Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus : a pharmacoepidemiological review
- Authors: Saugur, Anusooya
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Diabetes , Diabetes -- Management , Diabetes -- Diet therapy , Diabetes -- Prevention , Insulin -- Therapeutic use , Hypoglycemia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1635 , Diabetes , Diabetes -- Management , Diabetes -- Diet therapy , Diabetes -- Prevention , Insulin -- Therapeutic use , Hypoglycemia
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a progressive disease characterised by hyperglycaemia caused by defects in insulin secretion and insulin action. In early stages of type 2 DM, dietary and lifestyle changes are often sufficient to control blood glucose levels. However, over time, many patients experience β cell dysfunction and require insulin therapy, either alone or in combination with oral agents. There are guidelines available to structure the management of this disease state, including both the use of oral hypoglycaemic agents and or insulin. Besides health complications, there are economic burdens associated with the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine the management of type 2 DM in a South African sample group of patients drawn from a large medical aid database. The objectives of the study were: to establish the prevalence of type 2 DM relative to age, examine the nature of chronic comorbid disease states, establish trends in the prescribing of insulin relative to other oral hypoglycaemic agents, investigate cost implications, and determine trends in the use of blood and urine monitoring materials by patients. The study was quantitative and retrospective and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis. DM was found to be most prevalent amongst patients between 50 and 59 years old. Results also demonstrated that 83% of DM patients also suffered from other chronic comorbid diseases, with cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia being the most prominent. This study also revealed that DM is predominantly managed with oral hypoglycaemic agents. Changes in drug prescribing, for chronic disease states such as DM may have medical, social and economic implications both for individual patients and for society and it is envisaged that the results of this study can be used to influence future management of DM. Keywords: Pharmacoepidemiology, management, type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Saugur, Anusooya
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Diabetes , Diabetes -- Management , Diabetes -- Diet therapy , Diabetes -- Prevention , Insulin -- Therapeutic use , Hypoglycemia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1635 , Diabetes , Diabetes -- Management , Diabetes -- Diet therapy , Diabetes -- Prevention , Insulin -- Therapeutic use , Hypoglycemia
- Description: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a progressive disease characterised by hyperglycaemia caused by defects in insulin secretion and insulin action. In early stages of type 2 DM, dietary and lifestyle changes are often sufficient to control blood glucose levels. However, over time, many patients experience β cell dysfunction and require insulin therapy, either alone or in combination with oral agents. There are guidelines available to structure the management of this disease state, including both the use of oral hypoglycaemic agents and or insulin. Besides health complications, there are economic burdens associated with the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine the management of type 2 DM in a South African sample group of patients drawn from a large medical aid database. The objectives of the study were: to establish the prevalence of type 2 DM relative to age, examine the nature of chronic comorbid disease states, establish trends in the prescribing of insulin relative to other oral hypoglycaemic agents, investigate cost implications, and determine trends in the use of blood and urine monitoring materials by patients. The study was quantitative and retrospective and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis. DM was found to be most prevalent amongst patients between 50 and 59 years old. Results also demonstrated that 83% of DM patients also suffered from other chronic comorbid diseases, with cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia being the most prominent. This study also revealed that DM is predominantly managed with oral hypoglycaemic agents. Changes in drug prescribing, for chronic disease states such as DM may have medical, social and economic implications both for individual patients and for society and it is envisaged that the results of this study can be used to influence future management of DM. Keywords: Pharmacoepidemiology, management, type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Trials and triumphs in public office: the life and work of E J N Mabuza
- Authors: Sarimana, Ashley
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mabuza, E J (Enos John), 1939- Public officers -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century South Africa -- History -- 20th century South Africa -- Social conditions -- 20th century Homelands (South Africa) -- Politics and government -- 20th century Homelands (South Africa) -- History -- 20th century Homelands (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- 20th century Apartheid -- South Africa South Africa -- Race relations Actor-network theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003093
- Description: Enos John Nganani Mabuza's life and work is used as a case study to highlight the conceptual and methodological theories and challenges in academic biographical writing regarding history, memory and legacies. This thesis answers the question: Who was Mabuza and what is his place or relevance in South Africa's history? We over-simplify and stereotype people because it is convenient. We judge others but there is no saint without a past or a sinner without a future. Mabuza reconciled with the main liberation movements and moved from a maligned position on the political fringes to a respectable one within the emerging black economic elite. History, like reference systems and values is not calcified or static. It is prone to interpretation, adaptation, modification, invention, manipulation, decomposition and re-composition. Bourdieu's habitus-field analysis, theory or logic of practice, notions of capital (symbolic, political, social, cultural and economic) is used together with Latour's actor-network theory as the basis of analysis of the social contracts and trust bonds that Mabuza was able to create and which enabled him to navigate South Africa's socio-political and economic milieus during apartheid and the transition in the early 1990s. As people or actors, we believe in the mantra, nothing ventured, nothing gained. We exercise agency and take risks every day. We make choices and those choices have consequences. Mabuza's choices in the fields of education, politics and business had implications for how he is perceived or has been written into history. His choices put notions of identity, citizenship, power, legitimacy, ambition, elite accommodation, class, personal and professional networks, popular struggles, agency and structure under the spotlight. Mabuza's involvement in Bantustan politics, for instance, is contextualised in terms of a historical overview of the unpopular role played by traditional authorities in South Africa before and during colonialism and apartheid. His later foray into the world of business, however, was facilitated in part, by the personal and professional contacts that he made whilst he was in politics and the opportunities which opened up during the country's political transition. Mabuza adapted to changing circumstances and demonstrated a level of versatility which other Bantustan functionaries did not or could not exercise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sarimana, Ashley
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mabuza, E J (Enos John), 1939- Public officers -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century South Africa -- History -- 20th century South Africa -- Social conditions -- 20th century Homelands (South Africa) -- Politics and government -- 20th century Homelands (South Africa) -- History -- 20th century Homelands (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- 20th century Apartheid -- South Africa South Africa -- Race relations Actor-network theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003093
- Description: Enos John Nganani Mabuza's life and work is used as a case study to highlight the conceptual and methodological theories and challenges in academic biographical writing regarding history, memory and legacies. This thesis answers the question: Who was Mabuza and what is his place or relevance in South Africa's history? We over-simplify and stereotype people because it is convenient. We judge others but there is no saint without a past or a sinner without a future. Mabuza reconciled with the main liberation movements and moved from a maligned position on the political fringes to a respectable one within the emerging black economic elite. History, like reference systems and values is not calcified or static. It is prone to interpretation, adaptation, modification, invention, manipulation, decomposition and re-composition. Bourdieu's habitus-field analysis, theory or logic of practice, notions of capital (symbolic, political, social, cultural and economic) is used together with Latour's actor-network theory as the basis of analysis of the social contracts and trust bonds that Mabuza was able to create and which enabled him to navigate South Africa's socio-political and economic milieus during apartheid and the transition in the early 1990s. As people or actors, we believe in the mantra, nothing ventured, nothing gained. We exercise agency and take risks every day. We make choices and those choices have consequences. Mabuza's choices in the fields of education, politics and business had implications for how he is perceived or has been written into history. His choices put notions of identity, citizenship, power, legitimacy, ambition, elite accommodation, class, personal and professional networks, popular struggles, agency and structure under the spotlight. Mabuza's involvement in Bantustan politics, for instance, is contextualised in terms of a historical overview of the unpopular role played by traditional authorities in South Africa before and during colonialism and apartheid. His later foray into the world of business, however, was facilitated in part, by the personal and professional contacts that he made whilst he was in politics and the opportunities which opened up during the country's political transition. Mabuza adapted to changing circumstances and demonstrated a level of versatility which other Bantustan functionaries did not or could not exercise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Digital forensic model for computer networks
- Authors: Sanyamahwe, Tendai
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Computer crimes -- Investigation , Evidence, Criminal , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic evidence , Forensic sciences , Internet -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11127 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000968 , Computer crimes -- Investigation , Evidence, Criminal , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic evidence , Forensic sciences , Internet -- Security measures
- Description: The Internet has become important since information is now stored in digital form and is transported both within and between organisations in large amounts through computer networks. Nevertheless, there are those individuals or groups of people who utilise the Internet to harm other businesses because they can remain relatively anonymous. To prosecute such criminals, forensic practitioners have to follow a well-defined procedure to convict responsible cyber-criminals in a court of law. Log files provide significant digital evidence in computer networks when tracing cyber-criminals. Network log mining is an evolution of typical digital forensics utilising evidence from network devices such as firewalls, switches and routers. Network log mining is a process supported by presiding South African laws such as the Computer Evidence Act, 57 of 1983; the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act, 25 of 2002; and the Electronic Communications Act, 36 of 2005. Nevertheless, international laws and regulations supporting network log mining include the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the Bribery Act of the USA. A digital forensic model for computer networks focusing on network log mining has been developed based on the literature reviewed and critical thought. The development of the model followed the Design Science methodology. However, this research project argues that there are some important aspects which are not fully addressed by South African presiding legislation supporting digital forensic investigations. With that in mind, this research project proposes some Forensic Investigation Precautions. These precautions were developed as part of the proposed model. The Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory is the framework underpinning the development of the model and how it can be assimilated into the community. The model was sent to IT experts for validation and this provided the qualitative element and the primary data of this research project. From these experts, this study found out that the proposed model is very unique, very comprehensive and has added new knowledge into the field of Information Technology. Also, a paper was written out of this research project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sanyamahwe, Tendai
