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A facilities management transformation strategy for the public sector

  • Authors: Tonono, Erol
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Facility management -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:9666 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/767 , Facility management -- South Africa
  • Description: Facilities Management (FM) has become one of the fastest growing disciplines in the built environment. Factors such as information technology, expectations of employees, the cost of mistakes in building, the cost of building space and global competition have influenced the growth of the discipline. These factors have forced facilities management to move from the basement to the boardroom; from a hidden function entrusted to the sleepy, slow and steady to one performed by increasingly bright-eyed and dynamic facilities managers. The objectives of this research focus on the need for a transformation strategy for FM in the public sector. However, before any transformation is considered, it is essential to understand the perceptions and attitudes of people dealing with FM in this sector. The National Department of Public Works (NDPW) became the focus of the study because it has the largest property portfolio in the southern hemisphere. It should be the leader in FM. The collected primary data (being quantitative) and secondary information provided the necessary basis to understand the application of FM in the NDPW. The study revealed shortcomings which are contributing to the problems outlined: namely, that no senior manager has been appointed to manage the portfolio and assist top management in decision-making; that neither a policy nor a FM framework are in place to guide the FM portfolio; that there is a lack of knowledge about the discipline, particularly by management and that there is no computer-aided FM in the entire department, let alone a FM helpdesk. FM is the coordination of workplace, people, physical infrastructure, processes and technology in order for an organization to meet its objectives. It is a wide field encompassing models that tend to differ considerably from one organization to another as it has to respond to the particular needs of each organization. It recognizes that a workplace’s configuration can have either a positive or negative impact on productivity, depending on the competency of the FM structures in place.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A feasibility study into total electron content prediction using neural networks

  • Authors: Habarulema, John Bosco
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Electrons , Neural networks (Computer science) , Global Positioning System , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005251 , Electrons , Neural networks (Computer science) , Global Positioning System , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density
  • Description: Global Positioning System (GPS) networks provide an opportunity to study the dynamics and continuous changes in the ionosphere by supplementing ionospheric measurements which are usually obtained by various techniques such as ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars and satellites. Total electron content (TEC) is one of the physical quantities that can be derived from GPS data, and provides an indication of ionospheric variability. This thesis presents a feasibility study for the development of a Neural Network (NN) based model for the prediction of South African GPS derived TEC. The South African GPS receiver network is operated and maintained by the Chief Directorate Surveys and Mapping (CDSM) in Cape Town, South Africa. Three South African locations were identified and used in the development of an input space and NN architecture for the model. The input space includes the day number (seasonal variation), hour (diurnal variation), sunspot number (measure of the solar activity), and magnetic index(measure of the magnetic activity). An attempt to study the effects of solar wind on TEC variability was carried out using the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) data and it is recommended that more study be done using low altitude satellite data. An analysis was done by comparing predicted NN TEC with TEC values from the IRI2001 version of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), validating GPS TEC with ionosonde TEC (ITEC) and assessing the performance of the NN model during equinoxes and solstices. Results show that NNs predict GPS TEC more accurately than the IRI at South African GPS locations, but that more good quality GPS data is required before a truly representative empirical GPS TEC model can be released.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A framework for managing timetable data quality within the NMMU

  • Authors: Els, Dierdre Jean
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Computer algorithms Timetables , Management information systems , Management -- Data processing , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Management , Information management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/948 , Computer algorithms Timetables , Management information systems , Management -- Data processing , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Management , Information management
  • Description: This dissertation investigates the influencing factors on timetable quality, not only from a data quality perspective, but also from an information quality perspective which takes into account the quality of the business processes involved in creating the timetable. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University was used as a case study for assessing the quality of the timetable process, the quality of the source data, and the quality of the final timetable produced. A framework for managing the data quality during the timetabling process is proposed. The framework is based on reviews done on data quality management best practices and data quality aspects. Chapter 1 introduces the current Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University timetable, and motivates why data quality management is essential to its success. The scope and research objectives are presented for this dissertation. Chapter 2 covers a literature study on business process and data quality management best practices. The common thread through all the management methodologies investigated, was top management involvement and commitment to continuously improving the quality of data. Chapter 3 discusses various characteristics of data quality. Quality is determined to be whether the end result meets the quality requirements for which it was intended. Hence each system could have quality aspects that are unique to it. Chapter 4 explains various research designs and which were followed for this dissertation. The combination of literature studies, a questionnaire and a case study were used. Chapter 5 is a case study of the data quality and timetabling processes used at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and is based on the research design described in chapter 4. The current business processes followed in setting up the current timetable are presented, as well as the proposed timetabling process that should produce a better quality timetable for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan 4 University. The data quality aspects most pertinent to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University are determined, being timeliness, accountability, integrity and consistency, as well as the most probable causes for bad timetable quality, like uniform technology, processes, ownership and using a common terminology. Chapter 6 presents a framework for managing timetable data quality at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University using an Information Product Map approach that will ensure a better quality timetable. Future research is also proposed. It is evident from this dissertation that data quality of source data as well as the quality of the business process involved is essential for producing a timetable that satisfies the requirements for which it was intended. The management framework proposed for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University timetabling process can potentially be used at other institutions as well.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A global study of forensically significant calliphorids: implications for identification

