Main thesis title 2021: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Mashinini, Peter Madindwa
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53340 , vital:45138
- Description: Ti6Al4V alloy usage is increasing due to high demand from the aerospace and automotive industries as well as the field of medical implants. Therefore, identifying the most effective joining technique is critically important to ensure that optimum life can be achieved by welded components. This is especially important for the aerospace industry where fatigue life of the welded joints is vital. This research identified two relatively new joining technologies for Titanium sheet, namely, Friction Stir Welding (FSW),a solid-state process, and Laser Beam Welding (LBW),a fusion joining process. It was therefore vitalto conduct a systematic study of these two processes and compare results to illustrate which process attributes to static and dynamic properties. This investigation was accomplished by varying the process heat input for both FSW and LBW. The main parameters used to control process heat input were rotational-and traverse speed for FSW and laser power and traverse speed for LBW. In FSW, a reaction torque was used to describe the process energy in order to achieve the plasticised material condition. Preliminary work was done to establish the influencing factors for a successful weld which included tool optimisation but process optimisation was not discussed in elaborative detail. In LBW, traverse speed was identified as the critical control parameter to ensure good weld penetration. Weld width was recorded as it showed strong correlation to heat input rates. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
- Authors: Mashinini, Peter Madindwa
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53340 , vital:45138
- Description: Ti6Al4V alloy usage is increasing due to high demand from the aerospace and automotive industries as well as the field of medical implants. Therefore, identifying the most effective joining technique is critically important to ensure that optimum life can be achieved by welded components. This is especially important for the aerospace industry where fatigue life of the welded joints is vital. This research identified two relatively new joining technologies for Titanium sheet, namely, Friction Stir Welding (FSW),a solid-state process, and Laser Beam Welding (LBW),a fusion joining process. It was therefore vitalto conduct a systematic study of these two processes and compare results to illustrate which process attributes to static and dynamic properties. This investigation was accomplished by varying the process heat input for both FSW and LBW. The main parameters used to control process heat input were rotational-and traverse speed for FSW and laser power and traverse speed for LBW. In FSW, a reaction torque was used to describe the process energy in order to achieve the plasticised material condition. Preliminary work was done to establish the influencing factors for a successful weld which included tool optimisation but process optimisation was not discussed in elaborative detail. In LBW, traverse speed was identified as the critical control parameter to ensure good weld penetration. Weld width was recorded as it showed strong correlation to heat input rates. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
The perceptions of employees and employer on the ever increasing use of technology: the case of the acoustex in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Matamela, Wanga
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54783 , vital:47664
- Description: It is evident that many companies and organization are currently using high powered technology to be at par with the trends throughout the globe. This research focuses on the perception of workers and management on the Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. The research objectives of this study is firstly, to investigate the perceptions of workers and management at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. Secondly, to contribute within economic and industrial anthropology with reference to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and raise awareness. Thirdly, to propose recommendations that can be used by industries and the government to save jobs. The research methodology employed in this study include among others, individual interviews using an interview guide containing questions that is relevant to the study. To supplement the above, secondary sources ranging from relevant scholarly journals and books were consulted. Ethical compliance was adhered to by the researcher in terms of applying for permission to conduct interviews and it was granted. The concept unemployment was used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in particular and workplace in general. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Matamela, Wanga
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54783 , vital:47664
- Description: It is evident that many companies and organization are currently using high powered technology to be at par with the trends throughout the globe. This research focuses on the perception of workers and management on the Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. The research objectives of this study is firstly, to investigate the perceptions of workers and management at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. Secondly, to contribute within economic and industrial anthropology with reference to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and raise awareness. Thirdly, to propose recommendations that can be used by industries and the government to save jobs. The research methodology employed in this study include among others, individual interviews using an interview guide containing questions that is relevant to the study. To supplement the above, secondary sources ranging from relevant scholarly journals and books were consulted. Ethical compliance was adhered to by the researcher in terms of applying for permission to conduct interviews and it was granted. The concept unemployment was used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in particular and workplace in general. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Optimizing herbicide-use for the killing of eucalypt stumps
- Authors: Mavhungu, Tshilidzi
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53857 , vital:46023
- Description: The South Africa (SA) forest industry relies on plantations of exotic forestry trees (Pinus, Acacia and Eucalyptus) to fulfil its timber requirements. With 52.0% of the afforested land in South Africa planted to various eucalypts and their hybrid combinations. Of the total area planted to eucalypts in SA, 75 000 ha is re-established annually by means of silvicultural regimes and operations matched to site productivity, desired end-product and method of regeneration. Unlike other commercially grown tree species, eucalypt species have the ability to coppice after felling. Coppicing is a common form of regeneration in South African forestry as it allows the plantation owner the option of a second timber rotation without replanting. However, if any factors affecting coppicing are compromised, and the site is to be replanted, then it is important to kill the stumps before replanting as rapid initial growth of the coppice shoots will require earlier control than that associated with normal weeding operations. Over time, various methods of woody plant control have been proposed and tested, with most of these making use of herbicides as opposed to the repeated manual removal of coppice regrowth. Globally, most industries subscribe to standards associated with sustainable production (economic, environmental and social) against which they are measured. Within SA, 80% of the forests are certified though either the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or International Standards Organisation (ISO) which recommend the identification and avoidance of ‘highly hazardous’ chemicals; the promotion of ‘non-chemical’ methods for pest management as an element of an integrated pest and vegetation management strategy; and the appropriate use of chemicals that are used. To test the current recommendations for killing eucalypt stumps to include other species, the potential of reducing herbicides used, and the influence of time after application on the survival of eucalypt stumps, two trials were initiated at Entabeni plantation (Venda, Limpopo) and one at Wilgeboom plantation (Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga) between 2018 and 2020. Extending eucalypt cut-stump control practices: Most of the trial work on killing of eucalypts in SA has been conducted on Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis or Eucalyptus macarthurii, with all grown on shorter pulpwood rotations. To extend current recommendation to include Eucalyptus cloeziana (grown on a longer rotation for poles), a trial was established in 2018 at Entabeni plantation (Limpopo Province) to quantify the interaction between Application method (basal-frill; cut-surface; foliar) and Herbicide (no herbicide applied; Roundup; Garlon; Roundup + Garlon) for the killing of 12 year-old stumps following harvesting. Assessments were carried out at 1, 3 and 6 months following application and included Stump survival, Stump quarter with coppice and Coppice heath. Relative to the control plots (100% survival), all herbicides tested were equally effective, 70–90% of the stumps killed. This study confirms previous research regarding the killing of eucalypt stumps. Roundup, Garlon or a combination of two, when applied according to label recommendations to a stump as a basal-frill or cut-surface application (within 30 minutes of felling) resulted in 70-90% of the stumps killed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mavhungu, Tshilidzi
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53857 , vital:46023
