A model for smart factories in the consumer health sector
- Authors: Nherera, Bruce
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52959 , vital:44879
- Description: The manufacturing sector, globally, is facing significant challenges due to current societal, economic, environmental, and technological developments. To overcome the challenges into the future, manufacturing organisations will need new capabilities to manage their end to end supply chains to make sure that it is responsive and agile. The Smart factories, as an element of Industry 4.0, drive efficient operations while at the same time ensure that employees are safe, and operations are environmentally sustainable. The ability to be flexible, to be reconfigured and to be connected to customers allows Smart factories to mass customise their customers’ orders and maintain the same efficiencies when compared to mass production operations. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart factories must be employed to further drive efficiencies, agility and ease of production by giving operations the capability to respond in real time to problems with machines and customer requests. Smart factory technology allows operational sustainability through the efficient use of resources. The Smart factory revolution is significantly changing the relationship between humans and machines. Based on the literature review conducted, a theoretical model was constructed which was tested at a Consumer Health Organisation to identify the relationship between the dependent and independent factors. The independent factors, specified in the model were job security, organisation culture, training and skills, trust, costs and resources, parent company and standards. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Nherera, Bruce
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52959 , vital:44879
- Description: The manufacturing sector, globally, is facing significant challenges due to current societal, economic, environmental, and technological developments. To overcome the challenges into the future, manufacturing organisations will need new capabilities to manage their end to end supply chains to make sure that it is responsive and agile. The Smart factories, as an element of Industry 4.0, drive efficient operations while at the same time ensure that employees are safe, and operations are environmentally sustainable. The ability to be flexible, to be reconfigured and to be connected to customers allows Smart factories to mass customise their customers’ orders and maintain the same efficiencies when compared to mass production operations. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart factories must be employed to further drive efficiencies, agility and ease of production by giving operations the capability to respond in real time to problems with machines and customer requests. Smart factory technology allows operational sustainability through the efficient use of resources. The Smart factory revolution is significantly changing the relationship between humans and machines. Based on the literature review conducted, a theoretical model was constructed which was tested at a Consumer Health Organisation to identify the relationship between the dependent and independent factors. The independent factors, specified in the model were job security, organisation culture, training and skills, trust, costs and resources, parent company and standards. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A model for smart ports in developing countries
- Authors: Mcetywa, Kwazelela
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Harbors --Design and construction , Harbors-- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56012 , vital:54632
- Description: South African Ports have made a commendable effort in improving productivity through technology and they compete reasonably well with ports in other developing countries. However, sufficient research about the factors that affect the adoption of smart ports and associated benefits have not been adequately explored in South Africa and in other developing countries. The consequence is that ports are faced with high levels of inefficiency, deteriorating logistical performance, poor port productivity, high transport costs and truck congestion. Therefore, the study focuses on determining and evaluating factors that affect the adoption of the smart port’s concept in developing countries in order to improve port productivity and efficiency. A proposed conceptual Smart Port model was developed based on an in-depth review of literature on smart ports, covering both national and international research. The study follows a quantitative research approach and is based on positivism. The sampling frame of the study was limited to 1,350 employees and managers in South African ports. The data was collected from South African port’s employees via an email survey, using an embedded questionnaire. The data collected from a total number of 197 participants were analysed statistically. The confirmed model for smart ports in developing countries shows statistically and practically that a smart port is dependent on operations technology, environmental management, energy consumption, safety and security, integration, infrastructure and equipment and a skilled workforce. One of the key study learnings from the study is that ports should adopt the smart port targeted initiatives in order to transition into smart ports. The developed Smart Port model can be used as a broad guideline to inform ports in South Africa and in other developing countries about the fundamental elements of an ideal port in order to improve their efficiency, competitiveness and to stimulate their growth and profitability. The study is viewed as a success in that it provides the port industry in both developed and developing countries with a deliberate and clearly defined Smart Port model structure, which did not exist before. A follow-on longitudinal study to determine the impact of the changing technologies on the smart ports is recommended among others as a future research opportunity. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mcetywa, Kwazelela
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Harbors --Design and construction , Harbors-- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56012 , vital:54632
- Description: South African Ports have made a commendable effort in improving productivity through technology and they compete reasonably well with ports in other developing countries. However, sufficient research about the factors that affect the adoption of smart ports and associated benefits have not been adequately explored in South Africa and in other developing countries. The consequence is that ports are faced with high levels of inefficiency, deteriorating logistical performance, poor port productivity, high transport costs and truck congestion. Therefore, the study focuses on determining and evaluating factors that affect the adoption of the smart port’s concept in developing countries in order to improve port productivity and efficiency. A proposed conceptual Smart Port model was developed based on an in-depth review of literature on smart ports, covering both national and international research. The study follows a quantitative research approach and is based on positivism. The sampling frame of the study was limited to 1,350 employees and managers in South African ports. The data was collected from South African port’s employees via an email survey, using an embedded questionnaire. The data collected from a total number of 197 participants were analysed statistically. The confirmed model for smart ports in developing countries shows statistically and practically that a smart port is dependent on operations technology, environmental management, energy consumption, safety and security, integration, infrastructure and equipment and a skilled workforce. One of the key study learnings from the study is that ports should adopt the smart port targeted initiatives in order to transition into smart ports. The developed Smart Port model can be used as a broad guideline to inform ports in South Africa and in other developing countries about the fundamental elements of an ideal port in order to improve their efficiency, competitiveness and to stimulate their growth and profitability. The study is viewed as a success in that it provides the port industry in both developed and developing countries with a deliberate and clearly defined Smart Port model structure, which did not exist before. A follow-on longitudinal study to determine the impact of the changing technologies on the smart ports is recommended among others as a future research opportunity. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A model to predict the development of preeclampsia in South African women
- Authors: Smith, Nathan
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Medical instruments and apparatus -- Design and construction , Hypertension in pregnancy -- measurements-- South Africa , Fetus -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59980 , vital:62724
- Description: Preeclampsia is the new onset of hypertension and is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in South Africa and the world. Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed after 20 weeks’ gestation. Due to South Africa’s poor level of antenatal care, the prediction of pregnant women at risk of developing preeclampsia can be an essential component of improving the level of antenatal. This study used an antenatal care dataset from a South African obstetrician. A review of the literature and existing systems was conducted to identify the eight risk factors. These risk factors are systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, maternal age, body mass index, diabetes status, hypertension history, nulliparity, and maternal disease. This study used antenatal care datasets from a South African obstetrician. Two models were developed that could accurately predict the development of preeclampsia, one before 16 weeks’ gestation and the other within three check-ups. The model was evaluated using five evaluation metrics: classification accuracy, area under the curve, precision, recall and F-Score. The results of this study show a promising future for the use of machine learning models in health care. To the researcher’s knowledge, this model is the first machine learning model for predicting preeclampsia using a South African dataset. Future work will revolve around validating the model on data collected from field studies in hospitals and clinics around South Africa , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Smith, Nathan