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Computer crimes -- Investigation , Evidence, Criminal , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic evidence , Forensic sciences , Internet -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11127 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000968 , Computer crimes -- Investigation , Evidence, Criminal , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic evidence , Forensic sciences , Internet -- Security measures
- Description: The Internet has become important since information is now stored in digital form and is transported both within and between organisations in large amounts through computer networks. Nevertheless, there are those individuals or groups of people who utilise the Internet to harm other businesses because they can remain relatively anonymous. To prosecute such criminals, forensic practitioners have to follow a well-defined procedure to convict responsible cyber-criminals in a court of law. Log files provide significant digital evidence in computer networks when tracing cyber-criminals. Network log mining is an evolution of typical digital forensics utilising evidence from network devices such as firewalls, switches and routers. Network log mining is a process supported by presiding South African laws such as the Computer Evidence Act, 57 of 1983; the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act, 25 of 2002; and the Electronic Communications Act, 36 of 2005. Nevertheless, international laws and regulations supporting network log mining include the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the Bribery Act of the USA. A digital forensic model for computer networks focusing on network log mining has been developed based on the literature reviewed and critical thought. The development of the model followed the Design Science methodology. However, this research project argues that there are some important aspects which are not fully addressed by South African presiding legislation supporting digital forensic investigations. With that in mind, this research project proposes some Forensic Investigation Precautions. These precautions were developed as part of the proposed model. The Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory is the framework underpinning the development of the model and how it can be assimilated into the community. The model was sent to IT experts for validation and this provided the qualitative element and the primary data of this research project. From these experts, this study found out that the proposed model is very unique, very comprehensive and has added new knowledge into the field of Information Technology. Also, a paper was written out of this research project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Representing conflict: an analysis of The Chronicle's coverage of the Gukurahundi conflict in Zimbabwe between 1983 and 1986
- Authors: Santos, Phillip
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: The Chronicle (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe -- History -- 1980- Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe Mass media -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Zimbabwe Journalistic ethics -- Zimbabwe Journalism -- Objectivity -- Zimbabwe War in mass media -- Zimbabwe Violence in mass media -- Zimbabwe Mass media and peace -- Zimbabwe Discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002936
- Description: This research is premised on the understanding that media texts are discourses and that all discourses are functional, that is, they refer to things, issues and events, in meaningful and goal oriented ways. Nine articles are analysed to explicate the sorts of discourses that were promoted by The Chronicle during the Gukurahundi conflict in Zimbabwe between 1982 and 1986. It is argued that discourses in the news media are shaped by the role(s), the type(s) of journalism assumed by such media, and by the political environment in which the news media operate. The interplay between the roles, types of journalism practised, and the effect the political environment has on news discourses is assessed within the context of conflictual situations. This is done using insights from the theoretical position of peace journalism and its critique of professional or mainstream journalism as promoting war/violence journalism. Using the case of The Chronicle's reportage of the Gukurahundi conflict in Zimbabwe, it is concluded that, in performing the collaborative role, state owned/controlled media assume characteristics of war/violence journalism. On the other hand, it is concluded that The Chronicle developed practices consistent with peace journalism when it both espoused the facilitative role and journalistic objectivity. These findings undermine the conventional view among proponents of peace journalism that in times of conflict, the news media should be interventionist in favour of peace and that they should abandon the journalistic norm of objectivity which they argue, promotes war/violence journalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Santos, Phillip
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: The Chronicle (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe -- History -- 1980- Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe Mass media -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Zimbabwe Journalistic ethics -- Zimbabwe Journalism -- Objectivity -- Zimbabwe War in mass media -- Zimbabwe Violence in mass media -- Zimbabwe Mass media and peace -- Zimbabwe Discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002936
- Description: This research is premised on the understanding that media texts are discourses and that all discourses are functional, that is, they refer to things, issues and events, in meaningful and goal oriented ways. Nine articles are analysed to explicate the sorts of discourses that were promoted by The Chronicle during the Gukurahundi conflict in Zimbabwe between 1982 and 1986. It is argued that discourses in the news media are shaped by the role(s), the type(s) of journalism assumed by such media, and by the political environment in which the news media operate. The interplay between the roles, types of journalism practised, and the effect the political environment has on news discourses is assessed within the context of conflictual situations. This is done using insights from the theoretical position of peace journalism and its critique of professional or mainstream journalism as promoting war/violence journalism. Using the case of The Chronicle's reportage of the Gukurahundi conflict in Zimbabwe, it is concluded that, in performing the collaborative role, state owned/controlled media assume characteristics of war/violence journalism. On the other hand, it is concluded that The Chronicle developed practices consistent with peace journalism when it both espoused the facilitative role and journalistic objectivity. These findings undermine the conventional view among proponents of peace journalism that in times of conflict, the news media should be interventionist in favour of peace and that they should abandon the journalistic norm of objectivity which they argue, promotes war/violence journalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A formative evaluation of the implementation process of the supply chain management policy framework in Eastern Cape Provincial Administration
- Authors: Sandler, Jeanette Louise
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business logistics -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Materials management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial procurement -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Administrative law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003867
- Description: The Eastern Cape Provincial Administration has, since the promulgation of the Supply Chain Management Policy Framework in 2003, been challenged with the implementation of the said Policy.Some departments have progressed better than others, but all of the provincial departments have been challenged in one way or another.It was therefore, necessary to research the reasons for the erratic implementation process by the different departments. An analysis, based on answers provided by senior officials of the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration in an interviewing process, was needed to get an understanding of the challenges the departments are faced within the implementation process. In order to provide quality goods and services, this dissertation aims to evaluate the implementation process, provide insight to the challenges that the departments are faced with and offer recommendations on how to remedy these challenges. The lessons learned from this research study will assist the provincial departments to re-engineer their implementation processes and move forward to greater success and embracement of the Supply Chain Management policy Framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sandler, Jeanette Louise
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business logistics -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Materials management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial procurement -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Administrative law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003867
- Description: The Eastern Cape Provincial Administration has, since the promulgation of the Supply Chain Management Policy Framework in 2003, been challenged with the implementation of the said Policy.Some departments have progressed better than others, but all of the provincial departments have been challenged in one way or another.It was therefore, necessary to research the reasons for the erratic implementation process by the different departments. An analysis, based on answers provided by senior officials of the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration in an interviewing process, was needed to get an understanding of the challenges the departments are faced within the implementation process. In order to provide quality goods and services, this dissertation aims to evaluate the implementation process, provide insight to the challenges that the departments are faced with and offer recommendations on how to remedy these challenges. The lessons learned from this research study will assist the provincial departments to re-engineer their implementation processes and move forward to greater success and embracement of the Supply Chain Management policy Framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Temperature activated ionic conductivity in gallium and indium phthalocyanines
- San, Sait Eren, Okutan, Mustafa, Nyokong, Tebello, Durmus, Mahmut, Ozturk, Birol
- Authors: San, Sait Eren , Okutan, Mustafa , Nyokong, Tebello , Durmus, Mahmut , Ozturk, Birol
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247686 , vital:51607 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2010.12.047"
- Description: The effects of introducing gallium and indium metals into phthalocyanine molecules were investigated via temperature and frequency dependent dielectric spectroscopy. The dielectric properties of Ga(III) and In(III) phthalocyanine pellets were measured at frequencies from 1 kHz to 1 MHz in the temperature range 300–530 K. The temperature dependence of the real part of the dielectric constant suggested that these compounds exhibit semiconductor behavior. The activation energy values were calculated from the Arrhenius plots at different frequencies. A distinct transition in these plots indicated the activation of ionic conductivity at higher temperatures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: San, Sait Eren , Okutan, Mustafa , Nyokong, Tebello , Durmus, Mahmut , Ozturk, Birol
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247686 , vital:51607 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2010.12.047"
- Description: The effects of introducing gallium and indium metals into phthalocyanine molecules were investigated via temperature and frequency dependent dielectric spectroscopy. The dielectric properties of Ga(III) and In(III) phthalocyanine pellets were measured at frequencies from 1 kHz to 1 MHz in the temperature range 300–530 K. The temperature dependence of the real part of the dielectric constant suggested that these compounds exhibit semiconductor behavior. The activation energy values were calculated from the Arrhenius plots at different frequencies. A distinct transition in these plots indicated the activation of ionic conductivity at higher temperatures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Using multi-touch interaction techniques to support Collaborative Information Retrieval
- Authors: Sams, Ivan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , Teams in the workplace -- Data processing , Groupware (Computer software) , Interactive computer systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020156
- Description: Collaborative Information Retrieval (CIR) is a branch of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). CIR is the process by which people search for and retrieve information, working together and using documents as data sources. Currently, computer support for CIR is limited to single user systems. Collaboration takes place either with users working at different times or in different locations. Multi-touch interaction has recently seen a rise in prominence owing to a reduction in the cost of the technology and increased frequency of use. Multi-touch surface computing allows multiple users to interact at once around a shared display. The aim of this research was to investigate how multi-touch interaction techniques could be used to support CIR effectively in a co-located environment. An application architecture for CIR systems that incorporates multi-touch interaction techniques was proposed. A prototype, called Co-IMBRA, was developed based on this architecture that used multi-touch interaction techniques to support CIR. This prototype allows multiple users to retrieve information, using the Internet as a shared information space. Documents are represented as visual objects that can be manipulated on the multi-touch surface, as well as rated, annotated and added to folders. A user study was undertaken to evaluate Co-IMBRA and determine whether the multi-touch interaction techniques effectively supported CIR. Fifteen teams of two users each participated in the user study. High task completion rates and low task times showed that the system was effective and efficient. High levels of user satisfaction were reported in the post-test questionnaires. Participants rated the system as highly useful and several commented that it promoted collaboration and that they enjoyed the test. The successful implementation of Co-IMBRA provides evidence that multi-touch interaction techniques can effectively support CIR. The results of the user evaluation also enabled recommendations for future research to be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sams, Ivan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , Teams in the workplace -- Data processing , Groupware (Computer software) , Interactive computer systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020156
- Description: Collaborative Information Retrieval (CIR) is a branch of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). CIR is the process by which people search for and retrieve information, working together and using documents as data sources. Currently, computer support for CIR is limited to single user systems. Collaboration takes place either with users working at different times or in different locations. Multi-touch interaction has recently seen a rise in prominence owing to a reduction in the cost of the technology and increased frequency of use. Multi-touch surface computing allows multiple users to interact at once around a shared display. The aim of this research was to investigate how multi-touch interaction techniques could be used to support CIR effectively in a co-located environment. An application architecture for CIR systems that incorporates multi-touch interaction techniques was proposed. A prototype, called Co-IMBRA, was developed based on this architecture that used multi-touch interaction techniques to support CIR. This prototype allows multiple users to retrieve information, using the Internet as a shared information space. Documents are represented as visual objects that can be manipulated on the multi-touch surface, as well as rated, annotated and added to folders. A user study was undertaken to evaluate Co-IMBRA and determine whether the multi-touch interaction techniques effectively supported CIR. Fifteen teams of two users each participated in the user study. High task completion rates and low task times showed that the system was effective and efficient. High levels of user satisfaction were reported in the post-test questionnaires. Participants rated the system as highly useful and several commented that it promoted collaboration and that they enjoyed the test. The successful implementation of Co-IMBRA provides evidence that multi-touch interaction techniques can effectively support CIR. The results of the user evaluation also enabled recommendations for future research to be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessment of the status of lean implementation at selected South African Revenue Service branch offices
- Authors: Samela, Thandile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- Evaluation , Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8702 , vital:26422
- Description: Governments around the world want to deliver better education, better health care, better pensions and better transportation services. They know that impatient electorates want to see change, and fast. But, the funds required to meet such expectations are enormous, particularly in the many developed economies where populations are aging and the public sector's productivity has not kept pace with that of the private sector. The need to get value for money from governments at all levels is therefore under the spotlight as never before. However, cost-cutting programmes that seek savings of 1 to 3% per year will not be sufficient and, in some cases, may even weaken the quality of service (Bhatia & Drew, 2006). One of the key innovative means to improve productivity, and do more with less, is through the implementation of lean initiatives. The purpose of this study is to conduct an 'Assessment of the status of lean implementation at selected SARS (South African Revenue Service) branch offices'. Literature review was conducted to investigate the origins of lean and how the service industry tapped from this philosophy, which was initially developed for the manufacturing sector. The lean philosophy has now been widely adopted in various service industries, from government agencies such as the South African Revenue Service to financial institutions such as ABSA bank, including the healthcare industry. The findings of the research indicated that even though the organisation has made a strategic decision to implement lean, this has not been entirely successful as there is a lack of understanding of lean among managers and team leaders. There are some pockets of excellence though. The researcher recommends that a comprehensive road map be developed to guide the organisation into a sustainable lean implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Samela, Thandile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- Evaluation , Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8702 , vital:26422
- Description: Governments around the world want to deliver better education, better health care, better pensions and better transportation services. They know that impatient electorates want to see change, and fast. But, the funds required to meet such expectations are enormous, particularly in the many developed economies where populations are aging and the public sector's productivity has not kept pace with that of the private sector. The need to get value for money from governments at all levels is therefore under the spotlight as never before. However, cost-cutting programmes that seek savings of 1 to 3% per year will not be sufficient and, in some cases, may even weaken the quality of service (Bhatia & Drew, 2006). One of the key innovative means to improve productivity, and do more with less, is through the implementation of lean initiatives. The purpose of this study is to conduct an 'Assessment of the status of lean implementation at selected SARS (South African Revenue Service) branch offices'. Literature review was conducted to investigate the origins of lean and how the service industry tapped from this philosophy, which was initially developed for the manufacturing sector. The lean philosophy has now been widely adopted in various service industries, from government agencies such as the South African Revenue Service to financial institutions such as ABSA bank, including the healthcare industry. The findings of the research indicated that even though the organisation has made a strategic decision to implement lean, this has not been entirely successful as there is a lack of understanding of lean among managers and team leaders. There are some pockets of excellence though. The researcher recommends that a comprehensive road map be developed to guide the organisation into a sustainable lean implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Bluetooth audio and video streaming on the J2ME platform
- Authors: Sahd, Curtis Lee
- Date: 2011 , 2010-09-09
- Subjects: Bluetooth technology , Mobile communication systems , Communication -- Technological innovations , Communication -- Network analysis , Wireless communication systems , L2TP (Computer network protocol) , Computer network protocols , Streaming audio , Streaming video
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006521 , Bluetooth technology , Mobile communication systems , Communication -- Technological innovations , Communication -- Network analysis , Wireless communication systems , L2TP (Computer network protocol) , Computer network protocols , Streaming audio , Streaming video
- Description: With the increase in bandwidth, more widespread distribution of media, and increased capability of mobile devices, multimedia streaming has not only become feasible, but more economical in terms of space occupied by the media file and the costs involved in attaining it. Although much attention has been paid to peer to peer media streaming over the Internet using HTTP and RTSP, little research has focussed on the use of the Bluetooth protocol for streaming audio and video between mobile devices. This project investigates the feasibility of Bluetooth as a protocol for audio and video streaming between mobile phones using the J2ME platform, through the analysis of Bluetooth protocols, media formats, optimum packet sizes, and the effects of distance on transfer speed. A comparison was made between RFCOMM and L2CAP to determine which protocol could support the fastest transfer speed between two mobile devices. The L2CAP protocol proved to be the most suitable, providing average transfer rates of 136.17 KBps. Using this protocol a second experiment was undertaken to determine the most suitable media format for streaming in terms of: file size, bandwidth usage, quality, and ease of implementation. Out of the eight media formats investigated, the MP3 format provided the smallest file size, smallest bandwidth usage, best quality and highest ease of implementation. Another experiment was conducted to determine the optimum packet size for transfer between devices. A tradeoff was found between packet size and the quality of the sound file, with highest transfer rates being recorded with the MTU size of 668 bytes (136.58 KBps). The class of Bluetooth transmitter typically used in mobile devices (class 2) is considered a weak signal and is adversely affected by distance. As such, the final investigation that was undertaken was aimed at determining the effects of distance on audio streaming and playback. As can be expected, when devices were situated close to each other, the transfer speeds obtained were higher than when devices were far apart. Readings were taken at varying distances (1-15 metres), with erratic transfer speeds observed from 7 metres onwards. This research showed that audio streaming on the J2ME platform is feasible, however using the currently available class of Bluetooth transmitter, video streaming is not feasible. Video files were only playable once the entire media file had been transferred.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sahd, Curtis Lee
- Date: 2011 , 2010-09-09
- Subjects: Bluetooth technology , Mobile communication systems , Communication -- Technological innovations , Communication -- Network analysis , Wireless communication systems , L2TP (Computer network protocol) , Computer network protocols , Streaming audio , Streaming video
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006521 , Bluetooth technology , Mobile communication systems , Communication -- Technological innovations , Communication -- Network analysis , Wireless communication systems , L2TP (Computer network protocol) , Computer network protocols , Streaming audio , Streaming video
- Description: With the increase in bandwidth, more widespread distribution of media, and increased capability of mobile devices, multimedia streaming has not only become feasible, but more economical in terms of space occupied by the media file and the costs involved in attaining it. Although much attention has been paid to peer to peer media streaming over the Internet using HTTP and RTSP, little research has focussed on the use of the Bluetooth protocol for streaming audio and video between mobile devices. This project investigates the feasibility of Bluetooth as a protocol for audio and video streaming between mobile phones using the J2ME platform, through the analysis of Bluetooth protocols, media formats, optimum packet sizes, and the effects of distance on transfer speed. A comparison was made between RFCOMM and L2CAP to determine which protocol could support the fastest transfer speed between two mobile devices. The L2CAP protocol proved to be the most suitable, providing average transfer rates of 136.17 KBps. Using this protocol a second experiment was undertaken to determine the most suitable media format for streaming in terms of: file size, bandwidth usage, quality, and ease of implementation. Out of the eight media formats investigated, the MP3 format provided the smallest file size, smallest bandwidth usage, best quality and highest ease of implementation. Another experiment was conducted to determine the optimum packet size for transfer between devices. A tradeoff was found between packet size and the quality of the sound file, with highest transfer rates being recorded with the MTU size of 668 bytes (136.58 KBps). The class of Bluetooth transmitter typically used in mobile devices (class 2) is considered a weak signal and is adversely affected by distance. As such, the final investigation that was undertaken was aimed at determining the effects of distance on audio streaming and playback. As can be expected, when devices were situated close to each other, the transfer speeds obtained were higher than when devices were far apart. Readings were taken at varying distances (1-15 metres), with erratic transfer speeds observed from 7 metres onwards. This research showed that audio streaming on the J2ME platform is feasible, however using the currently available class of Bluetooth transmitter, video streaming is not feasible. Video files were only playable once the entire media file had been transferred.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
SADSAWU submission to the portfolio committee on labour
- SADSAWU
- Authors: SADSAWU
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: SADSAWU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173910 , vital:42421
- Description: DOMESTIC WORK IS WORK; DOMESTIC WORKERS ARE WORKERS; SADSAWU through our active involvement in the processes leading up to the adoption of the ILO convention on domestic workers, recognises that our country has made huge strides to protect domestic workers in relation to other countries. South Africa and particularly the Department of Labour played a leading role ensuring that the ILO adopted the convention on the 16th June 2011. Our right to organise, to a contract of employment, to participate in processes of setting national minimum wages and conditions of employment has been achieved long before the adoption of the ILO convention But we have to continue to lead and the nexi step is the ratification of the ILO convention on domestic workers by the South African government - let us be the first country to do so in Africa and in the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: SADSAWU
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: SADSAWU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173910 , vital:42421
- Description: DOMESTIC WORK IS WORK; DOMESTIC WORKERS ARE WORKERS; SADSAWU through our active involvement in the processes leading up to the adoption of the ILO convention on domestic workers, recognises that our country has made huge strides to protect domestic workers in relation to other countries. South Africa and particularly the Department of Labour played a leading role ensuring that the ILO adopted the convention on the 16th June 2011. Our right to organise, to a contract of employment, to participate in processes of setting national minimum wages and conditions of employment has been achieved long before the adoption of the ILO convention But we have to continue to lead and the nexi step is the ratification of the ILO convention on domestic workers by the South African government - let us be the first country to do so in Africa and in the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Horrelpoot (2006) van Eben Venter as apokaliptiese roman: 'n intertekstuele studie
- Authors: Roth, Johan Friedrich
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Venter, Eben. Hoorelpoort , Apocalyptic literature
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8445 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1492 , Venter, Eben. Hoorelpoort , Apocalyptic literature
- Description: The dissertation offers a comparative reading of Eben Venter's Horrelpoot (2006) and Joseph Conrad's A Heart of Darkness (1902). The aim of this investigation is to establish whether the Afrikaans novel is overshadowed by the classical text, or whether it is an independent text in its own right. Following on a short reception study of reviews and articles published on Venter's latest fictional work, Horrelpoot, is read as an apocalyptic and / or dystopic novel. Whereas Conrad's novel is set in the Congo, Eben Venter opts for a fictionalized post-apartheid South African society riddled with social problems and a complete lack of infrastructure. The ideological notions pertaining to white South African fearing a black future form the crux of Venter's analysis of the contemporary white psyche in South Africa. From an intertextual point of view Venter's re-writing of Conrad's classic is a clear example of how, according to Kristeva's definition, one sign system is transposed into another. What is the result of this for the reception of the contemporary novel? Is one able to read Venter's novel without having to rely on Conrad's novel as intertext? An overview of the different theoretical views on intertextuality is also provided. The apocalyptic vision in Venter's novel is also examined against the background of a series of related novels in South Africa that deal with the same issue. In the 1980s apocalyptic novels focused primarily on apartheid society as symbolizing a dystopic, amoral and oppressive society that needed to be overthrown in favour of a more utopian non-racial society. Venter's novel places a question mark behind such an assumption as it shows that living in a post-apartheid society could even be worse and more dictatorial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Roth, Johan Friedrich
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Venter, Eben. Hoorelpoort , Apocalyptic literature
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8445 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1492 , Venter, Eben. Hoorelpoort , Apocalyptic literature
- Description: The dissertation offers a comparative reading of Eben Venter's Horrelpoot (2006) and Joseph Conrad's A Heart of Darkness (1902). The aim of this investigation is to establish whether the Afrikaans novel is overshadowed by the classical text, or whether it is an independent text in its own right. Following on a short reception study of reviews and articles published on Venter's latest fictional work, Horrelpoot, is read as an apocalyptic and / or dystopic novel. Whereas Conrad's novel is set in the Congo, Eben Venter opts for a fictionalized post-apartheid South African society riddled with social problems and a complete lack of infrastructure. The ideological notions pertaining to white South African fearing a black future form the crux of Venter's analysis of the contemporary white psyche in South Africa. From an intertextual point of view Venter's re-writing of Conrad's classic is a clear example of how, according to Kristeva's definition, one sign system is transposed into another. What is the result of this for the reception of the contemporary novel? Is one able to read Venter's novel without having to rely on Conrad's novel as intertext? An overview of the different theoretical views on intertextuality is also provided. The apocalyptic vision in Venter's novel is also examined against the background of a series of related novels in South Africa that deal with the same issue. In the 1980s apocalyptic novels focused primarily on apartheid society as symbolizing a dystopic, amoral and oppressive society that needed to be overthrown in favour of a more utopian non-racial society. Venter's novel places a question mark behind such an assumption as it shows that living in a post-apartheid society could even be worse and more dictatorial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A critical analysis of the socioeconomic impact assessments of the Addo Elephant National Park
- Authors: Rose, Matthew Calvin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa) South African National Parks Economic impact analysis -- South Africa -- Addo Elephant National Park Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa -- Addo Elephant National Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002698
- Description: Impact assessment is a requirement for development in many countries across the globe, seeking to inform the decision-maker as to the environmental, social and economic impact of an ongoing or proposed project. Socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) is a means of informing decision-makers as to the socioeconomic effects a project could have, or is having, thus contributing to informing adaptive management practices. However, the tendency of socioeconomic impact assessment to highly quantitative economic methods of analysis raises the question of whether the desired results are achieved by the process. The purpose of the research was to determine whether highly quantitative forms of economic analysis are suitable for measurement of impacts in a social context where distributive as well as net impact is important; to critically analyze the method utilized in achieving highly quantitative economic impact assessment results; and lastly to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding the efficacy of monitoring processes used to inform adaptive management practices. The research was conducted by means of a case study focusing on three SEIAs carried out on the same entity, namely the Addo Elephant National Park. Managed by South African National Parks (SANP), it began expanding its borders in the early 2000s. Funded by the World Bank, SANP was required to carry out a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in 2003 to ensure the expansion did not have negative environmental, social and economic repercussions, and where such consequences were unavoidable, to ensure that mitigation and management thereof was informed by useful monitoring exercises. Given the need for resettlement and issues of economic distributive concern raised in the 2003 SEA, the three socioeconomic impact assessments conducted from 2005 – 2010 as part of the ongoing monitoring exercises formed an ideal framework for answering the primary research questions. The findings indicate that despite consistent terms of reference, different assessors interpret mandates from the commissioning body in different ways, leading to varied applications of the same theory, some methodologically better than others. Economic multiplier analysis was found to be inadequate as a measure of the distributive effects of economic impact. Moreover, a lack of consistency, accountability and transparency in the monitoring process led to three sets of results that were incomparable over time and thus inadequate as a means to inform adaptive management practices. Asymmetries of and between power and expertise in the commissioning body and the assessors led to breakdowns of the assessment process in terms of accountability and integrity and resulted in a failure to properly define the scope of the study and measure the relevant indicators. The following recommendations were made: that the economic multiplier method be complemented by additional methods of analysis when utilized in disparate social contexts where distribution of economic benefit is important; that monitoring practices be systematized at an early stage of the process to ensure comparable results useful in informing ongoing management practices; and that what an assessment measures and how it measures it be clarified with reference to an objective source. Finally, the number of factors for consideration in any impact assessment means that measurement of the full picture suffers resource constraints, emphasizing the need for impact assessment oversight to recognize the deficiencies of the process whilst still acknowledging that ‘some number is better than no number’.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rose, Matthew Calvin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa) South African National Parks Economic impact analysis -- South Africa -- Addo Elephant National Park Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa -- Addo Elephant National Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002698
- Description: Impact assessment is a requirement for development in many countries across the globe, seeking to inform the decision-maker as to the environmental, social and economic impact of an ongoing or proposed project. Socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) is a means of informing decision-makers as to the socioeconomic effects a project could have, or is having, thus contributing to informing adaptive management practices. However, the tendency of socioeconomic impact assessment to highly quantitative economic methods of analysis raises the question of whether the desired results are achieved by the process. The purpose of the research was to determine whether highly quantitative forms of economic analysis are suitable for measurement of impacts in a social context where distributive as well as net impact is important; to critically analyze the method utilized in achieving highly quantitative economic impact assessment results; and lastly to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding the efficacy of monitoring processes used to inform adaptive management practices. The research was conducted by means of a case study focusing on three SEIAs carried out on the same entity, namely the Addo Elephant National Park. Managed by South African National Parks (SANP), it began expanding its borders in the early 2000s. Funded by the World Bank, SANP was required to carry out a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in 2003 to ensure the expansion did not have negative environmental, social and economic repercussions, and where such consequences were unavoidable, to ensure that mitigation and management thereof was informed by useful monitoring exercises. Given the need for resettlement and issues of economic distributive concern raised in the 2003 SEA, the three socioeconomic impact assessments conducted from 2005 – 2010 as part of the ongoing monitoring exercises formed an ideal framework for answering the primary research questions. The findings indicate that despite consistent terms of reference, different assessors interpret mandates from the commissioning body in different ways, leading to varied applications of the same theory, some methodologically better than others. Economic multiplier analysis was found to be inadequate as a measure of the distributive effects of economic impact. Moreover, a lack of consistency, accountability and transparency in the monitoring process led to three sets of results that were incomparable over time and thus inadequate as a means to inform adaptive management practices. Asymmetries of and between power and expertise in the commissioning body and the assessors led to breakdowns of the assessment process in terms of accountability and integrity and resulted in a failure to properly define the scope of the study and measure the relevant indicators. The following recommendations were made: that the economic multiplier method be complemented by additional methods of analysis when utilized in disparate social contexts where distribution of economic benefit is important; that monitoring practices be systematized at an early stage of the process to ensure comparable results useful in informing ongoing management practices; and that what an assessment measures and how it measures it be clarified with reference to an objective source. Finally, the number of factors for consideration in any impact assessment means that measurement of the full picture suffers resource constraints, emphasizing the need for impact assessment oversight to recognize the deficiencies of the process whilst still acknowledging that ‘some number is better than no number’.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An international comparative study on the relationship marketing and customer retention of retail banks : lessons for South Africa
- Authors: Rootman, Chantal
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Relationship marketing , Customer relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9358 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1376 , Banks and banking -- Customer services , Relationship marketing , Customer relations
- Description: Despite the extensive research undertaken in the subject area of services marketing, much is still unknown to service providers of specific services in terms of firm-client relationships and how customer retention rates can be increased. This study attempts to address this limitation. The study revolves around the relationship marketing and customer retention of banks in South Africa, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Service firms, including banks, are vitally important to the economy of any country as they contribute to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (for example a 74 percent contribution in South Africa) and its employment rate. However, to survive in a complex, competitive business environment, service firms are required to focus on their clients’ needs. Banks can focus on their relationships with clients and measure their institutions’ success by considering their customer retention rates. When considering firm-client relationships and customer retention rates, it is important to gather and link the viewpoints of both clients and managers in order to ensure that firms perform according to clients’ needs. In order to establish the influence of selected variables on the relationship marketing and customer retention of banks, from the perspectives of both banking clients and managers, an empirical investigation was conducted. The primary aim of this study was to quantify significant relationships among selected variables; therefore the positivistic research paradigm was used. In addition, in designing the measuring instruments for the empirical investigation, the phenomenological paradigm was used. Thus, in order to use multiple sources of data, the strategy of methodological triangulation was adopted for this study. The samples consisted of banking clients and bank managers in South Africa, Canada and the UK. The empirical investigation conducted among banking clients revealed that significant positive relationships exist between six of the seven identified independent variables, namely communication, personalisation, empowerment, ethics, fees and technology, and banks’ relationship marketing. These relationships imply that, according to banking clients, if each of these aspects in banks improves, bank-client relationships would improve. The empirical investigation conducted among bank managers showed that managers only regard communication and fees as influencers of relationship marketing in banks. This result clearly indicated a difference in the viewpoints of banking clients and bank managers. In addition, the empirical investigation revealed that relationship marketing positively influences the customer retention of banks. This relationship implies that if a bank successfully maintains relationships with its clients, the bank’s customer retention rates will increase. Additionally, the empirical investigation revealed that the population group, education level and country of residence of banking client respondents exerted an influence on the perceptions clients have regarding banks’ relationship marketing and customer retention levels. If banking clients are African or are not educated with a qualification beyond secondary school level or are from Canada, they consider the relationship marketing of a bank to be more important and are more likely to be retained by banks. Generally, the study indicated that Canadian banking clients are more positive regarding the empowerment strategies and personalisation efforts of Canadian banks than South Africans are about those of South African banks. In addition, banking clients in the UK are more satisfied with the communication, fees and use of technology of UK banks than South Africans are about these aspects in South African banks. The study indicated that strategies to improve banks’ communication, personalisation, empowerment, ethics, fees and technology should be implemented by banks in ways to positively influence their relationship marketing and ultimately their customer retention. Strategies relating to each of these areas, successfully implemented by banks in Canada and the UK, are recommended to South African banks. In effect, these strategies will contribute to retail banks’ success, the competiveness in the banking industry, banking client benefits as well as the economic stability and prosperity of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rootman, Chantal
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Relationship marketing , Customer relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9358 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1376 , Banks and banking -- Customer services , Relationship marketing , Customer relations
- Description: Despite the extensive research undertaken in the subject area of services marketing, much is still unknown to service providers of specific services in terms of firm-client relationships and how customer retention rates can be increased. This study attempts to address this limitation. The study revolves around the relationship marketing and customer retention of banks in South Africa, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Service firms, including banks, are vitally important to the economy of any country as they contribute to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (for example a 74 percent contribution in South Africa) and its employment rate. However, to survive in a complex, competitive business environment, service firms are required to focus on their clients’ needs. Banks can focus on their relationships with clients and measure their institutions’ success by considering their customer retention rates. When considering firm-client relationships and customer retention rates, it is important to gather and link the viewpoints of both clients and managers in order to ensure that firms perform according to clients’ needs. In order to establish the influence of selected variables on the relationship marketing and customer retention of banks, from the perspectives of both banking clients and managers, an empirical investigation was conducted. The primary aim of this study was to quantify significant relationships among selected variables; therefore the positivistic research paradigm was used. In addition, in designing the measuring instruments for the empirical investigation, the phenomenological paradigm was used. Thus, in order to use multiple sources of data, the strategy of methodological triangulation was adopted for this study. The samples consisted of banking clients and bank managers in South Africa, Canada and the UK. The empirical investigation conducted among banking clients revealed that significant positive relationships exist between six of the seven identified independent variables, namely communication, personalisation, empowerment, ethics, fees and technology, and banks’ relationship marketing. These relationships imply that, according to banking clients, if each of these aspects in banks improves, bank-client relationships would improve. The empirical investigation conducted among bank managers showed that managers only regard communication and fees as influencers of relationship marketing in banks. This result clearly indicated a difference in the viewpoints of banking clients and bank managers. In addition, the empirical investigation revealed that relationship marketing positively influences the customer retention of banks. This relationship implies that if a bank successfully maintains relationships with its clients, the bank’s customer retention rates will increase. Additionally, the empirical investigation revealed that the population group, education level and country of residence of banking client respondents exerted an influence on the perceptions clients have regarding banks’ relationship marketing and customer retention levels. If banking clients are African or are not educated with a qualification beyond secondary school level or are from Canada, they consider the relationship marketing of a bank to be more important and are more likely to be retained by banks. Generally, the study indicated that Canadian banking clients are more positive regarding the empowerment strategies and personalisation efforts of Canadian banks than South Africans are about those of South African banks. In addition, banking clients in the UK are more satisfied with the communication, fees and use of technology of UK banks than South Africans are about these aspects in South African banks. The study indicated that strategies to improve banks’ communication, personalisation, empowerment, ethics, fees and technology should be implemented by banks in ways to positively influence their relationship marketing and ultimately their customer retention. Strategies relating to each of these areas, successfully implemented by banks in Canada and the UK, are recommended to South African banks. In effect, these strategies will contribute to retail banks’ success, the competiveness in the banking industry, banking client benefits as well as the economic stability and prosperity of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Strategies for value-creation in a post-merged organisation
- Authors: Roodt, Kendra-Lynn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Consolidation and merger of corporation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8650 , vital:26417
- Description: A merger occurs when two or more organisations integrate for a specific reason and become one entity in order to ensure success. Careful consideration and thorough planning must be done and several steps need to be followed to avoid a merger being unsuccessful. Good leadership and communication strategies are the key to a successful merger. This study deals with the strategies for value-creation in a post-merged organisation and the main problem that this research study addressed was: What strategies could an organisation use to ensure that desired values are created in a post-merged organisation? To answer the above question it was necessary to address the preferred organisational values and outcomes of a successful merger and leadership strategies that organisations can utilise to ensure that the preferred values and outcomes of a merger are achieved. Thereafter, various models were outlined and evaluated and a proposed integrated model for the implementation of desired values in a merged institution element was developed to ensure that the members of the organisation internalise the desired values and that these values are reflected in all organisational functions and behaviour. Lastly, based on the theoretical findings of the literature survey, a questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst employees of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). As a result of this study it was clear that it is imperative that the decision to implement the leadership and communication strategies proposed in the integrated model remains with the senior management. The organisation will only experience success while coordinating these strategies if senior management is totally committed to the process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Roodt, Kendra-Lynn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Consolidation and merger of corporation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8650 , vital:26417