- Description: The South Africa (SA) forest industry relies on plantations of exotic forestry trees (Pinus, Acacia and Eucalyptus) to fulfil its timber requirements. With 52.0% of the afforested land in South Africa planted to various eucalypts and their hybrid combinations. Of the total area planted to eucalypts in SA, 75 000 ha is re-established annually by means of silvicultural regimes and operations matched to site productivity, desired end-product and method of regeneration. Unlike other commercially grown tree species, eucalypt species have the ability to coppice after felling. Coppicing is a common form of regeneration in South African forestry as it allows the plantation owner the option of a second timber rotation without replanting. However, if any factors affecting coppicing are compromised, and the site is to be replanted, then it is important to kill the stumps before replanting as rapid initial growth of the coppice shoots will require earlier control than that associated with normal weeding operations. Over time, various methods of woody plant control have been proposed and tested, with most of these making use of herbicides as opposed to the repeated manual removal of coppice regrowth. Globally, most industries subscribe to standards associated with sustainable production (economic, environmental and social) against which they are measured. Within SA, 80% of the forests are certified though either the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or International Standards Organisation (ISO) which recommend the identification and avoidance of ‘highly hazardous’ chemicals; the promotion of ‘non-chemical’ methods for pest management as an element of an integrated pest and vegetation management strategy; and the appropriate use of chemicals that are used. To test the current recommendations for killing eucalypt stumps to include other species, the potential of reducing herbicides used, and the influence of time after application on the survival of eucalypt stumps, two trials were initiated at Entabeni plantation (Venda, Limpopo) and one at Wilgeboom plantation (Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga) between 2018 and 2020. Extending eucalypt cut-stump control practices: Most of the trial work on killing of eucalypts in SA has been conducted on Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis or Eucalyptus macarthurii, with all grown on shorter pulpwood rotations. To extend current recommendation to include Eucalyptus cloeziana (grown on a longer rotation for poles), a trial was established in 2018 at Entabeni plantation (Limpopo Province) to quantify the interaction between Application method (basal-frill; cut-surface; foliar) and Herbicide (no herbicide applied; Roundup; Garlon; Roundup + Garlon) for the killing of 12 year-old stumps following harvesting. Assessments were carried out at 1, 3 and 6 months following application and included Stump survival, Stump quarter with coppice and Coppice heath. Relative to the control plots (100% survival), all herbicides tested were equally effective, 70–90% of the stumps killed. This study confirms previous research regarding the killing of eucalypt stumps. Roundup, Garlon or a combination of two, when applied according to label recommendations to a stump as a basal-frill or cut-surface application (within 30 minutes of felling) resulted in 70-90% of the stumps killed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
A spatial assessment of riparian vegetation density and implications for streambank erosion in relation to land tenure in the Mgwalana Catchment, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Maxama, Asakhile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53864 , vital:46026
- Description: Riparian vegetation provides an array of various ecosystem functions and has significantly shaped the conditions of catchments. It has strong controls on fluvial geomorphology and erosion processes. The Mgwalana catchment has been intensively studied over the years and the current environmental condition of the study has been linked to land use history. The catchment has been subjected to land use/cover changes (LUCC) over the years. However, spatial variations in riparian vegetation, their implications for stream bank stability and the contribution of land tenure systems to stream channel degradation are poorly understood. The study sought to assess the implications of the spatial variations in riparian vegetation density for stream bank erosion in relation to land tenure on a catchment scale. Land tenure units comprising the catchment of study are traditional and betterment villages (communal lands), and former white commercial farms. A three-pronged approach using GIS and remote sensing, field investigations and laboratory procedures for soil analysis was employed in this study. Variations of riparian vegetation density in the catchment were mapped using ArcGIS for the two land tenure units to assess the spatial variations of riparian density along stream reaches and to determine the spatial relationship between land tenure units and riparian vegetation diminution. Other mapped shape files include sediment accumulation zones to analyse the spatial relationship between riparian vegetation density and sediment sinks. LUCC classification and analysis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were carried out in IDRISI Selva, using Landsat 8 TM imagery of 2018 to represent the current spatial riparian vegetation variations in the catchment. Field investigations were conducted to determine the coupling among hillslope gully erosion, riparian vegetation density and sink areas; and to assess physical characteristics of soil. This would permit an assessment of the implications of riparian vegetation for stream bank erosion and sediment accumulation within the tenure units. Soil samples were taken from scantily and densely vegetated stream reaches, as well as measurements of channel widths and depths. Analyses of soil physical properties viz; grain size distribution, bulk density, soil texture and aggregate stability were done. Results demonstrated that a sparse riparian vegetation distribution was consistent with the communal villages, confined to the upper catchment area. Dense riparian vegetation distribution was consistent with former commercial farms in the lower catchment area. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Maxama, Asakhile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53864 , vital:46026
- Description: Riparian vegetation provides an array of various ecosystem functions and has significantly shaped the conditions of catchments. It has strong controls on fluvial geomorphology and erosion processes. The Mgwalana catchment has been intensively studied over the years and the current environmental condition of the study has been linked to land use history. The catchment has been subjected to land use/cover changes (LUCC) over the years. However, spatial variations in riparian vegetation, their implications for stream bank stability and the contribution of land tenure systems to stream channel degradation are poorly understood. The study sought to assess the implications of the spatial variations in riparian vegetation density for stream bank erosion in relation to land tenure on a catchment scale. Land tenure units comprising the catchment of study are traditional and betterment villages (communal lands), and former white commercial farms. A three-pronged approach using GIS and remote sensing, field investigations and laboratory procedures for soil analysis was employed in this study. Variations of riparian vegetation density in the catchment were mapped using ArcGIS for the two land tenure units to assess the spatial variations of riparian density along stream reaches and to determine the spatial relationship between land tenure units and riparian vegetation diminution. Other mapped shape files include sediment accumulation zones to analyse the spatial relationship between riparian vegetation density and sediment sinks. LUCC classification and analysis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were carried out in IDRISI Selva, using Landsat 8 TM imagery of 2018 to represent the current spatial riparian vegetation variations in the catchment. Field investigations were conducted to determine the coupling among hillslope gully erosion, riparian vegetation density and sink areas; and to assess physical characteristics of soil. This would permit an assessment of the implications of riparian vegetation for stream bank erosion and sediment accumulation within the tenure units. Soil samples were taken from scantily and densely vegetated stream reaches, as well as measurements of channel widths and depths. Analyses of soil physical properties viz; grain size distribution, bulk density, soil texture and aggregate stability were done. Results demonstrated that a sparse riparian vegetation distribution was consistent with the communal villages, confined to the upper catchment area. Dense riparian vegetation distribution was consistent with former commercial farms in the lower catchment area. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
An investigation of the challenges experienced in South Sudan (2004-2011): a military component perspective
- Authors: Mbaakanyi, Christopher
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54794 , vital:47692
- Description: This study deals with the conceptual analysis of the challenges experienced by military peacekeepers in the United Nations (UN) operations. The research focused on the problems that military personnel encountered during the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) between 2005 and 2011. Many findings summarised from the respondents and through documents reviewed elucidated various challenges peacekeepers in UN missions experience. This study’s specific objectives were to assess the necessary preparations that made military peacekeepers operationally ready for the UNMIS Peace Support Operations (PSO); to determine whether there was any pre-deployment training conducted for military peacekeepers during the UNMIS; to investigate whether there were command and control issues in the mission; and finally, to examine whether military peacekeepers were acquainted with the fundamental UN principles and core values. The study used the purposive sampling technique to identify relevant subjects best suited to provide informed feedback through interviews and a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were from Botswana and Malawi, with additional valuable subjects from the different countries who participated in the UNMIS as staff officers, formed units, and observers. The level of operational readiness of individual military personnel was found inconsistent among participants from different countries due to the varying level of attention given to pre-deployment training and planning. Some individuals did not know about the UN core values, principles and critical resolution documents such as the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA), Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that were critical towards operationalising the UNMIS mandate to achieve the operational objectives. The concepts of command and control and reporting procedure continue to cause severe rifts between uniformed personnel and their civilian counterparts. Some of the areas that require further study include the challenges in command and control, vagueness in the rules of engagement, lack of clarity of the chain of leadership in the field area, lack of interoperability of equipment, the necessary operational readiness training, and the development of joint doctrine. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mbaakanyi, Christopher
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54794 , vital:47692