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Medical instruments and apparatus -- Design and construction , Hypertension in pregnancy -- measurements-- South Africa , Fetus -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59980 , vital:62724
- Description: Preeclampsia is the new onset of hypertension and is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in South Africa and the world. Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed after 20 weeks’ gestation. Due to South Africa’s poor level of antenatal care, the prediction of pregnant women at risk of developing preeclampsia can be an essential component of improving the level of antenatal. This study used an antenatal care dataset from a South African obstetrician. A review of the literature and existing systems was conducted to identify the eight risk factors. These risk factors are systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, maternal age, body mass index, diabetes status, hypertension history, nulliparity, and maternal disease. This study used antenatal care datasets from a South African obstetrician. Two models were developed that could accurately predict the development of preeclampsia, one before 16 weeks’ gestation and the other within three check-ups. The model was evaluated using five evaluation metrics: classification accuracy, area under the curve, precision, recall and F-Score. The results of this study show a promising future for the use of machine learning models in health care. To the researcher’s knowledge, this model is the first machine learning model for predicting preeclampsia using a South African dataset. Future work will revolve around validating the model on data collected from field studies in hospitals and clinics around South Africa , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
A modelling approach to the analysis of complex survey data
- Authors: Dlangamandla, Olwethu
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sampling (Statistics) , Linear models (Statistics) , Multilevel models (Statistics) , Logistic regression analysis , Complex survey data
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192955 , vital:45284
- Description: Surveys are an essential tool for collecting data and most surveys use complex sampling designs to collect the data. Complex sampling designs are used mainly to enhance representativeness in the sample by accounting for the underlying structure of the population. This often results in data that are non-independent and clustered. Ignoring complex design features such as clustering, stratification, multistage and unequal probability sampling may result in inaccurate and incorrect inference. An overview of, and difference between, design-based and model-based approaches to inference for complex survey data has been discussed. This study adopts a model-based approach. The objective of this study is to discuss and describe the modelling approach in analysing complex survey data. This is specifically done by introducing the principle inference methods under which data from complex surveys may be analysed. In particular, discussions on the theory and methods of model fitting for the analysis of complex survey data are presented. We begin by discussing unique features of complex survey data and explore appropriate methods of analysis that account for the complexity inherent in the survey data. We also explore the widely applied logistic regression modelling of binary data in a complex sample survey context. In particular, four forms of logistic regression models are fitted. These models are generalized linear models, multilevel models, mixed effects models and generalized linear mixed models. Simulated complex survey data are used to illustrate the methods and models. Various R packages are used for the analysis. The results presented and discussed in this thesis indicate that a logistic mixed model with first and second level predictors has a better fit compared to a logistic mixed model with first level predictors. In addition, a logistic multilevel model with first and second level predictors and nested random effects provides a better fit to the data compared to other logistic multilevel fitted models. Similar results were obtained from fitting a generalized logistic mixed model with first and second level predictor variables and a generalized linear mixed model with first and second level predictors and nested random effects. , Thesis (MSC) -- Faculty of Science, Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Dlangamandla, Olwethu
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sampling (Statistics) , Linear models (Statistics) , Multilevel models (Statistics) , Logistic regression analysis , Complex survey data
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192955 , vital:45284
- Description: Surveys are an essential tool for collecting data and most surveys use complex sampling designs to collect the data. Complex sampling designs are used mainly to enhance representativeness in the sample by accounting for the underlying structure of the population. This often results in data that are non-independent and clustered. Ignoring complex design features such as clustering, stratification, multistage and unequal probability sampling may result in inaccurate and incorrect inference. An overview of, and difference between, design-based and model-based approaches to inference for complex survey data has been discussed. This study adopts a model-based approach. The objective of this study is to discuss and describe the modelling approach in analysing complex survey data. This is specifically done by introducing the principle inference methods under which data from complex surveys may be analysed. In particular, discussions on the theory and methods of model fitting for the analysis of complex survey data are presented. We begin by discussing unique features of complex survey data and explore appropriate methods of analysis that account for the complexity inherent in the survey data. We also explore the widely applied logistic regression modelling of binary data in a complex sample survey context. In particular, four forms of logistic regression models are fitted. These models are generalized linear models, multilevel models, mixed effects models and generalized linear mixed models. Simulated complex survey data are used to illustrate the methods and models. Various R packages are used for the analysis. The results presented and discussed in this thesis indicate that a logistic mixed model with first and second level predictors has a better fit compared to a logistic mixed model with first level predictors. In addition, a logistic multilevel model with first and second level predictors and nested random effects provides a better fit to the data compared to other logistic multilevel fitted models. Similar results were obtained from fitting a generalized logistic mixed model with first and second level predictor variables and a generalized linear mixed model with first and second level predictors and nested random effects. , Thesis (MSC) -- Faculty of Science, Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
A multimodal analysis of the representation of voter disillusionment in social media memes distributed on Twitter in the lead up to the 2019 South African general election
- Authors: Jeftha, Courtney Alexandra
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Elections South Africa 21st century , Culture Study and teaching South Africa , Mass media Study and teaching South Africa , Social media South Africa , Memes South Africa , Visual sociology , Textual Analysis , Critical discourse analysis , Modality (Linguistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405930 , vital:70220
- Description: This study is situated in the context of the 2019 South African general election, which saw the lowest voter turnout since its first democratic election in 1994. Many have questioned the capabilities of the African National Congress (ANC) since they came into power in 1994, due to allegations of corruption, maladministration and poor leadership. The concerns about the party’s ability to manage the country’s various social issues have led to a drop in voter turnout. There was much discussion in the media about the lack of voter turnout amongst young people in South Africa. This topic became a trending topic on social media under the #iwanttovotebut hashtag. The sentiments expressed by South African Twitter users in the #iwanttovotebut memes are explored in this study. The analysis of the memes draws on the works of Kress and van Leeuwen’s (1996; 2006) visual social semiotics, Fairclough’s (1989) approach to Critical discourse analysis (CDA), and Thompson’s operation of ideologies. VSS allows for the description of the various semiotic resources that memers use to construct their meaning from multimodal texts. The tools provided by CDA go beyond the description of VSS and develop a more detailed analysis of how the memers construct their discourses of democracy/governance. Thompson’s (1991) approach to understanding how ideology operates in language enables the deepening of the understanding of the dominant and naturalised notions of democracy/governance. The findings indicate that memers have a limited understanding of democracy. They also have a limited understanding of how political parties operate and their responsibilities in the form of government and various agencies. In addition, it is not surprising that young people are not voting in the 2019 general election. This is a phenomenon that the media has characterized as “apathy.” However, this research indicates that it would be more accurate to describe it as “disillusionment.” , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Jeftha, Courtney Alexandra
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Elections South Africa 21st century , Culture Study and teaching South Africa , Mass media Study and teaching South Africa , Social media South Africa , Memes South Africa , Visual sociology , Textual Analysis , Critical discourse analysis , Modality (Linguistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405930 , vital:70220