- Description: A merger occurs when two or more organisations integrate for a specific reason and become one entity in order to ensure success. Careful consideration and thorough planning must be done and several steps need to be followed to avoid a merger being unsuccessful. Good leadership and communication strategies are the key to a successful merger. This study deals with the strategies for value-creation in a post-merged organisation and the main problem that this research study addressed was: What strategies could an organisation use to ensure that desired values are created in a post-merged organisation? To answer the above question it was necessary to address the preferred organisational values and outcomes of a successful merger and leadership strategies that organisations can utilise to ensure that the preferred values and outcomes of a merger are achieved. Thereafter, various models were outlined and evaluated and a proposed integrated model for the implementation of desired values in a merged institution element was developed to ensure that the members of the organisation internalise the desired values and that these values are reflected in all organisational functions and behaviour. Lastly, based on the theoretical findings of the literature survey, a questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst employees of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). As a result of this study it was clear that it is imperative that the decision to implement the leadership and communication strategies proposed in the integrated model remains with the senior management. The organisation will only experience success while coordinating these strategies if senior management is totally committed to the process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The proposed new gambling tax in South Africa
- Authors: Roberts, Justin Esrom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1639 , Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: In the 2011/2012 Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was announced that a 15% withholding tax on gambling winnings above R 25 000 was to be introduced with effect from 1 April 2012. This treatise was undertaken to critically analyse the different elements of the proposed new withholding tax. It was established that the fiscus already benefits significantly from the gambling industry and levies and taxes from the gambling industry dwarf the revenue SARS collect from other forms of taxes such as Donations tax and Estate Duty tax. The necessity, therefore, of taxing gambling winnings in the hands of the individual is debatable. A comparison with the three foreign countries used by the Minister as an example of countries who have successfully implemented a withholding tax on gambling winnings exposed operational or other characteristics which bear no significant relationship to the situation in which the industry operates in South Africa. Probably the most significant difference is the fact that in the three foreign countries, losses are deductible and only the net gains are taxed. Although it iv could add to an already seemingly administrative-intensive legislation, it is submitted that taxing gambling winnings and ignoring losses suffered by gamblers will be disproportionately unfair towards the taxpayer. The many questions raised in this treatise illustrate the level of uncertainty still surrounding the new proposed gambling tax. It is hoped that communication will be provided by SARS as soon as possible to address the issues at hand. This would go a long way in ensuring that the implementation of the proposed withholding tax on gambling winnings is as smooth and efficient as possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Roberts, Justin Esrom
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1639 , Gambling , Gambling -- Taxation , Gambling -- Taxation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions -- South Africa , Withholding tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: In the 2011/2012 Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was announced that a 15% withholding tax on gambling winnings above R 25 000 was to be introduced with effect from 1 April 2012. This treatise was undertaken to critically analyse the different elements of the proposed new withholding tax. It was established that the fiscus already benefits significantly from the gambling industry and levies and taxes from the gambling industry dwarf the revenue SARS collect from other forms of taxes such as Donations tax and Estate Duty tax. The necessity, therefore, of taxing gambling winnings in the hands of the individual is debatable. A comparison with the three foreign countries used by the Minister as an example of countries who have successfully implemented a withholding tax on gambling winnings exposed operational or other characteristics which bear no significant relationship to the situation in which the industry operates in South Africa. Probably the most significant difference is the fact that in the three foreign countries, losses are deductible and only the net gains are taxed. Although it iv could add to an already seemingly administrative-intensive legislation, it is submitted that taxing gambling winnings and ignoring losses suffered by gamblers will be disproportionately unfair towards the taxpayer. The many questions raised in this treatise illustrate the level of uncertainty still surrounding the new proposed gambling tax. It is hoped that communication will be provided by SARS as soon as possible to address the issues at hand. This would go a long way in ensuring that the implementation of the proposed withholding tax on gambling winnings is as smooth and efficient as possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The impact of leadership on organisational politics
- Authors: Robb, Charles A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8602 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1634 , Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Description: Today‘s workforce consists of employees with diverse personalities, cultural backgrounds, nationalities, needs and wants, thus creating new challenges for today‘s leaders. One of the primary functions of leadership is the management of employee perceptions that influence organisational outcomes. Among these perceptions the perception of politics is an influential type of organisational phenomenon. There is no denying the fact that leadership greatly affects the performance of organisations. According to DuBrin (2010:8), an overview of research on managerial succession conducted over a 20 year period provides support that leadership has an impact on organisational performance. The analysis of the research found that leaders might be responsible for somewhere between 15 per cent and 45 per cent of a firm‘s performance. From the above mentioned research, it can be seen that the importance of leadership cannot be underestimated when regulating the effect of politics in the working environment and to achieve the company goals and objectives. Part of the challenge today‘s leaders face is to help employees to see the different perspectives of political actions as a positive force, rather than seeing these as negative processes that cause internal competition for resources, recognition and promotions. Company politics does not have to be about back stabbing, internal rivalry, manipulation for power and lack of trust. With the development of proper skills and personal and organisational goals, positive organisational politics provides the real foundation for competitive advantage to benefit the employee as well as the organisation. The main purpose of this research paper is to identify the influence of leadership on organisational politics. The first step was to complete a literature study on the iii selected factors which contribute to organisational politics. The factors selected were those of job ambiguity, scarcity of resources, personality, uncertainty and fairness. The literature study also includes the outcomes of organisational politics. These outcomes include job satisfaction, job performance, turnover intention and job stress. An empirical study was then used to analyse the views of staff in various departments. These questions were based on the selected factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. This involved the staff completing questionnaires. Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical study, the last step is to make recommendations to the selected company on managing the perceptions of organisational politics. Recommendations are also made as to what leadership styles would best fit different situations
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Robb, Charles A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8602 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1634 , Leadership -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Business and politics -- South Africa
- Description: Today‘s workforce consists of employees with diverse personalities, cultural backgrounds, nationalities, needs and wants, thus creating new challenges for today‘s leaders. One of the primary functions of leadership is the management of employee perceptions that influence organisational outcomes. Among these perceptions the perception of politics is an influential type of organisational phenomenon. There is no denying the fact that leadership greatly affects the performance of organisations. According to DuBrin (2010:8), an overview of research on managerial succession conducted over a 20 year period provides support that leadership has an impact on organisational performance. The analysis of the research found that leaders might be responsible for somewhere between 15 per cent and 45 per cent of a firm‘s performance. From the above mentioned research, it can be seen that the importance of leadership cannot be underestimated when regulating the effect of politics in the working environment and to achieve the company goals and objectives. Part of the challenge today‘s leaders face is to help employees to see the different perspectives of political actions as a positive force, rather than seeing these as negative processes that cause internal competition for resources, recognition and promotions. Company politics does not have to be about back stabbing, internal rivalry, manipulation for power and lack of trust. With the development of proper skills and personal and organisational goals, positive organisational politics provides the real foundation for competitive advantage to benefit the employee as well as the organisation. The main purpose of this research paper is to identify the influence of leadership on organisational politics. The first step was to complete a literature study on the iii selected factors which contribute to organisational politics. The factors selected were those of job ambiguity, scarcity of resources, personality, uncertainty and fairness. The literature study also includes the outcomes of organisational politics. These outcomes include job satisfaction, job performance, turnover intention and job stress. An empirical study was then used to analyse the views of staff in various departments. These questions were based on the selected factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. This involved the staff completing questionnaires. Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical study, the last step is to make recommendations to the selected company on managing the perceptions of organisational politics. Recommendations are also made as to what leadership styles would best fit different situations
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Dynamics of macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde, a small temporarily open/closed South Afrcan Estuary
- Authors: Riddin, Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1529 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Description: The East Kleinemonde Estuary is one of 175 temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) that represent 70 percent of estuaries in South Africa. TOCEs are small (mostly less than 100 ha), shallow estuaries (average depth < 2 m) that respond quickly to freshwater inflow events. Their connection to the sea can be highly variable resulting in considerable changes in abiotic and biotic conditions. Mouth status depends on a balance between freshwater inflow and marine influence, which in turn affects ambient abiotic conditions. The objective of the study was to identify the abiotic variables which influence macrophyte growth and habitat availability. It was hypothesised that water level and salinity were the two main drivers of macrophyte change and macrophyte habitat would respond very rapidly, in less than a month, when habitat was available. Macrophyte habitats would also have high sediment seed reserves to ensure persistence under highly variable abiotic conditions. Macrophyte cover was monitored monthly in the East Kleinemonde Estuary along three permanent transects. The dominant habitats were submerged macrophytes, intertidal salt marsh, supratidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges. The following abiotic variables; water level, water column salinity, water temperature, Secchi depth, air temperature and rainfall were also measured between March 2006 and January 2010. Time-lag responses of the macrophytes to water level and salinity changes up to four months prior to the sampling session were also assessed. The analysis of a one year dataset highlighted only water level as a driver of change in macrophyte cover, whereas the five year dataset identified salinity as an additional important abiotic driver. This is because during September 2008 to January 2010 a series of large marine overwash events maintained high salinity (> 30 ppt) and high water level (> 1.6 m amsl) in the estuary. Water level increased by up to 0.33 m due to large volumetric changes and salinity was significantly higher in the 16 month closed euhaline phase after the breach (31 ± 0.9 ppt) compared to 21.9 ± 0.9 ppt in the closed polyhaline phase before the September 2008 breach. This increase in salinity significantly reduced the cover of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Chara vulgaris. They were replaced by macroalgae during this high salinity phase. The cover of supratidal salt marsh and reed habitats was also significantly reduced during the high water level phase, which in turn would lead to the potential for bank destabilisation and erosion. Based on the average elevation above sea level position of the macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde iv Estuary, a threshold water level was identified as 1.55 amsl. This was taken to be the height above sea level at which there was a maximum cover change for each macrophyte habitat. Above this water level emergent macrophyte habitat would mainly be inundated. This, together with 30 ppt salinity, was identified as the two thresholds for macrophyte change in the East Kleinemonde Estuary. From these thresholds and the 5 year dataset four biotic states were identified as State A: open and tidal, State B: closed with a water level below 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt, State C: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt and State D: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity above 30 ppt. Intertidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges were dominant during the open phase. Submerged macrophytes were dominant during the closed polyhaline state and macroalgae during the closed euhaline state. The high variability of abiotic factors common in TOCEs and the response of macrophyte habitat indicated that macrophytes were resilient to changing states provided they were of relatively short (< 3 months) duration. Macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary were found to have fast growth rates and large seed reserves in the sediment. The seed banks in the East Kleinemonde, as well as the adjacent temporarily open/closed West Kleinemonde Estuary were quantified for the first time in a South African estuary. The averaged data from both estuaries showed that Charophyte öospores represented almost 72 percent of the sexual propagules in the sediment with a mean öospore density of 31 306 ± 2 293 m-2. This was despite the Charophytes being sparsely located and only representing a maximum of 32.5 percent cover in the above ground vegetation. Historically there must have been stands of Charophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary, such that öospores could accumulate to such high density found in this study. The second highest seed density was for the intertidal salt marsh plant Sarcocornia tegetaria (18 percent) (7 929 ± 688 seed m-2), followed by the submerged angiosperm Ruppia cirrhosa (7 percent) (2 852 ± 327 seeds m-2). Although seed density did not differ significantly with sediment depth, seeds still occurred at 20 cm below the surface of the sediment providing a regeneration source in the event of sediment scouring during a flood event. Germination studies in the greenhouse showed that most seeds were viable and Sarcocornia tegetaria began to germinate after 3 days to a maximum of 82 percent after 91 days. Submerged species only germinated after 18 days with a low maximum germination of between 11 and 15 percent. This study has made an original contribution to the field of knowledge on macrophyte responses in a small TOCE as it showed that macrophyte habitats in the East Kleinemonde Estuary have a high natural variability in cover over time, they respond quickly after a disturbance event such as a mouth breach and there are large sediment seed reserves that remain viable from 2 to more than 5 years. This ensures habitat persistence even under unfavourable conditions, such as prolonged periods of mouth closure with high water level and flooding which causes loss of salt marsh species. Given this natural variability it is necessary to predict responses both spatially and temporally in order to manage and maintain ecological functioning in TOCEs. This study identified dominant macrophyte habitat for different abiotic states through the use of water level and salinity thresholds. In the determination of the freshwater requirements of any South African estuary freshwater inflow rates are provided for each estuary's past, present and possible future freshwater inflow scenarios. These flow data are generated by hydrological models and simulated monthly inflow volumes for a period of about 72 years are provided. For the East Kleinemonde freshwater requirement study for any year in that 70-odd year period, the number of high flow and low flow mouth breaches were predicted, as well as the closed state periods. The threshold water level of 1.55 m amsl was also used to filter past, present and future inflow monthly volumes to determine the frequency of the four abiotic states identified in this study. It was based on a water level/water volume equation calculation from a digital elevation model. Results showed that the total closed period in the present state was 83 percent, made up of 48 percent of the time in a polyhaline state (State C) and 35 percent in a euahaline state (State D). A second method was used to quantify available spatial habitat under different water level scenarios. A spatial model was written in Model Builder, an application in ArcGIS that allowed a series of processes to be built. A habitat map was overlaid with a bathymetric map and by selecting water level, available habitat areas were determined and empirical equations of water level versus available habitat were produced. These equations were then used to calculate the available habitat areas for monthly water level conditions from the freshwater requirement study for the past, present and two future inflow scenarios. Using both the threshold water level method and the spatial availability model method it was possible to assess the effect of the two future inflow scenarios on macrophyte habitat vi response. Scenario 1 had a 16 percent reduction in mean annual runoff (MAR) generating low flows for 88.6 percent of the time and a 3.5 percent reduction in flood events. In Scenario 2 there would be a 12 percent reduction in MAR with low flows occurring for 87.5 percent of the year, a 5.3 percent reduction in floods and an 11.5 percent reduction in the open mouth state. The model showed that Scenario 1 would have the highest submerged macrophyte area (12.56 ha versus 12.48 ha in Scenario 2), whereas Scenario 2 produced the largest mudflat and intertidal salt marsh area (7.11 ha versus 7.34 ha) due to lower water level in conjunction with the bathymetry of the estuary. A reduction in freshwater inflow to TOCEs either due to anthropogenic influences or natural precipitation cycles is one of the main threats to the optimum functioning of these estuaries. The results from this study and the two methods of assessing the effect of freshwater inflow scenarios on macrophytes in TOCEs can be integrated into the current freshwater inflow assessment methodology in South Africa, as well as adding to our understanding of the ecological functioning of these small, highly variable estuaries. The methods provide a quick assessment of macrophyte habitat associated with abiotic states under past, present and future inflow scenarios. All that is required to predict macrophyte habitat for different freshwater inflow scenarios (present, past and future) is a habitat map, a bathymetric map and the elevation range of macrophytes in the TOCE being assessed. This, together with the knowledge of response rates, provides invaluable information for the management of TOCEs to maintain their ecological functioning under altered freshwater inflow regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Riddin, Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1529 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Description: The East Kleinemonde Estuary is one of 175 temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) that represent 70 percent of estuaries in South Africa. TOCEs are small (mostly less than 100 ha), shallow estuaries (average depth < 2 m) that respond quickly to freshwater inflow events. Their connection to the sea can be highly variable resulting in considerable changes in abiotic and biotic conditions. Mouth status depends on a balance between freshwater inflow and marine influence, which in turn affects ambient abiotic conditions. The objective of the study was to identify the abiotic variables which influence macrophyte growth and habitat availability. It was hypothesised that water level and salinity were the two main drivers of macrophyte change and macrophyte habitat would respond very rapidly, in less than a month, when habitat was available. Macrophyte habitats would also have high sediment seed reserves to ensure persistence under highly variable abiotic conditions. Macrophyte cover was monitored monthly in the East Kleinemonde Estuary along three permanent transects. The dominant habitats were submerged macrophytes, intertidal salt marsh, supratidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges. The following abiotic variables; water level, water column salinity, water temperature, Secchi depth, air temperature and rainfall were also measured between March 2006 and January 2010. Time-lag responses of the macrophytes to water level and salinity changes up to four months prior to the sampling session were also assessed. The analysis of a one year dataset highlighted only water level as a driver of change in macrophyte cover, whereas the five year dataset identified salinity as an additional important abiotic driver. This is because during September 2008 to January 2010 a series of large marine overwash events maintained high salinity (> 30 ppt) and high water level (> 1.6 m amsl) in the estuary. Water level increased by up to 0.33 m due to large volumetric changes and salinity was significantly higher in the 16 month closed euhaline phase after the breach (31 ± 0.9 ppt) compared to 21.9 ± 0.9 ppt in the closed polyhaline phase before the September 2008 breach. This increase in salinity significantly reduced the cover of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Chara vulgaris. They were replaced by macroalgae during this high salinity phase. The cover of supratidal salt marsh and reed habitats was also significantly reduced during the high water level phase, which in turn would lead to the potential for bank destabilisation and erosion. Based on the average elevation above sea level position of the macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde iv Estuary, a threshold water level was identified as 1.55 amsl. This was taken to be the height above sea level at which there was a maximum cover change for each macrophyte habitat. Above this water level emergent macrophyte habitat would mainly be inundated. This, together with 30 ppt salinity, was identified as the two thresholds for macrophyte change in the East Kleinemonde Estuary. From these thresholds and the 5 year dataset four biotic states were identified as State A: open and tidal, State B: closed with a water level below 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt, State C: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt and State D: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity above 30 ppt. Intertidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges were dominant during the open phase. Submerged macrophytes were dominant during the closed polyhaline state and macroalgae during the closed euhaline state. The high variability of abiotic factors common in TOCEs and the response of macrophyte habitat indicated that macrophytes were resilient to changing states provided they were of relatively short (< 3 months) duration. Macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary were found to have fast growth rates and large seed reserves in the sediment. The seed banks in the East Kleinemonde, as well as the adjacent temporarily open/closed West Kleinemonde Estuary were quantified for the first time in a South African estuary. The averaged data from both estuaries showed that Charophyte öospores represented almost 72 percent of the sexual propagules in the sediment with a mean öospore density of 31 306 ± 2 293 m-2. This was despite the Charophytes being sparsely located and only representing a maximum of 32.5 percent cover in the above ground vegetation. Historically there must have been stands of Charophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary, such that öospores could accumulate to such high density found in this study. The second highest seed density was for the intertidal salt marsh plant Sarcocornia tegetaria (18 percent) (7 929 ± 688 seed m-2), followed by the submerged angiosperm Ruppia cirrhosa (7 percent) (2 852 ± 327 seeds m-2). Although seed density did not differ significantly with sediment depth, seeds still occurred at 20 cm below the surface of the sediment providing a regeneration source in the event of sediment scouring during a flood event. Germination studies in the greenhouse showed that most seeds were viable and Sarcocornia tegetaria began to germinate after 3 days to a maximum of 82 percent after 91 days. Submerged species only germinated after 18 days with a low maximum germination of between 11 and 15 percent. This study has made an original contribution to the field of knowledge on macrophyte responses in a small TOCE as it showed that macrophyte habitats in the East Kleinemonde Estuary have a high natural variability in cover over time, they respond quickly after a disturbance event such as a mouth breach and there are large sediment seed reserves that remain viable from 2 to more than 5 years. This ensures habitat persistence even under unfavourable conditions, such as prolonged periods of mouth closure with high water level and flooding which causes loss of salt marsh species. Given this natural variability it is necessary to predict responses both spatially and temporally in order to manage and maintain ecological functioning in TOCEs. This study identified dominant macrophyte habitat for different abiotic states through the use of water level and salinity thresholds. In the determination of the freshwater requirements of any South African estuary freshwater inflow rates are provided for each estuary's past, present and possible future freshwater