A critical assessment of responsible tourism practices: a case study of Stormsriver adventures
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
My living theory of the transformational potential of my educational leadership
- Authors: Johannes, Arnold Marius
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Educational change -- South Africa , School management and organization , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4079 , vital:20510
- Description: In democratic South Africa, policies place much emphasis on the need for transformational leadership. This challenges school leaders to ensure that their practice is in line with the democratic and inclusive values espoused therein. This thesis is an account of my journey of learning about educational leadership and how I attempted to influence transformation at my own school. The development of my living theory of educational management is grounded in my desire to make a positive change to the quality of teaching and learning at my school, by embodying and exemplifying such values in my leadership. My learning as an educational leader comprises my living theory on improving my educational leadership within a socially challenged context. I explain the context and problems experienced at my school and provide evidence of the need to move from the hierarchic, autocratic form of leadership, still prevailing at many South African schools. I adopted the theoretical framework of servant leadership to enable me to develop a more contextually sensitive and visionary style of leadership through critical reflection on my own practice. My stimulus for this journey of learning stemmed from the perceived contradiction between my espoused beliefs about leadership and my actual practice. My own autocratic leadership style was one of the main barriers that prevented teachers from attaining autonomy and taking on leadership roles within the school. My leadership style was more in alignment with the values of accountability, discipline and efficiency than those of care, trust and the development of the potential of others. This interrogation of my ontological values informed my subsequent interventions to improve my practice. Following an action research design, I investigated the quality of my leadership to determine which areas I needed to improve, took action to improve these and evaluated the change against the values inherent in the notion of servant-leadership. I embarked on a journey that helped me to shift my practice from being based on previously held authoritarian professional values towards values that underpin a more transformational leadership, such as care and trust. My journey of learning was guided by the tenets of self-study action research, which required critical self-reflection and holding myself accountable for my own actions The practical knowledge I gained through this self-reflection on my practice enabled me to make professional judgements, which then became conceptual knowledge in the form of a living theory generated by my research. This was made possible through a continuous process of data generation to extract evidence to test the validity of the claims to knowledge I made. Multiple sources of data (written, graphic and multimedia) were used to better understand the scope of happenings throughout the research and to monitor my practice over time. I explain how I used my improved understanding of leadership to promote collegiality for building quality relationships to promote teacher leadership for school improvement and how I subjected these claims to social and personal validation procedures. The significance of this study is that it contributes to new forms of practice and theory in terms of showing how a values-based approach to school leadership can influence positive change in teacher practice. While this study is a narrative of my practice, it is also a narrative of theorising about how my colleagues and I have come to know and how our thinking has changed about our work and ourselves. Although I had to indicate a cut-off point in this action research enquiry, the knowledge gained will continue to develop and influence my practice in the future and hopefully will be judged as useful by others in positions of leadership. The thesis is thus an original contribution to educational knowledge in the field of self-study action research. It demonstrates how sociohistorical and sociocultural insights from Apartheid to Post-Apartheid South Africa can be integrated within a living theory of transformational leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Johannes, Arnold Marius
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Educational change -- South Africa , School management and organization , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4079 , vital:20510
- Description: In democratic South Africa, policies place much emphasis on the need for transformational leadership. This challenges school leaders to ensure that their practice is in line with the democratic and inclusive values espoused therein. This thesis is an account of my journey of learning about educational leadership and how I attempted to influence transformation at my own school. The development of my living theory of educational management is grounded in my desire to make a positive change to the quality of teaching and learning at my school, by embodying and exemplifying such values in my leadership. My learning as an educational leader comprises my living theory on improving my educational leadership within a socially challenged context. I explain the context and problems experienced at my school and provide evidence of the need to move from the hierarchic, autocratic form of leadership, still prevailing at many South African schools. I adopted the theoretical framework of servant leadership to enable me to develop a more contextually sensitive and visionary style of leadership through critical reflection on my own practice. My stimulus for this journey of learning stemmed from the perceived contradiction between my espoused beliefs about leadership and my actual practice. My own autocratic leadership style was one of the main barriers that prevented teachers from attaining autonomy and taking on leadership roles within the school. My leadership style was more in alignment with the values of accountability, discipline and efficiency than those of care, trust and the development of the potential of others. This interrogation of my ontological values informed my subsequent interventions to improve my practice. Following an action research design, I investigated the quality of my leadership to determine which areas I needed to improve, took action to improve these and evaluated the change against the values inherent in the notion of servant-leadership. I embarked on a journey that helped me to shift my practice from being based on previously held authoritarian professional values towards values that underpin a more transformational leadership, such as care and trust. My journey of learning was guided by the tenets of self-study action research, which required critical self-reflection and holding myself accountable for my own actions The practical knowledge I gained through this self-reflection on my practice enabled me to make professional judgements, which then became conceptual knowledge in the form of a living theory generated by my research. This was made possible through a continuous process of data generation to extract evidence to test the validity of the claims to knowledge I made. Multiple sources of data (written, graphic and multimedia) were used to better understand the scope of happenings throughout the research and to monitor my practice over time. I explain how I used my improved understanding of leadership to promote collegiality for building quality relationships to promote teacher leadership for school improvement and how I subjected these claims to social and personal validation procedures. The significance of this study is that it contributes to new forms of practice and theory in terms of showing how a values-based approach to school leadership can influence positive change in teacher practice. While this study is a narrative of my practice, it is also a narrative of theorising about how my colleagues and I have come to know and how our thinking has changed about our work and ourselves. Although I had to indicate a cut-off point in this action research enquiry, the knowledge gained will continue to develop and influence my practice in the future and hopefully will be judged as useful by others in positions of leadership. The thesis is thus an original contribution to educational knowledge in the field of self-study action research. It demonstrates how sociohistorical and sociocultural insights from Apartheid to Post-Apartheid South Africa can be integrated within a living theory of transformational leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Development of insulin resistance in a rat model and the effects of sutherlandia frutescens as treatment and prevention
- Authors: Mackenzie, Janine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Metabolic syndrome , Insulin resistance -- Animal models , Obesity -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016216
- Description: The global number of obese people has reached pandemic proportions. High caloric diets and reduced physical exercise are to blame for this growing epidemic. Obesity has a very complex association with several other metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance (IR), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) and cardiovascular disease. This puts a huge burden on health care systems world wide and claims many lives. Sutherlandia frutescens is a traditionally used herb, which is known to have anti-diabetic properties. However, the direct mode of action of S. frutescens still remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental stages of high fat diet (HFD)-induced IR, to illuminate the pathogenesis of IR with a focal point on modifications in the lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the effects of S. frutescens as a treatment or prevention drug for IR and associated metabolic changes were examined. Two sets of experiments were conducted on male Wistar rats. In the first experiment rats, one week post weaning received a low fat diet (LFD), high fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with S. frutescens (50mg/kg BW/d). Rats were sacrificed at week 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 in the feeding regime. In a second experiment rats were fed with a LFD or a HFD for 12 weeks and treated thereafter with S. frutescens (50mg/kg BW/d), metformin (13mg/kg BW/d) or water (control) for 28 days. Rats in the second experiment were sacrificed at week 12 to confirm IR while concurrently run rats were sacrificed after 28 days of treatment. For all the experiments rats were anaesthetized, blood was removed and rats were dissected. Plasma samples were analyzed for insulin, glucose, blood lipid parameters and cytokines. Liver, muscle and adipose tissue were analyzed for glucose uptake, total lipid content, lipid profile and fatty acid profile. It was shown that the intake of HFD caused IR and hyperinsulinaemia. The developmental stages in experiment one confirmed that an increase in plasma free fatty acids preceeded the onset of IR. Plasma and tissue lipid parameters (free fatty acid-, triglyceride- and cholesterol concentrations) showed pathological modifications in the HFD group. An ectopic accumulation of fat was observed in muscle and liver, as well as a change in membrane fatty acid profile. The results for circulating cytokines were somewhat inconclusive. Rats supplemented with S. frutescens did not develop HFD-induced IR (study one) or IR was reversed (study two). S. frutescens treatment also resulted in positive changes in plasma and tissue lipid parameters. In summary, an animal model for HFD-induced IR was established and the detrimental effect of elevated plasma FFA on glucose and lipid metabolism was observed. A novel discovery suggests that the anti-diabetic mode of action of S. frutescens is through modulation of lipid metabolism. It was also established that S. frutescens has the potential to prevent IR in vivo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mackenzie, Janine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Metabolic syndrome , Insulin resistance -- Animal models , Obesity -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016216
- Description: The global number of obese people has reached pandemic proportions. High caloric diets and reduced physical exercise are to blame for this growing epidemic. Obesity has a very complex association with several other metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance (IR), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) and cardiovascular disease. This puts a huge burden on health care systems world wide and claims many lives. Sutherlandia frutescens is a traditionally used herb, which is known to have anti-diabetic properties. However, the direct mode of action of S. frutescens still remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental stages of high fat diet (HFD)-induced IR, to illuminate the pathogenesis of IR with a focal point on modifications in the lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the effects of S. frutescens as a treatment or prevention drug for IR and associated metabolic changes were examined. Two sets of experiments were conducted on male Wistar rats. In the first experiment rats, one week post weaning received a low fat diet (LFD), high fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with S. frutescens (50mg/kg BW/d). Rats were sacrificed at week 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 in the feeding regime. In a second experiment rats were fed with a LFD or a HFD for 12 weeks and treated thereafter with S. frutescens (50mg/kg BW/d), metformin (13mg/kg BW/d) or water (control) for 28 days. Rats in the second experiment were sacrificed at week 12 to confirm IR while concurrently run rats were sacrificed after 28 days of treatment. For all the experiments rats were anaesthetized, blood was removed and rats were dissected. Plasma samples were analyzed for insulin, glucose, blood lipid parameters and cytokines. Liver, muscle and adipose tissue were analyzed for glucose uptake, total lipid content, lipid profile and fatty acid profile. It was shown that the intake of HFD caused IR and hyperinsulinaemia. The developmental stages in experiment one confirmed that an increase in plasma free fatty acids preceeded the onset of IR. Plasma and tissue lipid parameters (free fatty acid-, triglyceride- and cholesterol concentrations) showed pathological modifications in the HFD group. An ectopic accumulation of fat was observed in muscle and liver, as well as a change in membrane fatty acid profile. The results for circulating cytokines were somewhat inconclusive. Rats supplemented with S. frutescens did not develop HFD-induced IR (study one) or IR was reversed (study two). S. frutescens treatment also resulted in positive changes in plasma and tissue lipid parameters. In summary, an animal model for HFD-induced IR was established and the detrimental effect of elevated plasma FFA on glucose and lipid metabolism was observed. A novel discovery suggests that the anti-diabetic mode of action of S. frutescens is through modulation of lipid metabolism. It was also established that S. frutescens has the potential to prevent IR in vivo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Milton Hyland Erickson: psychobiographical study
- Authors: Ramasamy, Kameshnee
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Erickson, Milton H Psychology -- Biographical methods , Hypnotism -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14444 , vital:27605
- Description: Historically psychobiography has focused to a large extent on the study of pathology in human development. In recent years, scholars in the field of psychobiography have recommended that studies with a eugraphic focus be undertaken, thereby investigating optimal human development. Milton Hyland Erickson (1901-1980) was an American psychologist and psychiatrist. An extraordinary creative individual who conducted pioneering work in the field of hypnosis. Whilst vast publications of his academic work exist and his work is continued through the Milton H. Erickson Foundation and its global subsidiaries, in comparison, his life story has not been the focus of much study. The psychobiographical merit of Erickson as the subject of the study was based on his involvement in interesting and important events, as well as his resilient attitude towards life, during even dire moments. The focus of this psychobiography was to conceptualise Erickson’s life in terms of the principles of Adler’s Individual Psychology and Peterson and Seligman’s Character Strengths and Virtues Classification. Through this process it was aimed to provide descriptions and interpretations of Erickson’s personality in order to illuminate aspects such as his creativity, service to others, and optimism. The study is written from the first person perspective and is rooted in the interpretive paradigm. It utilises a qualitative research approach in order to gain an in-depth understanding of Erickson’s finished life and thereby taking into account contextual factors. The two theoretical frameworks guided the iterative data collection and data analysis processes and the data were organised into a descriptive framework. The method of data analysis was idiographic thus describing the uniqueness of Erickson life. Strategies such as the triangulation of data sources and theory, focusing on aspects of saliency, trustworthiness, and ethics were employed to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The study revealed that both theoretical frameworks were appropriate in their description and interpretation of Erickson’s personality and character strengths. Of significance was the protective role that creativity, social interest, hope, and optimism played against trauma and these emerged as central themes in Erickson’s life in terms of his psychological wellbeing. The findings on creativity and social interest are supported by existing research and theory but also highlight perspectives for future research. Creativity is a key component of knowledge production and therefore research in this area could improve our understanding of how it can be nurtured and developed across the lifespan. Whilst the construct of social interest was integral to this study its validity in terms of providing adequate explanations of how individuals balance their own needs against the needs of others was examined and suggestions of where the theory can be elaborated were highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ramasamy, Kameshnee