- Description: This study is situated in the context of the 2019 South African general election, which saw the lowest voter turnout since its first democratic election in 1994. Many have questioned the capabilities of the African National Congress (ANC) since they came into power in 1994, due to allegations of corruption, maladministration and poor leadership. The concerns about the party’s ability to manage the country’s various social issues have led to a drop in voter turnout. There was much discussion in the media about the lack of voter turnout amongst young people in South Africa. This topic became a trending topic on social media under the #iwanttovotebut hashtag. The sentiments expressed by South African Twitter users in the #iwanttovotebut memes are explored in this study. The analysis of the memes draws on the works of Kress and van Leeuwen’s (1996; 2006) visual social semiotics, Fairclough’s (1989) approach to Critical discourse analysis (CDA), and Thompson’s operation of ideologies. VSS allows for the description of the various semiotic resources that memers use to construct their meaning from multimodal texts. The tools provided by CDA go beyond the description of VSS and develop a more detailed analysis of how the memers construct their discourses of democracy/governance. Thompson’s (1991) approach to understanding how ideology operates in language enables the deepening of the understanding of the dominant and naturalised notions of democracy/governance. The findings indicate that memers have a limited understanding of democracy. They also have a limited understanding of how political parties operate and their responsibilities in the form of government and various agencies. In addition, it is not surprising that young people are not voting in the 2019 general election. This is a phenomenon that the media has characterized as “apathy.” However, this research indicates that it would be more accurate to describe it as “disillusionment.” , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
A narrative biography of sexual trauma and subsequent substance abuse
- Authors: Jansen, Tazminne
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Sexual abuse victims -- South Africa -- Biography , Substance abuse -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51231 , vital:43234
- Description: In South Africa, substance abuse and sexual assault and/or abuse are major concerns. Society has become desensitised to these topics because of its high prevalence rate. Substance abuse is often greeted with stereotypes and prejudices that view individuals as a problem to society. The proposed research employed a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive strategy of inquiry, guided by narrative biographical research design. Social constructionism was employed as a theoretical framework to explore how an individual had constructed her life story, with a specific focus on her experience of sexual trauma and subsequent substance abuse. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to recruit a research participant who was in the public domain as a motivational speaker in an attempt to guard against retraumatisation. Two data collection methods were employed, namely one-on-one semi-structured interviews and an invitation to the participant to journal about her experience, guided by specific stimulus questions. Thematic narrative analysis was employed as a method of data analysis. The outcome of the investigation had provided a narrative account of the research question at hand with the following themes coming to the forefront:- Early childhood experiences ( pre-sexual abuse), sexual trauma, recovery and meaning making. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Jansen, Tazminne
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Sexual abuse victims -- South Africa -- Biography , Substance abuse -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51231 , vital:43234
- Description: In South Africa, substance abuse and sexual assault and/or abuse are major concerns. Society has become desensitised to these topics because of its high prevalence rate. Substance abuse is often greeted with stereotypes and prejudices that view individuals as a problem to society. The proposed research employed a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive strategy of inquiry, guided by narrative biographical research design. Social constructionism was employed as a theoretical framework to explore how an individual had constructed her life story, with a specific focus on her experience of sexual trauma and subsequent substance abuse. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to recruit a research participant who was in the public domain as a motivational speaker in an attempt to guard against retraumatisation. Two data collection methods were employed, namely one-on-one semi-structured interviews and an invitation to the participant to journal about her experience, guided by specific stimulus questions. Thematic narrative analysis was employed as a method of data analysis. The outcome of the investigation had provided a narrative account of the research question at hand with the following themes coming to the forefront:- Early childhood experiences ( pre-sexual abuse), sexual trauma, recovery and meaning making. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A nasty chamber
- Authors: Jwara, Fortunate
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406262 , vital:70253
- Description: Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Jwara, Fortunate
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406262 , vital:70253
- Description: Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
A netnographic analysis of complaints and service responses on selected South African banks' Twitter handles
- Authors: Poswa, Ziyanda
- Date: 2022-05
- Subjects: Digital ethnology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23438 , vital:57731
- Description: This study is a Netnographic investigation of numerous customer complaints and service responses on selected South African (SA) banks’ Twitter handles. The fulcrum of the study is significantly linked to the Justice theories which thus form the underpinning theories of the study. The study is based on qualitative data derived from selected SA banks’ Twitter handles for duration of at least three months. The study has its philosophy or paradigm deeply rooted in the Interpretivism paradigm. The qualitative research approach is then employed in the study along with the exploratory research design which allows the extrapolation of meaningful conclusions on the findings of the investigation based on the secondary data extracted from 1286 complaints on selected SA banks’ Twitter handles. The researcher makes use of thematic analysis to categorise, investigate, consolidate, define, and create reports on the themes identified in the data set thus enabling the drawing of meaningful inferences. The researcher’s findings point out that customer complaints generally spring from outcome service failure. Outcome service failure defines occurrences where clients are disappointed with banking services or the banking experience regardless of the service or product purchased. Complaints also emanated from process service failures which mostly describe incomplete service delivery. It is thus critically recommended that banks must make sure that process failures are curtailed through an effective improvement of the value chain system. This will also take into account a proper training of banking services personnel and staff. Furthermore, it is also suggested that increased mentoring, and improving or standardising training methods might help to improve bank employee service performance hence reducing incidents of failure. A closer look at the justice theories, it is identified in the study that, banks must try to uphold by all means through effective use of distributive justice service recovery. This is through the application of fairness and courtesy when addressing customer complaints especially on public social platforms such as Twitter. Eventually, this results in increased customer satisfaction and repeated patronage for the respective banks. Through interactional justice service recovery, banks are compelled to try in every way possible not to automate their responses to client complaints in their various or different manner. Procedural justice recovery suggests that banks should take into 3 cognizance better and more effective avenues of promptly responding to their clients hence improving the effectiveness of their service recovery processes. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-05
- Authors: Poswa, Ziyanda
- Date: 2022-05
- Subjects: Digital ethnology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23438 , vital:57731
- Description: This study is a Netnographic investigation of numerous customer complaints and service responses on selected South African (SA) banks’ Twitter handles. The fulcrum of the study is significantly linked to the Justice theories which thus form the underpinning theories of the study. The study is based on qualitative data derived from selected SA banks’ Twitter handles for duration of at least three months. The study has its philosophy or paradigm deeply rooted in the Interpretivism paradigm. The qualitative research approach is then employed in the study along with the exploratory research design which allows the extrapolation of meaningful conclusions on the findings of the investigation based on the secondary data extracted from 1286 complaints on selected SA banks’ Twitter handles. The researcher makes use of thematic analysis to categorise, investigate, consolidate, define, and create reports on the themes identified in the data set thus enabling the drawing of meaningful inferences. The researcher’s findings point out that customer complaints generally spring from outcome service failure. Outcome service failure defines occurrences where clients are disappointed with banking services or the banking experience regardless of the service or product purchased. Complaints also emanated from process service failures which mostly describe incomplete service delivery. It is thus critically recommended that banks must make sure that process failures are curtailed through an effective improvement of the value chain system. This will also take into account a proper training of banking services personnel and staff. Furthermore, it is also suggested that increased mentoring, and improving or standardising training methods might help to improve bank employee service performance hence reducing incidents of failure. A closer look at the justice theories, it is identified in the study that, banks must try to uphold by all means through effective use of distributive justice service recovery. This is through the application of fairness and courtesy when addressing customer complaints especially on public social platforms such as Twitter. Eventually, this results in increased customer satisfaction and repeated patronage for the respective banks. Through interactional justice service recovery, banks are compelled to try in every way possible not to automate their responses to client complaints in their various or different manner. Procedural justice recovery suggests that banks should take into 3 cognizance better and more effective avenues of promptly responding to their clients hence improving the effectiveness of their service recovery processes. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-05