  • Authors: Harvey, M L , Gaudieri, S , Villet, Martin H , Dadour, I R
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: vital:6863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011156
  • Description: A proliferation of molecular studies of the forensically significant Calliphoridae in the last decade has seen molecule-based identification of immature and damaged specimens become a routine complement to traditional morphological identification as a preliminary to the accurate estimation of post-mortem intervals (PMI), which depends on the use of species-specific developmental data. Published molecular studies have tended to focus on generating data for geographically localised communities of species of importance, which has limited the consideration of intraspecific variation in species of global distribution. This study used phylogenetic analysis to assess the species status of 27 forensically important calliphorid species based on 1167 base pairs of the COI gene of 119 specimens from 22 countries, and confirmed the utility of the COI gene in identifying most species. The species Lucilia cuprina, Chrysomya megacephala, Ch. saffranea, Ch. albifrontalis and Calliphora stygia were unable to be monophyletically resolved based on these data. Identification of phylogenetically young species will require a faster-evolving molecular marker, but most species could be unambiguously characterised by sampling relatively few conspecific individuals if they were from distant localities. Intraspecific geographical variation was observed within Ch. rufifacies and L. cuprina, and is discussed with reference to unrecognised species.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A historic-hermeneutic critique of luthiery with specific reference to selected South African guiter builders

  • Authors: Bower, Rudi
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Guitar -- Construction , Guitar -- History
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8512 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/779 , Guitar -- Construction , Guitar -- History
  • Description: This study uses a general historical overview of luthiery that provides the reader with a basic understanding of construction techniques and terminology as a point of departure. From the outset the lack of consensus over an ideal or desired construction technique is highlighted. However, Torres is credited with the establishing of a perceived Spanish tradition of guitar construction and acknowledged as the “father” of the modern guitar. This will serve as a basic framework in which a discussion of six prominent past and present international luthiers can occur. These luthiers, namely Antonio de Torres, Hermann Hauser, Robert Bouchet, Daniel Friederich, Jose Romanillos and Greg Smallman are included in this study by virtue of their influence on the South African luthiers that are featured here. It is noted that these six luthiers, with the exception of Greg Smallman, all adhere to the “Spanish tradition” of guitar construction. Smallman can be considered a foremost proponent of a more recent “modern” school of guitar construction characterized by various innovative construction techniques. These are a result of new demands placed on the guitar as performance instrument because of larger concert venues and more collaboration with different instruments, resulting in a need for a stronger tone and more projection and penetration in sound. These two “poles” of luthiery are then manifested in the discussion on the seven featured South African luthiers. Alistair Thompson, Colin Cleveland, Mervyn Davis, Garth Pickard, Marc Maingard, Rodney Stedall and Hans van den Berg are discussed with special mention made of the features of their instruments, woods used and thoughts on luthiery, against the backdrop of their biographies. The four South African luthiers who build within the “Spanish tradition” (Pickard, Maingard, Stedall and Van den Berg) are distinguished from the three who build outside this so-called tradition (Thompson, Cleveland, Davis). South African luthiery is therefore shown to be an accurate microcosm of luthiery in global terms with styles of construction ranging from very “traditional” to very “modern”. The critical reflection on the information contained in this study appears in the form of a hermeneutic critique on luthiery that occurs within the parameters of the thought of two prominent hermeneutic thinkers, Martin Heidegger and his student, Hans-Georg Gadamer. It is shown that the collaboration that often occurs between guitar makers and performers can be related back to Gadamer and his analysis of Heidegger’s notion of the the hermeneutic circle. It is also argued that luthiery as practiced by the international and South African luthiers featured in this study can be seen both as art and technology in ancient Greek terms in that they are both a mode of revealing. Finally, it is shown how luthiery in its entirety can be viewed as a tradition and that different luthiers respond and add to this tradition in various ways.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A holistic healthcare model for higher education campus health services

  • Authors: Ricks, Esmeralda Jennifer
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: College students -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCur
  • Identifier: vital:10038 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/666 , College students -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: Most students are adolescents and young adults, a group characterized by a new-found sense of independence, experimentation with sex and sometimes drugs and a feeling of invincibility (Gayle, Richard, Keeling, Garcia-Tunon, Kilbourne, Narkunas, Ingram, rogers and Curran, 1990:1538). These behavioural, developmental and environmental issues may contribute to premature morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life for university students (Patrick et al., 1992:260). The ages of staff on the other hand range from young adults to retirement age. The types of health problems that exist among staff who use the campus health service include First Aid treatment on site for injuries on duty and more chronic health problems such as, for example, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. To date there is very little evidence as to whether or not the healthcare needs of students and staff are being met comprehensively or whether the practitioners rendering the service are knowledgeable and complying with the PHC norms and standards developed by the department of Health’s Quality Assurance Directorate. The lack of such empirical data can contribute to misconceptions and hamper the management of public health problems experienced in SA, for example sexually transmitted infections and the transmission of HIV. Thus the purpose of this research was to develop a model that would assist registered nurses employed at a higher education campus health service in the Western Region of the Eastern Cape Province to render a healthcare service relevant to the healthcare needs of the students and staff on campus.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A hybrid approach to beach erosion mitigation and amenity enhancement, St Francis Bay, South Africa