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Erickson, Milton H Psychology -- Biographical methods , Hypnotism -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14444 , vital:27605
- Description: Historically psychobiography has focused to a large extent on the study of pathology in human development. In recent years, scholars in the field of psychobiography have recommended that studies with a eugraphic focus be undertaken, thereby investigating optimal human development. Milton Hyland Erickson (1901-1980) was an American psychologist and psychiatrist. An extraordinary creative individual who conducted pioneering work in the field of hypnosis. Whilst vast publications of his academic work exist and his work is continued through the Milton H. Erickson Foundation and its global subsidiaries, in comparison, his life story has not been the focus of much study. The psychobiographical merit of Erickson as the subject of the study was based on his involvement in interesting and important events, as well as his resilient attitude towards life, during even dire moments. The focus of this psychobiography was to conceptualise Erickson’s life in terms of the principles of Adler’s Individual Psychology and Peterson and Seligman’s Character Strengths and Virtues Classification. Through this process it was aimed to provide descriptions and interpretations of Erickson’s personality in order to illuminate aspects such as his creativity, service to others, and optimism. The study is written from the first person perspective and is rooted in the interpretive paradigm. It utilises a qualitative research approach in order to gain an in-depth understanding of Erickson’s finished life and thereby taking into account contextual factors. The two theoretical frameworks guided the iterative data collection and data analysis processes and the data were organised into a descriptive framework. The method of data analysis was idiographic thus describing the uniqueness of Erickson life. Strategies such as the triangulation of data sources and theory, focusing on aspects of saliency, trustworthiness, and ethics were employed to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The study revealed that both theoretical frameworks were appropriate in their description and interpretation of Erickson’s personality and character strengths. Of significance was the protective role that creativity, social interest, hope, and optimism played against trauma and these emerged as central themes in Erickson’s life in terms of his psychological wellbeing. The findings on creativity and social interest are supported by existing research and theory but also highlight perspectives for future research. Creativity is a key component of knowledge production and therefore research in this area could improve our understanding of how it can be nurtured and developed across the lifespan. Whilst the construct of social interest was integral to this study its validity in terms of providing adequate explanations of how individuals balance their own needs against the needs of others was examined and suggestions of where the theory can be elaborated were highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Market participation and value chain integration among smallholder homestead and irrigated crop farmers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Mdoda, Lelethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15023 , vital:40152
- Description: The irrigation schemes had been established over the years and now are operational but there is no marked improvement in the living conditions of the rural farmers and households. Smallholder farmers still face numerous constraints in market participation that hinder smallholder farmers, irrigators and homestead growth which have been attributed to lack of access to markets and technical expertise. Despite the government efforts, smallholder farmers effectively functioning in the agro-food chains, high-valued markets and commercial agricultural markets are rare; this indicates that the objective to allow smallholder farmers to advance their livelihood through participating in commercial agro-food chains has not yet been met. Farmers in the Eastern Cape produce many crops which they mainly sell in informal local markets; there is minimal number of smallholder farmers supplying their produce to the formal markets. Irrigation development is very crucial to the development of the agricultural sector as it ensures improvement in yields and reduces rural poverty through creating rural employment, enhance smallholder farmers’ market participation and enhance market access policies by smallholder farmers as means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals The study was conducted in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 200 smallholder irrigated crop farmers and homestead gardeners. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the study areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. The farmers were selected from three District Municipalities which have operational irrigation schemes, namely OR Tambo, Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities in the province. STATA and SPSS were used to analyze the data. The Heckman model was applied to examine factors influencing farmers’ decision to participate in market among crop producing farmers in the province. In the first stage Heckman analysis, the decision as to whether or not to participate (which is a binary choice situation) is used to undertake the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). In the second stage, the conditional quantity sold (continuous variable) is assumed to follow a truncated normal regression model, whereby the MLE is estimated by fitting a truncated normal regression of quantity sold. Gross Margin and Net Farm Income were used to measure farm profit as well as multiple regression analysis to estimate determinants of profitability in the study area. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (translog). he descriptive statistics employed include means, percentages and frequencies mostly of the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area. The results show that males were dominant with the representation of 61.7percent. The majority of farmers were aged and the mean age was 60 years, indicating that farmers in the province are old which has implication for productivity and market participation. High level of illiteracy is shown in the data and mean household size of 5 persons with the household head having at least obtained some primary school education.The irrigated crop farmers and homesteads were found to have farm size under 4 ha. About 86.5percent were full time farmers and Farming is their major source of livelihood. Smallholder irrigators and homestead gardeners derive their income from social grants and remittances. This thesis found out that majority of the farmers do not participate in markets. In this instance, farming becomes a scapegoat for failure to enter alternative labour markets. The average annual on-farm production income from smallholder irrigators was R7 860.27 and homestead gardeners was R5 915.50. The empirical results from probit model suggest that age of the farmer, level of education of the farmer, household size, farm organization, access to extension, distance to markets, occupation and farm experience were some of the key determinants that had significant and positive effects on farmers’ decision to participate in markets while access to credit, transport to the markets and farm size were some of the key determinants that had significant and negative effect on farmers’ decision to participate in markets. The volume of crops sold to the market is determined by gender, age, years spent in school, distance to the market, farm experience, household size, access to extension, membership in farm organization and non-farm income.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mdoda, Lelethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15023 , vital:40152
- Description: The irrigation schemes had been established over the years and now are operational but there is no marked improvement in the living conditions of the rural farmers and households. Smallholder farmers still face numerous constraints in market participation that hinder smallholder farmers, irrigators and homestead growth which have been attributed to lack of access to markets and technical expertise. Despite the government efforts, smallholder farmers effectively functioning in the agro-food chains, high-valued markets and commercial agricultural markets are rare; this indicates that the objective to allow smallholder farmers to advance their livelihood through participating in commercial agro-food chains has not yet been met. Farmers in the Eastern Cape produce many crops which they mainly sell in informal local markets; there is minimal number of smallholder farmers supplying their produce to the formal markets. Irrigation development is very crucial to the development of the agricultural sector as it ensures improvement in yields and reduces rural poverty through creating rural employment, enhance smallholder farmers’ market participation and enhance market access policies by smallholder farmers as means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals The study was conducted in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 200 smallholder irrigated crop farmers and homestead gardeners. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the study areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. The farmers were selected from three District Municipalities which have operational irrigation schemes, namely OR Tambo, Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities in the province. STATA and SPSS were used to analyze the data. The Heckman model was applied to examine factors influencing farmers’ decision to participate in market among crop producing farmers in the province. In the first stage Heckman analysis, the decision as to whether or not to participate (which is a binary choice situation) is used to undertake the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). In the second stage, the conditional quantity sold (continuous variable) is assumed to follow a truncated normal regression model, whereby the MLE is estimated by fitting a truncated normal regression of quantity sold. Gross Margin and Net Farm Income were used to measure farm profit as well as multiple regression analysis to estimate determinants of profitability in the study area. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (translog). he descriptive statistics employed include means, percentages and frequencies mostly of the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area. The results show that males were dominant with the representation of 61.7percent. The majority of farmers were aged and the mean age was 60 years, indicating that farmers in the province are old which has implication for productivity and market participation. High level of illiteracy is shown in the data and mean household size of 5 persons with the household head having at least obtained some primary school education.The irrigated crop farmers and homesteads were found to have farm size under 4 ha. About 86.5percent were full time farmers and Farming is their major source of livelihood. Smallholder irrigators and homestead gardeners derive their income from social grants and remittances. This thesis found out that majority of the farmers do not participate in markets. In this instance, farming becomes a scapegoat for failure to enter alternative labour markets. The average annual on-farm production income from smallholder irrigators was R7 860.27 and homestead gardeners was R5 915.50. The empirical results from probit model suggest that age of the farmer, level of education of the farmer, household size, farm organization, access to extension, distance to markets, occupation and farm experience were some of the key determinants that had significant and positive effects on farmers’ decision to participate in markets while access to credit, transport to the markets and farm size were some of the key determinants that had significant and negative effect on farmers’ decision to participate in markets. The volume of crops sold to the market is determined by gender, age, years spent in school, distance to the market, farm experience, household size, access to extension, membership in farm organization and non-farm income.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of non-financial nation brand image dimensions on foreign direct investment inflows in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Matiza, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Zimbabwe , Branding (Marketing) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Foreign economic relations , Political stability -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8902 , vital:26441
- Description: How a country is perceived by foreign investors is becoming increasingly significant to the ability of individual countries to attract foreign direct investment into their economies. In Africa, existing negative perceptions of the continent as an investment destination have been considered as an obstacle for foreign direct investment inflows to the continent in general. Although Zimbabwe offers foreign investors multiple lucrative investment opportunities, attracting foreign direct investment to the country presents a unique challenge due to the image of the country post the 1998-2008 economic crisis. Despite the vast research on the determinants of foreign direct inflows to particular countries, little is known about whether non-financial image-related factors influence the inflow of foreign direct investment to a particular country, especially a country with a unfavourable global image like Zimbabwe. The primary objective of this study was therefore to determine the perceived non-financial nation brand image factors considered to be influential for attracting specific foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe. A comprehensive literature review resulted in the identification of nine independent variables (tourism, governance, people, culture and heritage, exports, investment and immigration, factor endowments, infrastructure, and legal and regulation frameworks), as well as four dependent variables (market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe). A hypothesised model was developed in order to examine whether the independent variables have an influence on the dependent variables, and as a result nine hypotheses were formulated to test the relationships between the nine independent variables and each of the four dependent variables. A cross-sectional, quantitative deductive approach to research was employed in order to generate the data required for hypothesis testing. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw the sample frame for the study. A self-administered online survey was conducted, and generated empirical data from a final sample comprised of 305 investors who had applied to invest in Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Investment Authority between January 2009 and April 2015. Data was analysed using STATISTICA 12 software. Exploratory factor analysis was utilised to extract the constructs and validate the measuring instrument. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated in order to test the reliability and internal consistency of the measuring instrument. As a result, a total of six valid and reliable independent variables, and four dependent variables were retained for further analysis. The results of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients revealed mostly moderate correlations. The Multi-Collinearity diagnostics test confirmed the absence of collinearity between the independent variables and dependent variables respectively. Subsequently, the results of the four sets of multiple regression analyses, disclosed thirteen statistically significant relationships between the six independent variables and the four categorical dependent variables. Tourism had significant relationships with market-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Government actions had significant relationships with resource- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. People had significant relationships with resource- and efficiency- seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Export had significant relationships with market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Regulatory framework had significant relationships with market- and resource-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. The results of the Analysis of Variance revealed that investor status can be used to predict which non-financial nation brand image determinants played a role in the ultimate decision for taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Further analysis of the role that the demographic profiles of the investors played in predicting which non-financial nation brand image determinants are considered influential in taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe was confirmed in the Multivariate Analysis of Variance with thirty-four statically significant relationships identified. Further analysis by means of post-hoc Scheffé testing and Cohen’s d-values calculations confirm that thirty-nine practically significant mean differences were evident. This study makes a novel contribution to the empirical body of nation branding, foreign direct investment and investment promotion research by developing and testing a hypothetical model that synthesises facets of the three fields of study. This study represents a new discourse in the identification of the determinants of FDI (that being non-financial determinants) and provides an explanatory framework for the non-financial nation brand image determinants influencing each type of FDI inflow opportunity sought in Zimbabwe. It is within this framework that recommendations, based on empirical evidence, are made for the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority. Some of these recommendations could be implemented within the short-term, while others may be more strategic in the long term. Recommendations made include that the Government of Zimbabwe undertakes significant policy reviews, continues its engagement with key external stakeholders such as other governments, supra-national financial institutions, and foreign investors, as well as adhering to existing favourable FDI policies. It is also recommended that the Zimbabwe Investment Authority adopt an intermediary role, by linking the Government of Zimbabwe with potential foreign investors through investor targeting, as well as promoting Zimbabwe as an investment destination by engaging in image-building activities such as public diplomacy, investor relations, specialised advertising and hosting investor forums with multiple, distinct investor segments. These image-building activities should be centered on the non-financial nation brand image determinants that foreign investors consider to be influential to foreign direct investment in Zimbabwe, and should be geared towards improving and managing the perceived image of Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Matiza, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Zimbabwe , Branding (Marketing) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Foreign economic relations , Political stability -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8902 , vital:26441
- Description: How a country is perceived by foreign investors is becoming increasingly significant to the ability of individual countries to attract foreign direct investment into their economies. In Africa, existing negative perceptions of the continent as an investment destination have been considered as an obstacle for foreign direct investment inflows to the continent in general. Although Zimbabwe offers foreign investors multiple lucrative investment opportunities, attracting foreign direct investment to the country presents a unique challenge due to the image of the country post the 1998-2008 economic crisis. Despite the vast research on the determinants of foreign direct inflows to particular countries, little is known about whether non-financial image-related factors influence the inflow of foreign direct investment to a particular country, especially a country with a unfavourable global image like Zimbabwe. The primary objective of this study was therefore to determine the perceived non-financial nation brand image factors considered to be influential for attracting specific foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe. A comprehensive literature review resulted in the identification of nine independent variables (tourism, governance, people, culture and heritage, exports, investment and immigration, factor endowments, infrastructure, and legal and regulation frameworks), as well as four dependent variables (market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe). A hypothesised model was developed in order to examine whether the independent variables have an influence on the dependent variables, and as a result nine hypotheses were formulated to test the relationships between the nine independent variables and each of the four dependent variables. A cross-sectional, quantitative deductive approach to research was employed in order to generate the data required for hypothesis testing. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw the sample frame for the study. A self-administered online survey was conducted, and generated empirical data from a final sample comprised of 305 investors who had applied to invest in Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Investment Authority between January 2009 and April 2015. Data was analysed using STATISTICA 12 software. Exploratory factor analysis was utilised to extract the constructs and validate the measuring instrument. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated in order to test the reliability and internal consistency of the measuring instrument. As a result, a total of six valid and reliable independent variables, and four dependent variables were retained for further analysis. The results of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients revealed mostly moderate correlations. The Multi-Collinearity diagnostics test confirmed the absence of collinearity between the independent variables and dependent variables respectively. Subsequently, the results of the four sets of multiple regression analyses, disclosed thirteen statistically significant relationships between the six independent variables and the four categorical dependent variables. Tourism had significant relationships with market-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Government actions had significant relationships with resource- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. People had significant relationships with resource- and efficiency- seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Export had significant relationships with market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Regulatory framework had significant relationships with market- and resource-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. The results of the Analysis of Variance revealed that investor status can be used to predict which non-financial nation brand image determinants played a role in the ultimate decision for taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Further analysis of the role that the demographic profiles of the investors played in predicting which non-financial nation brand image determinants are considered influential in taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe was confirmed in the Multivariate Analysis of Variance with thirty-four statically significant relationships identified. Further analysis by means of post-hoc Scheffé testing and Cohen’s d-values calculations confirm that thirty-nine practically significant mean differences were evident. This study makes a novel contribution to the empirical body of nation branding, foreign direct investment and investment promotion research by developing and testing a hypothetical model that synthesises facets of the three fields of study. This study represents a new discourse in the identification of the determinants of FDI (that being non-financial determinants) and provides an explanatory framework for the non-financial nation brand image determinants influencing each type of FDI inflow opportunity sought in Zimbabwe. It is within this framework that recommendations, based on empirical evidence, are made for the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority. Some of these recommendations could be implemented within the short-term, while others may be more strategic in the long term. Recommendations made include that the Government of Zimbabwe undertakes significant policy reviews, continues its engagement with key external stakeholders such as other governments, supra-national financial institutions, and foreign investors, as well as adhering to existing favourable FDI policies. It is also recommended that the Zimbabwe Investment Authority adopt an intermediary role, by linking the Government of Zimbabwe with potential foreign investors through investor targeting, as well as promoting Zimbabwe as an investment destination by engaging in image-building activities such as public diplomacy, investor relations, specialised advertising and hosting investor forums with multiple, distinct investor segments. These image-building activities should be centered on the non-financial nation brand image determinants that foreign investors consider to be influential to foreign direct investment in Zimbabwe, and should be geared towards improving and managing the perceived image of Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Isokinetic force profile of the cervical spine in a healthy adult urban South African population
- Authors: Olivier, Pierre Emile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cervical vertebrae , Neck -- Muscles , Muscle strength -- Testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/982 , Cervical vertebrae , Neck -- Muscles , Muscle strength -- Testing
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish reference data for the cervical spine’s dynamic force characteristics in a healthy adult urban South African population aged 19 to 69 years. The reference data was classified according to gender discriminate age categories. In total ten gender discriminate age categories, five male and five female, were created; 19 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59 and 60 to 69-year-olds. The force characteristics measured, analysed and used to generate reference data in stanine format were: absolute peak torque (P-), relative peak torque (P-/BW), peak power (Pow-), relative peak power (Pow-/BW), peak work (W-), relative peak work (W-/BW), torque acceleration energy (TAE-), maximal voluntary cervical muscle contraction range of motion (MVCR-), controlled full range of joint motion (CFR-), joint angle at peak torque (Jang@P-) and peak torque ratios for cervical flexion (-F), extension (-E), lateral flexion to the dominant (-LD) and non-dominant (-LN) sides. In addition biographic and anthropometric data was also collected. Data, grouped in the ten gender discriminate age categories were compared and statistically and practically significant differences were highlighted between the gender discriminate age categories. Inferential statistics used included ANOVA and Cohen’s d. A significance level of α = .05 was used in all inferential statistical analyses. Correlations between various anthropometric and isokinetic strength variables were also explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Olivier, Pierre Emile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cervical vertebrae , Neck -- Muscles , Muscle strength -- Testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/982 , Cervical vertebrae , Neck -- Muscles , Muscle strength -- Testing
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish reference data for the cervical spine’s dynamic force characteristics in a healthy adult urban South African population aged 19 to 69 years. The reference data was classified according to gender discriminate age categories. In total ten gender discriminate age categories, five male and five female, were created; 19 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59 and 60 to 69-year-olds. The force characteristics measured, analysed and used to generate reference data in stanine format were: absolute peak torque (P-), relative peak torque (P-/BW), peak power (Pow-), relative peak power (Pow-/BW), peak work (W-), relative peak work (W-/BW), torque acceleration energy (TAE-), maximal voluntary cervical muscle contraction range of motion (MVCR-), controlled full range of joint motion (CFR-), joint angle at peak torque (Jang@P-) and peak torque ratios for cervical flexion (-F), extension (-E), lateral flexion to the dominant (-LD) and non-dominant (-LN) sides. In addition biographic and anthropometric data was also collected. Data, grouped in the ten gender discriminate age categories were compared and statistically and practically significant differences were highlighted between the gender discriminate age categories. Inferential statistics used included ANOVA and Cohen’s d. A significance level of α = .05 was used in all inferential statistical analyses. Correlations between various anthropometric and isokinetic strength variables were also explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The impact of public spending on economic growth, employment and poverty reduction in South Africa
- Authors: Kavese, Kambale
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Expenditures, Public -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa Labor economics -- South Africa Employment (Economic theory) Poor -- Employment -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39940 , vital:35570
- Description: This study seeks to assess the effect of public spending on economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction. The co-existence of a sound fiscal policy and a substantial government expenditure but insignificant returns in terms of social development suggests the potential of a dilemma that needs to be investigated, and to reflect on the dynamics of selected marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. Hence, the “social inclusion” strategy of the RDP in 1994, and the “inclusive economy” strategy of the NDP in 2014 were implemented with one single objective in mind, that is to narrow the gaps associated with the legacy of apartheid. Despite the implantation of government plans like the RDP and recently the NDP, and regardless of the effective use of fiscal policy, low growth has continued during the post-recession era; unemployment and inequality have persistently remained at high levels. This paradox has led to controversies around fiscal policy’s dual role of stimulating economic growth and income redistribution. To achieve the research objective, the study employs four types of empirical techniques: the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (N-ARDL) cointegration model; the economy-wide Leontief approach calibrated on the supply and use tables (dynamic SUT model); a partial general equilibrium approach based on the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM model) used for micro-simulations; and lastly a contemporaneous dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to assess the effect of fiscal policy on macroeconomic and socioeconomic variables. The study found that during the post-recession era, expansionary fiscal policy had a positive but minute effect on growth, employment and poverty reduction. The effect of government spending has had a minimal effect on historically marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. This is why a tortoise pace in reducing poverty and inequality has persisted. So, the study recommends that governments should follow a priorities-based government spending policy which fits well with the current situation of the country. Moreover, South Africa needs to adopt international standards and best practices of “science-based strategic” rather than that of “evidence-based strategy” and ensure that only programmes that have proved to be effective be financed in the fiscal budget.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kavese, Kambale
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Expenditures, Public -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa Labor economics -- South Africa Employment (Economic theory) Poor -- Employment -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39940 , vital:35570
- Description: This study seeks to assess the effect of public spending on economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction. The co-existence of a sound fiscal policy and a substantial government expenditure but insignificant returns in terms of social development suggests the potential of a dilemma that needs to be investigated, and to reflect on the dynamics of selected marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. Hence, the “social inclusion” strategy of the RDP in 1994, and the “inclusive economy” strategy of the NDP in 2014 were implemented with one single objective in mind, that is to narrow the gaps associated with the legacy of apartheid. Despite the implantation of government plans like the RDP and recently the NDP, and regardless of the effective use of fiscal policy, low growth has continued during the post-recession era; unemployment and inequality have persistently remained at high levels. This paradox has led to controversies around fiscal policy’s dual role of stimulating economic growth and income redistribution. To achieve the research objective, the study employs four types of empirical techniques: the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (N-ARDL) cointegration model; the economy-wide Leontief approach calibrated on the supply and use tables (dynamic SUT model); a partial general equilibrium approach based on the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM model) used for micro-simulations; and lastly a contemporaneous dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to assess the effect of fiscal policy on macroeconomic and socioeconomic variables. The study found that during the post-recession era, expansionary fiscal policy had a positive but minute effect on growth, employment and poverty reduction. The effect of government spending has had a minimal effect on historically marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. This is why a tortoise pace in reducing poverty and inequality has persisted. So, the study recommends that governments should follow a priorities-based government spending policy which fits well with the current situation of the country. Moreover, South Africa needs to adopt international standards and best practices of “science-based strategic” rather than that of “evidence-based strategy” and ensure that only programmes that have proved to be effective be financed in the fiscal budget.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Conflict and sustainable development: the case of the great Limpompo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), Southern Africa