A novel o/w microemulsion fixed dose combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: development and characterisation
- Authors: Mabvira, Samantha
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232925 , vital:50038
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
- Authors: Mabvira, Samantha
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232925 , vital:50038
- Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
A pastoral-theological approach to teenage pregnancy of the church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Blantyre Synod in Malawi
- Authors: Stephens, Chaplain N
- Date: 2014-01
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26403 , vital:65302
- Description: Unwanted teenage pregnancy is one of the ongoing challenges affecting society. This issue affects the unborn child, the teenage mother, the family and the wider society. It is a problem of both the developed and developing countries. Thirty six per cent of girls in Malawi become mothers before twenty years. Among other factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy are curiosity, pressure from peers, economic survival, coercion and cultural practices. The aim of the study was to establish a pastoral-theological approach to teenage pregnancy in the C.C.A.P Blantyre Synod, in Malawi.- The study revealed that teenage mothers are faced with many challenges such as lack of financial, social and spiritual support. They also curtail their education and although some do return to school, many do not. Teenage mothers are regarded as outcasts by society and the church and as such they feel stigmatized. The stigma has in some cases ensued in unsafe abortion. Although the church disciplines the teenage mothers for falling pregnant out-of-wedlock the responsible man is left free. The following five major themes emerged from the data: Social factors, social problems, economic problems and social and spiritual support. Nine focus groups with parents of teenage mothers were conducted. Twenty (Official church elders and counsellors) were interviewed in the three Presbyteries of Thyolo Highlands, Blantyre North and Blantyre City. , Thesis (MTh) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-01
- Authors: Stephens, Chaplain N
- Date: 2014-01
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26403 , vital:65302
- Description: Unwanted teenage pregnancy is one of the ongoing challenges affecting society. This issue affects the unborn child, the teenage mother, the family and the wider society. It is a problem of both the developed and developing countries. Thirty six per cent of girls in Malawi become mothers before twenty years. Among other factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy are curiosity, pressure from peers, economic survival, coercion and cultural practices. The aim of the study was to establish a pastoral-theological approach to teenage pregnancy in the C.C.A.P Blantyre Synod, in Malawi.- The study revealed that teenage mothers are faced with many challenges such as lack of financial, social and spiritual support. They also curtail their education and although some do return to school, many do not. Teenage mothers are regarded as outcasts by society and the church and as such they feel stigmatized. The stigma has in some cases ensued in unsafe abortion. Although the church disciplines the teenage mothers for falling pregnant out-of-wedlock the responsible man is left free. The following five major themes emerged from the data: Social factors, social problems, economic problems and social and spiritual support. Nine focus groups with parents of teenage mothers were conducted. Twenty (Official church elders and counsellors) were interviewed in the three Presbyteries of Thyolo Highlands, Blantyre North and Blantyre City. , Thesis (MTh) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-01
A phenomenological investigation of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient
- Authors: Allen, Jennifer Ann
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193129 , vital:45301
- Description: The aim of this project is to come to an understanding of how the situation of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient is lived by the beginning therapist and what meaning this situation holds for him. The writer's interest in this phenomenon grew out of her own experience of this situation as a clinical Masters coursework student, an experience which was of important to the writer and meaningful still as a therapist in training. In dialogue with experienced therapists the importance of this situation was again made apparant. It was the opinion of these therapists that although for some the details of this experience had become dulled by time, what remained meaningful to them was that this experience was seen as the beginning of a project which remains important to them - they identified this situation as an important moment in the history of their development as psychotherapists. In the hope that the literature pertaining to psychotherapy would throw some light on this situation, the writer turned to a number of sources in this area to discover that no literature available to her elucidated this situation in a holistic manner. This led the writer to go back to the beginning therapists themselves so that they may speak for themselves of their experience of this situation. A phenomenological method of enquiry is implemented in this study as it renders the subject matter accessible to investigation, and allows it to reveal itself as it essentially is. This project is then an attempt to come to a general description of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient and thus to articulate the structure of the beginning therapist's lived situation (world) in this context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1987
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Allen, Jennifer Ann
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193129 , vital:45301
- Description: The aim of this project is to come to an understanding of how the situation of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient is lived by the beginning therapist and what meaning this situation holds for him. The writer's interest in this phenomenon grew out of her own experience of this situation as a clinical Masters coursework student, an experience which was of important to the writer and meaningful still as a therapist in training. In dialogue with experienced therapists the importance of this situation was again made apparant. It was the opinion of these therapists that although for some the details of this experience had become dulled by time, what remained meaningful to them was that this experience was seen as the beginning of a project which remains important to them - they identified this situation as an important moment in the history of their development as psychotherapists. In the hope that the literature pertaining to psychotherapy would throw some light on this situation, the writer turned to a number of sources in this area to discover that no literature available to her elucidated this situation in a holistic manner. This led the writer to go back to the beginning therapists themselves so that they may speak for themselves of their experience of this situation. A phenomenological method of enquiry is implemented in this study as it renders the subject matter accessible to investigation, and allows it to reveal itself as it essentially is. This project is then an attempt to come to a general description of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient and thus to articulate the structure of the beginning therapist's lived situation (world) in this context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1987
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
A project delivery framework within the Construction Industry
- Authors: Chikandiwa,Yeaukai Memory
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Construction --Management -- South Africa , Project Management , Communication
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52594 , vital:43692
- Description: A lack of effective communication has often resulted in information bottlenecks and conflicts in the execution of construction projects and is the primary cause of problems such as delays, increased project cost, reduced roductivity, loss of profit, or damaged professional or business relationships within the construction Industry. Despite all the advancement in the communication and integration tools in a drive to optimize the construction industry, this challenge still remains. In order to address this problem, this research project sought to determine the key elements that constitute effective communication and its importance to the successful projects delivery within the construction industry. A survey design which involved a sample study of a representative population through the use of a questionnaire was used. The research population comprised of all design consultants. The research found that, Common tools and processes, Good change management, PM best practices & Performance KPIs and resources are the main missing elements respectively for effective communication, which foster the conflicts inherent within the industry. The following key factors are however mostly present in project team; well-articulated project scope, quality information exchange and commendable people, cultures and behaviour. Informational asymmetries, misrepresentation, poor PM skills hinders effective communication and often results in project failure. There is therefore need to concertize the design professionals on the importance of effective communication and enlighten them on the dynamics involved. The construction industry is inherently complex, multi-disciplinary, fragmented, sporadic, dynamic and generally resistant to change. Hence, the need for rigorous research and feed back to the design professionals on effective communication especially during the changing times driven by technology, dubbed the 4th revolution. More work is to be done in order to achieve the effective communication, in the following study research area for the construction industry; the alignment of tools and processes, change management and Performance KPIs for the construction industry. These factors present a huge challenge in a fragmented and adversarial industry which is inherently resistant to change. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering,the Built Environment and Information technology,2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Chikandiwa,Yeaukai Memory
