interest. Self-interest seems to be particularly relevant in the case of the younger volunteers as they expressed their hope that providing voluntary service may help to enhance their skills so as to facilitate future learning and employment prospects. The recurring themes within the CHWs' narrative indicate that they identify with the helping role and feel it empowers them as they participate in meaningful ways in their communities, and they gain strength to cope with challenges that come with community health work. This study highlighted the complex nature of home based care roles, which inevitably reflect the intervention approach, the mode of working, professional roles and relationships with communities.
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Needs assessment in the development of a problem-based learning for paediatric nurse specialist programme at the University of Fort Hare Eastern Cape
- Authors: Melitafa, Nomntu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nursing assessment Problem-based learning Nursing -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8921 , vital:33966
- Description: The study seeks to assess the need for developing a post graduate child nursing science programme with a problem based learning approach at the University of Fort Hare East London Campus. The aim is to the aim of the study was to conduct a needs assessment in preparation for development of a PBL curriculum so as to produce reflective PNSs. Literature exposed the high mortality rates of children and the competency gaps of trained PNSs. A descriptive quantitative design was used to guide the study. The data were collected by means of self-administered survey questionnaires which constituted closed and open ended questions to yield both quantitative and qualitative data. Data were obtained based on demographic information, performance and importance of the PNS activities, competences of PNSs as well as the prevalence of child health problems at the rural, semi-urban and urban hospitals in the ECP. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. The sample size was 70 and 38 participants responded. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained. Quantitative data were analyzed through use of the Statistical Programme for Social Science software (SPSS) Version 9.0.1 and qualitative data were analyzed manually. Quantitative results were presented with pie graphs, tables and frequencies. Four themes emerged, revealing factors prohibiting the service delivery of PNSs, special training needs of PNSs, prevalent health problems in children and personal interventions. The results showed that in essence there is a need to develop the envisaged Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum.
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Pentecostal and exclusion of women in positions of leadership : a case of Pentecostal churches in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Guti, Joseph
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pentecostal churches -- Zimbabwe Women and religion -- Zimbabwe Women in church work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8866 , vital:33692
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the issues relating to women empowerment and their leadership positions in the Pentecostal churches in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the theoretical findings that women have always been discriminated against, be it, politically, economically, socio‐culturally, and also religiously. It is against this background that this study interrogated the position of women in the Church particularly in African Pentecostal Christianity. Scholars of gender studies assert that even though women are attaining higher levels and developing both economically and politically, they still remain invisible in top church leadership ranks. The study examined how compliant the Pentecostals in Zimbabwe are to the gospel of equality, and check if distinctions still exist even among the Pentecostal Christians. This issue of gender imbalance is a worldwide problem which the church needs to address for the good of humanity. The issue of women empowerment in Pentecostal churches particularly in Zimbabwe, is a major challenge today because there are more women than men in the churches, yet it seems that in most churches they are excluded in top leadership positions. The Pentecostal Movement is said to be the most significant religious movement in the world which is primarily made up of women, yet it has also been observed that women in most African countries are treated as lower or second class citizens. The Zimbabwean society is male dominated and the Pentecostal churches are also affected, such that gender imbalances are observed and women abuses are prevalent. Therefore the issue of gender and gender imbalance is a global challenge, and as a result it has also become a global agenda in the academic world. This is what motivated the researcher to examine to what extent the Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe perceive the importance of women empowerment, and also determine the impact of the exclusion of women from top church leadership positions. A review of literature on women empowerment and their exclusion from Pentecostal church leadership positions indicated that the challenges that Pentecostal women faced were similar among all religious groups in other African countries outside Zimbabwe. The research study showed that the Pentecostal Church in Zimbabwe needs to address this issue of women empowerment since the church or religious sector is lagging behind when other areas of the society like the economic and political sectors have already embraced the notion. Therefore this study is significant because it seeks to address the gender imbalances in Pentecostal Christianity that has seen women being on the periphery while men being at the centre when it comes to Church hierarchy. In investigating the issue of women empowerment in Pentecostal churches the researcher proposes that if there is gender balance in the leadership of the church there will be more sound contribution in the ministry of the church that would benefit everyone equally. It has been observed that women like men, have also been given spiritual gifts that should be used to benefit or minister to the body of Christ without limits. Yet currently there seems to be a sense that women in the Pentecostal Churches are not afforded opportunity to exercise their ministry and freely participate in the active ministry of the church. There is also a general feeling among women that their needs are not adequately catered for in the church because men cannot fully understand the needs of women, and as a result women suffer silently. Iidentification of the above challenges would enable the Pentecostal church leaders and other stakeholders to devise specific policies and strategies that assist in empowering women, and thereby creating a better environment which allows for church growth. This research was a descriptive case study that used self-administered questionnaires and interviews as the primary source of data on a target sample of 80 Pentecostal members (among them were pastors, elders, deacons, and ordinary male and female members) from various Pentecostal churches in Harare. The researcher also consulted secondary sources of data for the study including electronic and printed church material, websites, conferences and church services. Data collected for this research was transformed for statistical analysis through the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and also Thematic Analysis for further data presentation. Thematic analysis method was used to systematically find answers to research questions, as well as identifying, analyzing and reporting patterns or themes within the data collected. The phenomenological approach was used in this research to understand the behavioural patterns of Pentecostal church members from the view point of the participants, and mostly to allow the voices of the women to be heard. Besides the phenomenological approach, this study employed the Theological Reflection approach to interpret the data since the concerns under investigation are ethical-theological issues. Conclusively, the research findings indicated that women in the Pentecostal churches faced challenges, even though they had capacity just like men. Some of the challenges were due to such factors as the “glass ceiling” that block their access to top leadership ranks, gender role stereotyping, negative societal or cultural influences, inferiority complex of women themselves, lack of acceptance by men, lack of education or access to training, and the challenges of balancing home and family responsibilities. From the study it shows that women have capacity for leadership in Pentecostal churches if they are empowered. Therefore motivational teachings and training programs are needed to correct the wrong mentalities concerning the status of women in African Pentecostalism.