- Authors: Muboko, Never
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1357 , Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Description: Conflict is inevitable but sustainable development is achievable. An analysis of the mix between development and conflict in two communities revealed the imperatives needed to strike a balance between conflict and sustainable development. While conflicts over natural resources are neither a new phenomenon nor are they inevitable, it is the approaches adopted to manage them that generate interests and makes a difference between peace and violence. Thus, conflicts associated with wilderness or TFCA development initiatives such as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) have attracted significant interest from various stakeholders. While the GLTP is a flagship conservation initiative in Southern Africa designed to integrate different land uses for socio-economic development, it is littered with conflicts. Through documenting the experiences of two communities involved in development conflicts, a determination was sought to understand the efficacy of approaches used to manage the conflict. Using mainly questionnaires and personal interviews, perceptions and attitudes of key informants were solicited. Unresolved historical problems reincarnated to haunt current conservation projects as memories of unresolved past events reflected negatively on new related initiatives. Different approaches adopted in managing these conflicts resulted in significantly different outcomes. Local stakeholder involvements were inadequate, but were identified as pertinent to successful sustainable conservation and development. Unless local communities are assured of real benefits from new conservation initiatives it became evident that recurrent conflicts would be inevitable. The findings reveal that current conservation initiatives should be underpinned by emerging inclusivity theories in the conservation discourse. A broad range of stakeholders should embrace this new paradigm based on the philosophy that conservation efforts that exclude local communities are bound to be unsustainable. We found out that it is in the interests of all for policy makers to come up with policies that recognise the critical role local communities play, while subscribing to the regional and international standards for best practices in the conservation business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Muboko, Never
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1357 , Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Description: Conflict is inevitable but sustainable development is achievable. An analysis of the mix between development and conflict in two communities revealed the imperatives needed to strike a balance between conflict and sustainable development. While conflicts over natural resources are neither a new phenomenon nor are they inevitable, it is the approaches adopted to manage them that generate interests and makes a difference between peace and violence. Thus, conflicts associated with wilderness or TFCA development initiatives such as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) have attracted significant interest from various stakeholders. While the GLTP is a flagship conservation initiative in Southern Africa designed to integrate different land uses for socio-economic development, it is littered with conflicts. Through documenting the experiences of two communities involved in development conflicts, a determination was sought to understand the efficacy of approaches used to manage the conflict. Using mainly questionnaires and personal interviews, perceptions and attitudes of key informants were solicited. Unresolved historical problems reincarnated to haunt current conservation projects as memories of unresolved past events reflected negatively on new related initiatives. Different approaches adopted in managing these conflicts resulted in significantly different outcomes. Local stakeholder involvements were inadequate, but were identified as pertinent to successful sustainable conservation and development. Unless local communities are assured of real benefits from new conservation initiatives it became evident that recurrent conflicts would be inevitable. The findings reveal that current conservation initiatives should be underpinned by emerging inclusivity theories in the conservation discourse. A broad range of stakeholders should embrace this new paradigm based on the philosophy that conservation efforts that exclude local communities are bound to be unsustainable. We found out that it is in the interests of all for policy makers to come up with policies that recognise the critical role local communities play, while subscribing to the regional and international standards for best practices in the conservation business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Attachment styles, coping strategies, personal meaning, and mental health in nonclinical adults
- Authors: Gerber, Ora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Mental illness -- South Africa Psychology, Applied
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30485 , vital:30950
- Description: Meaning in life can be attained through a variety of sources. A limited amount of research has investigated the association between attachment and personal meaning while no studies have investigated the association between attachment, personal meaning, and sources of meaning. The current study aimed to investigate the association between different attachment styles, personal meaning, and sources of meaning in order to develop a deeper understanding of their relationships. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to collect the data using standardized questionnaires from 226 participants. Statistical analysis of the data suggests that a secure attachment style is positively associated with personal meaning and presented with meaning sources consisting of breadth and depth. A fearful attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and sources of meaning while a preoccupied attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and presented with sources of meaning lacking in depth and breadth. No significant association was found between a dismissive attachment style and personal meaning, but associations were found with sources of meaning, including feeling financially secure, experiencing personal growth, meeting basic everyday needs, and leaving a legacy for the next generation. Recommendations for psychotherapy based on the findings of the study were offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gerber, Ora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Mental illness -- South Africa Psychology, Applied
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30485 , vital:30950
- Description: Meaning in life can be attained through a variety of sources. A limited amount of research has investigated the association between attachment and personal meaning while no studies have investigated the association between attachment, personal meaning, and sources of meaning. The current study aimed to investigate the association between different attachment styles, personal meaning, and sources of meaning in order to develop a deeper understanding of their relationships. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to collect the data using standardized questionnaires from 226 participants. Statistical analysis of the data suggests that a secure attachment style is positively associated with personal meaning and presented with meaning sources consisting of breadth and depth. A fearful attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and sources of meaning while a preoccupied attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and presented with sources of meaning lacking in depth and breadth. No significant association was found between a dismissive attachment style and personal meaning, but associations were found with sources of meaning, including feeling financially secure, experiencing personal growth, meeting basic everyday needs, and leaving a legacy for the next generation. Recommendations for psychotherapy based on the findings of the study were offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An international study on the influence of intrinsic rewards on the intrinsic motivation, work engagement and retention of employees in non-profit organisations
- Authors: Renard, Michelle
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Achievement motivation , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5148 , vital:20815
- Description: The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate whether intrinsic rewards play a role in the intrinsic motivation, work engagement and retention of employees working within non-profit organisations in Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. It therefore served to form a cross-cultural comparison between employees from these four geographically dispersed yet culturally similar countries. A further aim was to determine whether demographic differences occurred across the four constructs studied. In order to achieve these objectives, a theoretical model was constructed to highlight the relationships between the constructs under study. The study made use of both qualitative and quantitative research to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. As a result of the data obtained from 15 qualitative interviews conducted with non-profit employees in Belgium and South Africa, two measuring instruments, namely the Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale, were developed to assess intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation respectively. These measuring instruments were qualitatively piloted on a sample of academics and non-profit employees, and were translated from English into Dutch for use on the Belgian sample. Once these instruments had been refined, they were combined with instruments to measure work engagement and intention to quit to form a composite questionnaire. This questionnaire was completed electronically by 587 non-profit employees from the four countries under study. Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency tables, Cronbach’s alpha testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations, chi-square tests, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The quantitative findings showed that intrinsic rewards lead to higher levels of intrinsic motivation, which in turn causes higher levels of work engagement and lower levels of intention to quit. Intrinsic rewards were also found directly to predict a reduction in employees’ intentions to quit their non-profit organisations, and work engagement directly predicted an increase in intention to quit. From a cross-cultural perspective, practically significant inter-country differences were discovered across the intrinsic rewards of meaningful work and challenging work; across intrinsic motivation and its three dimensions (personal connection to one’s work, personal desire to make a difference, and personal desire to perform); and across work engagement and its three factors (absorption, dedication and vigour). In addition to these inter-country results, age and job level differences were discovered across the four constructs under study, together with significant correlations between the four constructs. The Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale were successfully validated in both English and Dutch in this study, with a number of forms of validity being confirmed through factor analyses and correlations. Reliability was proven through satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha values being obtained for both language versions of the instruments. These results theoretically contribute to literature pertaining to intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation as a result of the development of two measuring instruments that were empirically validated to assess these constructs. Furthermore, the results make a valuable contribution to the field of rewards management globally. This study’s findings provide evidence for causal relationships between four constructs not previously tested empirically, specifically within Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. Consequently, this study’s results hold important implications for the management of non-profit employees worldwide.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Renard, Michelle
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Achievement motivation , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5148 , vital:20815
- Description: The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate whether intrinsic rewards play a role in the intrinsic motivation, work engagement and retention of employees working within non-profit organisations in Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. It therefore served to form a cross-cultural comparison between employees from these four geographically dispersed yet culturally similar countries. A further aim was to determine whether demographic differences occurred across the four constructs studied. In order to achieve these objectives, a theoretical model was constructed to highlight the relationships between the constructs under study. The study made use of both qualitative and quantitative research to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. As a result of the data obtained from 15 qualitative interviews conducted with non-profit employees in Belgium and South Africa, two measuring instruments, namely the Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale, were developed to assess intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation respectively. These measuring instruments were qualitatively piloted on a sample of academics and non-profit employees, and were translated from English into Dutch for use on the Belgian sample. Once these instruments had been refined, they were combined with instruments to measure work engagement and intention to quit to form a composite questionnaire. This questionnaire was completed electronically by 587 non-profit employees from the four countries under study. Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency tables, Cronbach’s alpha testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations, chi-square tests, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The quantitative findings showed that intrinsic rewards lead to higher levels of intrinsic motivation, which in turn causes higher levels of work engagement and lower levels of intention to quit. Intrinsic rewards were also found directly to predict a reduction in employees’ intentions to quit their non-profit organisations, and work engagement directly predicted an increase in intention to quit. From a cross-cultural perspective, practically significant inter-country differences were discovered across the intrinsic rewards of meaningful work and challenging work; across intrinsic motivation and its three dimensions (personal connection to one’s work, personal desire to make a difference, and personal desire to perform); and across work engagement and its three factors (absorption, dedication and vigour). In addition to these inter-country results, age and job level differences were discovered across the four constructs under study, together with significant correlations between the four constructs. The Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale were successfully validated in both English and Dutch in this study, with a number of forms of validity being confirmed through factor analyses and correlations. Reliability was proven through satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha values being obtained for both language versions of the instruments. These results theoretically contribute to literature pertaining to intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation as a result of the development of two measuring instruments that were empirically validated to assess these constructs. Furthermore, the results make a valuable contribution to the field of rewards management globally. This study’s findings provide evidence for causal relationships between four constructs not previously tested empirically, specifically within Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. Consequently, this study’s results hold important implications for the management of non-profit employees worldwide.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Factors affecting effective ecological restoration of Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich subtropical thicket and aboveground carbon endpoint projections
- Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Authors: Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Restoration ecology , Plant conservation -- South Africa Portulacaria afra -- South Africa Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23250 , vital:30468