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Construction --Management -- South Africa , Project Management , Communication
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52594 , vital:43692
- Description: A lack of effective communication has often resulted in information bottlenecks and conflicts in the execution of construction projects and is the primary cause of problems such as delays, increased project cost, reduced roductivity, loss of profit, or damaged professional or business relationships within the construction Industry. Despite all the advancement in the communication and integration tools in a drive to optimize the construction industry, this challenge still remains. In order to address this problem, this research project sought to determine the key elements that constitute effective communication and its importance to the successful projects delivery within the construction industry. A survey design which involved a sample study of a representative population through the use of a questionnaire was used. The research population comprised of all design consultants. The research found that, Common tools and processes, Good change management, PM best practices & Performance KPIs and resources are the main missing elements respectively for effective communication, which foster the conflicts inherent within the industry. The following key factors are however mostly present in project team; well-articulated project scope, quality information exchange and commendable people, cultures and behaviour. Informational asymmetries, misrepresentation, poor PM skills hinders effective communication and often results in project failure. There is therefore need to concertize the design professionals on the importance of effective communication and enlighten them on the dynamics involved. The construction industry is inherently complex, multi-disciplinary, fragmented, sporadic, dynamic and generally resistant to change. Hence, the need for rigorous research and feed back to the design professionals on effective communication especially during the changing times driven by technology, dubbed the 4th revolution. More work is to be done in order to achieve the effective communication, in the following study research area for the construction industry; the alignment of tools and processes, change management and Performance KPIs for the construction industry. These factors present a huge challenge in a fragmented and adversarial industry which is inherently resistant to change. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering,the Built Environment and Information technology,2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A proposed management framework for water stewardship for small business in South Africa
- Authors: Huxtable, Collette
- Date: 2022-12-12
- Subjects: Water-supply Management , Small business South Africa , Water-supply Economic aspects , Triple bottom line , Sustainable development reporting , Competitive advantage
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419090 , vital:71615
- Description: Climate change, severe weather events, population growth and, urbanisation are just a few of the leading causes contributing to the global water crisis. This global water crisis is negatively impacting the environment, and society, which includes business (large and small). Businesses are facing many water risks and challenges in their daily operations, such as water scarcity, water stress and water pollution, which are resulting in them being negatively impacted financially. For all business to overcome these risks and challenges which are negatively impacting their operations and to assist in protecting the scarce water resources left on the planet, the implementation of water stewardship practices will play a very important role. The literature has fallen short in addressing water stewardship frameworks and practices for small business. Through a sustainability lens underpinned by Natural Resource Based View Theory, this research study sets out to develop a water stewardship framework for implementation by small business to provide them with a competitive advantage. By reviewing the current literature and frameworks available to large business organisations, the insights gained allowed for a draft water stewardship framework to be developed from this literature, suitable for small business. This draft water stewardship framework for small business was used to gather further information on its suitability for small business, through an interview process. A qualitative interview process with seven small businesses in Makhanda (South Africa), allowed for data to be gathered and used to refine and adjust the draft water stewardship framework for small business. The findings from this research study show that small business do not have a global awareness of water problems and are not aware of the concept of water stewardship. Small business were very receptive to the draft water stewardship framework for small business and felt that its implementation would make a difference in saving scarce water resources and create a competitive advantage for them. The study concludes by recommending a water stewardship framework for small business (WSF4SB), who will play a leading role in fighting the water crisis. The implementation of the WSF4SB aims to provide small business with a sustainable competitive advantage by looking after scarce water resources ensuring there is sufficient water for current and future generations. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12-12
- Authors: Huxtable, Collette
- Date: 2022-12-12
- Subjects: Water-supply Management , Small business South Africa , Water-supply Economic aspects , Triple bottom line , Sustainable development reporting , Competitive advantage
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419090 , vital:71615
- Description: Climate change, severe weather events, population growth and, urbanisation are just a few of the leading causes contributing to the global water crisis. This global water crisis is negatively impacting the environment, and society, which includes business (large and small). Businesses are facing many water risks and challenges in their daily operations, such as water scarcity, water stress and water pollution, which are resulting in them being negatively impacted financially. For all business to overcome these risks and challenges which are negatively impacting their operations and to assist in protecting the scarce water resources left on the planet, the implementation of water stewardship practices will play a very important role. The literature has fallen short in addressing water stewardship frameworks and practices for small business. Through a sustainability lens underpinned by Natural Resource Based View Theory, this research study sets out to develop a water stewardship framework for implementation by small business to provide them with a competitive advantage. By reviewing the current literature and frameworks available to large business organisations, the insights gained allowed for a draft water stewardship framework to be developed from this literature, suitable for small business. This draft water stewardship framework for small business was used to gather further information on its suitability for small business, through an interview process. A qualitative interview process with seven small businesses in Makhanda (South Africa), allowed for data to be gathered and used to refine and adjust the draft water stewardship framework for small business. The findings from this research study show that small business do not have a global awareness of water problems and are not aware of the concept of water stewardship. Small business were very receptive to the draft water stewardship framework for small business and felt that its implementation would make a difference in saving scarce water resources and create a competitive advantage for them. The study concludes by recommending a water stewardship framework for small business (WSF4SB), who will play a leading role in fighting the water crisis. The implementation of the WSF4SB aims to provide small business with a sustainable competitive advantage by looking after scarce water resources ensuring there is sufficient water for current and future generations. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12-12
A Protection of Personal Information Act Compliance Framework for the City of Tshwane’s Fresh Produce Market.
- Authors: Malepeng, Pheah Harold
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Personal data protection , Agricultural marketing –- South Africa, City of Tshwane
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61213 , vital:69804
- Description: The Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013 (POPIA) is a law drafted to regulate the processing of personal information in South Africa. Its provisions include but are not limited to the usage of personal information for marketing purposes. While it was announced that enforcement of the law would commence in July 2021, many organisations are still in the process of reorganising themselves to comply with this important piece of legislation. Although the Information Regulator’s guideline document is available for utilization, organisations are struggling to develop POPIA compliance frameworks tailored to their operational requirements. As stated in section 6.2.1 of the Information Regulator’s guideline document, the act calls for the appointment of the an Information Officer by organisations who is required to develop, implement, monitor and maintain a POPIA compliance, framework. With that stated, this study aims to reports about developing a POPIA compliance framework for the City of Tshwane’s Fresh Produce Market. The study’s primary objective was to develop a POPIA compliance framework for the City of Tshwane’s Fresh Produce Market (TFPM) as a collector and processor of personal information. The study had three sub-objectives which were achieved using three research methods, namely literature review, content analysis and semi-structured interviews. Through a literature review, conditions that should be adhered to in relation to collecting and processing personal information were identified. Shifting the focus to the second sub-objective, a vigorous content analysis was performed to investigate the TFPM’s current method of collecting and processing personal information. The process involved evaluating the TFPM’s SOPs, Service Level Agreement, License Agreement, and the city of Tshwane’s Information Communication Technology Framework using the Nexia POPIA checklist. The evaluation results revealed a huge non-compliance gap with regard iii to POPIA and personal information conditions. Post development of the POPIA framework the study embarked on an expert review process with the top management of the TFPM to assess their view on the developed POPIA compliance framework. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Information Technology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Malepeng, Pheah Harold