- Description: This study deals with the conceptual analysis of the challenges experienced by military peacekeepers in the United Nations (UN) operations. The research focused on the problems that military personnel encountered during the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) between 2005 and 2011. Many findings summarised from the respondents and through documents reviewed elucidated various challenges peacekeepers in UN missions experience. This study’s specific objectives were to assess the necessary preparations that made military peacekeepers operationally ready for the UNMIS Peace Support Operations (PSO); to determine whether there was any pre-deployment training conducted for military peacekeepers during the UNMIS; to investigate whether there were command and control issues in the mission; and finally, to examine whether military peacekeepers were acquainted with the fundamental UN principles and core values. The study used the purposive sampling technique to identify relevant subjects best suited to provide informed feedback through interviews and a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were from Botswana and Malawi, with additional valuable subjects from the different countries who participated in the UNMIS as staff officers, formed units, and observers. The level of operational readiness of individual military personnel was found inconsistent among participants from different countries due to the varying level of attention given to pre-deployment training and planning. Some individuals did not know about the UN core values, principles and critical resolution documents such as the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA), Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that were critical towards operationalising the UNMIS mandate to achieve the operational objectives. The concepts of command and control and reporting procedure continue to cause severe rifts between uniformed personnel and their civilian counterparts. Some of the areas that require further study include the challenges in command and control, vagueness in the rules of engagement, lack of clarity of the chain of leadership in the field area, lack of interoperability of equipment, the necessary operational readiness training, and the development of joint doctrine. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
An anthropological enquiry on the perceptions of adults on female sterilisation: a case of Gunguluza township
- Authors: Mbanjwa, Mpho
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54859 , vital:48085
- Description: The purpose of the study was to make an enquiry on the perceptions on female sterilisation adult participants, residing in Gunguluza Township, Uitenhage had. A qualitative research approach was used to collect the responses of 10 participants. These included eight women, one man and one traditional healer registered within the Traditional Healers Association of South Africa. The interviews had been semistructured with open-ended questions pre-set to help the researcher guide the conversation. Conversation analysis was the technique used to transform the information into research data that would attempt to answer the research question. The question this research attempted to answer was to form an understanding of how information and education resources provided by both Western and Traditional sources, including their availability and accessibility with regards to female sterilisation, as a form of contraception, have been understood, received and interpreted by adults residing in the research area of Gunguluza township. Gunguluza forms part of the area formally known as the Kwanobuhle 10 and Kwanobuhle 11 respectively. Some limitations, including limiting resources that resulted in only 10 participants being interviewed. The results had shown that participants had shown interest in acquiring more knowledge about female sterilisation and other reproductive health issues, in order to make informed decisions about their bodies, with contraceptive choice and use in particular. Most felt the need to engage with their partners about the choice of sterilisation largely due to the support they would need. With regard to traditional health as an alternative or interchangeable method of contraception, participants had very little knowledge of, with some expressing some importance and relevance in acquiring such knowledge, in a modern context. These findings came with sets of recommendations which placed an emphasis on the building of indigenous knowledge and its inclusion in formal spaces for open engagement and discussion. Traditional knowledge needed to be transferred from an oral to being documented into literature for future preservation and to eliminate any distortion. There was a gap for formal western medicine to collaborate or accommodate traditional medicine. The study made use of female sterilisation as a conceptual framework, with time and more future research could build and produce new theoretical understandings of the concept, from an Afrocentric context in particular. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mbanjwa, Mpho
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54859 , vital:48085
- Description: The purpose of the study was to make an enquiry on the perceptions on female sterilisation adult participants, residing in Gunguluza Township, Uitenhage had. A qualitative research approach was used to collect the responses of 10 participants. These included eight women, one man and one traditional healer registered within the Traditional Healers Association of South Africa. The interviews had been semistructured with open-ended questions pre-set to help the researcher guide the conversation. Conversation analysis was the technique used to transform the information into research data that would attempt to answer the research question. The question this research attempted to answer was to form an understanding of how information and education resources provided by both Western and Traditional sources, including their availability and accessibility with regards to female sterilisation, as a form of contraception, have been understood, received and interpreted by adults residing in the research area of Gunguluza township. Gunguluza forms part of the area formally known as the Kwanobuhle 10 and Kwanobuhle 11 respectively. Some limitations, including limiting resources that resulted in only 10 participants being interviewed. The results had shown that participants had shown interest in acquiring more knowledge about female sterilisation and other reproductive health issues, in order to make informed decisions about their bodies, with contraceptive choice and use in particular. Most felt the need to engage with their partners about the choice of sterilisation largely due to the support they would need. With regard to traditional health as an alternative or interchangeable method of contraception, participants had very little knowledge of, with some expressing some importance and relevance in acquiring such knowledge, in a modern context. These findings came with sets of recommendations which placed an emphasis on the building of indigenous knowledge and its inclusion in formal spaces for open engagement and discussion. Traditional knowledge needed to be transferred from an oral to being documented into literature for future preservation and to eliminate any distortion. There was a gap for formal western medicine to collaborate or accommodate traditional medicine. The study made use of female sterilisation as a conceptual framework, with time and more future research could build and produce new theoretical understandings of the concept, from an Afrocentric context in particular. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The impact of talent management on profitability at Business Connexion
- Authors: Mbulawa, Xolani
- Date: 2013-11
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53337 , vital:45139
- Description: Human resource is seen as one of the key organisational factors for business success. The latest focus in the business arena has been how talent can be optimised to improve business success. When one reflects and looks back from the 1940s to the 1980s, it is clear that HR was not seen as a business unit that could impact profitability. It is clear in the literature that from the 1900s HR has evolved to being a business partner and a catalyst to improving financial performance within organisations. This has predominately been driven by HR ensuring the attraction and retention of high potential employees who can contribute to profits. The study’s focal point is whether talent management components impact profitability. The selected talent management components for this study are namely talent strategy, talent recruitment, talent development, performance management, talent retention, and succession planning. A strong belief exist that poor implementation of talent management components impedes on companies reaching optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this study will argue the importance of talent management components as a strategic obligation in the current competitive war for talent. Business reality demands that companies should ensure having current and future talent needs addressed if they want to stay competitive. The war for talent has led to companies fighting for high potential talent, not only through remuneration packages ,but taking into account other talent management components that encompasses aspects such as work-life balance, better performance management linked to rewards and incentives , challenging work, succession planning etc. The researcher took a view to have this study done within BCX who is an employer of the researcher. The hypothesis utilised is the application of talent management components as an approach and process to facilitate profitability within BCX. Research shows that most companies are taking talent management very serious and are fully aware of its impact to productivity and profitability. Businesses in the service industry identified that implementing talent management processes and approaches is vital to competitive edge and profitability. However many companies are still struggling to reach the real understanding of what it meant by talent management. The research data indicates that most respondents are fully aware of the importance of these components. However at BCX, either they are unaware, uncertain on some of the talent components within the company and are unsure of the existence of these components and their impact to profitability. The literature reviewed in chapter two deliberates talent management components assessed in the questionnaire as imperative in contributing to profitability. Business Connexion does not implement these components to the extent of success. However some of the components are well implemented and managed such as performance management. Managers at Business Connexion to some extent have conflicting views of how the company is implementing these components and on their impact to profitability. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-11
- Authors: Mbulawa, Xolani
- Date: 2013-11
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53337 , vital:45139