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Perceptions and experiences of small and medium enterprise owners towards the implementation of broad-based-black-economic-empowerment
- Authors: Pike, Angela Patricia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa Employee empowerment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15705 , vital:40510
- Description: The South African economy has been faced with numerous challenges within the twenty-first century such as poverty, unemployment and crime. Broad-Based-Black- Economic-Empowerment (BBBEE) has become an emerging obstacle for not only Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa(SA), but it is currently one of the principle issues on the South African government’s agenda. It has been identified that the core issue surrounding BBBEE SMEs is being BBBEE compliant. Therefore, this qualitative research study investigated the perceptions and experiences of SME owners towards the implementation of BBBEE. This investigation was executed within the East London area in which a total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results illustrated that although BBBEE was not favoured amongst SMEs in East London, they were still implementing BBBEE into their businesses in order to gain tender work and enjoy financial improvement. Becoming BBBEE compliant presented certain administrative challenges such as the large amount of documentation, the timely process of becoming BBBEE compliant and the cost of BBBEE compliance. However, although challenges existed, SMEs had implemented strategies in order to overcome such challenges and were seeking guidance from BBBEE agencies. The final outlook of BBBEE was that it be restructured in such a manner that it included all races of SA in order to contribute towards social justice and equality. This study, therefore, had a considerable contribution on a methodological, theoretical and practical level. Furthermore, the implications of the study were explored.
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Perceptions of adolescents and professional on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho child and youth care facilities, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Magoqwana, Yandiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social problems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child care services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12970 , vital:39412
- Description: This research explored the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre, in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher cross examined the challenges faced by adolescent in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The research study aimed to explore the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The study was premised by three objectives, firstly to examine the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in the Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. Secondly to investigate the behavioural problems experienced by adolescents in the Bisho Youth Care Centre. Thirdly to examine the kind of support provided by professionals like Social workers, Educators, Professional Nurse, Bricklaying Instructor , Child and Youth Care Worker Supervisor and Child and Youth Care Worker . The researcher used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of
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Perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Sidloyi, Nozitulele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Abortion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4428 , vital:28339
- Description: Adolescent pregnancy is a concern worldwide and has risen at an alarming rate in South African societies. Many teenage pregnancies end up being aborted. Despite the availability of contraceptives free of charge in public institutions, unintended pregnancies among adolescents still persist. These unintended pregnancies result in a high rate of induced abortion, both safe and unsafe. The study was conducted to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa. This was a qualitative, phenomenological research study to explore the perceptions of adolescents regarding the induced abortion. Participants were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected by means of individual interviews using interview guide in order to allow the participants to express their perceptions freely because of the sensitivity of the issue. Data were collected until saturation was reached. Saturation was reached after 24 participants were interviewed by the researcher. Data analysis used Tech’s (1990) steps as outlined by Creswell (2014:198). Themes, categories, and subcategories were identified following the data analysis. All adolescents admitted having consensual unprotected sex. Engagement in early sexual behaviour by the adolescents was evident as their sexual debut was between the ages of fifteen and sixteen years. Adolescents emphasised that they had abortions because they had no choice. Adolescents cited poor-socio economic status as their main reason for having abortions. Some findings were that adolescent men were against abortion and they had to be persuaded by their female counter parts. A recurrent factor in the results was the infrequent use of contraceptives, including condoms by the adolescents. This indicated that adolescents practised unsafe sex, with little or no regard for sexual transmitted diseases including Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS). The results also indicated poor treatment by the nursing staff at the family planning clinics. This poor treatment resulted in adolescents not attending family planning clinics. This led to adolescents using abortion as the only method of contraception. Shortage of staff was a contributing factor to the poor treatment of adolescents in the family planning clinics. Adolescents cited that contraception at the clinics is not prioritised. The participants suggested that they should be reminded when to come to the clinic for family planning. Perceptions of reasons for adolescents choosing induced abortion ranges from psychosocial to socio-economic reasons. The knowledge of participants of what was happening to them and what they were doing seemed adequate. The perceptions of the adolescents regarding induced abortion were that abortion is wrong, against their morals as they are Christians; they use abortion because they have no choice due to their poor socio-economic status. The strategies to reduce the unintended pregnancy through the proper management of the contraception programmes, including the change in negative attitudes of health care providers in the family planning clinics could yield positive results.
