An evaluation of building sustainability considerations in South Africa : a case of the SAIAB building
- Authors: Ngwadla, Xolisa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity Construction industry -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Sustainable buildings -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Sustainable buildings -- Design and construction -- South Africa Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:821 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008375
- Description: The theory of sustainable development has received worldwide acceptance, and is characterised by the protection of environmental quality, social justice and economic development to ensure a quality of life for future generations. The concepts of sustainable development have transcended to all aspects of society, including the built environment through the Habitat Agenda and building sustainability rating tools. The thesis investigates the implications of sustainable development on how it relates to the building construction industry in South Africa. The study sought to evaluate the extent of consideration and motivation for the incorporation of sustainability criteria in building design, using the case of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity wet collection facility in Grahamstown. The goal of the thesis was achieved by evaluating sustainability considerations and barriers to adoption of sustainability criteria in the design of the SAlAB building, the rating of the building against the LEED ™ criteria, and evaluation of the applicability of the LEED ™ in the South African context. The importance of the research emanates from the fact that, despite the proliferation of sustainable development and sustainability rating tools in the world, there is no widely used building sustainability rating tool in South Africa, even though the country is industrialising with a very active built environment. The study therefore contributes to the body of knowledge necessary for the implementation of a building rating tool in the country, through an understanding of barriers to implementation. The research method used in the study was a case study with the intention of obtaining the design professional's considerations and challenges in the context of designing the SAIAB building. The case study used multiple data collection methods, with primary information obtained from interviews of professionals involved in the design of the building, whilst additional information was from analysis of technical drawings and review of literature on the subject. The findings of the research showed that there is an understanding of sustainability and consideration in the building industry even though there is no targeted intent to meet sustainability goals. The barriers to building sustainability were identified as lack of regulation, incentives, access to land, awareness, availability of professional codes and standards, economic costs and capacity. These barriers translated into a relatively low score, a silver rating for the SAlAB building when using the LEEDTM rating system. The implications of the findings suggests a need for the development of a comprehensive building sustainability rating tool suited for the South African context, with performance standards and a technical manual to support it. This should however be done in an environment where sustainability goals are supported by regulation and incentives have been developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ngwadla, Xolisa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity Construction industry -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Sustainable buildings -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Sustainable buildings -- Design and construction -- South Africa Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:821 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008375
- Description: The theory of sustainable development has received worldwide acceptance, and is characterised by the protection of environmental quality, social justice and economic development to ensure a quality of life for future generations. The concepts of sustainable development have transcended to all aspects of society, including the built environment through the Habitat Agenda and building sustainability rating tools. The thesis investigates the implications of sustainable development on how it relates to the building construction industry in South Africa. The study sought to evaluate the extent of consideration and motivation for the incorporation of sustainability criteria in building design, using the case of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity wet collection facility in Grahamstown. The goal of the thesis was achieved by evaluating sustainability considerations and barriers to adoption of sustainability criteria in the design of the SAlAB building, the rating of the building against the LEED ™ criteria, and evaluation of the applicability of the LEED ™ in the South African context. The importance of the research emanates from the fact that, despite the proliferation of sustainable development and sustainability rating tools in the world, there is no widely used building sustainability rating tool in South Africa, even though the country is industrialising with a very active built environment. The study therefore contributes to the body of knowledge necessary for the implementation of a building rating tool in the country, through an understanding of barriers to implementation. The research method used in the study was a case study with the intention of obtaining the design professional's considerations and challenges in the context of designing the SAIAB building. The case study used multiple data collection methods, with primary information obtained from interviews of professionals involved in the design of the building, whilst additional information was from analysis of technical drawings and review of literature on the subject. The findings of the research showed that there is an understanding of sustainability and consideration in the building industry even though there is no targeted intent to meet sustainability goals. The barriers to building sustainability were identified as lack of regulation, incentives, access to land, awareness, availability of professional codes and standards, economic costs and capacity. These barriers translated into a relatively low score, a silver rating for the SAlAB building when using the LEEDTM rating system. The implications of the findings suggests a need for the development of a comprehensive building sustainability rating tool suited for the South African context, with performance standards and a technical manual to support it. This should however be done in an environment where sustainability goals are supported by regulation and incentives have been developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An exploratory investigation of the factors that influence the retention of knowledge workers at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa
- