A framework for the implementation of social media marketing strategies in political campaigning
- Authors: Ayankoya, Kayode A
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Online social networks -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Social networks -- South Africa , Campaign management -- South Africa , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020118
- Description: The concept of social media has grown rapidly in the last years. This can be attributed to the rate of adoption and the penetration of social media around the world. Currently, there is an estimate of over two billion people that are actively using social media. The increased usage of social media has changed the way people interact and communicate. Literature suggests that Internet-enabled social networks (relationship between or among individuals and groups) are developing faster than offline relationships. Previous studies have linked social media to the social network theories that define social relationships based on the actors, the ties that exist and the flow of resources among them. This is made possible by social networking sites and other Internet enabled services that allow friends to meet, connect and interact. Social media allow for individuals, groups or organisations to build their social network of friends and followers. It also facilitates the formation of communities with common interest. Social media facilitate the creation and exchange of content such as text messages, images, audio and video formats among individuals or communities that share a common interest or belong to the same social network. Social capital theorists suggest that the ties that exist in social interaction like on social media have the ability to create benefit for the actors in the networks. This provides the foundation to study the benefits that individuals and organisations can obtain from social media. The opportunity to target and communicate directly with the target market and potential customer qualifies social media as a valuable marketing tool and an important component of the integrated marketing communication. As a marketing communication tool, social media introduces a completely new paradigm into marketing communications. Therefore marketing professionals and academics are continuously seeking how to take advantage of social media for different industries. In the field of politics, the use of marketing concepts to engage voters and drive collective participation in political processes has become critical due to stiff competition. The use of social media for political campaigning and engagement could be beneficial, but politicians and political organisations are not taking full advantage of the concept. Previous studies show that organisations are aware of the opportunities that social media could provide for their organisations. However, they are reluctant because they are faced with the problems of lack of information on how to implement social media for business purposes. This treatise investigates the approach and critical success factors for the use of social media for political campaigning and engagement. To evaluate the conceptual framework that was suggested by this study based on the literature review and case studies, an empirical study was conducted among the members of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape. A survey was conducted among the members of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape using a questionnaire and 92 responses were received. The questionnaire measured the respondents’ social media usage, level of political engagement, perception on the use of social media for political engagement and the level of political activities on social media. Also, hypotheses were tested to examine the assumption that there might be an association between the respondents’ gender, population group and level of political activities on social media. The findings of this study indicate that a structured approach, a strong emphasis of engaging followers socially and micro-targeting are critical to effective implementation of social media for political campaigning and engagement. Other factors include the direct involvement of leadership, listening and encouragement of user generated contents. This study concludes that political organisations can use social media to establish multi-levelled social networks that provide access to their target audience and also reach potential audience through their friends. This social connectedness can then be translated into political social capital for campaign and engagement purposes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ayankoya, Kayode A
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Online social networks -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Social networks -- South Africa , Campaign management -- South Africa , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020118
- Description: The concept of social media has grown rapidly in the last years. This can be attributed to the rate of adoption and the penetration of social media around the world. Currently, there is an estimate of over two billion people that are actively using social media. The increased usage of social media has changed the way people interact and communicate. Literature suggests that Internet-enabled social networks (relationship between or among individuals and groups) are developing faster than offline relationships. Previous studies have linked social media to the social network theories that define social relationships based on the actors, the ties that exist and the flow of resources among them. This is made possible by social networking sites and other Internet enabled services that allow friends to meet, connect and interact. Social media allow for individuals, groups or organisations to build their social network of friends and followers. It also facilitates the formation of communities with common interest. Social media facilitate the creation and exchange of content such as text messages, images, audio and video formats among individuals or communities that share a common interest or belong to the same social network. Social capital theorists suggest that the ties that exist in social interaction like on social media have the ability to create benefit for the actors in the networks. This provides the foundation to study the benefits that individuals and organisations can obtain from social media. The opportunity to target and communicate directly with the target market and potential customer qualifies social media as a valuable marketing tool and an important component of the integrated marketing communication. As a marketing communication tool, social media introduces a completely new paradigm into marketing communications. Therefore marketing professionals and academics are continuously seeking how to take advantage of social media for different industries. In the field of politics, the use of marketing concepts to engage voters and drive collective participation in political processes has become critical due to stiff competition. The use of social media for political campaigning and engagement could be beneficial, but politicians and political organisations are not taking full advantage of the concept. Previous studies show that organisations are aware of the opportunities that social media could provide for their organisations. However, they are reluctant because they are faced with the problems of lack of information on how to implement social media for business purposes. This treatise investigates the approach and critical success factors for the use of social media for political campaigning and engagement. To evaluate the conceptual framework that was suggested by this study based on the literature review and case studies, an empirical study was conducted among the members of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape. A survey was conducted among the members of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape using a questionnaire and 92 responses were received. The questionnaire measured the respondents’ social media usage, level of political engagement, perception on the use of social media for political engagement and the level of political activities on social media. Also, hypotheses were tested to examine the assumption that there might be an association between the respondents’ gender, population group and level of political activities on social media. The findings of this study indicate that a structured approach, a strong emphasis of engaging followers socially and micro-targeting are critical to effective implementation of social media for political campaigning and engagement. Other factors include the direct involvement of leadership, listening and encouragement of user generated contents. This study concludes that political organisations can use social media to establish multi-levelled social networks that provide access to their target audience and also reach potential audience through their friends. This social connectedness can then be translated into political social capital for campaign and engagement purposes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The eyes of the wall : space, narrative and perspective
- Authors: Baasch, Rachel Mary
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Installations (Art) , Frames (Sociology) , Architecture, Domestic, in art , Narrative art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001578
- Description: The Eyes of the Wall and Other Short Stories is concerned with dialectics of seeing and perceiving as they pertain directly to a corporal understanding of interiority and exteriority, architectural framing and notions of dislocation in relation to place. This practical submission is a site-specific installation that engages in a reciprocal dialogue with its environment. The individual sculptural works which demarcate the parameters of the installation are hybrids of domestic architectural forms, (namely the wall, the window and the door) and internal furnishings such as the curtain and the bed. These hybridised metal and resin constructions frame the interior of a site, a tennis court located within my immediate Grahamstown environment. The placement of familiar objects generally associated with the home and notions of security and privacy, within the open, exposed and permeable enclosure of the tennis court evoke a sense of displacement within the viewer. This supporting document, The Eyes of the Wall: Space, Narrative and Perspective, considers the key conceptual concerns informing my installation. In this mini-thesis I address the relationship between domestic architecture and the body, examining the notion of framing as fundamental to the individual comprehension of space. I position my work in relation to that of Mona Hatoum drawing on the similarities that exist between her practice and my own. In the first chapter of this paper: My House/Your House: Walls, Windows, Doors and Skins I address the relationship between domestic architecture, framing and the body, and ‘contamination’. Within Chapter Two: Narratives of Division I engage with the idea of multiple ‘short stories’—personal and collective narratives—and their connection to issues of division and dislocation. Chapter Three: Seeing Blindness discusses the possibility that perspective, or at least one potential approach to perspective is concerned with that which one cannot see, an acknowledgment of the implicit relationship between seeing and not-seeing. Each of the three core concerns expressed in the title of this mini-thesis, The Eyes of The Wall: Space, Narrative and Perspective intersect within the site of The Eyes of The Wall and Other Short Stories. It is at this intersection that the shadows of stories within stories within stories insert themselves, like phantom limbs into the gaps and tensions framed by the forms of the installation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Baasch, Rachel Mary
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Installations (Art) , Frames (Sociology) , Architecture, Domestic, in art , Narrative art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001578
- Description: The Eyes of the Wall and Other Short Stories is concerned with dialectics of seeing and perceiving as they pertain directly to a corporal understanding of interiority and exteriority, architectural framing and notions of dislocation in relation to place. This practical submission is a site-specific installation that engages in a reciprocal dialogue with its environment. The individual sculptural works which demarcate the parameters of the installation are hybrids of domestic architectural forms, (namely the wall, the window and the door) and internal furnishings such as the curtain and the bed. These hybridised metal and resin constructions frame the interior of a site, a tennis court located within my immediate Grahamstown environment. The placement of familiar objects generally associated with the home and notions of security and privacy, within the open, exposed and permeable enclosure of the tennis court evoke a sense of displacement within the viewer. This supporting document, The Eyes of the Wall: Space, Narrative and Perspective, considers the key conceptual concerns informing my installation. In this mini-thesis I address the relationship between domestic architecture and the body, examining the notion of framing as fundamental to the individual comprehension of space. I position my work in relation to that of Mona Hatoum drawing on the similarities that exist between her practice and my own. In the first chapter of this paper: My House/Your House: Walls, Windows, Doors and Skins I address the relationship between domestic architecture, framing and the body, and ‘contamination’. Within Chapter Two: Narratives of Division I engage with the idea of multiple ‘short stories’—personal and collective narratives—and their connection to issues of division and dislocation. Chapter Three: Seeing Blindness discusses the possibility that perspective, or at least one potential approach to perspective is concerned with that which one cannot see, an acknowledgment of the implicit relationship between seeing and not-seeing. Each of the three core concerns expressed in the title of this mini-thesis, The Eyes of The Wall: Space, Narrative and Perspective intersect within the site of The Eyes of The Wall and Other Short Stories. It is at this intersection that the shadows of stories within stories within stories insert themselves, like phantom limbs into the gaps and tensions framed by the forms of the installation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Rhodes remembers former President Nelson Mandela
- Badat, Saleem, De Klerk, Vivian A, Maylam, Paul
- Authors: Badat, Saleem , De Klerk, Vivian A , Maylam, Paul
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:7593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007501
- Description: On 6 December 2013 Rhodes honoured former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in a commemoration programme. Dozens of people gathered on Rhodes University's Drostdy lawns in Grahamstown to sing and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela. Tributes were delivered by Dr Saleem Badat, Rhodes University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Vivian de Klerk, Dean of Students, and Emeritus Distinguished Professor Paul Maylam.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Badat, Saleem , De Klerk, Vivian A , Maylam, Paul
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:7593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007501
- Description: On 6 December 2013 Rhodes honoured former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in a commemoration programme. Dozens of people gathered on Rhodes University's Drostdy lawns in Grahamstown to sing and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela. Tributes were delivered by Dr Saleem Badat, Rhodes University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Vivian de Klerk, Dean of Students, and Emeritus Distinguished Professor Paul Maylam.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Jakes Gerwel (1946 to 2012): Humble intellectual, scholar and leader
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016447
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016447
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Redressing apartheid's legacy of social exclusion: social equity, redress and admission to higher education in South Africa
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7931 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016481
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7931 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016481
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Perceptions of students regarding the information literacy programme: a case study of Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Badi, Mzwanele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information literacy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8311 , http://hdl/handle.net/10948/d1020080
- Description: Information literacy is universally considered one of effective means through which one’s information skills are developed, more especially at higher education Institutions. It has been part of the WSU library’s tradition to promote and offer units of Information Literacy instruction to all students at WSU, although it was initially on ad-hoc bases until 2010 when the Faculty of Education introduced it as a module or a program as a credit-bearing subject to all first year level Bachelor of Education students. The study is intended to understand the perceptions of students that are currently enrolled in Bachelor of Education Degree level one regarding the Information Literacy Program at Walter Sisulu University. The Information Literacy Program is offered in two campuses of WSU, that is Mthatha and Butterworth campuses. This study was conducted using first year level B. Ed students in Butterworth campus only. This may be regarded as a limitation of the study. The study is largely informed by a literature review of scholarly journal articles, books, internet sources and academic libraries in South Africa. The study applied quantitative method using semi-structured questionnaires as the main data gathering instrument. The sample was drawn from 80 first year B Ed students. A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed and 65 were received back. In the study the significant changes in the higher education in the post-apartheid South Africa are discussed. The historical evolution of information literacy as a course in South Africa and internationally is also discussed. The study reveals that information literacy has contributed positively to students’ study approaches. It has helped the students to learn how to apply computing and internet skills to improve on their studies. More importantly, the study reveals that information literacy has helped the students to learn different ways to search for and use information for the purpose of working on their assignments and enhancing their knowledge generally. Furthermore, the study reveals that it has helped the students to know how to tailor their search for information using specific databases such as OPAC, PROQUEST, EBSCOHOST, and SABINET etc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Badi, Mzwanele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information literacy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8311 , http://hdl/handle.net/10948/d1020080
- Description: Information literacy is universally considered one of effective means through which one’s information skills are developed, more especially at higher education Institutions. It has been part of the WSU library’s tradition to promote and offer units of Information Literacy instruction to all students at WSU, although it was initially on ad-hoc bases until 2010 when the Faculty of Education introduced it as a module or a program as a credit-bearing subject to all first year level Bachelor of Education students. The study is intended to understand the perceptions of students that are currently enrolled in Bachelor of Education Degree level one regarding the Information Literacy Program at Walter Sisulu University. The Information Literacy Program is offered in two campuses of WSU, that is Mthatha and Butterworth campuses. This study was conducted using first year level B. Ed students in Butterworth campus only. This may be regarded as a limitation of the study. The study is largely informed by a literature review of scholarly journal articles, books, internet sources and academic libraries in South Africa. The study applied quantitative method using semi-structured questionnaires as the main data gathering instrument. The sample was drawn from 80 first year B Ed students. A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed and 65 were received back. In the study the significant changes in the higher education in the post-apartheid South Africa are discussed. The historical evolution of information literacy as a course in South Africa and internationally is also discussed. The study reveals that information literacy has contributed positively to students’ study approaches. It has helped the students to learn how to apply computing and internet skills to improve on their studies. More importantly, the study reveals that information literacy has helped the students to learn different ways to search for and use information for the purpose of working on their assignments and enhancing their knowledge generally. Furthermore, the study reveals that it has helped the students to know how to tailor their search for information using specific databases such as OPAC, PROQUEST, EBSCOHOST, and SABINET etc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Organisational commitment in the automotive industry : a comparative study of employment contracts
- Authors: Bailey, Peter John
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organizational commitment , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Labor contracts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9299 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014664
- Description: Organisations face many obstacles in maintaining high quality standards and enhancing their competitive positions. It is not just the external factors, such as market fluctuations, but also internal obstacles, that have an effect on the competitiveness of organisations. Most of the internal factors are the result of poor management practices such as insufficient employee development paths, lack of mentorship programmes or job insecurity which results in the poor performance and commitment levels of employees. However employees are more willing to provide efficient and effective practices if they are committed to the organisation. A committed workforce can be created through many practices. Some of these practices include, creating an environment where employees feel as though they are part of the organisation and that their actions directly influence the success of the organisation (Kingston 2007); building long lasting and fair relationships between staff and supervisors (Manetje 2009:50); providing partial organisational ownership for employees through employee share ownership schemes (Employee share ownership plan guidelines 2007:3); creating an organisation structure which binds employees and groups together and removes bureaucratic practices (Brooks 2009:190) and creating management styles that encourage employee involvement (Manetje 2009:51) Unfavourable conditions within the economy are not making it any easier for organisations to become more competitive. Organisations have had to downsize, restructure and transform in order to cut costs as the demands for goods and services slowed down. However, these practices have resulted in an insecure work environment for employees and have posed complex challenges for management. (Coetzee 2005). Employment contracts have therefore become popular tools for managing economic downturns. Organisations opt for more temporary staff so as to easily reduce headcount when costs need to be lowered. Employment contracts give organisations the advantage of flexibility which is a key area for success in turbulent business environments (Krausz, Bizman & Braslavsky 2001:302). Previous research on temporary contracts has revealed lower commitment levels of staff than other types of contracts such as permanent and fixed-term contracts (Guest 2004:12). Therefore, there needs to be a balance between various employment contracts; a balance which brings out the best in organisational performance. The different types of employment contracts are also important tools to use to enhance commitment within the organisation. For that reason, it is essential to understand the linkage between the types of contracts and organisational commitment and whether certain contracts result in higher levels of organisational commitment. The primary objective of the study is to identify factors which influence organisational commitment as well as to investigate whether organisational commitment and the different types of employment contracts can increase employee motivation and job involvement within the automotive industry environment. Given the primary objective of the study, a quantitative research paradigm was followed in testing the relevant hypotheses. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was conducted to gather empirical data from the respondents employed within the automotive industry. The target population of the study was the employees within the automotive industry (Volkswagen of South Africa). A convenience sampling technique was used to distribute the questionnaires and the researcher made use of both manual hand-outs and an online system called the Survey Monkey to gather the data. The sample was restricted to 260 respondents. The main findings of this study revealed that the dimensions, workplace culture, job security, career development and personality were statistically significant and had a positive influence on organisational commitment. Workplace culture proved to be the most significant positive influence on organisational commitment. Thus, if an organisation adjusts this dimension to better suit the employees, the result could be an enhanced level of employee commitment. On the other hand, management style and mentoring were found to be the least important in influencing organisational commitment in the automotive industry. Furthermore, the results illustrated a significant positive relationship between organisational commitment and the dependent variables, employee motivation and job involvement. The study also identified the link between employment contracts and organisational commitment, job involvement and employee motivation. However, a statistically significant relationship only existed between employment contracts and job involvement. Thus the different types of contracts have an effect on the level of employee involvement within an organisation. The implications of the findings are that organisations within the automotive industry should focus on areas that have a substantially greater impact on organisational commitment. These areas include workplace culture, job security, personality and career development. Organisations thus need to find methods or processes which facilitate the development of these areas. In order for organisations to move from good to great, a workforce that is committed to the goals and objectives is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bailey, Peter John
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organizational commitment , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Labor contracts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9299 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014664
- Description: Organisations face many obstacles in maintaining high quality standards and enhancing their competitive positions. It is not just the external factors, such as market fluctuations, but also internal obstacles, that have an effect on the competitiveness of organisations. Most of the internal factors are the result of poor management practices such as insufficient employee development paths, lack of mentorship programmes or job insecurity which results in the poor performance and commitment levels of employees. However employees are more willing to provide efficient and effective practices if they are committed to the organisation. A committed workforce can be created through many practices. Some of these practices include, creating an environment where employees feel as though they are part of the organisation and that their actions directly influence the success of the organisation (Kingston 2007); building long lasting and fair relationships between staff and supervisors (Manetje 2009:50); providing partial organisational ownership for employees through employee share ownership schemes (Employee share ownership plan guidelines 2007:3); creating an organisation structure which binds employees and groups together and removes bureaucratic practices (Brooks 2009:190) and creating management styles that encourage employee involvement (Manetje 2009:51) Unfavourable conditions within the economy are not making it any easier for organisations to become more competitive. Organisations have had to downsize, restructure and transform in order to cut costs as the demands for goods and services slowed down. However, these practices have resulted in an insecure work environment for employees and have posed complex challenges for management. (Coetzee 2005). Employment contracts have therefore become popular tools for managing economic downturns. Organisations opt for more temporary staff so as to easily reduce headcount when costs need to be lowered. Employment contracts give organisations the advantage of flexibility which is a key area for success in turbulent business environments (Krausz, Bizman & Braslavsky 2001:302). Previous research on temporary contracts has revealed lower commitment levels of staff than other types of contracts such as permanent and fixed-term contracts (Guest 2004:12). Therefore, there needs to be a balance between various employment contracts; a balance which brings out the best in organisational performance. The different types of employment contracts are also important tools to use to enhance commitment within the organisation. For that reason, it is essential to understand the linkage between the types of contracts and organisational commitment and whether certain contracts result in higher levels of organisational commitment. The primary objective of the study is to identify factors which influence organisational commitment as well as to investigate whether organisational commitment and the different types of employment contracts can increase employee motivation and job involvement within the automotive industry environment. Given the primary objective of the study, a quantitative research paradigm was followed in testing the relevant hypotheses. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was conducted to gather empirical data from the respondents employed within the automotive industry. The target population of the study was the employees within the automotive industry (Volkswagen of South Africa). A convenience sampling technique was used to distribute the questionnaires and the researcher made use of both manual hand-outs and an online system called the Survey Monkey to gather the data. The sample was restricted to 260 respondents. The main findings of this study revealed that the dimensions, workplace culture, job security, career development and personality were statistically significant and had a positive influence on organisational commitment. Workplace culture proved to be the most significant positive influence on organisational commitment. Thus, if an organisation adjusts this dimension to better suit the employees, the result could be an enhanced level of employee commitment. On the other hand, management style and mentoring were found to be the least important in influencing organisational commitment in the automotive industry. Furthermore, the results illustrated a significant positive relationship between organisational commitment and the dependent variables, employee motivation and job involvement. The study also identified the link between employment contracts and organisational commitment, job involvement and employee motivation. However, a statistically significant relationship only existed between employment contracts and job involvement. Thus the different types of contracts have an effect on the level of employee involvement within an organisation. The implications of the findings are that organisations within the automotive industry should focus on areas that have a substantially greater impact on organisational commitment. These areas include workplace culture, job security, personality and career development. Organisations thus need to find methods or processes which facilitate the development of these areas. In order for organisations to move from good to great, a workforce that is committed to the goals and objectives is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Environmental domains and range-limiting mechanisms: testing the Abundant Centre Hypothesis using southern African sandhoppers
- Baldanzi, Simone, McQuaid, Christopher D, Cannicci, Stefano, Porri, Francesca
- Authors: Baldanzi, Simone , McQuaid, Christopher D , Cannicci, Stefano , Porri, Francesca
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011108
- Description: Predicting shifts of species geographical ranges is a fundamental challenge for conservation ecologists given the great complexity of factors involved in setting range limits. Distributional patterns are frequently modelled to “simplify” species responses to the environment, yet the central mechanisms that drive a particular pattern are rarely understood. We evaluated the distributions of two sandhopper species (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae), Talorchestia capensis and Africorchestia quadrispinosa along the Namibian and South African coasts, encompassing three biogeographic regions influenced by two different oceanographic systems, the Benguela and Agulhas currents. We aimed to test whether the Abundant Centre Hypothesis (ACH) can explain the distributions of these species’ abundances, sizes and sex ratios and examined which environmental parameters influence/drive these distributions. Animals were collected during a once-off survey at 29 sites over c.3500 km of coastline. The ACH was tested using a non-parametric constraint space analysis of the goodness of fit of five hypothetical models. Distance Based Linear Modelling (DistLM) was performed to evaluate which environmental traits influenced the distribution data. Abundance, size and sex ratio showed different patterns of distribution. A ramped model fitted the abundance (Ramped North) and size (Ramped South) distribution for A. quadrispinosa. The Inverse Quadratic model fitted the size distribution of T. capensis. Beach slope, salinity, sand temperature and percentage of detritus found on the shore at the time of collection played important roles in driving the abundance of A. quadrispinosa. T. capensis was mainly affected by salinity and the morphodynamic state of the beach. Our results provided only some support for the ACH predictions. The DistLM confirmed that the physical state of the beach is an important factor for sandy beach organisms. The effect of salinity and temperature suggest metabolic responses to local conditions and a role in small to mesoscale shifts in the range of these populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Baldanzi, Simone , McQuaid, Christopher D , Cannicci, Stefano , Porri, Francesca
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011108
- Description: Predicting shifts of species geographical ranges is a fundamental challenge for conservation ecologists given the great complexity of factors involved in setting range limits. Distributional patterns are frequently modelled to “simplify” species responses to the environment, yet the central mechanisms that drive a particular pattern are rarely understood. We evaluated the distributions of two sandhopper species (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae), Talorchestia capensis and Africorchestia quadrispinosa along the Namibian and South African coasts, encompassing three biogeographic regions influenced by two different oceanographic systems, the Benguela and Agulhas currents. We aimed to test whether the Abundant Centre Hypothesis (ACH) can explain the distributions of these species’ abundances, sizes and sex ratios and examined which environmental parameters influence/drive these distributions. Animals were collected during a once-off survey at 29 sites over c.3500 km of coastline. The ACH was tested using a non-parametric constraint space analysis of the goodness of fit of five hypothetical models. Distance Based Linear Modelling (DistLM) was performed to evaluate which environmental traits influenced the distribution data. Abundance, size and sex ratio showed different patterns of distribution. A ramped model fitted the abundance (Ramped North) and size (Ramped South) distribution for A. quadrispinosa. The Inverse Quadratic model fitted the size distribution of T. capensis. Beach slope, salinity, sand temperature and percentage of detritus found on the shore at the time of collection played important roles in driving the abundance of A. quadrispinosa. T. capensis was mainly affected by salinity and the morphodynamic state of the beach. Our results provided only some support for the ACH predictions. The DistLM confirmed that the physical state of the beach is an important factor for sandy beach organisms. The effect of salinity and temperature suggest metabolic responses to local conditions and a role in small to mesoscale shifts in the range of these populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Rev James Warren "Jim" Jones: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Baldwin, Garth Adrian