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Perceptions of male teachers on under-representation of female teachers in high school management positions in the Queenstown Education District
- Authors: Nyikanyika, Khaya
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women school administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5036 , vital:29018
- Description: The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of male teachers on the under-representation of female teachers in high school management position in the Queenstown Education District and to find the barriers that cause this perception to determine the possible solutions for these problems. To carry out this study descriptive method was employed. Participants of the study were 60 male teachers, selected by using stratified random sampling techniques. The data were collected by using questionnaire and interview. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were employed in order to turn up at the results. The findings of the study revealed that, despite the male teachers perceptions on the under-representation of female school managers in high school management positon has been changing, but not as expected still they believe that female teachers are reluctant to accept responsibilities of school management positions Some of the challenges which could hinder female teachers representation in high school management positions were for instance; pressure of home responsibilities, men dominance of management position, political appointment, unclear promotion procedures or informal recruitment selection and discrimination.
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Perceptions of rural households about the role and effect of biogas production on rural household income in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality
- Authors: Ngcobo, Lindiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4694 , vital:28494
- Description: Rural development efforts to reduce poverty and enhance food security and generally improve livelihoods in developing countries continue to be constrained by high energy cost. For that reason, renewable energy has been identified as a possible panacea to fill this gap. Renewable energy is cheaper, more accessible and environmentally sustainable and promotes inclusivity. Biogas is a renewable energy that is readily available and easy to use by poor rural households. The use of biogas digesters among households in rural areas of developing countries is a well-known technology. The potential for biogas in these areas has been demonstrated and a strong economic case has been made. However, its adoption and use have been lower than expectations possibly as result of non-economic considerations, including social issues about which rural people hold different perceptions. Perceptions of rural households are important because they influence the behaviour to a large extent. Since limited access to affordable energy in rural areas has encouraged government and private organisations to initiate biogas projects to overcome the challenge, it is important to ascertain the factors that affect attitudes towards the technology. The present study sought to explore perceptions of rural households about biogas production towards rural household income in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Specifically, this research investigated the state of biogas project being implemented by the University of Fort Hare’s Institute of Technology (FHIT), the perceptions of respondents towards biogas production and determine the contribution of biogas consumption to rural income. The study also aimed to identify the factors affecting the adoption of biogas production in the study area. The study was carried out in Melani village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 48 households who were enumerated to identify their perceptions on biogas production, with special emphasis on the role and effect contributed to rural income of Melani village. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used in data collection. Data were collected and captured in Excel and then analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 24 Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics of households and state of biogas production in the area, Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the key elements of perceptions of household towards biogas adoption, binary logistic model was used to estimate factors influencing adoption of biogas technology by households. The results show that women were dominant for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas. The majority of households were young with mean age of 40 years while for non-adopters were 65 years old on average. The results showed high levels of literacy amongst household adopters. Majority of the households for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas technology were married and unemployed and household size ranged from one to five persons, with social grants being dominant source of income. The bivariate correlation analysis suggests a positive effect of green pepper production and livestock ownership on biogas technology adoption. Age and level of education were negatively correlated with adoption of biogas. The cross tabulation analysis suggests that water scarcity, lack of knowledge about biogas technology, cattle ownership, lack of maintenance and repairing, flooded biogas digesters during rainy season are negatively associated with the uptake of biogas technology. The empirical results from binary logistic model suggest that land size was the key determinant of adoption behaviour towards biogas technology while age of the household head, source of income and level of education may have a negative influence on adoption of biogas technology. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends strategies to encourage households to adopt biogas technology.