- Description: Human resource is seen as one of the key organisational factors for business success. The latest focus in the business arena has been how talent can be optimised to improve business success. When one reflects and looks back from the 1940s to the 1980s, it is clear that HR was not seen as a business unit that could impact profitability. It is clear in the literature that from the 1900s HR has evolved to being a business partner and a catalyst to improving financial performance within organisations. This has predominately been driven by HR ensuring the attraction and retention of high potential employees who can contribute to profits. The study’s focal point is whether talent management components impact profitability. The selected talent management components for this study are namely talent strategy, talent recruitment, talent development, performance management, talent retention, and succession planning. A strong belief exist that poor implementation of talent management components impedes on companies reaching optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this study will argue the importance of talent management components as a strategic obligation in the current competitive war for talent. Business reality demands that companies should ensure having current and future talent needs addressed if they want to stay competitive. The war for talent has led to companies fighting for high potential talent, not only through remuneration packages ,but taking into account other talent management components that encompasses aspects such as work-life balance, better performance management linked to rewards and incentives , challenging work, succession planning etc. The researcher took a view to have this study done within BCX who is an employer of the researcher. The hypothesis utilised is the application of talent management components as an approach and process to facilitate profitability within BCX. Research shows that most companies are taking talent management very serious and are fully aware of its impact to productivity and profitability. Businesses in the service industry identified that implementing talent management processes and approaches is vital to competitive edge and profitability. However many companies are still struggling to reach the real understanding of what it meant by talent management. The research data indicates that most respondents are fully aware of the importance of these components. However at BCX, either they are unaware, uncertain on some of the talent components within the company and are unsure of the existence of these components and their impact to profitability. The literature reviewed in chapter two deliberates talent management components assessed in the questionnaire as imperative in contributing to profitability. Business Connexion does not implement these components to the extent of success. However some of the components are well implemented and managed such as performance management. Managers at Business Connexion to some extent have conflicting views of how the company is implementing these components and on their impact to profitability. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-11
Assessing service delivery protests in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: the case of Walmer Township
- Authors: Mdanyana, Esethu
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54492 , vital:46609
- Description: In many South Africa’s areas, citizen’s frustration with poor or slow service delivery has resulted in a surge of service delivery protests. Some of these service delivery protests are violent in nature, resulting in the damage of public and private property. Therefore, it is imperative to scrutinize service delivery protests. The South African constitution states that municipalities have the responsibility to make sure that all citizens are provided with services to satisfy their basic needs. These services include water supply, sewage collection and disposal electricity, gas supply health services, roads, storm water drainage, street lighting, municipal parks and recreation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mdanyana, Esethu
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54492 , vital:46609
- Description: In many South Africa’s areas, citizen’s frustration with poor or slow service delivery has resulted in a surge of service delivery protests. Some of these service delivery protests are violent in nature, resulting in the damage of public and private property. Therefore, it is imperative to scrutinize service delivery protests. The South African constitution states that municipalities have the responsibility to make sure that all citizens are provided with services to satisfy their basic needs. These services include water supply, sewage collection and disposal electricity, gas supply health services, roads, storm water drainage, street lighting, municipal parks and recreation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
An investigation into the causes of high demand for leave at B. J. Vorster Hospital
- Authors: Mene, Xolani Stephen
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53312 , vital:45140
- Description: Due to the high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital; staff members, especially the nursing staff, tend to be on leave for long periods and sometimes be absent without leave. In some instances they request extensions to their leaves when they are already on leave. They do not report back for duties at the end of the leave period instead they provide reasons which warrant that the leave be extended. Subsequently, nurses who are on duty have to continue working because there is no-one to relieve the mand work needs to be done. A threatening situation which could lead to patients being left unattended tends to emerge under these circumstances. Hence in some instances nurses are called from other clinics to assist. Some employees absent themselves without leave and management does not appear to be taking action against such conduct. This leads to poor quality of health care in nursing which is a matter of concern to the community, to management and to the policy-makers. A qualitative research method was used in this study, in order to investigate the cause for high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital. Data collection was undertaken through interviews. The study found that the high demand for leave is attributed to fatigue resulting from huge workloads, claims of entitlement to leave, need to extend weekends due to family responsibilities. The study recommends that the management of leave and the current amount of leave days allocated to staff be reconsidered taking into account the relevant legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the prevailing conditions in the hospital. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2015.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
- Authors: Mene, Xolani Stephen
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53312 , vital:45140
- Description: Due to the high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital; staff members, especially the nursing staff, tend to be on leave for long periods and sometimes be absent without leave. In some instances they request extensions to their leaves when they are already on leave. They do not report back for duties at the end of the leave period instead they provide reasons which warrant that the leave be extended. Subsequently, nurses who are on duty have to continue working because there is no-one to relieve the mand work needs to be done. A threatening situation which could lead to patients being left unattended tends to emerge under these circumstances. Hence in some instances nurses are called from other clinics to assist. Some employees absent themselves without leave and management does not appear to be taking action against such conduct. This leads to poor quality of health care in nursing which is a matter of concern to the community, to management and to the policy-makers. A qualitative research method was used in this study, in order to investigate the cause for high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital. Data collection was undertaken through interviews. The study found that the high demand for leave is attributed to fatigue resulting from huge workloads, claims of entitlement to leave, need to extend weekends due to family responsibilities. The study recommends that the management of leave and the current amount of leave days allocated to staff be reconsidered taking into account the relevant legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the prevailing conditions in the hospital. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2015.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
Conflict management and transformation within the Evangelical Bible Church of Kwazulu-Natal
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Potential suppressive effects of alien Acacia melanoxylon on Afrotemperate Forest tree recruitment
- Miles, Bayleigh, Baard, Johan
- Authors: Miles, Bayleigh , Baard, Johan
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55391 , vital:51989
- Description: Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. is a prominent alien and invasive species in many parts of the world and evidence exists of its adverse effects on indigenous forest community composition through allelopathy and alteration of light regimes. The species also occurs extensively in Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest (South Africa) and is thought to suppress indigenous Afrotemperate Forest tree seedlings through various mechanisms such as the alteration of natural light regimes or allelopathy, although this has not been rigorously verified. This study aimed to investigate whether Acacia melanoxylon has a suppressive effect on Afrotemperate Forest tree recruitment. Firstly, we assessed the potential allelopathic effect of Acacia melanoxylon and an indigenous Afrotemperate Forest species Olea capensis macrocarpa (C.H.Wright) I.Verd. on the germination of Acacia melanoxylon and three prominent indigenous tree species’ seedlings in a nursery trial. Germination of the indigenous species failed; however, we were able to compare the germination of Acacia melanoxylon among the three treatments, namely Acacia melanoxylon leachate, Olea capensis leachate, and no leachate. The average germination of Acacia melanoxylon was 67% and germination was marginally higher under Acacia melanoxylon leachate and Olea capensis leachate, respectively, than under the control. This suggested that germination of the species is improved, or at the least, unaffected, by leachates of itself or that of a common indigenous canopy species. We then critically evaluated the germination requirements of the indigenous test species to determine probable reasons why their germination failed in our trial. The most plausible explanation for the germination failure could be that the trial period did not encompass an entire winter season and may not have provided adequate cold stratification. We concluded that the lack of sensitivity of Acacia melanoxylon to leachates of itself or a common indigenous overstorey species likely contribute to its success as an invasive species in Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest. Secondly, we investigated, through field surveys, whether Acacia melanoxylon affects indigenous Afrotemperate Forest tree sapling composition and light regimes underneath its canopy. Using a paired plot design, we compared light intensity, tree sapling species richness, diversity, and density underneath 30 overstorey Acacia melanoxylon trees and 30 indigenous counterparts. We recorded 2506 indigenous tree saplings from 29 species in the 60 plots and found that there were no significant differences in richness, diversity, or v density of saplings underneath Acacia melanoxylon compared to that under indigenous counterparts. Light intensity did not differ significantly underneath Acacia melanoxylon and indigenous canopies, however light intensity varied significantly more underneath the canopies of Acacia melanoxylon. Canonical correspondence analysis of the abundance of sapling species confirmed that sapling composition was not largely determined by the overstorey species. We concluded that Acacia melanoxylon does not significantly alter indigenous tree species composition underneath its canopy at the typical densities (<3 trees per hectare) at which it occurred in the forests of the Garden Route National Park that we surveyed. Nevertheless, populations of Acacia melanoxylon in the forest interior still act as a source of propagules for invasion in forest margins, riparian areas, and neighbouring fynbos shrubland. These invasive attributes need to be considered in the management of the species in the region at large. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Miles, Bayleigh , Baard, Johan