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Jones, James Warren -- 1931-1978 , Religious leaders -- United States -- Biography , African American religious leaders -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015635
- Description: The purpose of a psychobiography is to describe an individual‟s life while using a psychological theory. James Warren “Jim” Jones was selected through purposive sampling because of his instrumental role in organising the largest mass suicide in recorded USA history. Kernberg‟s (1979; 1985; 2004) object relations theory was used to illuminate his life and personality dynamics, a theory focused on describing the borderline personality organisation. The study employed a qualitative single case study design, and data was analysed according to the principals set out by Yin (1994) as well as Miles and Huberman (1994). Results indicated that Kernberg‟s (1979; 1985; 2004) theory was suitable in shedding light on the life of this infamous historical figure, which resulted in an increased understanding of the application of this psychological theory. Lastly, it contributed towards increasing the limited number of psychobiographical studies conducted in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Baldwin, Garth Adrian
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Jones, James Warren -- 1931-1978 , Religious leaders -- United States -- Biography , African American religious leaders -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015635
- Description: The purpose of a psychobiography is to describe an individual‟s life while using a psychological theory. James Warren “Jim” Jones was selected through purposive sampling because of his instrumental role in organising the largest mass suicide in recorded USA history. Kernberg‟s (1979; 1985; 2004) object relations theory was used to illuminate his life and personality dynamics, a theory focused on describing the borderline personality organisation. The study employed a qualitative single case study design, and data was analysed according to the principals set out by Yin (1994) as well as Miles and Huberman (1994). Results indicated that Kernberg‟s (1979; 1985; 2004) theory was suitable in shedding light on the life of this infamous historical figure, which resulted in an increased understanding of the application of this psychological theory. Lastly, it contributed towards increasing the limited number of psychobiographical studies conducted in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the municipal performance management system on service delivery : the case of Lukhanji Municipality
- Authors: Bam, Liseka Lindelwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Local officials and employees -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Public administration -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Local government -- South Africa -- Queenstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020140
- Description: The performance management system has been introduced in the South African public service with the intensions of monitoring, reviewing, assessing performance, developing underperformers and recognising and rewarding good performance. This study was undertaken as an attempt to assess whether the Lukhanji municipality performance management systems contribute to the improvement of service delivery and employee productivity. The literature review undertaken in this study, shows that there is a general poor understanding of performance management systems in Lukhanji municipality. The literature review further establishes that there are several challenges that hinder the effective implementation of a performance management system in the municipality. Other findings of the study include that there is a challenge in setting the unrealistic performance targets which are unrealisable by employees. These are the reasons why productivity levels are not always realised and targets not achieved by Lukhanji municipality. The main findings of the study are that, although performance management systems play a significant role in the improvement of service delivery, it has not contributed in the improvement of employee productivity of the Lukhanji municipality. The main recommendation on the basis of this finding is that there should be thorough and regular training of officials within the Lukhanji Municipality about the performance management system and how it influences productivity and service delivery. In conclusion, the Municipal Executive Mayoral Committee should demand verifiable evidence to justify a higher rating during quarterly assessments, and that punitive disciplinary measures be taken against those who do not comply with the provision of the performance management system framework, particularly failure to submit performance instruments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bam, Liseka Lindelwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Local officials and employees -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Public administration -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Local government -- South Africa -- Queenstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020140
- Description: The performance management system has been introduced in the South African public service with the intensions of monitoring, reviewing, assessing performance, developing underperformers and recognising and rewarding good performance. This study was undertaken as an attempt to assess whether the Lukhanji municipality performance management systems contribute to the improvement of service delivery and employee productivity. The literature review undertaken in this study, shows that there is a general poor understanding of performance management systems in Lukhanji municipality. The literature review further establishes that there are several challenges that hinder the effective implementation of a performance management system in the municipality. Other findings of the study include that there is a challenge in setting the unrealistic performance targets which are unrealisable by employees. These are the reasons why productivity levels are not always realised and targets not achieved by Lukhanji municipality. The main findings of the study are that, although performance management systems play a significant role in the improvement of service delivery, it has not contributed in the improvement of employee productivity of the Lukhanji municipality. The main recommendation on the basis of this finding is that there should be thorough and regular training of officials within the Lukhanji Municipality about the performance management system and how it influences productivity and service delivery. In conclusion, the Municipal Executive Mayoral Committee should demand verifiable evidence to justify a higher rating during quarterly assessments, and that punitive disciplinary measures be taken against those who do not comply with the provision of the performance management system framework, particularly failure to submit performance instruments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing employee perceptions of quality at Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa (FKMSA)
- Authors: Bango, Nomasango Ida
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Quality control , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Management , Manufactures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8830 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019778
- Description: The pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing and developing industries in the world today. With the ever advancing technology and manufacturing techniques, quality assurance has become the focus of regulatory bodies all over the world. The implementation of quality management systems (QMS) that ensures that quality is built into every step of the design and manufacturing process has been the focus of many pharmaceutical companies. With the implementation of quality systems, employee’s perception of those systems and overall quality standards of the organisation is very important in establishing the quality culture of the organisation. To benefit from sustainable quality systems the organisations must ensure that employees understand the importance of the systems and that employee’s take personal responsibility for ensuring that their functions are performed correctly the first time. FKMSA has invested in a QMS that seeks to integrate all quality issues. The quality system includes documentation, deviations, corrective and preventative action (CAPA), change controls and quality risk management (QRM) in the entire facility. This system is administered by the quality control department, but each department takes ownership for their quality issues with support and guidance from the quality unit. FKMSA also firmly believes that quality cannot merely rely on the quality control test results; every step of the production process has a quality aspect built in to ensure that quality standards are adhered to. Every employee is trained, assessed and deemed competent before they can perform their duties; this is to ensure that human errors are kept to a minimum. Employee’s perception of quality is an integral part of quality assurance and it is important for the organisation to know what the employees believe to be the company’s standards of quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bango, Nomasango Ida
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Quality control , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Management , Manufactures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8830 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019778
- Description: The pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing and developing industries in the world today. With the ever advancing technology and manufacturing techniques, quality assurance has become the focus of regulatory bodies all over the world. The implementation of quality management systems (QMS) that ensures that quality is built into every step of the design and manufacturing process has been the focus of many pharmaceutical companies. With the implementation of quality systems, employee’s perception of those systems and overall quality standards of the organisation is very important in establishing the quality culture of the organisation. To benefit from sustainable quality systems the organisations must ensure that employees understand the importance of the systems and that employee’s take personal responsibility for ensuring that their functions are performed correctly the first time. FKMSA has invested in a QMS that seeks to integrate all quality issues. The quality system includes documentation, deviations, corrective and preventative action (CAPA), change controls and quality risk management (QRM) in the entire facility. This system is administered by the quality control department, but each department takes ownership for their quality issues with support and guidance from the quality unit. FKMSA also firmly believes that quality cannot merely rely on the quality control test results; every step of the production process has a quality aspect built in to ensure that quality standards are adhered to. Every employee is trained, assessed and deemed competent before they can perform their duties; this is to ensure that human errors are kept to a minimum. Employee’s perception of quality is an integral part of quality assurance and it is important for the organisation to know what the employees believe to be the company’s standards of quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Changes in muscle recruitment, functional strength and ratings of perceived effort during an 8-over bowling spell: impact on performance