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Personal data protection , Agricultural marketing –- South Africa, City of Tshwane
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61213 , vital:69804
- Description: The Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013 (POPIA) is a law drafted to regulate the processing of personal information in South Africa. Its provisions include but are not limited to the usage of personal information for marketing purposes. While it was announced that enforcement of the law would commence in July 2021, many organisations are still in the process of reorganising themselves to comply with this important piece of legislation. Although the Information Regulator’s guideline document is available for utilization, organisations are struggling to develop POPIA compliance frameworks tailored to their operational requirements. As stated in section 6.2.1 of the Information Regulator’s guideline document, the act calls for the appointment of the an Information Officer by organisations who is required to develop, implement, monitor and maintain a POPIA compliance, framework. With that stated, this study aims to reports about developing a POPIA compliance framework for the City of Tshwane’s Fresh Produce Market. The study’s primary objective was to develop a POPIA compliance framework for the City of Tshwane’s Fresh Produce Market (TFPM) as a collector and processor of personal information. The study had three sub-objectives which were achieved using three research methods, namely literature review, content analysis and semi-structured interviews. Through a literature review, conditions that should be adhered to in relation to collecting and processing personal information were identified. Shifting the focus to the second sub-objective, a vigorous content analysis was performed to investigate the TFPM’s current method of collecting and processing personal information. The process involved evaluating the TFPM’s SOPs, Service Level Agreement, License Agreement, and the city of Tshwane’s Information Communication Technology Framework using the Nexia POPIA checklist. The evaluation results revealed a huge non-compliance gap with regard iii to POPIA and personal information conditions. Post development of the POPIA framework the study embarked on an expert review process with the top management of the TFPM to assess their view on the developed POPIA compliance framework. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Information Technology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
A Psychobiographical Study of Charles Manson
- Authors: Flatela, Sambesiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Criminals -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51021 , vital:43201
- Description: Charles Manson was notorious for his antisocial behaviour and influence; through his charisma, he formed a group of followers known as the Manson family. Manson and his followers became involved in various criminal activities which culminated in the murder of 7 people. These murders were not committed by Manson per say, but he planned them, and incited his followers to commit them; this resulted in a trial and Manson going to prison, being given a life sentence. He continued to influence people while he served his sentence in prison. Manson died of natural causes in November 2017. The research study explores and describes the life of Manson in the form of a psychobiography. The aim of the study was to gain insight into the personality development of Charles Manson. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to Manson’s known life experiences. Various data was collected and triangulated, using primary and secondary sources. Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s (2013) three step procedure was used to analyse the data. The findings highlight the influence of genetics and rejection as pivotal to the unfolding of Manson’s personality, and provide insight into how his antisocial patterns unfolded. They highlight, in particular, his use of control, dominance and devaluation to protect his positive experience of self. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Flatela, Sambesiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Criminals -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51021 , vital:43201
- Description: Charles Manson was notorious for his antisocial behaviour and influence; through his charisma, he formed a group of followers known as the Manson family. Manson and his followers became involved in various criminal activities which culminated in the murder of 7 people. These murders were not committed by Manson per say, but he planned them, and incited his followers to commit them; this resulted in a trial and Manson going to prison, being given a life sentence. He continued to influence people while he served his sentence in prison. Manson died of natural causes in November 2017. The research study explores and describes the life of Manson in the form of a psychobiography. The aim of the study was to gain insight into the personality development of Charles Manson. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to Manson’s known life experiences. Various data was collected and triangulated, using primary and secondary sources. Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s (2013) three step procedure was used to analyse the data. The findings highlight the influence of genetics and rejection as pivotal to the unfolding of Manson’s personality, and provide insight into how his antisocial patterns unfolded. They highlight, in particular, his use of control, dominance and devaluation to protect his positive experience of self. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A psychobiographical study of Gavin Maxwell: a Kernberg object relations approach
- Authors: Walters, Jacqueline
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52363 , vital:43619
- Description: Gavin Maxwell was an author and naturalist. He published a memoir called A Ring of Bright Water, which shaped the way millions of readers viewed nature. Maxwell wrote simple prose which paints an idyllic and moving picture of his time spent in his “lost paradise”, alongside his beloved animals, most notably his otters. However, in reality Maxwell was a man in conflict, seen in volatile relationships, financial recklessness, and the preference for the company of animals over people. The aim of this study was to explore Maxwell’s life to gain insight into his personality development. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to his life experiences. In doing so the author hoped to gain an understanding of the personality dynamics that led to Maxwell’s relational difficulties and eccentricities. Data was collected by triangulating multiple sources of information on his life. Miles and Huberman’s (1994) three step approach was used to analyse data collected. These steps are: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The research study found that Maxwell’s personality development was likely arrested at the third stage of Kernberg’s model. Maxwell relied primarily on immature defence mechanisms based in splitting and possessed a fragile ego structure which he protected through grandiosity. The findings indicated that Maxwell’s personality falls in the borderline level of functioning with a strong likelihood of pathological narcissism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Walters, Jacqueline
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52363 , vital:43619
- Description: Gavin Maxwell was an author and naturalist. He published a memoir called A Ring of Bright Water, which shaped the way millions of readers viewed nature. Maxwell wrote simple prose which paints an idyllic and moving picture of his time spent in his “lost paradise”, alongside his beloved animals, most notably his otters. However, in reality Maxwell was a man in conflict, seen in volatile relationships, financial recklessness, and the preference for the company of animals over people. The aim of this study was to explore Maxwell’s life to gain insight into his personality development. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to his life experiences. In doing so the author hoped to gain an understanding of the personality dynamics that led to Maxwell’s relational difficulties and eccentricities. Data was collected by triangulating multiple sources of information on his life. Miles and Huberman’s (1994) three step approach was used to analyse data collected. These steps are: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The research study found that Maxwell’s personality development was likely arrested at the third stage of Kernberg’s model. Maxwell relied primarily on immature defence mechanisms based in splitting and possessed a fragile ego structure which he protected through grandiosity. The findings indicated that Maxwell’s personality falls in the borderline level of functioning with a strong likelihood of pathological narcissism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A psychobiographical study of Harvey Milk
- Authors: Pretorius, Neil Zietsman
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gay rights , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51600 , vital:43321
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore and describe Harvey Milk’s identity development and performance from the theoretical perspective of Narrative Therapy. Harvey (1930-1978), was an American Gay Rights activist who became one of the first openly gay political candidates to be elected to public office in the United States in 1977, before being assassinated in 1978. The study was conducted within a postmodern Social Constructionist epistemology which applied Michael White and David Epston’s (1990) Narrative Therapy as a particular theoretical lens to understand Harvey’s lived experiences. Harvey was chosen as the research subject based on his ability to construct his public identity as an openly gay politician and activist in defiance of the contemporarily dominant heteronormative discourse, despite the danger this posed to his personal safety. His selection was made through purposive sampling which facilitated a qualitative, single case psychobiographical study. Data on Harvey was obtained from both primary and secondary sources available in the public domain, and was analysed using Narrative Therapy concepts that describe individual identity. The study’s findings detail the narrative processes Harvey underwent and the discursive influences he experienced to move from being a closeted gay man, who hid his sexuality from public view, to an openly gay trailblazing Gay Rights activist, who fiercely challenged the norms and effects of heteronormativity on both his own life and that of his gay community. The study emphasises the value of psychobiography and Narrative Therapy to understand individual identity construction and performance. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Pretorius, Neil Zietsman