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55391 , vital:51989
- Description: Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. is a prominent alien and invasive species in many parts of the world and evidence exists of its adverse effects on indigenous forest community composition through allelopathy and alteration of light regimes. The species also occurs extensively in Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest (South Africa) and is thought to suppress indigenous Afrotemperate Forest tree seedlings through various mechanisms such as the alteration of natural light regimes or allelopathy, although this has not been rigorously verified. This study aimed to investigate whether Acacia melanoxylon has a suppressive effect on Afrotemperate Forest tree recruitment. Firstly, we assessed the potential allelopathic effect of Acacia melanoxylon and an indigenous Afrotemperate Forest species Olea capensis macrocarpa (C.H.Wright) I.Verd. on the germination of Acacia melanoxylon and three prominent indigenous tree species’ seedlings in a nursery trial. Germination of the indigenous species failed; however, we were able to compare the germination of Acacia melanoxylon among the three treatments, namely Acacia melanoxylon leachate, Olea capensis leachate, and no leachate. The average germination of Acacia melanoxylon was 67% and germination was marginally higher under Acacia melanoxylon leachate and Olea capensis leachate, respectively, than under the control. This suggested that germination of the species is improved, or at the least, unaffected, by leachates of itself or that of a common indigenous canopy species. We then critically evaluated the germination requirements of the indigenous test species to determine probable reasons why their germination failed in our trial. The most plausible explanation for the germination failure could be that the trial period did not encompass an entire winter season and may not have provided adequate cold stratification. We concluded that the lack of sensitivity of Acacia melanoxylon to leachates of itself or a common indigenous overstorey species likely contribute to its success as an invasive species in Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest. Secondly, we investigated, through field surveys, whether Acacia melanoxylon affects indigenous Afrotemperate Forest tree sapling composition and light regimes underneath its canopy. Using a paired plot design, we compared light intensity, tree sapling species richness, diversity, and density underneath 30 overstorey Acacia melanoxylon trees and 30 indigenous counterparts. We recorded 2506 indigenous tree saplings from 29 species in the 60 plots and found that there were no significant differences in richness, diversity, or v density of saplings underneath Acacia melanoxylon compared to that under indigenous counterparts. Light intensity did not differ significantly underneath Acacia melanoxylon and indigenous canopies, however light intensity varied significantly more underneath the canopies of Acacia melanoxylon. Canonical correspondence analysis of the abundance of sapling species confirmed that sapling composition was not largely determined by the overstorey species. We concluded that Acacia melanoxylon does not significantly alter indigenous tree species composition underneath its canopy at the typical densities (<3 trees per hectare) at which it occurred in the forests of the Garden Route National Park that we surveyed. Nevertheless, populations of Acacia melanoxylon in the forest interior still act as a source of propagules for invasion in forest margins, riparian areas, and neighbouring fynbos shrubland. These invasive attributes need to be considered in the management of the species in the region at large. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Spatial and temporal analysis of the critical zone in the Western rift valley corridor: towards earth stewardship science in East Africa
- Authors: Miller, Warren David
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59771 , vital:62423
- Description: Over the coming decades, Africa is expected to experience disturbing effects due to climate change and increased land cover change due to human influences presenting a significant concern for the future well-being of human and biological systems, the latter being the foundation of ecosystem services supplied to humanity. Therefore, unprecedented transdisciplinary cooperation, coordination, and integration amongst researchers, government, and civil society are necessary to increase the resiliency of these systems. This study aims to provide an outline of the Africa Alive Corridors (AAC) as an essential model for the encouragement of sustainable development through Earth Stewardship science. These aims are accompanied by the quantification and forward modelling for land cover change of the Critical Zone over 10 Great Lake Basins across one of the AAC, the Western Rift Valley Corridor (WRVC), in East Africa between the years 2018 and 2060. This approach provides the foundation for implementing improved regional governance, better encouragement of sustainable development beyond the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and education programs, such as the AAC, that promote socio-ecological resilience through Earth Stewardship Science. The AAC archives a portion of East Africa as the WRVC, a corridor along the western branch of the East African Rift System that highlights twenty heritage nodes, primarily great lakes, mountain ranges, national parks, and biological hotspots. These heritage entities are associated with ca. 12-million-years of evolution and transformation of the East African topography and related African Great Lake (AGL) systems. The thesis defines the study area by delineating AGL basins intersected by the WRVC. Across these basins, land cover change analysis provides a platform for an integrated assessment of the projected health of the corridor region. Existing land cover datasets provide the initial conditions of the study area for 2008 and 2013. Land cover between 2008 and 2013 is cross-tabulated using the Land Cover Module in the Terrset software, followed by the iii delineation of sub-models and driver variable identification. The Multi-Layer Perceptron algorithm provides the transition potentials between tree cover, urban area, cropland, wetland, and open area classes. Change quantification and prediction using Markov Chain analysis are then established for 2018, 2030, and 2060. The model successfully simulated future land cover change and concluded that: (1) proximity to existing human activity, proximity to existing tree cover, and population are the primary drivers of change; (2) the dominant land cover of the ten lake basins for 2018 was cropland at ca. 48%, followed by tree cover at ca. 33%; (3) total anthropogenic change over the coming four decades equates to over ca. 52 000 km2 (5 200 000 ha), and particularly (4) an urban area is expected to increase by >130%. This assessment ultimately provides a platform for regional governance development at the basin scale and Earth Stewardship science in East Africa. These changes require transdisciplinary action from researchers to civil society. The AAC provides the foundation for understanding the dynamics of the systems that support life across broader spatial and temporal resolutions in Africa, highlighting the need for future generations to build socio-ecological resilience to anticipate challenges such as biodiversity loss posed by climate change and excessive land cover change. , Thesis (DSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Miller, Warren David
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59771 , vital:62423
- Description: Over the coming decades, Africa is expected to experience disturbing effects due to climate change and increased land cover change due to human influences presenting a significant concern for the future well-being of human and biological systems, the latter being the foundation of ecosystem services supplied to humanity. Therefore, unprecedented transdisciplinary cooperation, coordination, and integration amongst researchers, government, and civil society are necessary to increase the resiliency of these systems. This study aims to provide an outline of the Africa Alive Corridors (AAC) as an essential model for the encouragement of sustainable development through Earth Stewardship science. These aims are accompanied by the quantification and forward modelling for land cover change of the Critical Zone over 10 Great Lake Basins across one of the AAC, the Western Rift Valley Corridor (WRVC), in East Africa between the years 2018 and 2060. This approach provides the foundation for implementing improved regional governance, better encouragement of sustainable development beyond the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and education programs, such as the AAC, that promote socio-ecological resilience through Earth Stewardship Science. The AAC archives a portion of East Africa as the WRVC, a corridor along the western branch of the East African Rift System that highlights twenty heritage nodes, primarily great lakes, mountain ranges, national parks, and biological hotspots. These heritage entities are associated with ca. 12-million-years of evolution and transformation of the East African topography and related African Great Lake (AGL) systems. The thesis defines the study area by delineating AGL basins intersected by the WRVC. Across these basins, land cover change analysis provides a platform for an integrated assessment of the projected health of the corridor region. Existing land cover datasets provide the initial conditions of the study area for 2008 and 2013. Land cover between 2008 and 2013 is cross-tabulated using the Land Cover Module in the Terrset software, followed by the iii delineation of sub-models and driver variable identification. The Multi-Layer Perceptron algorithm provides the transition potentials between tree cover, urban area, cropland, wetland, and open area classes. Change quantification and prediction using Markov Chain analysis are then established for 2018, 2030, and 2060. The model successfully simulated future land cover change and concluded that: (1) proximity to existing human activity, proximity to existing tree cover, and population are the primary drivers of change; (2) the dominant land cover of the ten lake basins for 2018 was cropland at ca. 48%, followed by tree cover at ca. 33%; (3) total anthropogenic change over the coming four decades equates to over ca. 52 000 km2 (5 200 000 ha), and particularly (4) an urban area is expected to increase by >130%. This assessment ultimately provides a platform for regional governance development at the basin scale and Earth Stewardship science in East Africa. These changes require transdisciplinary action from researchers to civil society. The AAC provides the foundation for understanding the dynamics of the systems that support life across broader spatial and temporal resolutions in Africa, highlighting the need for future generations to build socio-ecological resilience to anticipate challenges such as biodiversity loss posed by climate change and excessive land cover change. , Thesis (DSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Igalelo lokutshintsha-tshintsha ulwimi xa kufundiswa isiXhosa kwigumbi lokufundela kwibanga le-12
- Authors: Mini, Nolwandle
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54506 , vital:46619
- Description: Olu phando luza kugxila kwigalelo lokutshintsha kolwimi xa kufundiswa isiXhosa kwizikolo ezifundisa isiXhosa kulwimi olongezelweyo. Lo msebenzi wolu phando usekeleze kwigalelo lokutshintshwa tshintshwa kolwimi xa kufundiswa isiXhosa kwigumbi lokufundela. Olu phando luza Kubeka iliso elibanzi kwindlela ekuhlolwa ngalo ulwimi olongezelweleyo kunye nengxelo yeziphumo zokuphela konyaka wama – 2016 nowama- 2017. Abavavanyi kwingxelo zovavanya zovavanyo bayibeke elubala into yokungaphumeleli kwabafundi ngenxa yefuthe lokungawuvi umbuzo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mini, Nolwandle
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54506 , vital:46619
- Description: Olu phando luza kugxila kwigalelo lokutshintsha kolwimi xa kufundiswa isiXhosa kwizikolo ezifundisa isiXhosa kulwimi olongezelweyo. Lo msebenzi wolu phando usekeleze kwigalelo lokutshintshwa tshintshwa kolwimi xa kufundiswa isiXhosa kwigumbi lokufundela. Olu phando luza Kubeka iliso elibanzi kwindlela ekuhlolwa ngalo ulwimi olongezelweleyo kunye nengxelo yeziphumo zokuphela konyaka wama – 2016 nowama- 2017. Abavavanyi kwingxelo zovavanya zovavanyo bayibeke elubala into yokungaphumeleli kwabafundi ngenxa yefuthe lokungawuvi umbuzo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Investigating effectiveness of the internship programme with reference to the Department of Health, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Mjindi, Mpilo
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54881 , vital:48352
- Description: The study investigated the effectiveness of internship programme in the Department of Health in Port Elizabeth. The study utilized the human capital capita theory and scientific management approach to analyse the role of internship programme in the Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research draws from interpretive paradigm that made use of qualitative research methods to collect data. Therefore, documents were used for collecting data. These include government documents on an internship, peer-reviewed journal articles and relevant literature that inform internship programmes in a government department in South Africa. The study utilised a qualitative thematic analysis technique to analyse the data collected from documents. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Mjindi, Mpilo
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54881 , vital:48352
- Description: The study investigated the effectiveness of internship programme in the Department of Health in Port Elizabeth. The study utilized the human capital capita theory and scientific management approach to analyse the role of internship programme in the Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research draws from interpretive paradigm that made use of qualitative research methods to collect data. Therefore, documents were used for collecting data. These include government documents on an internship, peer-reviewed journal articles and relevant literature that inform internship programmes in a government department in South Africa. The study utilised a qualitative thematic analysis technique to analyse the data collected from documents. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020-12
The application of the prescription act in labour disputes
- Authors: Mncanca, Siyamthanda
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55498 , vital:52375
- Description: It is inevitable that in an employment relationship grievances and conflicts may emerge.1 This is attested to by the large volume of 193 732 disputes that were referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) during the 2018/19 financial year.2 In the event where an employee is dismissed from work and he decides to challenge the dismissal, section 191 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) grants the employee a right to refer the matter to the CCMA for conciliation or arbitration.3 The purpose of referring the disputes to the CCMA is to support an establishment of a voluntary, free of charge and expeditious mechanisms for labour disputes settlement and allow parties to resolve their disputes through a consensus based process before taking the route of a court process.4 There are time frames that are provided for the referral of disputes to the CCMA. Section 191 determines these time frames by stating that an employee must refer their alleged unfair dismissal to the CCMA within 30 days or 90 days when a dispute relates to an unfair labour practice in accordance with section 191(1)(b)(ii) of the LRA.5 The rationale behind these time frames was outlined in the Constitutional Court (CC) judgement of Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd v CCMA,6 as a means to bring about the expeditious resolution of labour disputes which by their nature, require speedy resolution. , Thesis (L.L.M.) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mncanca, Siyamthanda
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55498 , vital:52375
- Description: It is inevitable that in an employment relationship grievances and conflicts may emerge.1 This is attested to by the large volume of 193 732 disputes that were referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) during the 2018/19 financial year.2 In the event where an employee is dismissed from work and he decides to challenge the dismissal, section 191 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) grants the employee a right to refer the matter to the CCMA for conciliation or arbitration.3 The purpose of referring the disputes to the CCMA is to support an establishment of a voluntary, free of charge and expeditious mechanisms for labour disputes settlement and allow parties to resolve their disputes through a consensus based process before taking the route of a court process.4 There are time frames that are provided for the referral of disputes to the CCMA. Section 191 determines these time frames by stating that an employee must refer their alleged unfair dismissal to the CCMA within 30 days or 90 days when a dispute relates to an unfair labour practice in accordance with section 191(1)(b)(ii) of the LRA.5 The rationale behind these time frames was outlined in the Constitutional Court (CC) judgement of Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd v CCMA,6 as a means to bring about the expeditious resolution of labour disputes which by their nature, require speedy resolution. , Thesis (L.L.M.) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Constructing an intergrated service excellence model for the South African police service
- Authors: Modise, Motsamai John
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55020 , vital:48823
- Description: This study is set within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The purpose of the study is to construct an integrated service excellence model, in order to improve service quality in the South African Police Service as a whole and to continuously improve service excellence in the assistance provided in the Northern Cape in particular. Furthermore, the study was intended to identify gaps in the quality of services provided by the SAPS to the various communities in the Northern Cape. The development of a service excellence model for the assessment of the services provided by the SAPS is justified, because it is an essential means to improving the services rendered, which will be beneficial to both the SAPS and the community. Service failures negatively impact relationships and marketing efforts and thus complicate service providers’ relationship-building efforts. Therefore, service providers endeavour to restore customers’ post-recovery satisfaction through service recovery efforts to retain their customers. However, the influence that customers’ relationship intentions have on this process has not been considered. Previous research on relationship intention in South Africa focussed only on developing a valid and reliable relationship intention measurement scale. This study employed both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches to validate the research questions and authenticate the problem statement. The triangulation approach allowed the researcher to effectively engage the strengths of both research methodologies. The research findings from the empirical survey were statistically analysed using statistical procedures. The data analysis, derived from the qualitative research approach, involved thematic content analysis. The sample populations for the study comprised ward councillors, selected senior officials and community members. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to respondents. One-on–one interviews were conducted with senior managers as the qualitative component of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Modise, Motsamai John
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55020 , vital:48823
- Description: This study is set within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The purpose of the study is to construct an integrated service excellence model, in order to improve service quality in the South African Police Service as a whole and to continuously improve service excellence in the assistance provided in the Northern Cape in particular. Furthermore, the study was intended to identify gaps in the quality of services provided by the SAPS to the various communities in the Northern Cape. The development of a service excellence model for the assessment of the services provided by the SAPS is justified, because it is an essential means to improving the services rendered, which will be beneficial to both the SAPS and the community. Service failures negatively impact relationships and marketing efforts and thus complicate service providers’ relationship-building efforts. Therefore, service providers endeavour to restore customers’ post-recovery satisfaction through service recovery efforts to retain their customers. However, the influence that customers’ relationship intentions have on this process has not been considered. Previous research on relationship intention in South Africa focussed only on developing a valid and reliable relationship intention measurement scale. This study employed both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches to validate the research questions and authenticate the problem statement. The triangulation approach allowed the researcher to effectively engage the strengths of both research methodologies. The research findings from the empirical survey were statistically analysed using statistical procedures. The data analysis, derived from the qualitative research approach, involved thematic content analysis. The sample populations for the study comprised ward councillors, selected senior officials and community members. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to respondents. One-on–one interviews were conducted with senior managers as the qualitative component of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
The state and civil society in building a capable developmental state : a case of the National Department of Social Development and the Non Profit Organisations sector in South Africa