inflow scenarios. These flow data are generated by hydrological models and simulated monthly inflow volumes for a period of about 72 years are provided. For the East Kleinemonde freshwater requirement study for any year in that 70-odd year period, the number of high flow and low flow mouth breaches were predicted, as well as the closed state periods. The threshold water level of 1.55 m amsl was also used to filter past, present and future inflow monthly volumes to determine the frequency of the four abiotic states identified in this study. It was based on a water level/water volume equation calculation from a digital elevation model. Results showed that the total closed period in the present state was 83 percent, made up of 48 percent of the time in a polyhaline state (State C) and 35 percent in a euahaline state (State D). A second method was used to quantify available spatial habitat under different water level scenarios. A spatial model was written in Model Builder, an application in ArcGIS that allowed a series of processes to be built. A habitat map was overlaid with a bathymetric map and by selecting water level, available habitat areas were determined and empirical equations of water level versus available habitat were produced. These equations were then used to calculate the available habitat areas for monthly water level conditions from the freshwater requirement study for the past, present and two future inflow scenarios. Using both the threshold water level method and the spatial availability model method it was possible to assess the effect of the two future inflow scenarios on macrophyte habitat vi response. Scenario 1 had a 16 percent reduction in mean annual runoff (MAR) generating low flows for 88.6 percent of the time and a 3.5 percent reduction in flood events. In Scenario 2 there would be a 12 percent reduction in MAR with low flows occurring for 87.5 percent of the year, a 5.3 percent reduction in floods and an 11.5 percent reduction in the open mouth state. The model showed that Scenario 1 would have the highest submerged macrophyte area (12.56 ha versus 12.48 ha in Scenario 2), whereas Scenario 2 produced the largest mudflat and intertidal salt marsh area (7.11 ha versus 7.34 ha) due to lower water level in conjunction with the bathymetry of the estuary. A reduction in freshwater inflow to TOCEs either due to anthropogenic influences or natural precipitation cycles is one of the main threats to the optimum functioning of these estuaries. The results from this study and the two methods of assessing the effect of freshwater inflow scenarios on macrophytes in TOCEs can be integrated into the current freshwater inflow assessment methodology in South Africa, as well as adding to our understanding of the ecological functioning of these small, highly variable estuaries. The methods provide a quick assessment of macrophyte habitat associated with abiotic states under past, present and future inflow scenarios. All that is required to predict macrophyte habitat for different freshwater inflow scenarios (present, past and future) is a habitat map, a bathymetric map and the elevation range of macrophytes in the TOCE being assessed. This, together with the knowledge of response rates, provides invaluable information for the management of TOCEs to maintain their ecological functioning under altered freshwater inflow regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Rhodes University Research Report 2011
- Rhodes University, Rhodes University Research Office, Roberts, Jaine, Connan, Verna, Dore, Sally
- Authors: Rhodes University , Rhodes University Research Office , Roberts, Jaine , Connan, Verna , Dore, Sally
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:566 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011981
- Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University continued to show a gratifying and steady increase in overall accredited research outputs in 2011, and individual increases were experienced in all categories of output. Overall accredited units increased to 639.6 (a 12.7% increase on 2010), with a similar percentage increase in the DHET per capita output figure, which kept Rhodes in the position of third most productive university in South Africa in terms of accredited research. 51% of the outputs were due to publications, 25% to PhD graduations, and 24% to Masters graduations by thesis. The PhD contribution represented a record year, and a 30% increase over the number graduating in the preceding year. Our journal output, (which accounts for 86% of our total accredited publishing output for higher education subsidy purposes) grew by 5.9% from the 2010 level (to 309.61 units in 2011). The previous year had seen a 3% decline in this category. Coupled with Rhodes’ high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure was that 90% of journal outputs (by far the highest proportion of universities in the sector) appeared in international accredited journals. Our output from accredited conference proceedings, (which in 2011 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) grew by 3.5% to 24.22 units - from a small base where year-on-year variance in either direction is common. The book outputs (which in 2011 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) increased by 162% - again from a small base (moving up to 25.02 units), where year-on-year variance is expected. This category had seen a negative growth of 60.6% in the previous year. add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators, partners and students who contributed to the excellent accredited research results of 2011, as well as generated the many forms of scholarship that are not counted in the accreditation exercise, but which contribute much to the rich intellectual space that is Rhodes. I also thank all of the administrators who played a critical role in preparing the university’s meticulous audited submission. , A publication of the Rhodes Research Office, compiled and edited by Jaine Roberts and Verna Connan. Design and Layout: Sally Dore.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rhodes University , Rhodes University Research Office , Roberts, Jaine , Connan, Verna , Dore, Sally
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:566 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011981
- Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University continued to show a gratifying and steady increase in overall accredited research outputs in 2011, and individual increases were experienced in all categories of output. Overall accredited units increased to 639.6 (a 12.7% increase on 2010), with a similar percentage increase in the DHET per capita output figure, which kept Rhodes in the position of third most productive university in South Africa in terms of accredited research. 51% of the outputs were due to publications, 25% to PhD graduations, and 24% to Masters graduations by thesis. The PhD contribution represented a record year, and a 30% increase over the number graduating in the preceding year. Our journal output, (which accounts for 86% of our total accredited publishing output for higher education subsidy purposes) grew by 5.9% from the 2010 level (to 309.61 units in 2011). The previous year had seen a 3% decline in this category. Coupled with Rhodes’ high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure was that 90% of journal outputs (by far the highest proportion of universities in the sector) appeared in international accredited journals. Our output from accredited conference proceedings, (which in 2011 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) grew by 3.5% to 24.22 units - from a small base where year-on-year variance in either direction is common. The book outputs (which in 2011 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) increased by 162% - again from a small base (moving up to 25.02 units), where year-on-year variance is expected. This category had seen a negative growth of 60.6% in the previous year. add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators, partners and students who contributed to the excellent accredited research results of 2011, as well as generated the many forms of scholarship that are not counted in the accreditation exercise, but which contribute much to the rich intellectual space that is Rhodes. I also thank all of the administrators who played a critical role in preparing the university’s meticulous audited submission. , A publication of the Rhodes Research Office, compiled and edited by Jaine Roberts and Verna Connan. Design and Layout: Sally Dore.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony 2011
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007246
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies [at] 1820 Settlers National Monument Thursday, 7 April at 18.00 [and] Friday, 8 April at 10:30; 14:30 & 18:00 [and] Saturday, 9 April at 10:30
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007246
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremonies [at] 1820 Settlers National Monument Thursday, 7 April at 18.00 [and] Friday, 8 April at 10:30; 14:30 & 18:00 [and] Saturday, 9 April at 10:30
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A self-reflection of my interactions, communication and relationship structures in the classroom
- Authors: Rensburg, Cheryl Dawn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Interaction analysis in education , Teacher-student relationships , Classroom environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9560 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012587 , Interaction analysis in education , Teacher-student relationships , Classroom environment
- Description: Good communication and maintaining effective relationships within a school community are essential for achieving high academic standards. The aim of effective communication between teachers and learners is to elicit and ensure behaviour that will enhance the learning process. It is therefore important that teachers relate to learners in a sensitive manner when they communicate their knowledge (Bingham and Sidorkin 2004, 5). Sotto (2007, 96) further contends that teachers‟ communication styles reveal their core attitude towards learning and that the success of their teaching will be partially determined by how effectively they communicate. Many schools are experiencing disciplinary problems, low teacher and learner expectations, a breakdown of the social order, and a high incidence of academic failure. Bingham and Sidorkin (2004, 5) explain the above-mentioned problems as symptoms of a breakdown in communication between educators and learners. Once relationships in a school have been jeopardised, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve high academic standards. It is therefore essential that educators create meaningful interactions in an environment in which all individuals can develop to their full potential. The National Education Policy Act No. 27 of 1996 (Education Labour Relations Council 2003, A- 4) advocates the enhancement of quality education and innovation through systematic research and development. The principles contained therein are directed towards enabling the education system to contribute to the full development of each learner, respecting each learner‟s right to freedom of thought, opinion and expression within a culture of respect for teaching and learning. The establishment and strengthening of relationships in a school will contribute to improved academic achievement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rensburg, Cheryl Dawn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Interaction analysis in education , Teacher-student relationships , Classroom environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9560 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012587 , Interaction analysis in education , Teacher-student relationships , Classroom environment
- Description: Good communication and maintaining effective relationships within a school community are essential for achieving high academic standards. The aim of effective communication between teachers and learners is to elicit and ensure behaviour that will enhance the learning process. It is therefore important that teachers relate to learners in a sensitive manner when they communicate their knowledge (Bingham and Sidorkin 2004, 5). Sotto (2007, 96) further contends that teachers‟ communication styles reveal their core attitude towards learning and that the success of their teaching will be partially determined by how effectively they communicate. Many schools are experiencing disciplinary problems, low teacher and learner expectations, a breakdown of the social order, and a high incidence of academic failure. Bingham and Sidorkin (2004, 5) explain the above-mentioned problems as symptoms of a breakdown in communication between educators and learners. Once relationships in a school have been jeopardised, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve high academic standards. It is therefore essential that educators create meaningful interactions in an environment in which all individuals can develop to their full potential. The National Education Policy Act No. 27 of 1996 (Education Labour Relations Council 2003, A- 4) advocates the enhancement of quality education and innovation through systematic research and development. The principles contained therein are directed towards enabling the education system to contribute to the full development of each learner, respecting each learner‟s right to freedom of thought, opinion and expression within a culture of respect for teaching and learning. The establishment and strengthening of relationships in a school will contribute to improved academic achievement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011