  • Authors: Anderson, Dylan Rory
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Beach erosion -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Shore protection -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Restoration ecology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10611 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008192 , Beach erosion -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Shore protection -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Restoration ecology
  • Description: The St Francis Bay beach has experienced chronic erosion over the past three decades. This erosion can largely be attributed to the stabilisation of a large coastal dunefield which contributed +/- 80 percent of the sand supply to St Francis Bay. Stabilisation began in 1975 initially using plant cuttings and followed by the development of the Santareme holiday suburb resulting in complete stabilisation by 1985. Effects were felt from the late 1970‟s and since then the beach has retreated at between 0.5 - 3 m.yr-1. Erosion has encroached on beachfront properties since the early 1990‟s, leading to the placement of 3-4 m high unsightly rock revetments along much of the beach. Where properly maintained these structures have proved successful in protecting the properties behind, however exacerbated erosion of areas in front and adjacent to these structures is evident. Currently no dry beach is present at high tide for most of the year, leading to a significant reduction in beach amenity value. Several technical studies to investigate remediation of this beach erosion problem have been conducted since the early 1990‟s. This study includes investigations into the processes and dynamics of the existing environment and evaluation of the effectiveness and impacts of several elements of a hybrid approach to coastal protection and amenity enhancement for St Francis Bay beach. This proposal incorporated: Multi-Purpose Reefs (MPR‟s) offshore, for coastal protection and amenity enhancement in terms of surfing; beach nourishment with sand from the Kromme Estuary and dune rehabilitation with appropriate native sand binding species. Extensive fieldwork and data collection were conducted, this included: a series of bathymetric surveys; diving surveys and a helicopter flight; sediment sampling; beach profiling and deployment of a wave/current meter. Analysis of these data provided a greater understanding of the existing environment and dynamics of St Francis Bay and provided reliable inputs for numerical modelling. Numerical and physical modelling was conducted to assess the existing processes and conduct MPR design testing. In addition calibrated hydrodynamic modelling of the Kromme Estuary was conducted in order to assess the impacts of sand extraction from the large sand banks within the mouth of the Kromme Estuary for use as beach nourishment. Comparison of bathymetric survey data collected by the author in 2005/06 with survey data collected by the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO) in 1952 suggest a major loss of sand from the bay, with a volume difference of some 8.8 X 106 m3 calculated. Greater losses were measured between 10-15 m water depths, with shallow areas of +/- 5 m water depth, remaining more stable. This can be attributed to the presence of shallow reef and rocky substrate through much of the bay at this depth range. Monthly RTK GPS survey data from September 2006 to September 2007 indicates a total loss of 40 000 m3 over this period with the greatest losses measured along the northern part of the beach. The greatest losses were measured after large long period waves from a southerly to south-easterly direction occurred in conjunction with equinox tides in mid March 2007. Sediment sampling at over 100 locations within the bay indicated a high percentage of reef (26 percent) and fairly consistent grain size in the fine to medium size class throughout much of the beach, bay and large sand bank within the estuary. While the majority of the South African Coast is exposed to the predominant south westerly winds and waves, St Francis Bay‟s orientation means that waves from a south easterly to easterly direction dominate. The results of the detailed numerical modelling of the hydrodynamics agree with previous calculations and modelling results which concluded that strong unidirectional longshore currents occur along the headland due to the oblique angle of wave incidence and the close to parallel angle of wave incidence along the beach leads to weak longshore currents of variable direction. Erosion along St Francis Bay beach is a result of cross-shore erosion due to large waves from a southerly to easterly direction. Detached breakwaters are the most effective form of coastal protection in these environments and MPR‟s offer additional benefits over traditional breakwater structures. Results of empirical calculations and numerical modelling indicate that the MPR‟s will provide effective coastal protection through the processes of wave dissipation, wave rotation, salient formation and alteration of nearshore circulation. Physical modelling results allowed the MPR design to be assessed and refined in terms of surfing amenity enhancement and construction constraints. In addition numerical modelling results indicate that impacts due to the extraction of up to 600 000 m3 of sand from the lower Kromme Estuary result in highly localised velocity reduction, mainly limited to the extraction areas. The calculated rate of sediment influx into the lower Kromme Estuary indicates that limited extraction, in the order of 20 000 – 40 000 m3 per year, should be sustainable in the long term. Sedimentation of the lower estuary over recent years has had negative recreational and ecological impacts, through reduced navigability and water exchange respectively. Therefore both the estuary and beach systems prove to benefit from this approach. Although not investigated in detail as part of this study, evidence from numerous projects worldwide indicates that foredunes help to trap wind-blown sand on the beach and form a buffer to storm erosion, therefore dune rehabilitation with native sand-binding plant species was recommended as the third element of the proposed remediation of St Francis Bay beach.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A lean view on an Eastern Cape logistics service provider