- Authors: Morkel, Candice
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55031 , vital:48824
- Description: The challenges in the relationship between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) in South Africa pose a risk to their ability to partner successfully in order to deliver government’s Constitutional obligations in meeting citizens’ developmental social welfare needs. Some contemporary theories of the state (such as pluralism and corporatism) as well as approaches to Public Administration and Management (such as co-production) support a collaborative approach between governments and civil society in order to address development challenges. Peter Evans’ (cf. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2008; 2014) expansive scholarship on embedded autonomy and building capable developmental states, suggests that a state that is sufficiently embedded in an intimate partnership with nonstate actors is more likely to achieve its development goals. However, these relations must also be autonomous and unfettered by private or sectional interests to circumvent the risk of neopatrimonialism and state capture. In view of growing critiques of economic growth as the primary marker of a developmental state, which prioritises the state’s relationship with private capital, Evans (ibid.) also argued for a more expanded definition of embedded autonomy. Building on Evan’s perspective, this study examines the relationship between the DSD and the NPO sector in South Africa to address the gap in the literature on how other forms of embedded autonomy (beyond the state-private sector nexus) may function in a developmental state. Its purpose is to make an original contribution to knowledge by examining how the achievement of South Africa’s Developmental Social Welfare (DSW) outcomes and the building of a capable developmental state may be affected by weaknesses in embeddedness, autonomy and state capacity. It argues that a relationship of trust and solidarity between the state and civil society that prioritises the well-being of people as the primary indicator of development, is a necessary feature of the capable developmental state. The study therefore provides insights into the interventions required to ensure collaborative and integrated service delivery between the state and civil society in South Africa. This is forged from an examination of the deeply held conflicting beliefs and expectations around the execution of the DSW mandate, the current tensions in the relationship, its intersections with the history of the non-profit sector in the apartheid welfare state and the challenges of transformation since 1994. In this respect, it fills a further gap in the literature by focusing on expanded, non-traditional state-society ties imagined by Evans’ conceptual framework of embedded autonomy and the developmental state. Furthermore, the study makes an elemental contribution to knowledge around co-production, which remains poorly formulated despite increasing interest and research in this area of Public Administration and Management (Gawlowski, 2018:72; Osborne, Radnor & Strokosch, 2016:644). This study used a qualitative design to derive meaning from indepth interviews with twentythree (23) knowledgeable experts representing the DSD (current and ex-staff members), NPOs, members of the Ministerial Committee for the 2013-2016 Review of the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997), NPO umbrella bodies and social justice activists. These were supplemented by a Focus Group Discussion comprising of nine (9) activists based at a grassroots NPO. Employing both an interpretive and constructivist approach, the design facilitated an in-depth examination of participants’ perceptions of the state’s constitutional obligation towards social justice through delivering DSW services in collaboration with the NPO Sector. The researcher used thematic content analysis to explore how weaknesses in the inter-play between embeddedness and autonomy in the DSW sector may explain the tensions between the DSD and NPOs. An analysis of the literature also helped in drawing linkages between weaknesses in embedded autonomy, building a capable developmental state and achieving the country’s DSW outcomes. The study found that the adversarial relationship between the DSD and NPOs has a negative effect on the rendering of DSW services to citizens, which places South Africa’s pursuit of a capable developmental state at risk. Applying a strategic-relational conceptualisation of the state, it argued how South Africa’s commitment to a participatory and people-centred approach to public policy and the protection of the socio-economic rights of citizens requires a fully engaged civil society, balanced by autonomy. Invoking a Gramscian lens, the study also provided an analysis of the potential for civil society to act as a counter-hegemonic force against the domination of global capital and the marketization of the state in order to protect the rights of the subaltern. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Morkel, Candice
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55031 , vital:48824
- Description: The challenges in the relationship between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) in South Africa pose a risk to their ability to partner successfully in order to deliver government’s Constitutional obligations in meeting citizens’ developmental social welfare needs. Some contemporary theories of the state (such as pluralism and corporatism) as well as approaches to Public Administration and Management (such as co-production) support a collaborative approach between governments and civil society in order to address development challenges. Peter Evans’ (cf. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2008; 2014) expansive scholarship on embedded autonomy and building capable developmental states, suggests that a state that is sufficiently embedded in an intimate partnership with nonstate actors is more likely to achieve its development goals. However, these relations must also be autonomous and unfettered by private or sectional interests to circumvent the risk of neopatrimonialism and state capture. In view of growing critiques of economic growth as the primary marker of a developmental state, which prioritises the state’s relationship with private capital, Evans (ibid.) also argued for a more expanded definition of embedded autonomy. Building on Evan’s perspective, this study examines the relationship between the DSD and the NPO sector in South Africa to address the gap in the literature on how other forms of embedded autonomy (beyond the state-private sector nexus) may function in a developmental state. Its purpose is to make an original contribution to knowledge by examining how the achievement of South Africa’s Developmental Social Welfare (DSW) outcomes and the building of a capable developmental state may be affected by weaknesses in embeddedness, autonomy and state capacity. It argues that a relationship of trust and solidarity between the state and civil society that prioritises the well-being of people as the primary indicator of development, is a necessary feature of the capable developmental state. The study therefore provides insights into the interventions required to ensure collaborative and integrated service delivery between the state and civil society in South Africa. This is forged from an examination of the deeply held conflicting beliefs and expectations around the execution of the DSW mandate, the current tensions in the relationship, its intersections with the history of the non-profit sector in the apartheid welfare state and the challenges of transformation since 1994. In this respect, it fills a further gap in the literature by focusing on expanded, non-traditional state-society ties imagined by Evans’ conceptual framework of embedded autonomy and the developmental state. Furthermore, the study makes an elemental contribution to knowledge around co-production, which remains poorly formulated despite increasing interest and research in this area of Public Administration and Management (Gawlowski, 2018:72; Osborne, Radnor & Strokosch, 2016:644). This study used a qualitative design to derive meaning from indepth interviews with twentythree (23) knowledgeable experts representing the DSD (current and ex-staff members), NPOs, members of the Ministerial Committee for the 2013-2016 Review of the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997), NPO umbrella bodies and social justice activists. These were supplemented by a Focus Group Discussion comprising of nine (9) activists based at a grassroots NPO. Employing both an interpretive and constructivist approach, the design facilitated an in-depth examination of participants’ perceptions of the state’s constitutional obligation towards social justice through delivering DSW services in collaboration with the NPO Sector. The researcher used thematic content analysis to explore how weaknesses in the inter-play between embeddedness and autonomy in the DSW sector may explain the tensions between the DSD and NPOs. An analysis of the literature also helped in drawing linkages between weaknesses in embedded autonomy, building a capable developmental state and achieving the country’s DSW outcomes. The study found that the adversarial relationship between the DSD and NPOs has a negative effect on the rendering of DSW services to citizens, which places South Africa’s pursuit of a capable developmental state at risk. Applying a strategic-relational conceptualisation of the state, it argued how South Africa’s commitment to a participatory and people-centred approach to public policy and the protection of the socio-economic rights of citizens requires a fully engaged civil society, balanced by autonomy. Invoking a Gramscian lens, the study also provided an analysis of the potential for civil society to act as a counter-hegemonic force against the domination of global capital and the marketization of the state in order to protect the rights of the subaltern. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Plastic particle characterization and concentrations found in the river and marine water environment of Algoa Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Moss, Kerry-Leigh
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53874 , vital:46025
- Description: Only 12% of the world's published plastic research includes references to Africa despite it being a significant contributor to the global plastic waste and mismanagement problem (~88.5% of Africa's plastic waste is mismanaged). Ocean plastics are transported from land by rivers to the sea. However, source contextualization is complex. Many African rivers predominantly run alongside human settlements that host informal waste dumpsites. In this study a simple cost effective, easily deployed, consistent and replicable survey methodology was employed. The study quantified macro plastic in three rivers discharging into Algoa Bay, South Africa. The results indicated that industrial Swartkops and metropolitan Baakens Rivers both illustrate moderate plastic pollution (>3000 plastic particles/day), with the relatively natural Sundays River to showing minimal evidence of river macroplastic (<100 plastic particles/day). The types of plastic were noted using the RIMMEL app (premier African implementation), enabling proportional comparison of different plastic litter types to be completed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Oceanography Department,2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Moss, Kerry-Leigh