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Perceptions of school stakeholders towards the use of English as a language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in grade 9 Social Sciences
- Authors: Soya, Nongesiba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching English language -- Usage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6447 , vital:29720
- Description: The dawn of democracy in South Africa led to the development of Language in Education Policy (LiEP) as one of the pieces of legislations that promote languages in schools where parents, learners, who have come of age may choose a language for instruction. LiEP, together with the Constitution of South Africa, promote equal value of all eleven official languages spoken in this country. The promotion of language policies clearly shows that language is the bedrock of the academic development of every child. Unfortunately, Spaull, Van der Berg, Wills, Gustafsson and Kotzè (2016) found that South African Foundation Phase learners lack the most basic skill needed for academic achievement, reading for meaning. Spaull et.al (2016) findings show that language problems start during the early years of schooling. This study aimed at finding out the perceptions of school stakeholders about the use of English as LoLT in Grade 9 Social Sciences, and it is located in the Interpretivist Paradigm. In this study, stakeholders are learners because they are central to learning, parents, as they have the responsibility of choosing LoLT for their children and assist them in their schooling career. Lastly, teachers are stakeholders because of their critical role of imparting knowledge and skills during classroom interaction. The researcher uses a Qualitative approach to identify data-collecting tools suitable for this research, and chooses semi-structured interviews and observations. Semi-structured interviews are flexible and allow deeper probing during the interview. The sample consists of nine Grade 9 learners, three teachers of Grade 9 Social Sciences and six parents from the School Governing Body (SGB). The aim of conducting observations was to find out the language used by learners and teachers during classroom interaction. This study found out that most participants prefer learning Social Sciences in English than in isiXhosa. They are aware of the challenges experienced in the classroom when learning in English but they still choose it. From the sample used, participants clearly indicate that learning in English causes some barriers in the learning and teaching process. However, it also became clear that the benefits associated with learning in English make it difficult to put it at the same level as other languages and participants do not link mother tongue to career opportunities. It is also evident that English will enjoy its hegemony until such time that all stakeholders in Education view the mother tongue as a foundation for learning other languages and as a resource as well so that they can use it in the classroom to understand the content. Policy developers must look deeply into the question of LoLT so that learners receive instruction in a language that will assist them in improved academic performance. Teachers must be equipped with adequate skills to assist learners in developing reading and comprehension skills in the classroom. There is a dire need to develop the culture of reading in rural school learners; and teachers must expose learners to a variety of English reading material.
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Perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London health services
- Authors: Bengu, Phindiwe Faith
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13597 , vital:39683
- Description: The South African Nursing Council requires registered nurses to have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to render an efficient service (Morolong and Chabeli, 2005:39). The South African Education and training system, through its policy of outcomes- based education and training, has tabled competency as a national priority. In support of this, the South African Nursing Council (SANC) requires that the newly qualified registered nurse possess competency on the core functions of a registered nurse. The health system also demands competent nurse practitioners to ensure quality nursing care. Due to the fact that competency is a national priority and a statutory demand, the research question that guided the study is what are the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London Health Care services. The study was aimed at describing the perceptions of unit managers regarding the competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in order to propose the recommendations to improve the competencies of such newly qualified registered nurses and to provide quality patient care. A quantitative descriptive non experimental design was used to evaluate the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses from a public nursing college. The sampling method of probability convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to ninety unit managers and only eighty one unit managers participated in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. Statistical methods enabled the researcher to reduce, summarize, organise, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and communicate quantitative data. Data were cleaned and coded and spoilt data were checked. Findings from the software were displayed in graphs or tables. Concerning the eighty one unit managers who participated in the study, age and sex matched respondents were selected according to their availability.The results showed that there is agreement that competence of the nurses affects the image, mission and staff utilisation in their units and/or institutions. There was no dominant opinion on the possible association between competency and environmental, physical and technological factors. There was unanimous agreement that newly qualified nurses need constant supervision and in-service training. There was moderate agreement on the use of acquired knowledge and skills by nurses and there was no dominant opinion about how newly qualified nurses tolerate differences and handle misunderstandings and shortcomings of other professions. In conclusion newly qualified registered nurses need coaching, mentoring, n-service training and constant supervision. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to improve competencies of newly qualified registered nurses included exit evaluations of community service practitioners, stipulating the competency framework of newly qualified nurses and assessment criteria of competency. Mentoring and coaching of newly qualified registered nurses during community service, monthly or quarterly meetings with the community service candidate in order to identify their challenges were also recommended. Motivation strategies in order to boost their morale so that they can deliver quality patient care. The newly qualified registered nurses should hold meetings with the unit managers regarding the challenges the unit managers face when assessing competencies of newly qualified registered nurses.