  • Authors: Catterall, Kent James
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Production management -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8713 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/931 , Production management -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
  • Description: Global competition is forcing all organisations, both manufacturing and service or ientated, to review their facil ities and processes from a productivity and quality standpoint. The concept of lean manufacturing has evolved from mass production methodologies developed by Henry Ford. Lean methodology, as developed by the Toyota Motor Company of Japan, yields consistent product quality at a lower cost , while delivering greater variety to the customer. The purpose of this research was to identify lean methodology application to the service industr y and to evaluate its application to UTi South Africa (PTY) LTD. The research presented an empirical study of how a lean tool can be a ppl ied at UTi South Africa (PTY) LTD service operations and possible lean models for UTi Port Elizabeth. The research study found that lean methodology can be applied to the freight forwarding industry and that opportunities exist for lean to improve productivity.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A method for imputing economic value to ecological goods and services provided by the Knysna River

  • Authors: Saunders, James Woodward
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Ecology -- South Africa -- Knysna Fishery management -- South Africa -- Knysna Water-supply -- South Africa -- Knysna Knysna Lagoon (South Africa) Knysna (South Africa) -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:773 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003894
  • Description: The purpose of this thesis was to develop a method by which economic value can be imputed from an economic activity to a non-market ecological function or service which contributes to that economic activity. The Knysna River in South Africa was chosen as the ecological function which supported three economic activities from which value was to be imputed; these were the Knysna Municipal Water Supply, Fish Production in the Knysna Estuary and Production of Indigenous Forest within the Knysna Catchment. Three underlying assumptions and two functional operations were required in order to implement the suggested method. The underlying assumptions were: - The ecological and economic activities considered are within a single catchment. - The allocation of value imputed for a specific economic activity to the ecological function or service under consideration (in this case the Knysna River) is proportional to the total contribution of ecological functions or services contributed to the economic activity. - The valuation of the economic activity for the purposes of obtaining a price-quantity point on a demand function is to be full cost pricing with no producer surplus. The two functional requirements were: - Diagram or map the linkages between an economic activity and the supporting ecological functions. - Determine the consumer surplus related to an incremental change in quantity under a demand function where the original price and quantity are known. A value from each of the economic activities was imputed to the Knysna River. However, the method was not tested. Nonetheless applying the equations and collecting the required data allowed several methodological needs to be clearly pointed out. The most acute deficiency was difficulty in obtaining secondary data from governmental agencies, commercial representatives and existing published academic research to ensure a robust price. Also, scientific information was not sufficiently available for allocating ecological contributions to the economic activities. Even with the shortage of credible data the method appears to allow non-market ecological functions to be valued in context of an existing economic system.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A model for legal compliance in the South African banking sector : an information security perspective

  • Authors: Maphakela, Madidimalo Rabbie
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Database security -- South Africa , Computer security -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/725 , Database security -- South Africa , Computer security -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa
  • Description: In the past, many organisations used to keep their information on paper, which resulted in the loss of important information. In today’s knowledge era the information super-highway facilitates highly connected electronic environments where business applications can communicate on an intra- as well as inter-organizational level. As business expanded more into the cyber-world, so did the need to protect the information they have. Technology advances did not only bring benefits, it also increased the vulnerability of companies’ information. Information, the lifeblood of an organization, must be protected from threats such as hackers and fraud, amongst others. In the highly regulated financial sector, the protection of information is not only a best practice, but a legal obligation carrying penalties for non-compliance. From a positive aspect, organisations can identify security controls that can help them to secure their information, with the aid of legal sources. But organisations find themselves burdened by a burgeoning number of legal sources and requirements, which require vast resources and often become unmanageable. This research focuses on finding a solution for South African banks to comply with multiple legal sources, as seen from an information security perspective.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A model for role-based security education, training and awareness in the South African healthcare environment