- Authors: Barford, Gareth Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cricket -- Bowling , Sports -- Physiological aspects , Muscles -- Wounds and injuries , Fatigue , Physical fitness , Cricket injuries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003926 , Cricket -- Bowling , Sports -- Physiological aspects , Muscles -- Wounds and injuries , Fatigue , Physical fitness , Cricket injuries
- Description: Background: The musculoskeletal demands placed on the lower limb musculature of fast bowlers over time have not received much attention. In particular, measures of muscle recruitment changes have, to the author’s knowledge, not been considered. Objective: The present study, therefore sought to establish any associations between an eight over, simulated fast bowling spell, and muscle activation patterns, power output, perceptual demands, and changes in performance. This will enable improvements in the development of training programmes. Methods: Players’ were required to attend two sessions in total. The purpose of the initial session was to collect specific demographic, anthropometric and physiological data and injury history information from each player. In addition, this first session allowed for habituation with the treadmill, the jump meter and all other equipment involved in experimentation. The second testing session involved electrode attachment sites being identified on player’s dominant leg. The areas were then shaved, wiped with an alcohol swab and left to dry, to ensure good connectivity. Pre- and post- measures of muscle activity and functional strength of the lower limbs were recorded in the Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics. The protocol took place at the Kingswood High Performance Centre, which is in close proximity to the initial testing site. The protocol involved players bowling eight overs (48 balls). During the protocol, accuracy, ball release speed and perceptual measures were recorded at the end of each over. After the protocol, players were driven back to the Human Kinetics and Ergonomics Department where post-testing measures were completed. The dependable variables of interest were muscle activation, functional strength of the lower limbs, ‘local’ ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), body discomfort, accuracy, and ball release speed. Results: For all muscles it was shown that, as the speed increased so did the muscle activity in players’ lower limbs. There were no significant changes in muscle activity preversus post-protocol. There was however, a general trend of decreasing muscle activity post protocol at higher testing speeds. There were significant (p<0.05) decreases in peak power following the simulated eight over bowling spell. ‘Local’ RPE displayed a significant (P<0.05) increase with each additional over and were observed to reach the ‘heavy’ category. The players’ highest discomfort area was in the lower back, with 13 players perceiving discomfort in this region following the eight over spell. The shoulder and chest were another two areas player’s indicated discomfort with eight players selecting the dominant shoulder. Seven players complained of the dominant side pectoral muscle, leading foot and dominant latissimus dorsi muscle being uncomfortable. Interestingly, the dominant pectoral showed the highest body discomfort ratings amongst players. There were no significant changes in accuracy between overs although there were large interindividual differences in accuracy points between players. The decrease in ball release speed observed during over seven was shown to be significantly (p<0.05) lower than overs one to four. Conclusion: The power output and perceived strain results of the players, appears to indicate the presence of fatigue in players. However, the results are not conclusive, as the fatigue was not shown in muscle recruitment patterns, as well as the body discomfort ratings. There was a non-significant trend observed in the lower limb muscle activation decreasing at higher speeds. Players were able to maintain accuracy. However, the significantly lower ball release speed observed during over seven showed players performance decreasing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Barford, Gareth Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cricket -- Bowling , Sports -- Physiological aspects , Muscles -- Wounds and injuries , Fatigue , Physical fitness , Cricket injuries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003926 , Cricket -- Bowling , Sports -- Physiological aspects , Muscles -- Wounds and injuries , Fatigue , Physical fitness , Cricket injuries
- Description: Background: The musculoskeletal demands placed on the lower limb musculature of fast bowlers over time have not received much attention. In particular, measures of muscle recruitment changes have, to the author’s knowledge, not been considered. Objective: The present study, therefore sought to establish any associations between an eight over, simulated fast bowling spell, and muscle activation patterns, power output, perceptual demands, and changes in performance. This will enable improvements in the development of training programmes. Methods: Players’ were required to attend two sessions in total. The purpose of the initial session was to collect specific demographic, anthropometric and physiological data and injury history information from each player. In addition, this first session allowed for habituation with the treadmill, the jump meter and all other equipment involved in experimentation. The second testing session involved electrode attachment sites being identified on player’s dominant leg. The areas were then shaved, wiped with an alcohol swab and left to dry, to ensure good connectivity. Pre- and post- measures of muscle activity and functional strength of the lower limbs were recorded in the Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics. The protocol took place at the Kingswood High Performance Centre, which is in close proximity to the initial testing site. The protocol involved players bowling eight overs (48 balls). During the protocol, accuracy, ball release speed and perceptual measures were recorded at the end of each over. After the protocol, players were driven back to the Human Kinetics and Ergonomics Department where post-testing measures were completed. The dependable variables of interest were muscle activation, functional strength of the lower limbs, ‘local’ ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), body discomfort, accuracy, and ball release speed. Results: For all muscles it was shown that, as the speed increased so did the muscle activity in players’ lower limbs. There were no significant changes in muscle activity preversus post-protocol. There was however, a general trend of decreasing muscle activity post protocol at higher testing speeds. There were significant (p<0.05) decreases in peak power following the simulated eight over bowling spell. ‘Local’ RPE displayed a significant (P<0.05) increase with each additional over and were observed to reach the ‘heavy’ category. The players’ highest discomfort area was in the lower back, with 13 players perceiving discomfort in this region following the eight over spell. The shoulder and chest were another two areas player’s indicated discomfort with eight players selecting the dominant shoulder. Seven players complained of the dominant side pectoral muscle, leading foot and dominant latissimus dorsi muscle being uncomfortable. Interestingly, the dominant pectoral showed the highest body discomfort ratings amongst players. There were no significant changes in accuracy between overs although there were large interindividual differences in accuracy points between players. The decrease in ball release speed observed during over seven was shown to be significantly (p<0.05) lower than overs one to four. Conclusion: The power output and perceived strain results of the players, appears to indicate the presence of fatigue in players. However, the results are not conclusive, as the fatigue was not shown in muscle recruitment patterns, as well as the body discomfort ratings. There was a non-significant trend observed in the lower limb muscle activation decreasing at higher speeds. Players were able to maintain accuracy. However, the significantly lower ball release speed observed during over seven showed players performance decreasing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Value and size investment strategies: evidence from the cross-section of returns in the South African equity market
- Authors: Barnard, Kevin John
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Financial risk -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Investments -- Psychological aspects , Investments -- Decision making , Value premium , Size effect , Rational finance , Behavioural finance , South African equity markets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001606 , Financial risk -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Investments -- Psychological aspects , Investments -- Decision making
- Description: Value and size related equity investment strategies are supported by a large body of empirical research that shows a persistent premium, both longitudinally and crosssectionally. However, the competing rational and behavioural finance explanations for the success of these strategies are a subject of debate. The rational explanation is that the premium earned on value shares or shares of small companies can be attributed to higher risk. Behaviouralists argue that such shares are not riskier and attribute the premium to cognitive errors and biases in human decision making. The purpose of this study is to determine, firstly, whether the value and size premium exist in South Africa during the period July 2006 to June 2012, which includes one of the worst equity market crises in history. Secondly, this study sets out to determine whether the premium earned on value and size strategies are adequately explained by the principles of rational finance theory. To provide evidence regarding the existence of the value premium and size effect, returns are analysed, cross-sectionally, on portfolios of shares sorted by value and size. For evidence of a rational explanation, returns are regressed on value and size variables, and the relative riskiness of value and small companies is analysed. The results show evidence of a value premium in portfolios of small companies, but not big companies. The size effect is found not to be statistically significant. While regressions do show significant relationships between value and size variables and returns, these variables are found not to be associated with higher levels of risk. The conclusion is that the evidence does not support a rational, risk based explanation of the returns
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Barnard, Kevin John
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Financial risk -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Investments -- Psychological aspects , Investments -- Decision making , Value premium , Size effect , Rational finance , Behavioural finance , South African equity markets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001606 , Financial risk -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Investments -- Psychological aspects , Investments -- Decision making