- Description: Among the requirements to achieve effective ecological restoration on a landscape scale are a scientific underpinning, strong adaptive management and the setting of realistic endpoints. Efficacy and success depend on a complex interplay of factors of both local and regional influence. Biome-wide restoration experiments are rare, but valuable for evaluating efficacy of different protocols according to local context. The Thicket-wide Plot (TWP) experiment was initiated by the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme to inform landscape-scale ecological restoration of degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich Subtropical Thicket. Thirteen different planting treatments of Portulacaria afra (spekboom) truncheons were planted as replicated rows on 0.25 ha fenced plots across the distribution range of spekboom-rich thicket habitat to better establish effective restoration protocols. I used a rule-based learning ensemble algorithm to evaluate 60 different predictors that potentially impact effective restoration, covering a range of climatic, topographic, edaphic, ecological and management related factors observed at 227 of these TWP plots. Percentage survivorship and aboveground biomass carbon sequestration rate (ABCsr) were taken as proxies for efficacy derived from subsequent monitoring data gathered 2 - 5 years after establishment, and a new allometric model I developed for spekboom. I found herbivory and identification of target habitat the two most important predictors of restoration efficacy, both well within the control of the practitioner. Highest survivorship and ABCsr were associated with larger truncheons planted deeper. The only exception to this pattern was found amongst the two smallest size truncheon categories. The application of external rooting hormone or watering treatment to truncheons were found of no significance to effective restoration, while all the pruned treatments were, in association with lesser planting depth, found to be significantly less effective than untreated truncheons planted deeper. When the restoration protocol is optimal (largest truncheons planted deepest in target habitats and protected from herbivory), my results show higher annual carbon sequestration rates (1.46 - 3.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 in aboveground biomass) than most older restoration sites that have been identified as benchmarks of success. In order to project ABC endpoints, I generated 40 new species-specific allometric models and used them to estimate biomass and carbon of intact and degraded stands on five sites spread out across the region. The highest AGC for stands in both intact and degraded states were estimated at 42.96 t Cha−1 and 12.98 t C ha−1 respectively, and the lowest at 26.32 t C ha−1 and 2.52 t C ha−1. Large canopy dominant (LCD) species contributed the largest AGC portion at three intact stands. The second largest portion was recorded for spekboom. The difference between paired stands on each sample site ranged between 23.8 and 32.8 t C ha−1, which provide a realistic target for biome-wide restoration that, when adopted together with current protocols, may be reached within three decades of inception.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van der Vyver, Marius Lodewyk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Restoration ecology , Plant conservation -- South Africa Portulacaria afra -- South Africa Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23250 , vital:30468
- Description: Among the requirements to achieve effective ecological restoration on a landscape scale are a scientific underpinning, strong adaptive management and the setting of realistic endpoints. Efficacy and success depend on a complex interplay of factors of both local and regional influence. Biome-wide restoration experiments are rare, but valuable for evaluating efficacy of different protocols according to local context. The Thicket-wide Plot (TWP) experiment was initiated by the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme to inform landscape-scale ecological restoration of degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)-rich Subtropical Thicket. Thirteen different planting treatments of Portulacaria afra (spekboom) truncheons were planted as replicated rows on 0.25 ha fenced plots across the distribution range of spekboom-rich thicket habitat to better establish effective restoration protocols. I used a rule-based learning ensemble algorithm to evaluate 60 different predictors that potentially impact effective restoration, covering a range of climatic, topographic, edaphic, ecological and management related factors observed at 227 of these TWP plots. Percentage survivorship and aboveground biomass carbon sequestration rate (ABCsr) were taken as proxies for efficacy derived from subsequent monitoring data gathered 2 - 5 years after establishment, and a new allometric model I developed for spekboom. I found herbivory and identification of target habitat the two most important predictors of restoration efficacy, both well within the control of the practitioner. Highest survivorship and ABCsr were associated with larger truncheons planted deeper. The only exception to this pattern was found amongst the two smallest size truncheon categories. The application of external rooting hormone or watering treatment to truncheons were found of no significance to effective restoration, while all the pruned treatments were, in association with lesser planting depth, found to be significantly less effective than untreated truncheons planted deeper. When the restoration protocol is optimal (largest truncheons planted deepest in target habitats and protected from herbivory), my results show higher annual carbon sequestration rates (1.46 - 3.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 in aboveground biomass) than most older restoration sites that have been identified as benchmarks of success. In order to project ABC endpoints, I generated 40 new species-specific allometric models and used them to estimate biomass and carbon of intact and degraded stands on five sites spread out across the region. The highest AGC for stands in both intact and degraded states were estimated at 42.96 t Cha−1 and 12.98 t C ha−1 respectively, and the lowest at 26.32 t C ha−1 and 2.52 t C ha−1. Large canopy dominant (LCD) species contributed the largest AGC portion at three intact stands. The second largest portion was recorded for spekboom. The difference between paired stands on each sample site ranged between 23.8 and 32.8 t C ha−1, which provide a realistic target for biome-wide restoration that, when adopted together with current protocols, may be reached within three decades of inception.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Sustainable governance management systems: a practical approach for Water Boards in South Africa
- Authors: Ntili, Tseliso Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South Africa. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Water quality -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9185 , vital:26472
- Description: This research study explored the appropriate sustainable governance management systems for South African socio-economic conditions. This was achieved by investigating the current governance and management of water boards in performing their business and water services provisioning at municipal level. Municipalities are the third sphere of government in South Africa and are found at local levels of governance. They are businesses that provide running water as legislated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Water boards are public institutions established in terms of the Water Services Act, 108 of 1997 (WSA) and listed as Schedule 3 part B: National Government Business Enterprise in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 29 of 1999. They are accountable to the national government through the Department of Water Affairs. Their responsibility is to support municipalities where water-provisioning challenges are eminent. They report annually to national parliament on their performance within a specific financial year. Water boards are currently able to perform their operations in selected jurisdictions as contracted by municipalities. They are struggling in managing and governing their water business while striving to achieve improvements in water service coverage, operating efficiency and service delivery. The aim of the research study was to investigate areas affecting the sustainability of governance management systems for water boards in relation to the improvement of service delivery in South Africa. The analysis of age and gender factors and the conditions affecting governance are explored. The research used the qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the research questions. Prior to the commencement of the study, the researcher performed an intensive desktop study involving the use of dated and recently published material related to governance and management of the water institutions in developed and developing countries. During the desktop study, national and international accredited journals were prioritised to obtain related and relevant similar information to the water governance and management of water institutions. In addition, a case study was undertaken in Ficksburg in which water boards provided an intervention in resolving the water crisis, since the provision of water is a basic service at local government. This area experienced both water shortage and a poor quality of water. With regard to qualitative methodology, participatory forums were used to delineate the research context and premise. The study population consisted of individuals who were in the business of water boards with special reference to water management and board of directors for a population of 1 000. Of the 500 questionnaires sent out, 419 were returned. The data were analysed using the statistical software package, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results and recommendations are presented based on the identified objectives of the study. The study’s findings provide information for transformation and improvement in the performance of water boards in South Africa when striving for sustainability in management and governance. The findings reveal the need for improvements in the involvement of females in the business of the water boards. The findings confirm the outcomes of previous studies regarding the slow implementation of affirmative action and transformation processes as required by legislation. Furthermore, the results reveal that the factors and conditions affecting sustainability of the water boards need to be prioritised to improve the management and governance aspects of water boards. These include the appropriate selection of members of the boards of directors, water boards' committees that are guided by legislation in their operations and the maintenance of proper financial management (collection of revenue, implementation of appropriate financial strategies and striving for positive clean audit). Water boards are encouraged to strengthen their intergovernmental relations in order to make their mandate known across all spheres of government. Service delivery should be approached “from source to tap and tap to source” to promote high-quality provision of water. The water boards should be accountable to the municipalities for the provision of delegated operations. The Department of Water Affairs exercises an oversight role to ensure the sustainable provision of the services. However, the study concludes that without a strong management and a sustainable governance approach, water boards will not be able to carry out its water developmental mandate. The practical framework that was developed in this study provides management and governance tools for sustained provisioning of water to advance transformational and developmental needs and the application of legislations. The results in the study have a direct impact on the codes of practice and regulations on employment equity in implementing the Employment Equity Act of 1998, Intergovernmental Relations Act of 2005, Companies Act of 2008, National Water Act of 1998, and Water Services Act of 1997. Therefore, the practical implementation of this framework will enhance water as a transformational and developmental feature in addressing the social, environmental and economic services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ntili, Tseliso Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South Africa. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Water quality -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9185 , vital:26472
- Description: This research study explored the appropriate sustainable governance management systems for South African socio-economic conditions. This was achieved by investigating the current governance and management of water boards in performing their business and water services provisioning at municipal level. Municipalities are the third sphere of government in South Africa and are found at local levels of governance. They are businesses that provide running water as legislated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Water boards are public institutions established in terms of the Water Services Act, 108 of 1997 (WSA) and listed as Schedule 3 part B: National Government Business Enterprise in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 29 of 1999. They are accountable to the national government through the Department of Water Affairs. Their responsibility is to support municipalities where water-provisioning challenges are eminent. They report annually to national parliament on their performance within a specific financial year. Water boards are currently able to perform their operations in selected jurisdictions as contracted by municipalities. They are struggling in managing and governing their water business while striving to achieve improvements in water service coverage, operating efficiency and service delivery. The aim of the research study was to investigate areas affecting the sustainability of governance management systems for water boards in relation to the improvement of service delivery in South Africa. The analysis of age and gender factors and the conditions affecting governance are explored. The research used the qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the research questions. Prior to the commencement of the study, the researcher performed an intensive desktop study involving the use of dated and recently published material related to governance and management of the water institutions in developed and developing countries. During the desktop study, national and international accredited journals were prioritised to obtain related and relevant similar information to the water governance and management of water institutions. In addition, a case study was undertaken in Ficksburg in which water boards provided an intervention in resolving the water crisis, since the provision of water is a basic service at local government. This area experienced both water shortage and a poor quality of water. With regard to qualitative methodology, participatory forums were used to delineate the research context and premise. The study population consisted of individuals who were in the business of water boards with special reference to water management and board of directors for a population of 1 000. Of the 500 questionnaires sent out, 419 were returned. The data were analysed using the statistical software package, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results and recommendations are presented based on the identified objectives of the study. The study’s findings provide information for transformation and improvement in the performance of water boards in South Africa when striving for sustainability in management and governance. The findings reveal the need for improvements in the involvement of females in the business of the water boards. The findings confirm the outcomes of previous studies regarding the slow implementation of affirmative action and transformation processes as required by legislation. Furthermore, the results reveal that the factors and conditions affecting sustainability of the water boards need to be prioritised to improve the management and governance aspects of water boards. These include the appropriate selection of members of the boards of directors, water boards' committees that are guided by legislation in their operations and the maintenance of proper financial management (collection of revenue, implementation of appropriate financial strategies and striving for positive clean audit). Water boards are encouraged to strengthen their intergovernmental relations in order to make their mandate known across all spheres of government. Service delivery should be approached “from source to tap and tap to source” to promote high-quality provision of water. The water boards should be accountable to the municipalities for the provision of delegated operations. The Department of Water Affairs exercises an oversight role to ensure the sustainable provision of the services. However, the study concludes that without a strong management and a sustainable governance approach, water boards will not be able to carry out its water developmental mandate. The practical framework that was developed in this study provides management and governance tools for sustained provisioning of water to advance transformational and developmental needs and the application of legislations. The results in the study have a direct impact on the codes of practice and regulations on employment equity in implementing the Employment Equity Act of 1998, Intergovernmental Relations Act of 2005, Companies Act of 2008, National Water Act of 1998, and Water Services Act of 1997. Therefore, the practical implementation of this framework will enhance water as a transformational and developmental feature in addressing the social, environmental and economic services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Development of InSb/GaSb quantum dots by MOVPE