  • Authors: Maseti, Ophola S
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Medical care -- South Africa -- Data processing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/724 , Medical care -- South Africa -- Data processing
  • Description: It is generally accepted that a business operates more efficiently when it is able to consolidate information from a variety of sources. This principle applies as much in the healthcare environment. Although limited in the South African context, the use of electronic systems to access information is advancing rapidly. Many aspects have to be considered in regards to such a high availability of information, for example, training people how to access and protect information, motivating them to use the systems and information extensively and effectively, ensuring adequate levels of security, confronting ethical issues and maintaining the availability of information at crucial times. This is especially true in the healthcare sector, where access to critical data is often vital. This data must be accessed by different kinds of people with different levels of access. However, accessibility often leads to vulnerabilities. The healthcare sector deals with very sensitive data. People’s medical records need to be kept confidential; hence, security is very important. Information of a very sensitive nature is exposed to human intervention on various levels (e.g. nurses, administrative staff, general practitioners and specialists). In this scenario, it is important for each person to be aware of the requirements in terms of security and privacy, especially from a legal perspective. Because of the large dependence on the human factor in maintaining information security, organisations must employ mechanisms that address this at the staff level. One such mechanism is information security education, training and awareness programmes. As the learner is the recipient of information in such a programme, it is increasingly important that it targets the audience that it is intended for. This will maximize the benefits achieved from such a programme. This can be achieved through following a role-based approach in the design and development of the SETA programme. This research therefore proposes a model for a role-based SETA programme, with the area of application being in the South African healthcare environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A model for sustainable operational excellence through knowledge management practices and continuous improvement principles

  • Authors: Beeken, Wilhelm Frederik Hartmann
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Organizational effectiveness , Knowledge management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
  • Identifier: vital:8699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1061 , Organizational effectiveness , Knowledge management
  • Description: Integrating Knowledge Management maturity with associated Continuous Improvement efforts in order to remain competitive, is absent in most Operational Excellence initiatives. Furthermore, the intertwined relationship of Continuous Improvement and work development becomes a crucial focus area for organisations that wish to establish a continuously evolving management system consisting of core values, methodologies and tools with the aim of creating more satisfied customers with less resources. The old industrial paradigm that focused on labour, capital, materials, and energy viewed technology and knowledge as external influences on production. This framework is now being challenged and a new trend is emerging. This trend seeks to transform the old industrial system to that of a knowledge-based which one can lead to innovation and hence economic advantage. Continuous Improvement as a concept has roots in many other fields, including social-technical system design, human relations progress and the discussion surrounding ‘lean manufacturing’. This study will focus on Continuous Improvement as a noun, referring to on the outcome of the process of a stream of emergent innovations. The primary objective of the study is to create a model that will present an organisation with a three-layer knowledge reference process grid, which will align and depict the surrounding business knowledge functions, knowledge-enabling processes and knowledge-manipulating processes aiming for enabling Operational Excellence. This study promotes the theory that the cognitive domain layer, functional domain layer and resources layer of an organisation can be increasingly stimulated by focusing effort through Continuous Improvement routines towards the associated inter-organisational knowledge processes sustaining Operational Excellence. The proposed model is structured to review, compare, evaluate and integrate existing Knowledge Management practices of ii an organisation within the context of clear definitions for important concepts of Knowledge Management. Additionally the model provides an assessment instrument for evaluating the organisation’s Knowledge Management maturity level. The study concerns itself with two concepts towards business value creation which will lead to increased Operational Excellence. Firstly, the maturity of Knowledge Management processes, and secondly the level of the organisation wide process of focused and continuous incremental improvement namely, Continuous Improvement. A case study with PriceWaterhouseCoopers was concluded and an on-line Internet survey was used with a stratified sample from knowledge workers to test the factors from both a Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement perspective. These factors were verified by means of a hypotheses network, describing in a structured and descriptive way, the importance of Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement collectively on sustainable Operational Excellence as an integral development of Operational Excellence. With respect to Knowledge Management practices, the hypothesis network proposed at least three domains, which of knowledge generation, knowledge mobilisation and knowledge application as important input to the proposed process grid of knowledge development and associated layer elements. From a Continuous Improvement principles perspective it is apparent that elements from Continuous Improvement routines and Continuous Improvement characteristics are associated with the organisation Continuous Improvement ability. These findings are also a result of the deliberate design of processes, tools, structures and environments with the intent to increase, renew, share or improve the use of knowledge represented in any of the three elements for structural, human and social of intellectual capital. The proposed model combines the framework of the Boyd cycle as it is conceptualized as self-assessment activities, for it becomes possible to use them as basis of a self-assessment with sense making navigational properties across iii the proposed knowledge process grid for the model. The model will facilitate the concept of a three-layer knowledge reference process grid, which represents the main components of the knowledge processes within the cognitive domain layer, functional layer and resources layer of an organisation. The proposed model will deliver a single value that co-exists with the Knowledge Management maturity level and Continuous Improvement readiness index rating attained. Logical relationships to dynamic, evolving and flexible enabling Knowledge Management practices for each layer of the proposed three-layer knowledge reference process grid will be integrated as output of the proposed model. The research has limitations as Knowledge Management practices were measured using a subjective norm scale. It is suggested that a more comprehensive measure of Knowledge Management maturity processes may be needed to represent this construct. The complexity of the proposed model and the number of associated variables included in the results need further confirmation using possible multiple samples and additional measures of Knowledge Management maturity and Continuous Improvement readiness elements. The benefit of the proposed model as a practical Operational Excellence tool is to overcome the perceived gap of implementing Knowledge Management practices and Continuous Improvement principles collectively to deliver and sustain Operational Excellence.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A model to improve the effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate function relative to South African construction