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Performance comparison of iron pillared montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolites sorption for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in water
- Authors: Madigoe, Marakeng Rhudolf
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Biological treatment Adsorption Montmorillonite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8078 , vital:31516
- Description: The higher concentration of heavy metals and pollutants is toxic to human health and the environment. It is essential to remove these toxics from contaminated water. There are several methods developed for water treatment. These include adsorption, reverse osmosis, precipitation, coagulation and cation exchange. Adsorbents of various characteristics are considered for removal of heavy metals and pollutants. The study investigated the performance of iron pillared Montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolite (acid and base) for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in artificially contaminated water. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) instruments. The percentage removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) after adsorption process were determined. Iron pillared Montmorillonite showed efficient removal for lead and zeolite for copper and nickel.
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Performance of a residential swimming pool air source heat pump water heater installed in Fort Beaufort, South Africa
- Authors: Mqayi, Singatha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water heaters Heat pumps Swimming pools -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4835 , vital:28532
- Description: Globally, there is growing concern about energy consumption and its diverse effects on the environment. In South Africa, the current status quo is unfavourable in the domain of energy, hence the Department of Energy, Eskom and NERSA have embarked on supporting energy efficiency technologies nationwide as a strategic goal in reducing demand on the national grid. Due to the non conservative consumption of electricity from the grid and the insufficient supply to meet its demand, the importation of crude oil is very certain. In addition, the current and most popular technology for pool water heating in the said country is the resistive element which is inefficient and non-cost-effective. The energy consumption of residential swimming pool water heating is very massive, and tariff structure shows a constant rise. Furthermore, there's a current electricity crisis during the Eskom evening peak. Hence, a reliable, efficient, cost-effective and renewable energy technology such as an air source heat pump is required as a retrofit to the existing resistive element. Furthermore, mathematical modelling is a tool that can be used to mimic the dynamic behaviour of a physical or process system. It is a computational language or mathematical equation used to predict the dynamic behaviour of physical systems [Tangwe et al., 2015]. Various methods such as numerical methods have been considered as the particular types of mathematical modelling which have been employed to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. However, they were unreliable and expensive. Consequently, this research focused on the experimental determination of the viability and development of a mathematical model to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. The benefit of the development and building of this model was attributed to its low cost and credibility to forecast the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. Also, this robust mathematical model can be used by an energy service company and system manufacturer to compute the dynamic coefficient of performance of the swimming pool ASHP water heater. Following the above-mentioned information, the research sought to provide a permanent solution to the Eskom evening peak constraint. This is because energy-efficiency, serves as the bridging block between conventional and renewable energy sources needed by Eskom in a bid to provide a balance energy mix and sustainable energy. The implementation of a swimming pool ASHP water heater guaranteed a conducive environment for the population due to the reduction in environmental pollution.
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Performance of isiXhosa-speaking adults on Tower of London-Drexel University 2nd edition : development of a South African normative database
- Authors: Naidoo, Rumaine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neuropsychological tests Neuropsychological tests--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Counselling Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16291 , vital:40708
- Description: Introduction: The transportability and utility of international neuropsychological assessment measures on South Africa’s multicultural population highlights the well-documented concern of test validity and reliability. In South Africa, the endeavor of accurate assessment has been long-standing and is not only an ethical but legal requirement in the field of Psychology. The selection of appropriate normative data provides an opportunity for valid clinical interpretations. This research forms a part of a larger cross-cultural normative project, which elucidates the impact of a number of pivotal sociocultural factors on test performance. This specific study is aimed at producing normative indications for the Tower of London- Drexel University 2nd Edition. In addition, it investigates the effect of quality of education, age and sex on test performance. Method: The sample consisted of Black isiXhosa- speaking adults (N= 40) proficient in English aged between 19-40 years whom had obtained the highest scholastic education of Grade 11 or 12 in disadvantaged educational setting at either urban or rural former Department of Education and Training (ex- DET) schools. Results: The Independent t-test analyses revealed a significant effect of quality of education on the Total Execution Time index in the direction of urban participants outperforming rural participants. Significant results for sex were also documented on the Total Rule Violation index with females engaging in more Rule Violations than male participants. No significant differences were found between age groups. Conclusion: The findings of this research confirm the need for demographically specific normative data. This will allow for the development of more accurate and reliable indices of neurocognitive abilities among culturally and educationally disadvantaged individuals.
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