- Description: Value and size related equity investment strategies are supported by a large body of empirical research that shows a persistent premium, both longitudinally and crosssectionally. However, the competing rational and behavioural finance explanations for the success of these strategies are a subject of debate. The rational explanation is that the premium earned on value shares or shares of small companies can be attributed to higher risk. Behaviouralists argue that such shares are not riskier and attribute the premium to cognitive errors and biases in human decision making. The purpose of this study is to determine, firstly, whether the value and size premium exist in South Africa during the period July 2006 to June 2012, which includes one of the worst equity market crises in history. Secondly, this study sets out to determine whether the premium earned on value and size strategies are adequately explained by the principles of rational finance theory. To provide evidence regarding the existence of the value premium and size effect, returns are analysed, cross-sectionally, on portfolios of shares sorted by value and size. For evidence of a rational explanation, returns are regressed on value and size variables, and the relative riskiness of value and small companies is analysed. The results show evidence of a value premium in portfolios of small companies, but not big companies. The size effect is found not to be statistically significant. While regressions do show significant relationships between value and size variables and returns, these variables are found not to be associated with higher levels of risk. The conclusion is that the evidence does not support a rational, risk based explanation of the returns
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Sustainable harvesting of wild populations of Cyclopia intermedia in Kouga, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Barnardo, Nadia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rooibos tea industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020195
- Description: Cyclopia intermedia E. Mey is harvested from the wild to produce honeybush tea. The presence of a lignotuber and its slow growth seems to hinder the cultivation of this species and wild harvesting is likely to continue. Species distribution modelling indicated that C. intermedia has a climate envelope that spans from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape along the Cape Fold mountains. This regional distribution is threatened under future climate change scenarios with a range loss and shift identified for climate conditions predicted for 2050. More specifically, its niche was identified as south-facing slopes with sandy to loamy sand soils and water holding capacity that is higher than the surrounding areas. Some keystone Fynbos species were found to share this niche: Leucadendron salignum, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Protea neriifolia, Protea repens, Elegia filacea and Rhodocoma fruticosa. Cyclopia intermedia grows throughout the summer with flowering buds developing in autumn. These enlarge during winter with the flowers opening in early spring. Pods develop in November and seed set occurs during December. Harvesting plants increases their fecundity with cut plants producing more than twice the number of pods and seeds compared to their non-harvested counterparts. This is because resprouting plants produce more flowering stems than uncut plants. Controlled harvesting or localised short-cycle burning could be considered as a management option to improve fecundity of declining Cyclopia intermedia populations in protected areas. C. intermedia harvesting could occur every third year and stem colour was identified as a measure of harvest maturity. Where at least 30 percent of the population has orange (RHS colour 163A) stems the population is suitable for harvesting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Barnardo, Nadia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rooibos tea industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020195
- Description: Cyclopia intermedia E. Mey is harvested from the wild to produce honeybush tea. The presence of a lignotuber and its slow growth seems to hinder the cultivation of this species and wild harvesting is likely to continue. Species distribution modelling indicated that C. intermedia has a climate envelope that spans from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape along the Cape Fold mountains. This regional distribution is threatened under future climate change scenarios with a range loss and shift identified for climate conditions predicted for 2050. More specifically, its niche was identified as south-facing slopes with sandy to loamy sand soils and water holding capacity that is higher than the surrounding areas. Some keystone Fynbos species were found to share this niche: Leucadendron salignum, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Protea neriifolia, Protea repens, Elegia filacea and Rhodocoma fruticosa. Cyclopia intermedia grows throughout the summer with flowering buds developing in autumn. These enlarge during winter with the flowers opening in early spring. Pods develop in November and seed set occurs during December. Harvesting plants increases their fecundity with cut plants producing more than twice the number of pods and seeds compared to their non-harvested counterparts. This is because resprouting plants produce more flowering stems than uncut plants. Controlled harvesting or localised short-cycle burning could be considered as a management option to improve fecundity of declining Cyclopia intermedia populations in protected areas. C. intermedia harvesting could occur every third year and stem colour was identified as a measure of harvest maturity. Where at least 30 percent of the population has orange (RHS colour 163A) stems the population is suitable for harvesting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
‘Growing’ social protection in developing countries: lessons from Brazil and South Africa
- Barrientos, Armando, Moller, Valerie, Saboia, Joao, Lloyd-Sherlock, Peter, Mase, Julia
- Authors: Barrientos, Armando , Moller, Valerie , Saboia, Joao , Lloyd-Sherlock, Peter , Mase, Julia
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67195 , vital:29058 , https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2013.756098
- Description: publisher version , The rapid expansion of social protection in the South provides a rich diversity of experiences and lessons on how best to reduce poverty and ultimately eradicate it. Knowledge on how best to ‘grow’ social assistance, understood as long-term institutions responsible for reducing and preventing poverty, is at a premium. This article examines the expansion of social assistance in Brazil and South Africa, two of the middle income countries widely perceived to have advanced furthest in ‘growing’ social protection. It examines three aspects: the primacy of politics in explaining the expansion of social protection and assistance, the tensions between path-dependence and innovation in terms of institutions and practices, and the poverty and inequality outcomes of social assistance expansion. The article concludes by drawing the main lessons for other developing countries.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Barrientos, Armando , Moller, Valerie , Saboia, Joao , Lloyd-Sherlock, Peter , Mase, Julia
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67195 , vital:29058 , https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2013.756098
- Description: publisher version , The rapid expansion of social protection in the South provides a rich diversity of experiences and lessons on how best to reduce poverty and ultimately eradicate it. Knowledge on how best to ‘grow’ social assistance, understood as long-term institutions responsible for reducing and preventing poverty, is at a premium. This article examines the expansion of social assistance in Brazil and South Africa, two of the middle income countries widely perceived to have advanced furthest in ‘growing’ social protection. It examines three aspects: the primacy of politics in explaining the expansion of social protection and assistance, the tensions between path-dependence and innovation in terms of institutions and practices, and the poverty and inequality outcomes of social assistance expansion. The article concludes by drawing the main lessons for other developing countries.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
Establishing a transformative institutional culture at a comprehensive South African university: the role of the arts
- Authors: Barry, Michael Peter
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Multicultural education -- South Africa , Education -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Educational change , Cultural pluralism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013069
- Description: Universities in South Africa have emerged from an exceptionally fragmented and divided past and are responding to this by reconceptualising and restructuring their institutional governance structures. This is been done through the introduction of policies and strategies aimed at transforming institutional landscapes and creating environments that are conducive to meeting the demands and pressures of a transformed SA. Previous studies have indicated that there is a need for institutional transformation and change at newly merged universities in SA. However, very little is known about the possible role the arts could play in institutional change and transformation processes and what Badat refers to, when referencing the process of institutional transformation, as “the dissolution of existing social relations and institutions, policies and practices, and their re-creation and consolidation into something substantially new” (2009:456). The goal of this research study is to explore the views, opinions and perceptions of key stakeholders and decision-makers at a comprehensive South African university, in this case, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), in order to gain their insights into the role the arts could play in creating and consolidating a transformative institutional culture at a merged university in SA. The data was obtained from semi-structured interviews with 16 key decision-makers and stakeholders at NMMU. Based on the thematic data analysis, the responses from these key stakeholders indicate that there is wide support for the arts to play a role in the establishment of a transformative institutional culture and it appears that not only should the arts play a role, they should play a central role.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Barry, Michael Peter
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Multicultural education -- South Africa , Education -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Educational change , Cultural pluralism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013069
- Description: Universities in South Africa have emerged from an exceptionally fragmented and divided past and are responding to this by reconceptualising and restructuring their institutional governance structures. This is been done through the introduction of policies and strategies aimed at transforming institutional landscapes and creating environments that are conducive to meeting the demands and pressures of a transformed SA. Previous studies have indicated that there is a need for institutional transformation and change at newly merged universities in SA. However, very little is known about the possible role the arts could play in institutional change and transformation processes and what Badat refers to, when referencing the process of institutional transformation, as “the dissolution of existing social relations and institutions, policies and practices, and their re-creation and consolidation into something substantially new” (2009:456). The goal of this research study is to explore the views, opinions and perceptions of key stakeholders and decision-makers at a comprehensive South African university, in this case, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), in order to gain their insights into the role the arts could play in creating and consolidating a transformative institutional culture at a merged university in SA. The data was obtained from semi-structured interviews with 16 key decision-makers and stakeholders at NMMU. Based on the thematic data analysis, the responses from these key stakeholders indicate that there is wide support for the arts to play a role in the establishment of a transformative institutional culture and it appears that not only should the arts play a role, they should play a central role.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Evaluation of the Performance Management Systems (PMS): a case study of the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasure
- Authors: Baxana, Mandilakhe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015045