  • Authors: Geminiani, Franco Luciano
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Construction industry -- Safety measures
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
  • Identifier: vital:9695 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/719 , Construction industry -- Safety measures
  • Description: Irrespective of all the efforts made by the Department of Labour (DoL) and other relevant stakeholders to improve the performance of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in construction. In the Construction Industry, there is still a very high level of accidents and fatalities in South Africa. Injuries and accidents to workers do not help a community in any nation. The construction industry in South Africa is generally known to be one of the most hazardous and has one of the most dismal OH&S records among all industrial segments with an unacceptably high level of injuries and fatalities resulting in considerable human suffering. A doctoral study was recently conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness and performance of the DoL OH&S Inspectorate in South Africa. The empirical study was conducted among a range of stakeholders: civil engineering and building contractors; OH&S consultants; project managers; DoL inspectors; and designers by means of a questionnaire survey. The methodology adopted in this study included the exploratory and descriptive methods, which entails the technique of observation including the use of questionnaires and data analysis. The salient findings of the study are presented and elucidate that the DoL OH&S Inspectorate is not effective in terms of OH&S relative to the construction industry in South Africa. Conclusions and recommendations included expound that the DoL OH&S Inspectorate is not effectively conducting their duties reinforcing the need for a reviewed OH&S Inspectorate model framework. The proposed structured normative model consists of fundamental elements which would improve the effectiveness of the DoL OH&S Inspectorate. The findings of the study with recommendations are included.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A molecular analysis of the Afrotropical Baetidae

  • Authors: Gattolliat, J L , Monaghan, M T , Sartori, Michel , Elouard, J M , Barber-James, Helen M , Derleth, P , Glaizot, Olivier , De Moor, Ferdy C , Vogler, Alfred P
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008393
  • Description: Recent work on the Afrotropical Baetidae has resulted in a number of important taxonomic changes: several polyphyletic genera have been split and more than 30 new Afrotropical genera have been established. In order to test their phylogenetic relevance and to clarify the suprageneric relationships, we reconstructed the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the Afrotropical Baetidae. We sequenced a total of ca. 2300 bp from nuclear (18S) and mitochondrial (12S and 16S) gene regions from 65 species belonging to 26 genera. We used three different approaches of phylogeny reconstruction: direct optimization, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood. The molecular reconstruction indicates the Afrotropical Baetidae require a global revision at a generic as well as suprageneric level. Only four of the 12 genera were monophyletic when represented by more than one species in the analysis. Historically, two conflicting concepts of the suprageneric classification of Afrotropical Baetidae were proposed. One was based on the gathering of sister genera into complexes and the other on the division of the family into a restricted number of subfamilies. According to our reconstruction, neither is completely satisfactory: the major complexes of genera present in Africa are either paraphyletic or polyphyletic and the division of the Afrotropical Baetidae into two subfamilies is probably too simplified.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A phenomenological case study of a lecturer's understanding of himself as an assessor

  • Authors: Grant, Rose
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6087 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008582
  • Description: Based on the findings of research conducted as part of a doctoral study aimed at obtaining an understanding of what it means to be an assessor in higher education, this paper outlines the experience of an individual lecturer at a South African university and describes the meaning he makes of his practice as an assessor within the context of a changing understanding of the nature and purpose of higher education. Making a case for personal agency and innovation as critical qualities in the assessment endeavour, the researcher suggests that, in contrast to a view of education increasingly focused on standardization, accountability and outcomes, student assessment is essentially a human encounter in which the humanity and emotions of both lecturer and student need to be acknowledged.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A preliminary investigation into the use of biomarkers and a fish community index to assess estuarine health in selected Eastern Cape estuaries