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gay rights , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51600 , vital:43321
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore and describe Harvey Milk’s identity development and performance from the theoretical perspective of Narrative Therapy. Harvey (1930-1978), was an American Gay Rights activist who became one of the first openly gay political candidates to be elected to public office in the United States in 1977, before being assassinated in 1978. The study was conducted within a postmodern Social Constructionist epistemology which applied Michael White and David Epston’s (1990) Narrative Therapy as a particular theoretical lens to understand Harvey’s lived experiences. Harvey was chosen as the research subject based on his ability to construct his public identity as an openly gay politician and activist in defiance of the contemporarily dominant heteronormative discourse, despite the danger this posed to his personal safety. His selection was made through purposive sampling which facilitated a qualitative, single case psychobiographical study. Data on Harvey was obtained from both primary and secondary sources available in the public domain, and was analysed using Narrative Therapy concepts that describe individual identity. The study’s findings detail the narrative processes Harvey underwent and the discursive influences he experienced to move from being a closeted gay man, who hid his sexuality from public view, to an openly gay trailblazing Gay Rights activist, who fiercely challenged the norms and effects of heteronormativity on both his own life and that of his gay community. The study emphasises the value of psychobiography and Narrative Therapy to understand individual identity construction and performance. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A Psychobiography of the late Milase Jumartha Majola (néé Moyake)- 1932 - 2021
- Authors: Mbambo-Tom, Thembeka Esther
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27640 , vital:69379
- Description: This study is a psychobiography of a Black South African Woman, Milase Jumartha Majola (néé Moyake), herein fondly referred to as ‘Mrs Majola’. Mrs Majola is not an icon in the general sense, but yet a definite unsung hero for many in her community. In her 89 years, she has touched many people’s lives and left a vast imprint in the community. Mrs Majola has been identified as a psychobiographical subject for this study based on her exemplary and extraordinary endeavours, which contributed significantly to the psycho-social well-being of the youth and the elderly within Port Elizabeth townships (now known as Gqeberha). The main objective of this study was to explore and describe Mrs Majola’s psychosocial development. Her psycho-social development was studied through the PERMA Theory of well-being lens and transformed into a narrative to understand better what made her a remarkable individual. Data was gathered from primary and secondary sources to enrich the psychobiography and qualitatively analysed. The findings show that Mrs Majola could balance her life in a way supported by the PERMA Theory of well-being. Results demonstrate her ability to understand and manage her Positive (negative) emotions, Engagements, Relationships, Meaningfulness, and Accomplishments as a mother, co-worker and community leader, which created numerous success stories during her tenure. Even though Mrs Majola experienced many hardships in life, such as losing her husband at the young age of 39, she always stayed positive and successfully used her inner strength to motivate her to keep living her purpose in life. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10
- Authors: Mbambo-Tom, Thembeka Esther
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27640 , vital:69379
- Description: This study is a psychobiography of a Black South African Woman, Milase Jumartha Majola (néé Moyake), herein fondly referred to as ‘Mrs Majola’. Mrs Majola is not an icon in the general sense, but yet a definite unsung hero for many in her community. In her 89 years, she has touched many people’s lives and left a vast imprint in the community. Mrs Majola has been identified as a psychobiographical subject for this study based on her exemplary and extraordinary endeavours, which contributed significantly to the psycho-social well-being of the youth and the elderly within Port Elizabeth townships (now known as Gqeberha). The main objective of this study was to explore and describe Mrs Majola’s psychosocial development. Her psycho-social development was studied through the PERMA Theory of well-being lens and transformed into a narrative to understand better what made her a remarkable individual. Data was gathered from primary and secondary sources to enrich the psychobiography and qualitatively analysed. The findings show that Mrs Majola could balance her life in a way supported by the PERMA Theory of well-being. Results demonstrate her ability to understand and manage her Positive (negative) emotions, Engagements, Relationships, Meaningfulness, and Accomplishments as a mother, co-worker and community leader, which created numerous success stories during her tenure. Even though Mrs Majola experienced many hardships in life, such as losing her husband at the young age of 39, she always stayed positive and successfully used her inner strength to motivate her to keep living her purpose in life. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10
A psycholinguistic investigation of orthographic neighbourhood effects in reading and spelling in isiXhosa
- Authors: Cox, Paige Samantha
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Literacy , Xhosa language Orthography and spelling , Psycholinguistics , Word recognition , Reading , Orthographic neighbourhood effects
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/404916 , vital:70121
- Description: Despite increased research interest in recent years in the metalinguistic skills underpinning reading in the Southern Bantu languages, little work has been done on the underlying microlinguistic layer. This refers to the actual mechanical underpinnings of linguistic skills; zooming in on micro-language structures so as to explicate our understanding of how reading works. One such microlinguistic phenomenon is the effect of orthographic neighbours on reading and writing. Research has found predominantly faciliatory neighbourhood effects for English word reading (Andrews, 1997; Siakaluk, Sears & Lupker, 2002; Yarkoni, Balota & Yap, 2008). Specifically, words with more orthographic neighbours have faster response times in lexical decision and naming tasks. However, in languages such as Spanish and French, inhibitory neighbourhood effects are reported (Grainger & Jacobs, 1996; Carreiras, Perea & Grainger, 1997). These findings highlight the language-specific nature of orthographic neighbourhood effects (Andrews, 1997), and the necessity for language- specific investigations of these effects. This thesis investigates the linguistic properties of orthographic neighbours in isiXhosa, thereby developing a database of orthographic neighbourhoods in isiXhosa. Further, this research explores the interaction between orthographic neighbourhood density and neighbourhood frequency with three literacy skills: lexical decision response time, word reading accuracy, and spelling accuracy. Data were collected from 97 isiXhosa grade three learners from five schools in KwaNobuhle Township in the Eastern Cape. A corpus of 170 000 tokens of isiXhosa words (Rees & Randera, 2017) was used to compile a database of orthographic neighbourhoods for 30 real, and 30 pseudowords which ranged in orthographic neighbourhood density and neighbourhood frequency, whilst controlling for word length and word frequency. Using this database, lexical decision, word reading, and spelling tasks were designed and administered to the participants. Findings indicate a significant inhibitory effect of orthographic neighbourhood frequency on spelling accuracy. Words with high neighbourhood frequencies are more likely to be spelt incorrectly. There was no observed effect of orthographic neighbourhoods on lexical decision response time and word reading accuracy. These results are interpreted within connectionist and search models of orthographic processing. Specifically, the findings indicate a partial reliance on lexical processing strategies when spelling. That is, orthographic neighbours compete for lexical access when spelling. Education practitioners may wish to present learners with lists of orthographic neighbours when introducing novel words so as to make explicit the fine grain differences between words in the language. This also means that future research will need to develop a larger repository of orthographic neighbours in isiXhosa that can be made available for pedagogical purposes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Cox, Paige Samantha
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Literacy , Xhosa language Orthography and spelling , Psycholinguistics , Word recognition , Reading , Orthographic neighbourhood effects
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/404916 , vital:70121