- Description: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Performance Managements System (PMS) policy by looking at the implementation of the PMS in line with provincial and national policies. The purpose is to achieve sustainable improvement in organizational performance whilst examining the value of PMS in assessing performance of the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury employees. The questionnaire was personally delivered to potential respondents. The study showed that the performance management system used by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury was on track with clear objectives, and was largely integrated with the departments' planning process, primarily through the use of divisional planning objectives as a basis for employee performance agreements. However, the general findings were qualified by the need to address. Several key issues, and to make some improvements to the process. It was also concluded that the revised performance management system should have a stronger emphasis on effective managing, monitoring, reporting and rewarding high performance and correcting low performance respectively. Key recommendations are made to assist this department in its quest to achieve maximum return on the investment from its human capital. The recommendations are: The Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury needs to establish clear organizational objectives and the performance management tool should be negotiated and agreed with the union councils and management. The performance measures or key performance indicators should be agreed upfront with all employees, irrespective of their level in the organization.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Baxana, Mandilakhe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015045
- Description: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Performance Managements System (PMS) policy by looking at the implementation of the PMS in line with provincial and national policies. The purpose is to achieve sustainable improvement in organizational performance whilst examining the value of PMS in assessing performance of the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury employees. The questionnaire was personally delivered to potential respondents. The study showed that the performance management system used by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury was on track with clear objectives, and was largely integrated with the departments' planning process, primarily through the use of divisional planning objectives as a basis for employee performance agreements. However, the general findings were qualified by the need to address. Several key issues, and to make some improvements to the process. It was also concluded that the revised performance management system should have a stronger emphasis on effective managing, monitoring, reporting and rewarding high performance and correcting low performance respectively. Key recommendations are made to assist this department in its quest to achieve maximum return on the investment from its human capital. The recommendations are: The Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury needs to establish clear organizational objectives and the performance management tool should be negotiated and agreed with the union councils and management. The performance measures or key performance indicators should be agreed upfront with all employees, irrespective of their level in the organization.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2013
A feminist analysis of Lyman Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden
- Authors: Becker, Bonnie
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1290 , vital:26543
- Description: The primary aim of this project is to provide a close contextual and textual analysis of the selected children’s classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden using the feminist literary theory. From this perspective I have shown how the selected works of Lyman Frank Baum, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s writing have contributed to women’s stereotypical roles within society and perpetuated their subjugated position. I have also conducted an examination of the extent to which the female protagonists attempt to emancipate themselves from gender oppression. A comparative study of the selected children’s texts has not yet been conducted and therefore this project serves as a significant contribution to this field of study. An exploration of the historical background of the authors and children’s literature is conducted to provide an overview into the inner workings of the writers’ lives and the historical significance of children’s literature as a genre. The theoretical framework of feminist literary theory is used in the analysis of the selected texts. The connection between feminist literary theory and children’s literature is highlighted and provides further understanding of the purpose of this study. The history of feminism as both a movement and a contemporary literary criticism is explored. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is used when analysing the texts’ characters and how they are based on society’s stereotypical gender roles. Luce Irigaray’s Speculum of the Other Woman and This Sex Which is Not One is examined to aid in an exploration of psychological female oppression through feminine and masculine discourse evident in the creation of the novels’ female and male characters. Hélène Cixous’ “The Laugh of the Medusa” and The Newly Born Woman is interrogated according to the stereotypical ideology surrounding the terms masculinity and femininity and how these terms are interpreted in the selected works. Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble and Undoing Gender are additionally explored to assist in the understanding of the concept of gender performativity and through the lens of Butler’s interpolation of gender the move towards the emancipation of women is seen in the selected children’s texts. The close textual feminist analysis focuses on the female protagonists: Dorothy, Anne and Mary as well as the secondary female characters: the wicked witches, Aunt Em, the Queen of the Field-Mice, the princess made from china, Glinda’s female soldiers from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Marilla Cuthbert, Rachel Lynde and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables and Martha, Mrs Sowerby and Mrs Craven from The Secret Garden. The portrayal of the secondary male characters are additionally explored according to feminist literary theory: The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion and the wizard Oz from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Matthew Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of the Green Gables’ and Mr Craven, Colin Craven and Dickon Sowerby from The Secret Garden. The comparison of these children’s classics by Baum, Montgomery and Burnett provides insight into the selected works of all three writers, through the lens offered by feminist literary theory. Through the interrogation of these representative female protagonists found in early children’s literature, an understanding of not only the subordination of women, as evident in literature during this era, is illustrated but also the comprehension that women’s liberation was foreshadowed in these early children’s novels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Becker, Bonnie
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1290 , vital:26543
- Description: The primary aim of this project is to provide a close contextual and textual analysis of the selected children’s classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden using the feminist literary theory. From this perspective I have shown how the selected works of Lyman Frank Baum, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s writing have contributed to women’s stereotypical roles within society and perpetuated their subjugated position. I have also conducted an examination of the extent to which the female protagonists attempt to emancipate themselves from gender oppression. A comparative study of the selected children’s texts has not yet been conducted and therefore this project serves as a significant contribution to this field of study. An exploration of the historical background of the authors and children’s literature is conducted to provide an overview into the inner workings of the writers’ lives and the historical significance of children’s literature as a genre. The theoretical framework of feminist literary theory is used in the analysis of the selected texts. The connection between feminist literary theory and children’s literature is highlighted and provides further understanding of the purpose of this study. The history of feminism as both a movement and a contemporary literary criticism is explored. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is used when analysing the texts’ characters and how they are based on society’s stereotypical gender roles. Luce Irigaray’s Speculum of the Other Woman and This Sex Which is Not One is examined to aid in an exploration of psychological female oppression through feminine and masculine discourse evident in the creation of the novels’ female and male characters. Hélène Cixous’ “The Laugh of the Medusa” and The Newly Born Woman is interrogated according to the stereotypical ideology surrounding the terms masculinity and femininity and how these terms are interpreted in the selected works. Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble and Undoing Gender are additionally explored to assist in the understanding of the concept of gender performativity and through the lens of Butler’s interpolation of gender the move towards the emancipation of women is seen in the selected children’s texts. The close textual feminist analysis focuses on the female protagonists: Dorothy, Anne and Mary as well as the secondary female characters: the wicked witches, Aunt Em, the Queen of the Field-Mice, the princess made from china, Glinda’s female soldiers from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Marilla Cuthbert, Rachel Lynde and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables and Martha, Mrs Sowerby and Mrs Craven from The Secret Garden. The portrayal of the secondary male characters are additionally explored according to feminist literary theory: The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion and the wizard Oz from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Matthew Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of the Green Gables’ and Mr Craven, Colin Craven and Dickon Sowerby from The Secret Garden. The comparison of these children’s classics by Baum, Montgomery and Burnett provides insight into the selected works of all three writers, through the lens offered by feminist literary theory. Through the interrogation of these representative female protagonists found in early children’s literature, an understanding of not only the subordination of women, as evident in literature during this era, is illustrated but also the comprehension that women’s liberation was foreshadowed in these early children’s novels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The influence of soil properties on the growth and distribution of Portulacaria Afra in subtropical thicket, South Africa
- Authors: Becker, Carina Helene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Portulacaria afra -- South Africa , Plant conservation -- South Africa , Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013046