  • Authors: Richardson, Naomi
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Fish communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5348 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007480
  • Description: The aims of this study were to determine the potential use of biomarkers at multiple levels of biological organisation together with a fish community bioindicator to assess the estuarine health status of three temporarily open/closed estuaries. The estuaries investigated were the East Kleinemonde (EK), Old Woman's (OW) and Mtana (MTN), all of which are situated in the Eastern Cape Province. Three biomarkers, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assay, lipid peroxidation (LPx) assay, liver histopathology and a condition factor were used to determine sub-organism health and one bioindicator, the Estuarine Fish Community Index (EFCI), was used as a bioindicator of community health. The estuarine-dependent marine species Rhabdosargus holubi was selected as an indicator species for the sub-organism level analyses. The results from the community analyses indicated that the EK and OW estuaries were in 'good' condition, while the MTN was found to be in 'moderate' condition. Histological analyses revealed that R. holubi from all three estuaries showed signs of pathological changes to the liver, with the fish from the MTN eliciting the highest occurrence of these changes. The LPx assay found that R. holubi from both the OW and MTN showed signs of oxidative damage in the liver tissue, but those from the EK did not appear to be affected. The AChE assay showed that only the fish from the OW had been affected by anticholinesterase compounds. A laboratory study was undertaken using R. holubi as a positive control for the AChE and LPx assay. The fish were exposed to 3 μg/L chlorpyrifos, a known cholinesterase inhibitor, for six hours and their tissues were examined for changes to LPx levels and AChE activities. AChE activity was significantly inhibited (Mann Whitney U test, Z = 3.65, n = 38, P < 0.001) by the exposure, but LPx levels were not significantly affected. A composite index incorporating the biomarkers at different biological levels of organisation was developed. The index was designed to assist managers and scientists to determine whether the ichthyofauna of a system was being affected by environmental stressors and what management interventions could be undertaken to ameliorate the water quality in an estuary. The index was applied to the three estuaries investigated during the present study and both the OW and MTN were assessed to be in need of immediate management intervention. The fish in the OW were found to be stressed at all the sub-organism levels measured and the reason for this was hypothesised to be as a result of golf course activities in this adjacent estuary. A number of management actions are proposed to reduce the sub-organism stress observed in the fish from the OW. The livers of fish from the MTN were shown to be under stress; however the causative agent of this stress was unknown because there is no formal development in the MTN catchment. However, a possible contaminant source is proposed and management interventions to alleviate the stress on the biota of the MTN are suggested. The EK does not require immediate management intervention, however, continuous routine monitoring is recommended to ensure that conditions do not deteriorate. Shortcomings of the index were outlined and a number of suggestions were made in terms of other measures of biological health which could be incorporated into the index.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A preliminary investigation of spinal kinematics during sugar cane harvesting

  • Authors: Todd, Andrew I
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009462
  • Description: The sugar cane industry forms a significant portion of the South African economy, and unlike many other countries the harvesting of sugar cane in South Africa remains manual in nature. The focus of the present study was therefore on the assessment of spinal kinematics (range of motion, velocities and accelerations in all three cardinal planes) during the harvesting process. Eight workers were recruited from the Illovo Esperanza farm in Kwa-zulu Natal as subjects for the study. The experimental protocol was conducted in situ and required subjects to cut the sugar cane using specially modified knives as they would under normal harvesting conditions. The motion performance was quantified using the lumbar motion monitor (LMM), a triaxial electrogoniometer. Results indicate that the harvesting of sugar cane places excessive demands on the spine. During cutting, subjects were required to maintain the spine in a high degree of flexion throughout the task which also demonstrated significant twisting and lateral bending. Of particular concern were the high lateral velocities (ranging between 50 and 90 m.s-1), as this is a key risk factor in the development of lower back pain. It is evident from these results that new techniques of harvesting sugar cane are essential to reduce the rate of injury within this industry.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A preliminary survey of the estuaries on the south coast of South Africa, Cape St Blaize, Mossel Bay - Robberg Peninsula, Plettenberg Bay, with particular reference to the fish fauna

  • Authors: James, Nicola Caroline , Harrison, T D
  • Date: 2008
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: vital:7141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011834
  • Description: The coastal river systems on the south coast of South Africa from Cape St Blaize to Robberg Peninsula were surveyed during October and November 1994. The ichthyofaunal and physico-chemical characteristics of each system are presented and their suitability as estuarine nursery areas is discussed. Five systems (Rooi, Meul, Grooteiland, Kranshoek and Crooks) are outlets of small coastal streams and probably provide little or no habitat for either resident estuarine or migrant marine fishes owing to their small size. Four systems (Maalgate, Gwaing, Skaapkop and Kaaimans) are located within deeply incised valleys and have a permanent connection with the sea. The amount of marginal and intertidal habitat available to fishes, however, is limited due to their morphology. Six systems (Hartenbos, Groot Brak, Touw, Swartvlei, Goukamma and Noetsie) are intermittently open to the sea. Although the Touw and Swartvlei are connected to coastal lake systems, flow within these estuaries is not sufficient to prevent the build up of a sand barrier at the mouth. The Hartenbos, Groot Brak, Goukamma, and Noetsie are also periodically closed by a sand bar. The construction of a dam in the lower catchment of the Groot Brak has affected the hydrology of the system. The two remaining estuaries (Klein Brak and Knysna) are permanently open. In addition to strong tidal currents, the fixing of the mouth of the Knysna Estuary between rocky headlands also serves to maintain a permanent connection with the sea. Mugilidae and Sparidae were represented by the greatest number of species, and also dominated catches numerically and by mass. The fish fauna of all the estuaries surveyed were dominated by the juveniles of estuarine-dependent marine species and estuarine-resident species were also well represented in catches. The estuaries surveyed provide a vital habitat for both marine migrant species and resident species, most of which are endemic to the region.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A reading based theory of teaching appropriate for the South African context