- Description: Despite increased research interest in recent years in the metalinguistic skills underpinning reading in the Southern Bantu languages, little work has been done on the underlying microlinguistic layer. This refers to the actual mechanical underpinnings of linguistic skills; zooming in on micro-language structures so as to explicate our understanding of how reading works. One such microlinguistic phenomenon is the effect of orthographic neighbours on reading and writing. Research has found predominantly faciliatory neighbourhood effects for English word reading (Andrews, 1997; Siakaluk, Sears & Lupker, 2002; Yarkoni, Balota & Yap, 2008). Specifically, words with more orthographic neighbours have faster response times in lexical decision and naming tasks. However, in languages such as Spanish and French, inhibitory neighbourhood effects are reported (Grainger & Jacobs, 1996; Carreiras, Perea & Grainger, 1997). These findings highlight the language-specific nature of orthographic neighbourhood effects (Andrews, 1997), and the necessity for language- specific investigations of these effects. This thesis investigates the linguistic properties of orthographic neighbours in isiXhosa, thereby developing a database of orthographic neighbourhoods in isiXhosa. Further, this research explores the interaction between orthographic neighbourhood density and neighbourhood frequency with three literacy skills: lexical decision response time, word reading accuracy, and spelling accuracy. Data were collected from 97 isiXhosa grade three learners from five schools in KwaNobuhle Township in the Eastern Cape. A corpus of 170 000 tokens of isiXhosa words (Rees & Randera, 2017) was used to compile a database of orthographic neighbourhoods for 30 real, and 30 pseudowords which ranged in orthographic neighbourhood density and neighbourhood frequency, whilst controlling for word length and word frequency. Using this database, lexical decision, word reading, and spelling tasks were designed and administered to the participants. Findings indicate a significant inhibitory effect of orthographic neighbourhood frequency on spelling accuracy. Words with high neighbourhood frequencies are more likely to be spelt incorrectly. There was no observed effect of orthographic neighbourhoods on lexical decision response time and word reading accuracy. These results are interpreted within connectionist and search models of orthographic processing. Specifically, the findings indicate a partial reliance on lexical processing strategies when spelling. That is, orthographic neighbours compete for lexical access when spelling. Education practitioners may wish to present learners with lists of orthographic neighbours when introducing novel words so as to make explicit the fine grain differences between words in the language. This also means that future research will need to develop a larger repository of orthographic neighbours in isiXhosa that can be made available for pedagogical purposes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
A qualitative analysis of the formation and maintenance of the franchisee/franchisor relationship
- Authors: Rodgerson, Jeffrey David
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Franchises (Retail trade) South Africa , RE/MAX (Firm) , Industrial management South Africa , Entrepreneurship South Africa , Prediction of occupational success South Africa , Success in business South Africa , Business ethics South Africa , International Franchise Association
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190782 , vital:45027
- Description: A number of studies have examined the franchisee/franchisor relationship to investigate how to select the correct franchisee and, subsequently, how to maintain a productive franchisee/franchisor relationship. A literature review was therefore conducted on the selection process and the maintenance of the franchisee/ franchisor relationship. The literature suggests that a set of selection criteria to increase the chance of a successful franchisee/franchisor relationship has not been clearly identified. Therefore, this study’s first objectives are: 1) the selection criteria that are used by the franchisor in selecting franchisees. Specifically, how RE/MAX South Africa selects local franchisees; and 2) how the franchisor manages the relationship to ensure compliance by the franchisees who have been selected. For this study, the selection criteria identified by Nevin (1999) and Olm et al. (1988) will serve as the basis of the first part of the study. The four selection criteria categories that have been identified by Nevin (1999) include: financial capability; experience and management skill; demographic characteristics; and attitude towards business. The literature reveals that the viewpoint of the franchisee is often overlooked by researchers, and yet the need of the franchisee should be ascertained to increase the chance of a successful franchisee/franchisor relationship. The literature has indicated that if the franchisors can keep the franchisees satisfied, the opportunity of franchise success and gaining franchisee compliance is much greater. In other words, if a franchisor can attain the correct people and know exactly what they want out of a franchise relationship, this will provide the franchise with a greater chance of success. The third objective of this research is, therefore, to analyse – from the perspective of both franchisees and their franchisor - how the relationship between them is maintained, and ultimately how the franchisor gains compliance from the franchisees. The model of Trust and Compliance (Davies, Lassar, Manolis, Prince and Winsor, 2011), which sets out the relationship between satisfaction, conflict, trust and compliance, was used to examine the franchisee/franchisor relationship. The practices of RE/MAX South Africa served as a case study for this research. Interviews were conducted, with the CEO and five franchisees, to identify the criteria used to select franchisees and gain a holistic understanding of the process of maintaining the relationship. The interview questions were structured using the Davies et al (2011) Model of Trust and Compliance. The data analysis technique that was used to analyse the interviews was thematic analysis. The findings firstly revealed that due to the fluid and low barriers to entry within the real estate industry, RE/MAX as an organisation does not have a standardised set of selection criteria but that an in-house guideline, called the RE/MAX Formula, was vital to this selection process. Secondly, in maintaining the franchisee/franchisor relationship and referring to the four factors of the trust and compliance model (Davies et al., 2011), the following key findings were noted. Firstly, the relationship between satisfaction and trust was primarily based around reciprocation within the franchisee/franchisor relationship. Secondly, various sources of conflict were identified, and it was noted that if conflict was not dealt with adequately, there was a breakdown of trust within the relationship. Finally, the building of trust was based on transparency, accountability, goal congruency and credibility. Recommendations for franchise management and further research were made. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Rodgerson, Jeffrey David
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Franchises (Retail trade) South Africa , RE/MAX (Firm) , Industrial management South Africa , Entrepreneurship South Africa , Prediction of occupational success South Africa , Success in business South Africa , Business ethics South Africa , International Franchise Association
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190782 , vital:45027
- Description: A number of studies have examined the franchisee/franchisor relationship to investigate how to select the correct franchisee and, subsequently, how to maintain a productive franchisee/franchisor relationship. A literature review was therefore conducted on the selection process and the maintenance of the franchisee/ franchisor relationship. The literature suggests that a set of selection criteria to increase the chance of a successful franchisee/franchisor relationship has not been clearly identified. Therefore, this study’s first objectives are: 1) the selection criteria that are used by the franchisor in selecting franchisees. Specifically, how RE/MAX South Africa selects local franchisees; and 2) how the franchisor manages the relationship to ensure compliance by the franchisees who have been selected. For this study, the selection criteria identified by Nevin (1999) and Olm et al. (1988) will serve as the basis of the first part of the study. The four selection criteria categories that have been identified by Nevin (1999) include: financial capability; experience and management skill; demographic characteristics; and attitude towards business. The literature reveals that the viewpoint of the franchisee is often overlooked by researchers, and yet the need of the franchisee should be ascertained to increase the chance of a successful franchisee/franchisor relationship. The literature has indicated that if the franchisors can keep the franchisees satisfied, the opportunity of franchise success and gaining franchisee compliance is much greater. In other words, if a franchisor can attain the correct people and know exactly what they want out of a franchise relationship, this will provide the franchise with a greater chance of success. The third objective of this research is, therefore, to analyse – from the perspective of both franchisees and their franchisor - how the relationship between them is maintained, and ultimately how the franchisor gains compliance from the franchisees. The model of Trust and Compliance (Davies, Lassar, Manolis, Prince and Winsor, 2011), which sets out the relationship between satisfaction, conflict, trust and compliance, was used to examine the franchisee/franchisor relationship. The practices of RE/MAX South Africa served as a case study for this research. Interviews were conducted, with the CEO and five franchisees, to identify the criteria used to select franchisees and gain a holistic understanding of the process of maintaining the relationship. The interview questions were structured using the Davies et al (2011) Model of Trust and Compliance. The data analysis technique that was used to analyse the interviews was thematic analysis. The findings firstly revealed that due to the fluid and low barriers to entry within the real estate industry, RE/MAX as an organisation does not have a standardised set of selection criteria but that an in-house guideline, called the RE/MAX Formula, was vital to this selection process. Secondly, in maintaining the franchisee/franchisor relationship and referring to the four factors of the trust and compliance model (Davies et al., 2011), the following key findings were noted. Firstly, the relationship between satisfaction and trust was primarily based around reciprocation within the franchisee/franchisor relationship. Secondly, various sources of conflict were identified, and it was noted that if conflict was not dealt with adequately, there was a breakdown of trust within the relationship. Finally, the building of trust was based on transparency, accountability, goal congruency and credibility. Recommendations for franchise management and further research were made. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29