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53874 , vital:46025
- Description: Only 12% of the world's published plastic research includes references to Africa despite it being a significant contributor to the global plastic waste and mismanagement problem (~88.5% of Africa's plastic waste is mismanaged). Ocean plastics are transported from land by rivers to the sea. However, source contextualization is complex. Many African rivers predominantly run alongside human settlements that host informal waste dumpsites. In this study a simple cost effective, easily deployed, consistent and replicable survey methodology was employed. The study quantified macro plastic in three rivers discharging into Algoa Bay, South Africa. The results indicated that industrial Swartkops and metropolitan Baakens Rivers both illustrate moderate plastic pollution (>3000 plastic particles/day), with the relatively natural Sundays River to showing minimal evidence of river macroplastic (<100 plastic particles/day). The types of plastic were noted using the RIMMEL app (premier African implementation), enabling proportional comparison of different plastic litter types to be completed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Oceanography Department,2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
A data-driven decision-making model for the third-party logistics industry in Africa
- Authors: Moyo, Faith
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53875 , vital:46022
- Description: Third-party logistics (3PL) providers have continued to be key players in the supply chain network and have witnessed a growth in the usage of information technology. This growth has enhanced the volume of structured and unstructured data that is collected at a high velocity, and is of rich variety, sometimes described as “Big Data”. Leaders in the 3PL industry are constantly seeking to effectively and efficiently mature their abilities to exploit this data to gain business value through data-driven decision-making (DDDM). DDDM helps the leaders to reduce the reliance they place on observations and intuition to make crucial business decisions in a volatile business environment. The aim of this research was to develop a prescriptive model for DDDM in 3PLs. The model consists of iterative elements that prescribe guidelines to decision-makers in the 3PL industry on how to adopt DDDM. A literature review of existing theoretical frameworks and models for DDDM was conducted to determine the extent to which they contribute towards DDDM for 3PLs. The Design-Science Research Methodology (DSRM) was followed to address the aim of the research and applied to pragmatically and iteratively develop and evaluate the artefact (the model for DDDM) in the real-world context of a 3PL. The literature findings revealed that the challenges with DDDM in organisations include three main categories of challenges related to data quality, data management, vision and capabilities. Once the challenges with DDDM were established, a prescriptive model was designed and developed for DDDM in 3PLs. Qualitative data was collected from semi-structured interviews to gain an understanding of the problems and possible solutions in the real-world context of 3PLs. An As-Is Analysis in the real-world case 3PL company confirmed the challenges identified in literature, and that data is still used in the 3PL company for descriptive and diagnostic analytics to aid with the decision-making processes. This highlights that there is still room for maturity into using data for predictive and prescriptive analytics that will, in turn, improve the decision-making process. An improved second version of the model was demonstrated to the participants (the targeted users), who had the opportunity to evaluate the model. The findings revealed that the model provided clear guidelines on how to make data-driven decisions and that the feedback loop and the data culture aspects highlighted in the design were some of the important features of the model. Some improvements were suggested by participants. A field study of three data analytics tools was conducted to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each as well as to highlight the status of DDDM at the real-world case 3PL. The limitations of the second version of the model, together with the recommendations from the participants were used to inform the improved and revised third version of the model. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Moyo, Faith
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53875 , vital:46022
- Description: Third-party logistics (3PL) providers have continued to be key players in the supply chain network and have witnessed a growth in the usage of information technology. This growth has enhanced the volume of structured and unstructured data that is collected at a high velocity, and is of rich variety, sometimes described as “Big Data”. Leaders in the 3PL industry are constantly seeking to effectively and efficiently mature their abilities to exploit this data to gain business value through data-driven decision-making (DDDM). DDDM helps the leaders to reduce the reliance they place on observations and intuition to make crucial business decisions in a volatile business environment. The aim of this research was to develop a prescriptive model for DDDM in 3PLs. The model consists of iterative elements that prescribe guidelines to decision-makers in the 3PL industry on how to adopt DDDM. A literature review of existing theoretical frameworks and models for DDDM was conducted to determine the extent to which they contribute towards DDDM for 3PLs. The Design-Science Research Methodology (DSRM) was followed to address the aim of the research and applied to pragmatically and iteratively develop and evaluate the artefact (the model for DDDM) in the real-world context of a 3PL. The literature findings revealed that the challenges with DDDM in organisations include three main categories of challenges related to data quality, data management, vision and capabilities. Once the challenges with DDDM were established, a prescriptive model was designed and developed for DDDM in 3PLs. Qualitative data was collected from semi-structured interviews to gain an understanding of the problems and possible solutions in the real-world context of 3PLs. An As-Is Analysis in the real-world case 3PL company confirmed the challenges identified in literature, and that data is still used in the 3PL company for descriptive and diagnostic analytics to aid with the decision-making processes. This highlights that there is still room for maturity into using data for predictive and prescriptive analytics that will, in turn, improve the decision-making process. An improved second version of the model was demonstrated to the participants (the targeted users), who had the opportunity to evaluate the model. The findings revealed that the model provided clear guidelines on how to make data-driven decisions and that the feedback loop and the data culture aspects highlighted in the design were some of the important features of the model. Some improvements were suggested by participants. A field study of three data analytics tools was conducted to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each as well as to highlight the status of DDDM at the real-world case 3PL. The limitations of the second version of the model, together with the recommendations from the participants were used to inform the improved and revised third version of the model. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
The Effectiveness of Eskom’s transmission project team lationships in the delivery process
- Authors: Mpetshwa, Noninzi
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53318 , vital:45137
- Description: Eskom Holding is a public limited liability company that supplies electricity. It supplies approximately ninety-nine percent of the electricity used in South Africa, and approximately forty-five percent of that used in Africa. Eskom generates, transmits and distributes electricity to its customers. The Project Execution Department is a department in the Transmission Division that executes the capital and refurbishment of projects. The objective of the study was to discover the opinion of the project team members, on whether there is a lack of project-team efficiency in delivering the projects on time, and within the budget. Descriptive research methodology was used to investigate the objectives of the research. The data were obtained through the structured questionnaires that were hand-delivered and emailed. The research is limited to the Project Execution and Procurement Department in the Transmission Division. The research excludes the Capital Expansion Department (CED) project (Medupi, Kusile and Power Development Projects). The findings of the study showed that, Eskom’s Transmission Project Execution and Commercial Departments need to work hand-in-hand. This will avoid any unnecessary procurement delays which would have an impact on project delivery time. Continuous communication among the project team members could improve the efficiency and serve to build good relationships. Currently, projects are delivered late and over budget. This situation could lead to the outsourcing of departments or even to the redeployment of Senior Management. It would also have a negative impact on the cost and supply of electricity to the country. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04
- Authors: Mpetshwa, Noninzi
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53318 , vital:45137
- Description: Eskom Holding is a public limited liability company that supplies electricity. It supplies approximately ninety-nine percent of the electricity used in South Africa, and approximately forty-five percent of that used in Africa. Eskom generates, transmits and distributes electricity to its customers. The Project Execution Department is a department in the Transmission Division that executes the capital and refurbishment of projects. The objective of the study was to discover the opinion of the project team members, on whether there is a lack of project-team efficiency in delivering the projects on time, and within the budget. Descriptive research methodology was used to investigate the objectives of the research. The data were obtained through the structured questionnaires that were hand-delivered and emailed. The research is limited to the Project Execution and Procurement Department in the Transmission Division. The research excludes the Capital Expansion Department (CED) project (Medupi, Kusile and Power Development Projects). The findings of the study showed that, Eskom’s Transmission Project Execution and Commercial Departments need to work hand-in-hand. This will avoid any unnecessary procurement delays which would have an impact on project delivery time. Continuous communication among the project team members could improve the efficiency and serve to build good relationships. Currently, projects are delivered late and over budget. This situation could lead to the outsourcing of departments or even to the redeployment of Senior Management. It would also have a negative impact on the cost and supply of electricity to the country. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-04