  • Authors: Childs, Margaret Mary
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Literacy , Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Communicative competence -- Study and teaching
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
  • Identifier: vital:9485 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/687 , Literacy , Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Communicative competence -- Study and teaching
  • Description: The print literacy competencies of many South African teachers and the learners they teach are inadequate. Evidence from local and international evaluations and research attests to this. Based on the understanding that a teacher, whose literacy level is less than adequate, is in a weak position to teach others how to read and write, the imperative to systematically address the issue of poor teacher and learner literacy levels, provided the impetus for a careful investigation of the methodology and theory of the Learning to Read: Reading to Learn pedagogy. Originally developed in Australia and applied in primary, secondary and tertiary contexts, this literacy pedagogy was described as a means of rapidly improving the literacy competence of all learners, across all subject areas. Using an approach located within the tradition of interpretative educational theory, the meaning of the theory and practice of the Learning to Read: Reading to Learn pedagogy was explored. As a result of the enquiry undertaken, it was found that the Learning to Read: Reading to Learn approach provides a practical means of enhancing epistemological access. Access of this nature is a precondition for success of learning in schools and in tertiary education. The LR:RL pedagogy provides a carefully structured means of holding literacy at the centre of learning. The sequence of practical steps theoretically rooted in three powerful – but usually separate realms of discourse, is a central contribution of the pedagogy to field of literacy development. Intersecting three discrete disciplines, represented by Bernstein’s model of education as pedagogic discourse, Vygotsky’s model of learning as a social process and Halliday’s model of language as text in social context gives rise to a unique literacy pedagogy. The theory that emerges from use, in a range of situations, over many years, and the carefully sequenced practice, together offer a sound means of addressing the challenges of literacy and learning prevalent in the South African context. iii This thesis argues for a reading based theory of teaching as a means of meeting the challenges of literacy and learning head on. The capacity to learn independently from written text is critical for progress within the schooling and tertiary systems. The Learning to Read: Reading to Learn pedagogy provides a means of realizing such a theory of teaching. Simultaneously teaching print literacy, while teaching the content of curricula, is proposed as a way of bringing about effective learning. Within the context of teacher education, the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of many teachers is acknowledged to be inadequate. However, there is a key dimension missing for the construct of PCK to be truly useful for South African teachers. Print literacy is as an essential determinant of the knowledge of teachers. The construct of PCK can thus supplemented by foregrounding reading and writing as essential elements of this category of teacher knowledge. Thus the content of the teacher education curriculum is taught as the reading and writing competence of teachers is developed. Similarly, within the school context, the Learning to Read: Reading to Learn pedagogy can be used to teach required content and teach the requisite high level reading and writing skills needed by all learners to progress successfully through the schooling system.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

A stable isotope approach to trophic ecology resolving food webs in intertidal ecosystems

  • Authors: Hill, Jaclyn Marie
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Stable isotopes Food chains (Ecology) Stable isotopes in ecological research Intertidal ecology Mussels -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:5771 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005459
  • Description: There are broad differences in regional oceanography and primary production around the South African coast, which we might expect to give rise to major differences in trophic pathways. δ⁻¹³C and δ⁻¹⁵N isotopic ratios of suspended particulate matter (SPM), mussels, various intertidal consumers and common macroalgae along the South African coastline were explored using stable isotope analysis to investigate biogeographic and temporal variability of isotopic signatures of marine intertidal consumers and their food sources around the coast of South Africa, with a focus on evaluating the dependence of intertidal mussels on phytoplankton and macroalgal-derived organic carbon. Isotopic equilibration rates of four mussel tissues were determined through laboratory feeding experiments, which established that adductor tissue had the slowest isotopic turnover rate, and was subsequently used as an indication of overall mussel diet. Biogeographic, temporal and nearshore/offshore trends of isotopic ratios of SPM were investigated along 10km transects perpendicular to the coast and SPM exhibited overall trends of carbon depletion when moving from west to east along the coastline and from nearshore to offshore water, in both cases suggesting a shift from macrophyte detritus to a phytoplankton signature. δ⁻¹³C signatures of SPM also revealed temporal and biogeographic variation that had strong ties to local oceanography, being closely correlated to regional hydrographic features and tidal influences. Mixing models indicated filter feeders demonstrated over 50% dependence on nearshore SPM for organic carbon and it was possible to categorize them into geographic groups based on their carbon and nitrogen signatures, suggesting biogeographic shifts in resources. Biogeographic shifts in diet were also seen in some grazers. Difficulties in relating macroalgae to mussel diet led to investigations into the isotopic changes associated with macroalgal decomposition. Variation in photosynthetic fractionation, leaching and microbial mineralization are believed to have resulted from species-specific patterns of degradation. Although the strong links between carbon signatures and local oceanography indicate that stable isotope analysis is a powerful tool for the study of water mixing and coastal hydrography in relation to food-web analyses, substantial variation in fractionation of primary consumers, along with different periods of time integration between consumers and their food sources must be considered in future studies, to resolve trophic links in marine food webs successfully.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2008
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