- Description: Subtropical Thicket is the dominant vegetation biome in the Eastern Cape, and extends through to parts of the Western Cape. It is dominated by Portulacaria afra (spekboom), a woody succulent plant recognised for its importance as an ecosystem engineer and its carbon sequestration potential. Due to excessive grazing from domestic stock, spekboom has been completely removed from some areas. The Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme (STRP) initiated a large scale restoration programme of planting spekboom cuttings in these degraded areas. Their efforts have been met with varying levels of success and improvement of the programme relies on continuous monitoring and scientific evaluation. I investigated the influence of selected soil properties on spekboom growth, mortality and landscape distribution, at both restoration sites and natural intact areas, and through experiments. Site or location was the most important factor influencing spekboom success at restoration plots, whereby sites in the eastern end of spekboom distribution perform better. Moving westwards slope orientation emerged as an important factor, whereby north facing slopes are preferred by spekboom. Although high levels of soil salinity (NaCl) restricted spekboom growth and affected its health, it could tolerate the levels it was exposed too. Soil pH, above 7, and phosphorous concentration, above 70 mg.kg-1, were the only limiting factors to spekboom survival found in the restoration sites. This preference for acidic soils was mirrored in intact Thicket. However in general, soil is not a major factor influencing spekboom growth and distribution, and spekboom is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Spekbooms constraint is most likely a function of climate, which varies greatly across the biome. This study answered some vital questions regarding the possible influence of soil in spekboom growth and distribution. It disapproved the theory that a catena effect may be responsible for the lack of spekboom growing in bottomland areas. The study also indicates and supports the versatility of spekboom as a plant for restoring degraded lands across a range of different geologies and soil types. To maximise spekboom survival rates, restoration efforts should be focussed towards the eastern end of its distribution and to avoid planting in soils with pH levels higher than 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Becker, Carina Helene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Portulacaria afra -- South Africa , Plant conservation -- South Africa , Shrubs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013046
- Description: Subtropical Thicket is the dominant vegetation biome in the Eastern Cape, and extends through to parts of the Western Cape. It is dominated by Portulacaria afra (spekboom), a woody succulent plant recognised for its importance as an ecosystem engineer and its carbon sequestration potential. Due to excessive grazing from domestic stock, spekboom has been completely removed from some areas. The Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme (STRP) initiated a large scale restoration programme of planting spekboom cuttings in these degraded areas. Their efforts have been met with varying levels of success and improvement of the programme relies on continuous monitoring and scientific evaluation. I investigated the influence of selected soil properties on spekboom growth, mortality and landscape distribution, at both restoration sites and natural intact areas, and through experiments. Site or location was the most important factor influencing spekboom success at restoration plots, whereby sites in the eastern end of spekboom distribution perform better. Moving westwards slope orientation emerged as an important factor, whereby north facing slopes are preferred by spekboom. Although high levels of soil salinity (NaCl) restricted spekboom growth and affected its health, it could tolerate the levels it was exposed too. Soil pH, above 7, and phosphorous concentration, above 70 mg.kg-1, were the only limiting factors to spekboom survival found in the restoration sites. This preference for acidic soils was mirrored in intact Thicket. However in general, soil is not a major factor influencing spekboom growth and distribution, and spekboom is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Spekbooms constraint is most likely a function of climate, which varies greatly across the biome. This study answered some vital questions regarding the possible influence of soil in spekboom growth and distribution. It disapproved the theory that a catena effect may be responsible for the lack of spekboom growing in bottomland areas. The study also indicates and supports the versatility of spekboom as a plant for restoring degraded lands across a range of different geologies and soil types. To maximise spekboom survival rates, restoration efforts should be focussed towards the eastern end of its distribution and to avoid planting in soils with pH levels higher than 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An assessment of change readiness prior to significant organisational change
- Authors: Bedser, Mark Bernard
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organization change -- South Africa -- Case studies Eskom (Firm) -- Management , ADKAR model
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:716 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001870
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and research methodology. The evaluation report section is the assessment of the current state of change readiness within the Eskom Contact Centre’s based upon what the literature on change readiness prescribes. The timing of the change readiness assessment is just prior to significant organisational change. The organisational change that was about to be initiated by the organisation was initiated from the boardroom of the most senior echelons of the organisation, and was directed in a top down approach, being a strategic organisational change. The change is deemed to be critical to the organisation being able to meet its long term strategic and sustainability objectives. A critical examination of the literature explored the meaning of change readiness, the importance of it and explained the consequences for organisations that commit to transformational agendas without being ready. Key concepts such as such resistance to change and organisational inertia are described and differentiated from change readiness. The ADKAR change model and its change readiness assessment instrument were used due to the organisations preference for the model. The ADKAR model formed the framework for the analyses of the data, the discussion of the results and the recommendations to the organisation. The research conducted was quantitative in nature; a questionnaire was distributed to the employees of the seven Eskom Contact centre sites around the country through an email. A slightly modified version of the ADKAR change readiness questionnaire was sent via email with an on-line questionnaire link on it; and questions on individual readiness for change were used to assess the level of readiness of the employees. Most of the descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed with the use of Excel (version, 2010), with Factor Analysis being done in research showed that: - The factors as proposed by the ADKAR change readiness assessment questionnaire (i.e. Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) are not different enough to be considered as independent factors for this data set. Based on factor analysis, the factors were subsequently amended from five to three, namely Readiness, Opportunity Realisation and Uncertainty. - The Contact Centre employees were somewhat ready for change. - The Contact Centres needed to focus on all amended ADKAR factors in order to improve the readiness of the department. - The readiness levels in response to the roll out were more or less uniform. The study shows that given Eskom’s preference for the ADKAR model, future research within Eskom should therefore be conducted more circumspectly with respect to ascertaining the validity of the ADKAR factors. The study also makes mention that future work and/or research will need to be conducted, specifically on the readiness of the organisation itself, in order to improve the probability of transformational success. The ADKAR assessment is a people focused assessment and therefore focuses only on the readiness of the individual. Factors such as the adequacy of the current state of resources within the organisation, which incorporate aspects such as infrastructure, technology and staffing, will also need to be assessed to make a more holistic statement of change readiness. A concise review of the literature is incorporated into the Evaluation Report of Section 1 to underpin the study. In Section 2 a more extensive review of the literature is presented. Similarly, the design of the research is discussed in more detail in Section 3 to both describe and justify the appropriateness of the research methodology, and to give a detailed account of the way in which the research was carried out.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bedser, Mark Bernard
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organization change -- South Africa -- Case studies Eskom (Firm) -- Management , ADKAR model
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:716 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001870
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and research methodology. The evaluation report section is the assessment of the current state of change readiness within the Eskom Contact Centre’s based upon what the literature on change readiness prescribes. The timing of the change readiness assessment is just prior to significant organisational change. The organisational change that was about to be initiated by the organisation was initiated from the boardroom of the most senior echelons of the organisation, and was directed in a top down approach, being a strategic organisational change. The change is deemed to be critical to the organisation being able to meet its long term strategic and sustainability objectives. A critical examination of the literature explored the meaning of change readiness, the importance of it and explained the consequences for organisations that commit to transformational agendas without being ready. Key concepts such as such resistance to change and organisational inertia are described and differentiated from change readiness. The ADKAR change model and its change readiness assessment instrument were used due to the organisations preference for the model. The ADKAR model formed the framework for the analyses of the data, the discussion of the results and the recommendations to the organisation. The research conducted was quantitative in nature; a questionnaire was distributed to the employees of the seven Eskom Contact centre sites around the country through an email. A slightly modified version of the ADKAR change readiness questionnaire was sent via email with an on-line questionnaire link on it; and questions on individual readiness for change were used to assess the level of readiness of the employees. Most of the descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed with the use of Excel (version, 2010), with Factor Analysis being done in research showed that: - The factors as proposed by the ADKAR change readiness assessment questionnaire (i.e. Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) are not different enough to be considered as independent factors for this data set. Based on factor analysis, the factors were subsequently amended from five to three, namely Readiness, Opportunity Realisation and Uncertainty. - The Contact Centre employees were somewhat ready for change. - The Contact Centres needed to focus on all amended ADKAR factors in order to improve the readiness of the department. - The readiness levels in response to the roll out were more or less uniform. The study shows that given Eskom’s preference for the ADKAR model, future research within Eskom should therefore be conducted more circumspectly with respect to ascertaining the validity of the ADKAR factors. The study also makes mention that future work and/or research will need to be conducted, specifically on the readiness of the organisation itself, in order to improve the probability of transformational success. The ADKAR assessment is a people focused assessment and therefore focuses only on the readiness of the individual. Factors such as the adequacy of the current state of resources within the organisation, which incorporate aspects such as infrastructure, technology and staffing, will also need to be assessed to make a more holistic statement of change readiness. A concise review of the literature is incorporated into the Evaluation Report of Section 1 to underpin the study. In Section 2 a more extensive review of the literature is presented. Similarly, the design of the research is discussed in more detail in Section 3 to both describe and justify the appropriateness of the research methodology, and to give a detailed account of the way in which the research was carried out.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013