- Authors: Ahia, Chinedu Christian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Semiconductors , Quantum electronics Organometallic compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23382 , vital:30537
- Description: There has been an increasing interest in the modification of semiconductor band structures through the reduction of their dimensions, which simultaneously increases the band gap energy of the material and gives rise to flexibility in device properties. Advances in III-V antimony (Sb) based semiconductor fabrication have triggered the quest for extension of the emission/absorption wavelength range of this family of compounds for optoelectronic devices operating in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. An interesting material system for mid-infrared (MIR) applications is indium antimonide (InSb) quantum dots (QDs) within a gallium antimonide (GaSb) matrix. However, its band alignment and emission wavelength has been the subject of some interest and controversy over the years. This study focuses on the development of InSb/GaSb QDs by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The samples were grown on different substrates using various growth parameters in order to vary the size, density and aspect ratio of the dots. Interfacial growth interruptions while flowing various source precursors through the reactor were investigated in order to influence the chemical termination of the surface, and hence the resulting strain in the structures. The samples were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Likewise, the band alignment, energy levels, and carrier wave functions of the samples in this work were modelled theoretically using the nextnanomat software (version 3.1.0.0). A comparison of growth on two different GaSb substrates [(100) 2° off towards <111>B ± 0.1ᵒ and (111) ± 0.1ᵒ] using similar growth conditions yielded a higher dot density on the (100) substrate compared to the (111) substrate. This was attributed to the presence of terraces/atomic steps induced by the misorientation on the (100) substrate, which invariably gives rise to increased adsorption and an enhanced sticking coefficient of adatoms. Studies on the influence of a buffer layer on the morphology of uncapped dots showed that the shape and size of the dots are sensitive to the thickness of the buffer layer. In some case a corrugated buffer surface resulted, which introduced order in the arrangement of the dots, which formed preferentially inside the troughs. An increase in the V/III ratio from 1.0 to 3.0 was found to reduce the areal density of the QDs, while an analysis of the diameter histograms showed a narrowing of the size distribution with an increase in V/III ratio. The larger size distribution at low V/III was ascribed to the increase in indium species and the increased indium adatom migration length. This leads to increased dot density and nucleation sites, and thus triggers an increase in the conversion of tiny QDs into thermodynamically more suitable larger dots via coalescence. However, as the V/III ratio increased, the number of indium adatoms available for growth on the surface reduced, which automatically led to a decrease in the migration length of indium species which is unfavourable for the production of nucleation sites and to a decrease in dot density. Low growth rates were found to be beneficial for the growth of a high density (~5×1010cm-2) of QDs. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis of the capped samples at low temperature (~10 K), using an excitation power of 2 mW, showed a PL peak at ∼732 meV. Upon an increase in laser power to 120 mW, a blue shift of ∼ 8 meV was noticed. This emission typically persisted up to 60–70 K. An increase in the number of InSb QD-layers, was observed to cause an increase in the luminescence spectral line width and a long-wavelength shift of the PL lines, together with an enhancement in the strength of the PL emission. However, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the capped dots revealed the formation of an InGaSb quantum well-like structure, ∼10 nm thick, which was responsible for the PL signal mentioned above. The absence of QDs in the capped sample was attributed to inter-diffusion of Ga and In during the deposition of the cap layer, giving rise to a quantum well (QW) instead of the intended QDs. The presence of threading dislocations and stacking faults were also observed in the TEM micrographs of the samples containing multilayers, which can account for the fast quenching of the PL emission with increasing temperature from these samples. Theoretical simulations of the band alignment, wave functions and energy levels were in good agreement with the data collected from the PL spectra of the samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ahia, Chinedu Christian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Semiconductors , Quantum electronics Organometallic compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23382 , vital:30537
- Description: There has been an increasing interest in the modification of semiconductor band structures through the reduction of their dimensions, which simultaneously increases the band gap energy of the material and gives rise to flexibility in device properties. Advances in III-V antimony (Sb) based semiconductor fabrication have triggered the quest for extension of the emission/absorption wavelength range of this family of compounds for optoelectronic devices operating in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. An interesting material system for mid-infrared (MIR) applications is indium antimonide (InSb) quantum dots (QDs) within a gallium antimonide (GaSb) matrix. However, its band alignment and emission wavelength has been the subject of some interest and controversy over the years. This study focuses on the development of InSb/GaSb QDs by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The samples were grown on different substrates using various growth parameters in order to vary the size, density and aspect ratio of the dots. Interfacial growth interruptions while flowing various source precursors through the reactor were investigated in order to influence the chemical termination of the surface, and hence the resulting strain in the structures. The samples were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Likewise, the band alignment, energy levels, and carrier wave functions of the samples in this work were modelled theoretically using the nextnanomat software (version 3.1.0.0). A comparison of growth on two different GaSb substrates [(100) 2° off towards <111>B ± 0.1ᵒ and (111) ± 0.1ᵒ] using similar growth conditions yielded a higher dot density on the (100) substrate compared to the (111) substrate. This was attributed to the presence of terraces/atomic steps induced by the misorientation on the (100) substrate, which invariably gives rise to increased adsorption and an enhanced sticking coefficient of adatoms. Studies on the influence of a buffer layer on the morphology of uncapped dots showed that the shape and size of the dots are sensitive to the thickness of the buffer layer. In some case a corrugated buffer surface resulted, which introduced order in the arrangement of the dots, which formed preferentially inside the troughs. An increase in the V/III ratio from 1.0 to 3.0 was found to reduce the areal density of the QDs, while an analysis of the diameter histograms showed a narrowing of the size distribution with an increase in V/III ratio. The larger size distribution at low V/III was ascribed to the increase in indium species and the increased indium adatom migration length. This leads to increased dot density and nucleation sites, and thus triggers an increase in the conversion of tiny QDs into thermodynamically more suitable larger dots via coalescence. However, as the V/III ratio increased, the number of indium adatoms available for growth on the surface reduced, which automatically led to a decrease in the migration length of indium species which is unfavourable for the production of nucleation sites and to a decrease in dot density. Low growth rates were found to be beneficial for the growth of a high density (~5×1010cm-2) of QDs. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis of the capped samples at low temperature (~10 K), using an excitation power of 2 mW, showed a PL peak at ∼732 meV. Upon an increase in laser power to 120 mW, a blue shift of ∼ 8 meV was noticed. This emission typically persisted up to 60–70 K. An increase in the number of InSb QD-layers, was observed to cause an increase in the luminescence spectral line width and a long-wavelength shift of the PL lines, together with an enhancement in the strength of the PL emission. However, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the capped dots revealed the formation of an InGaSb quantum well-like structure, ∼10 nm thick, which was responsible for the PL signal mentioned above. The absence of QDs in the capped sample was attributed to inter-diffusion of Ga and In during the deposition of the cap layer, giving rise to a quantum well (QW) instead of the intended QDs. The presence of threading dislocations and stacking faults were also observed in the TEM micrographs of the samples containing multilayers, which can account for the fast quenching of the PL emission with increasing temperature from these samples. Theoretical simulations of the band alignment, wave functions and energy levels were in good agreement with the data collected from the PL spectra of the samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A "lean-led-evaluation" of infrastructure development improvement programme in South Africa
- Monyane, Thabiso Godfrey, Emuze, Fidelis
- Authors: Monyane, Thabiso Godfrey , Emuze, Fidelis
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Accounting , Construction industry -- South Africa Project management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44929 , vital:38189
- Description: A doctoral study was embarked upon with the intentions of addressing cost management problems encountered on Infrastructure Delivery Projects in South Africa. Given that poor cost performance constitute hindrance to the realization of project goals, it is imperative to eliminate it from project delivery. The prevalence of cost overrun in public sector projects is a call to all stakeholders to address cost management issues in the construction industry. The predominance of cost overruns in public sector construction projects in South Africa has been observed. With the decline of the current economic conditions in South Africa, project performance is a great concern that needs attention. In addition, ineffective initiatives to curb the abuse of the procurement processes are directly affecting the outcomes of construction projects, and if these status quo remains, the sector will continue to have a bad image and continued waste of taxpayers’ money will not cease until the public sector remove non-value adding activities in their operations. Study adopted a mixed methods designed that collected both textual and statistical data. Semistructured interviews were undertaken to determine the outcomes of current project management practices in South Africa. In terms of performance of projects, the status quo paints a disconsolate picture. Findings reveal protracted processes, and the use of unqualified and inexperienced contribute to poor performance of public sector projects. Poor performance continues to dominate the construction sector, especially in the public sector. Interviews data were contrasted with evidence from project-related documents. Based on the data, the study produces a vignette of existing cost management frameworks applied to such projects. Encompassing various stages of the project delivery lifecycle, this vignette will enable an identification of the challenges afflicting cost management on projects. Accordingly, this study identified Lean opportunities from existing cost management practices. Such opportunities will enable identification of effective cost management during project delivery. There appears a need for collaborative cost management practices. Lean tools mentioned for improvement include the 5Whys, the big room, target value design, and the integration of design and construction. A collaborative cost management framework was developed through relevant theories to improve the cost management process of public sector projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Monyane, Thabiso Godfrey , Emuze, Fidelis
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Accounting , Construction industry -- South Africa Project management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44929 , vital:38189
- Description: A doctoral study was embarked upon with the intentions of addressing cost management problems encountered on Infrastructure Delivery Projects in South Africa. Given that poor cost performance constitute hindrance to the realization of project goals, it is imperative to eliminate it from project delivery. The prevalence of cost overrun in public sector projects is a call to all stakeholders to address cost management issues in the construction industry. The predominance of cost overruns in public sector construction projects in South Africa has been observed. With the decline of the current economic conditions in South Africa, project performance is a great concern that needs attention. In addition, ineffective initiatives to curb the abuse of the procurement processes are directly affecting the outcomes of construction projects, and if these status quo remains, the sector will continue to have a bad image and continued waste of taxpayers’ money will not cease until the public sector remove non-value adding activities in their operations. Study adopted a mixed methods designed that collected both textual and statistical data. Semistructured interviews were undertaken to determine the outcomes of current project management practices in South Africa. In terms of performance of projects, the status quo paints a disconsolate picture. Findings reveal protracted processes, and the use of unqualified and inexperienced contribute to poor performance of public sector projects. Poor performance continues to dominate the construction sector, especially in the public sector. Interviews data were contrasted with evidence from project-related documents. Based on the data, the study produces a vignette of existing cost management frameworks applied to such projects. Encompassing various stages of the project delivery lifecycle, this vignette will enable an identification of the challenges afflicting cost management on projects. Accordingly, this study identified Lean opportunities from existing cost management practices. Such opportunities will enable identification of effective cost management during project delivery. There appears a need for collaborative cost management practices. Lean tools mentioned for improvement include the 5Whys, the big room, target value design, and the integration of design and construction. A collaborative cost management framework was developed through relevant theories to improve the cost management process of public sector projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Co-mapping the maze: a complex systems view of human trafficking in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Amanda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human trafficking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forced labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23305 , vital:30523
- Description: Researchers have described human trafficking as a complex, multi-layered crime. South Africa, including the Eastern Cape Province, is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked people. However, a dearth of research on human trafficking exists in the province. Furthermore, traditional, modernist research using reductionist methods to investigate complex phenomena has proven unable to capture the complex interrelationships between the myriad of interrelated elements inherent in complex phenomena. In this qualitative study, I explore and describe the human trafficking system in the Eastern Cape via participants’ perspectives through a complex systems approach that consists of two complementary theories, namely Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development and complexity theory. The participants, who were knowledgeable about human trafficking in the province, were obtained through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection took place through open-ended interviews with individual participants. I analysed the data according to Miles and Huberman’s data analysis process and Braun and Clarke’s thematic data analysis process. The findings demonstrate that the complex systems approach successfully facilitated the mapping and conceptualisation of an in-depth, multi-level picture of the complex interrelationships within and between multiple system components in the human trafficking system and its environment in relation to the Eastern Cape Province. Participants’ perspectives revealed two main themes, namely, the prominence of the nonlinear interactions between traffickers and trafficked persons in the holistic human trafficking system and the major obstacle regarding the lack of witness credibility for human trafficking prosecutions to be successful. Utilising complex systems theory to conduct further human trafficking research could assist counter-trafficking stakeholders with an alternative approach to generating effective planning and executing counter human trafficking strategies in a rapidly changing and increasing complex interconnected world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Amanda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human trafficking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forced labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23305 , vital:30523
- Description: Researchers have described human trafficking as a complex, multi-layered crime. South Africa, including the Eastern Cape Province, is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked people. However, a dearth of research on human trafficking exists in the province. Furthermore, traditional, modernist research using reductionist methods to investigate complex phenomena has proven unable to capture the complex interrelationships between the myriad of interrelated elements inherent in complex phenomena. In this qualitative study, I explore and describe the human trafficking system in the Eastern Cape via participants’ perspectives through a complex systems approach that consists of two complementary theories, namely Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development and complexity theory. The participants, who were knowledgeable about human trafficking in the province, were obtained through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection took place through open-ended interviews with individual participants. I analysed the data according to Miles and Huberman’s data analysis process and Braun and Clarke’s thematic data analysis process. The findings demonstrate that the complex systems approach successfully facilitated the mapping and conceptualisation of an in-depth, multi-level picture of the complex interrelationships within and between multiple system components in the human trafficking system and its environment in relation to the Eastern Cape Province. Participants’ perspectives revealed two main themes, namely, the prominence of the nonlinear interactions between traffickers and trafficked persons in the holistic human trafficking system and the major obstacle regarding the lack of witness credibility for human trafficking prosecutions to be successful. Utilising complex systems theory to conduct further human trafficking research could assist counter-trafficking stakeholders with an alternative approach to generating effective planning and executing counter human trafficking strategies in a rapidly changing and increasing complex interconnected world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Water balance processes in indigenous and introduced spaces three production system in the Southern Cape region of South Africa
- Authors: Mapeto, Tatenda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hydrology -- Research -- South Africa , Groundwater -- Research -- South Africa Trees -- Breeding Sustainable forestry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49325 , vital:41621
- Description: Forests and trees are important modulators of water flow and their position in the landscape impacts the spatial and temporal availability of ground water and surface water resources. As such, the global extent of natural forests is linked to the availability of water. In the circumstances where tree production systems have been introduced and are managed in landscapes previously populated with other forms of vegetation, it is necessary to understand their hydrological impact so as to ensure that the benefits derived from these tree systems do not outweigh the costs of water availability for sustaining human and environmental water requirements.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mapeto, Tatenda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hydrology -- Research -- South Africa , Groundwater -- Research -- South Africa Trees -- Breeding Sustainable forestry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49325 , vital:41621
- Description: Forests and trees are important modulators of water flow and their position in the landscape impacts the spatial and temporal availability of ground water and surface water resources. As such, the global extent of natural forests is linked to the availability of water. In the circumstances where tree production systems have been introduced and are managed in landscapes previously populated with other forms of vegetation, it is necessary to understand their hydrological impact so as to ensure that the benefits derived from these tree systems do not outweigh the costs of water availability for sustaining human and environmental water requirements.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
A status assessment of mangrove forests in South Africa and the utilization of mangroves at Mngazana Estuary
- Authors: Rajkaran, Anusha
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mangrove forests -- Management , Forests and forestry -- Harvesting , Mangrove forests -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove ecology -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10604 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1547 , Mangrove forests -- Management , Forests and forestry -- Harvesting , Mangrove forests -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove ecology -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove conservation
- Description: In South Africa mangrove forests are located in estuaries from Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to Nahoon Estuary in the Eastern Cape. The aims of this study were to determine the present state of mangroves in KwaZulu-Natal, by assessing the current population structure, the changes in cover over time and associated anthropogenic pressures. A second objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvesting on the population structure and sediment characteristics in the Mngazana mangrove forest. To determine if harvesting was sustainable at Mngazana Estuary; the growth and mortality rates and associated growth conditions were measured. Finally by using population modelling sustainable harvesting limits were determined by predicting the change in population structure over time. The study focussed on the KwaZulu-Natal province as a fairly recent study addressed mangrove distribution and status in the Eastern Cape Province. A historical assessment of all mangroves forests in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) revealed that the potential threats to mangroves in South Africa include; wood harvesting, altered water flow patterns coupled with salinity changes, prolonged closed-mouth conditions and subsequent changes to the intertidal habitat. As a result mangroves were completely lost from eleven estuaries in KZN between 1982 and 1999 and a further two estuaries by 2006. Mangroves only occurred in those estuaries where the mouth was open for more than 56 percent of the time with the exception of St Lucia, where the mouth has been closed for longer but the mangrove communities have persisted because the roots of the trees were not submerged. All mangrove forests in KZN were regenerating in terms of population structure as they had reverse J-shaped population curves as well as high adult: seedling ratios. Kosi Bay and Mhlathuze Estuary were two of the larger forests that showed signs of harvesting (presence of tree or branch stumps), but the greatest threat to smaller estuaries seems to be altered water flow patterns due to freshwater abstraction in the catchments and the change of land use from natural vegetation to sugar-cane plantations. These threats affect the hydrology of estuaries and the sediment characteristics (particle size, redox, pH, salinity, temperature) of the mangrove forests. The environmental conditions under which the mangrove forests currently exist were determined for five species. Lumnitzera racemosa and Ceriops tagal exhibited a narrow range of conditions as these species are only found at Kosi Bay, while Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata were found to exist under a wider range of conditions. The growth rate and response to environmental conditions of the three dominant species were important to determine as these species are impacted by harvesting. Mangrove growth rates were measured at Mngazana Estuary in the Eastern Cape, the third largest mangrove forest in South Africa. Areas of this estuary where mangroves harvesting has occurred, show significant differences in sediment characteristics as well as changes in population structure in harvested compared to non harvested sites. The growth rate (in terms of height) of Avicennia marina individuals increased from seedlings (0.31 cm month-1) to adults (1.2 cm month-1), while the growth of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza stabilised from a height of 150 cm at 0.65 cm month-1. The growth of Rhizophora mucronata peaked at 0.72 cm month-1 (height 151-250 cm) and then decreased to 0.4 cm month-1 for taller individuals. Increases in diameter at breast height (DBH) ranged between 0.7 and 2.3 mm month-1 for all species. Some environmental variables were found to be important drivers of growth and mortality of individuals less then 150 cm. A decrease in sediment pH significantly increased the mortality of Avicennia marina seedlings (0-50 cm) (r = - 0.71, p<0.05) and significantly decreased the growth of Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza seedlings (r = -0.8, r = 0.52 – p < 0.05 respectively). At Mngazana Estuary, mortality of this species showed a positive correlation with sediment moisture content indicating that this species prefers drier conditions. The density of Rhizophora mucronata was significantly correlated to porewater temperature in Northern KZN as was the growth of adult (>300 cm) Rhizophora trees at Mngazana Estuary. Mortality of Avicennia marina individuals (51-150 cm) was related to tree density indicating intraspecific competition and self thinning. Selective harvesting of particular size classes of Rhizophora mucronata was recorded when comparing length of harvested poles (~301 cm) and the size class distribution of individuals. Taking into account the differences in growth rate for each size class for this species it will take approximately 13 years to attain a height of 390 cm which is the height at which trees are selected for harvesting at this estuary. This is 2.6 times slower than those individuals growing in Kenya. The feasibility of harvesting is dependent on the growth rate of younger size classes to replace harvested trees as well as the rate of natural recruitment feeding into the population. Different harvesting intensity scenarios tested within a matrix model framework showed that limits should be set at 5 percent trees ha-1 year-1 to maintain seedling density at > 5 000 ha-1 for R. mucronata. However harvesting of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza should be stopped due to the low density of this species at Mngazana Estuary. Harvesting of the tallest trees of Avicennia marina can be maintained at levels less than 10 percent ha-1 year-1. Effective management of mangrove forests in South African is important to maintain the current state, function and diversity of these ecosystems. Management recommendations should begin with determining the freshwater requirements of the estuaries to maintain the mouth dynamics and biotic communities and deter the harvesting of (whole) adult trees particularly those species that do not coppice. Further management is needed to ensure that forests are cleared of pollutants (plastic and industrial), and any further developments near the mangroves should be minimized.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Rajkaran, Anusha
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mangrove forests -- Management , Forests and forestry -- Harvesting , Mangrove forests -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove ecology -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10604 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1547 , Mangrove forests -- Management , Forests and forestry -- Harvesting , Mangrove forests -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove ecology -- South Africa -- Mngazana Estuary , Mangrove conservation
- Description: In South Africa mangrove forests are located in estuaries from Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to Nahoon Estuary in the Eastern Cape. The aims of this study were to determine the present state of mangroves in KwaZulu-Natal, by assessing the current population structure, the changes in cover over time and associated anthropogenic pressures. A second objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvesting on the population structure and sediment characteristics in the Mngazana mangrove forest. To determine if harvesting was sustainable at Mngazana Estuary; the growth and mortality rates and associated growth conditions were measured. Finally by using population modelling sustainable harvesting limits were determined by predicting the change in population structure over time. The study focussed on the KwaZulu-Natal province as a fairly recent study addressed mangrove distribution and status in the Eastern Cape Province. A historical assessment of all mangroves forests in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) revealed that the potential threats to mangroves in South Africa include; wood harvesting, altered water flow patterns coupled with salinity changes, prolonged closed-mouth conditions and subsequent changes to the intertidal habitat. As a result mangroves were completely lost from eleven estuaries in KZN between 1982 and 1999 and a further two estuaries by 2006. Mangroves only occurred in those estuaries where the mouth was open for more than 56 percent of the time with the exception of St Lucia, where the mouth has been closed for longer but the mangrove communities have persisted because the roots of the trees were not submerged. All mangrove forests in KZN were regenerating in terms of population structure as they had reverse J-shaped population curves as well as high adult: seedling ratios. Kosi Bay and Mhlathuze Estuary were two of the larger forests that showed signs of harvesting (presence of tree or branch stumps), but the greatest threat to smaller estuaries seems to be altered water flow patterns due to freshwater abstraction in the catchments and the change of land use from natural vegetation to sugar-cane plantations. These threats affect the hydrology of estuaries and the sediment characteristics (particle size, redox, pH, salinity, temperature) of the mangrove forests. The environmental conditions under which the mangrove forests currently exist were determined for five species. Lumnitzera racemosa and Ceriops tagal exhibited a narrow range of conditions as these species are only found at Kosi Bay, while Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata were found to exist under a wider range of conditions. The growth rate and response to environmental conditions of the three dominant species were important to determine as these species are impacted by harvesting. Mangrove growth rates were measured at Mngazana Estuary in the Eastern Cape, the third largest mangrove forest in South Africa. Areas of this estuary where mangroves harvesting has occurred, show significant differences in sediment characteristics as well as changes in population structure in harvested compared to non harvested sites. The growth rate (in terms of height) of Avicennia marina individuals increased from seedlings (0.31 cm month-1) to adults (1.2 cm month-1), while the growth of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza stabilised from a height of 150 cm at 0.65 cm month-1. The growth of Rhizophora mucronata peaked at 0.72 cm month-1 (height 151-250 cm) and then decreased to 0.4 cm month-1 for taller individuals. Increases in diameter at breast height (DBH) ranged between 0.7 and 2.3 mm month-1 for all species. Some environmental variables were found to be important drivers of growth and mortality of individuals less then 150 cm. A decrease in sediment pH significantly increased the mortality of Avicennia marina seedlings (0-50 cm) (r = - 0.71, p<0.05) and significantly decreased the growth of Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza seedlings (r = -0.8, r = 0.52 – p < 0.05 respectively). At Mngazana Estuary, mortality of this species showed a positive correlation with sediment moisture content indicating that this species prefers drier conditions. The density of Rhizophora mucronata was significantly correlated to porewater temperature in Northern KZN as was the growth of adult (>300 cm) Rhizophora trees at Mngazana Estuary. Mortality of Avicennia marina individuals (51-150 cm) was related to tree density indicating intraspecific competition and self thinning. Selective harvesting of particular size classes of Rhizophora mucronata was recorded when comparing length of harvested poles (~301 cm) and the size class distribution of individuals. Taking into account the differences in growth rate for each size class for this species it will take approximately 13 years to attain a height of 390 cm which is the height at which trees are selected for harvesting at this estuary. This is 2.6 times slower than those individuals growing in Kenya. The feasibility of harvesting is dependent on the growth rate of younger size classes to replace harvested trees as well as the rate of natural recruitment feeding into the population. Different harvesting intensity scenarios tested within a matrix model framework showed that limits should be set at 5 percent trees ha-1 year-1 to maintain seedling density at > 5 000 ha-1 for R. mucronata. However harvesting of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza should be stopped due to the low density of this species at Mngazana Estuary. Harvesting of the tallest trees of Avicennia marina can be maintained at levels less than 10 percent ha-1 year-1. Effective management of mangrove forests in South African is important to maintain the current state, function and diversity of these ecosystems. Management recommendations should begin with determining the freshwater requirements of the estuaries to maintain the mouth dynamics and biotic communities and deter the harvesting of (whole) adult trees particularly those species that do not coppice. Further management is needed to ensure that forests are cleared of pollutants (plastic and industrial), and any further developments near the mangroves should be minimized.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Critical core competencies for effective strategic leadership in project management
- Authors: Jowah, Enoch Larry
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Project management , Core competencies , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017230
- Description: Project management is undeniably the fastest growing discipline as organizations move into the euphoria of projectification of their operations. Though projects have been a part of human life since time immemorial, there is a sudden realisation of the effectiveness of the methods used in project management. The enrolment of students studying for project management in tertiary institutions has shown tremendous increase. Yet the project execution process is mired by high failure rates and absence of clarity on the necessary skills required for effective project execution. The authority-gap in project management presents political and operational conflicts, and new innovative ways of authority-gap reduction need to be identified and taught in training programs. Simultaneously there is a realisation by both academics and practitioners that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Extensive studies on leadership have not allowed for a one-stop-leadership-style to be used in leadership of any form, let alone project leadership. In fact there is no standard definition of leadership as this has been heavily contextualized and thereby disallowing the creation of a universal definition. No cast-in-stone leadership styles are known and thereby leaving the research on leadership to concentrate on critical competencies required for effective leadership of projects. This study seeks to establish the core competencies needed by the project leaders and other practitioners to reduce the failure rate and maximise the benefits currently sought after by organisations. Studies have shown that the matrix structure within which the embedded projects work is a contributing factor to the failure of projects. Because projects are executed by people, it would be the proper utilisation of people’s talents and competencies that are expected to yield favourable results. Thus, whilst the matrix structure creates the authority-gap that presents a problem for effective project execution, management-by-projects still remains the best way known to add economic value to performance and productivity. The study therefore focuses on those characteristics of project leaders that will most likely make the difference in the way people perform in the workplace. The research findings emphasised the importance of empowerment of project managers and the development of their interpersonal skills of the project leader with special emphasis on extroversion, genuineness of senior management, and the responsiveness of the project leaders as important requirements for effective authority- gap reduction. These critical competencies will therefore facilitate the project execution process and enhance the empowered project leader’s ability to reduce the high project failure rate and high cost overruns. These competencies apply specifically to the human element as it relates to the role of the project leader and the interaction with the team members, this new knowledge needs to be introduced into training programs and project practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jowah, Enoch Larry
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Project management , Core competencies , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017230
- Description: Project management is undeniably the fastest growing discipline as organizations move into the euphoria of projectification of their operations. Though projects have been a part of human life since time immemorial, there is a sudden realisation of the effectiveness of the methods used in project management. The enrolment of students studying for project management in tertiary institutions has shown tremendous increase. Yet the project execution process is mired by high failure rates and absence of clarity on the necessary skills required for effective project execution. The authority-gap in project management presents political and operational conflicts, and new innovative ways of authority-gap reduction need to be identified and taught in training programs. Simultaneously there is a realisation by both academics and practitioners that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Extensive studies on leadership have not allowed for a one-stop-leadership-style to be used in leadership of any form, let alone project leadership. In fact there is no standard definition of leadership as this has been heavily contextualized and thereby disallowing the creation of a universal definition. No cast-in-stone leadership styles are known and thereby leaving the research on leadership to concentrate on critical competencies required for effective leadership of projects. This study seeks to establish the core competencies needed by the project leaders and other practitioners to reduce the failure rate and maximise the benefits currently sought after by organisations. Studies have shown that the matrix structure within which the embedded projects work is a contributing factor to the failure of projects. Because projects are executed by people, it would be the proper utilisation of people’s talents and competencies that are expected to yield favourable results. Thus, whilst the matrix structure creates the authority-gap that presents a problem for effective project execution, management-by-projects still remains the best way known to add economic value to performance and productivity. The study therefore focuses on those characteristics of project leaders that will most likely make the difference in the way people perform in the workplace. The research findings emphasised the importance of empowerment of project managers and the development of their interpersonal skills of the project leader with special emphasis on extroversion, genuineness of senior management, and the responsiveness of the project leaders as important requirements for effective authority- gap reduction. These critical competencies will therefore facilitate the project execution process and enhance the empowered project leader’s ability to reduce the high project failure rate and high cost overruns. These competencies apply specifically to the human element as it relates to the role of the project leader and the interaction with the team members, this new knowledge needs to be introduced into training programs and project practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A framework to measure human behaviour whilst reading
- Salehzadeh, Seyed Amirsaleh, Greyling, Jean
- Authors: Salehzadeh, Seyed Amirsaleh , Greyling, Jean
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Computational intelligence , Machine learning Artificial intelligence Neural networks (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43578 , vital:36921
- Description: The brain is the most complex object in the known universe that gives a sense of being to humans and characterises human behaviour. Building models of brain functions is perhaps the most fascinating scientific challenge in the 21st century. Reading is a significant cognitive process in the human brain that plays a critical role in the vital process of learning and in performing some daily activities. The study of human behaviour during reading has been an area of interest for researchers in different fields of science. This thesis is based upon providing a novel framework, called ARSAT (Assisting Researchers in the Selection of Appropriate Technologies), that measures the behaviour of humans when reading text. The ARSAT framework aims at assisting researchers in the selection and application of appropriate technologies to measure the behaviour of a person who is reading text. The ARSAT framework will assist to researchers who investigate the reading process and find it difficult to select appropriate theories, metrics, data collection methods and data analytics techniques. The ARSAT framework enhances the ability of its users to select appropriate metrics indicating the effective factors on the characterisation of different aspects of human behaviour during the reading process. As will be shown in this research study, human behaviour is characterised by a complicated interplay of action, cognition and emotion. The ARSAT framework also facilitates selecting appropriate sensory technologies that can be used to monitor and collect data for the metrics. Moreover, this research study will introduce BehaveNet, a novel Deep Learning modelling approach, which can be used for training Deep Learning models of human behaviour from the sensory data collected. In this thesis, a comprehensive literature study is presented that was conducted to acquire adequate knowledge for designing the ARSAT framework. In order to identify the contributing factors that affect the reading process, an overview of some existing theories of the reading process is provided. Furthermore, a number of sensory technologies and techniques that can be applied to monitoring the changes in the metrics indicating the factors are also demonstrated. Only, the technologies that are commercially available on the market are recommended by the ARSAT framework. A variety of Machine Learning techniques were also investigated when designing the BehaveNet. The BehaveNet takes advantage of the complementarity of Convolutional Neural Networks, Long Short-Term Memory networks and Deep Neural Networks. The design of a Human Behaviour Monitoring System (HBMS), by utilising the ARSAT framework for recognising three attention-seeking activities of humans, is also presented in this research study. Reading printed text, as well as speaking out loudly and watching a programme on TV were proposed as activities that a person unintentionally may shift his/her attention from reading into distractions. Between sensory devices recommended by the ARSAT framework, the Muse headband which is an Electroencephalography (EEG) and head motion-sensing wearable device, was selected to track the forehead EEG and a person’s head movements. The EEG and 3-axes accelerometer data were recorded from eight participants when they read printed text, as well as the time they performed two other activities. An imbalanced dataset consisting over 1.2 million rows of noisy data was created and used to build a model of the activities (60% training and 20% validating data) and evaluating the model (20% of the data). The efficiency of the framework is demonstrated by comparing the performance of the models built by utilising the BehaveNet, with the models built by utilising a number of competing Deep Learning models for raw EEG and accelerometer data, that have attained state-of-the-art performance. The classification results are evaluated by some metrics including the classification accuracy, F1 score, confusion matrix, Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, and Area under Curve (AUC) score. By considering the results, the BehaveNet contributed to the body of knowledge as an approach for measuring human behaviour by using sensory devices. In comparison with the performance of the other models, the models built by utilising the BehaveNet, attained better performance when classifying data of two EEG channels (Accuracy = 95%; AUC=0.99; F1 = 0.95), data of a single EEG channel (Accuracy = 85%; AUC=0.96; F1 = 0.83), accelerometer data (Accuracy = 81%; AUC = 0.9; F1 = 0.76) and all of the data in the dataset (Accuracy = 97%; AUC = 0.99; F1 = 0.96). The dataset and the source code of this project are also published on the Internet to help the science community. The Muse headband is also shown to be an economical and standard wearable device that can be successfully used in behavioural research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Salehzadeh, Seyed Amirsaleh , Greyling, Jean
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Computational intelligence , Machine learning Artificial intelligence Neural networks (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43578 , vital:36921
- Description: The brain is the most complex object in the known universe that gives a sense of being to humans and characterises human behaviour. Building models of brain functions is perhaps the most fascinating scientific challenge in the 21st century. Reading is a significant cognitive process in the human brain that plays a critical role in the vital process of learning and in performing some daily activities. The study of human behaviour during reading has been an area of interest for researchers in different fields of science. This thesis is based upon providing a novel framework, called ARSAT (Assisting Researchers in the Selection of Appropriate Technologies), that measures the behaviour of humans when reading text. The ARSAT framework aims at assisting researchers in the selection and application of appropriate technologies to measure the behaviour of a person who is reading text. The ARSAT framework will assist to researchers who investigate the reading process and find it difficult to select appropriate theories, metrics, data collection methods and data analytics techniques. The ARSAT framework enhances the ability of its users to select appropriate metrics indicating the effective factors on the characterisation of different aspects of human behaviour during the reading process. As will be shown in this research study, human behaviour is characterised by a complicated interplay of action, cognition and emotion. The ARSAT framework also facilitates selecting appropriate sensory technologies that can be used to monitor and collect data for the metrics. Moreover, this research study will introduce BehaveNet, a novel Deep Learning modelling approach, which can be used for training Deep Learning models of human behaviour from the sensory data collected. In this thesis, a comprehensive literature study is presented that was conducted to acquire adequate knowledge for designing the ARSAT framework. In order to identify the contributing factors that affect the reading process, an overview of some existing theories of the reading process is provided. Furthermore, a number of sensory technologies and techniques that can be applied to monitoring the changes in the metrics indicating the factors are also demonstrated. Only, the technologies that are commercially available on the market are recommended by the ARSAT framework. A variety of Machine Learning techniques were also investigated when designing the BehaveNet. The BehaveNet takes advantage of the complementarity of Convolutional Neural Networks, Long Short-Term Memory networks and Deep Neural Networks. The design of a Human Behaviour Monitoring System (HBMS), by utilising the ARSAT framework for recognising three attention-seeking activities of humans, is also presented in this research study. Reading printed text, as well as speaking out loudly and watching a programme on TV were proposed as activities that a person unintentionally may shift his/her attention from reading into distractions. Between sensory devices recommended by the ARSAT framework, the Muse headband which is an Electroencephalography (EEG) and head motion-sensing wearable device, was selected to track the forehead EEG and a person’s head movements. The EEG and 3-axes accelerometer data were recorded from eight participants when they read printed text, as well as the time they performed two other activities. An imbalanced dataset consisting over 1.2 million rows of noisy data was created and used to build a model of the activities (60% training and 20% validating data) and evaluating the model (20% of the data). The efficiency of the framework is demonstrated by comparing the performance of the models built by utilising the BehaveNet, with the models built by utilising a number of competing Deep Learning models for raw EEG and accelerometer data, that have attained state-of-the-art performance. The classification results are evaluated by some metrics including the classification accuracy, F1 score, confusion matrix, Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, and Area under Curve (AUC) score. By considering the results, the BehaveNet contributed to the body of knowledge as an approach for measuring human behaviour by using sensory devices. In comparison with the performance of the other models, the models built by utilising the BehaveNet, attained better performance when classifying data of two EEG channels (Accuracy = 95%; AUC=0.99; F1 = 0.95), data of a single EEG channel (Accuracy = 85%; AUC=0.96; F1 = 0.83), accelerometer data (Accuracy = 81%; AUC = 0.9; F1 = 0.76) and all of the data in the dataset (Accuracy = 97%; AUC = 0.99; F1 = 0.96). The dataset and the source code of this project are also published on the Internet to help the science community. The Muse headband is also shown to be an economical and standard wearable device that can be successfully used in behavioural research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019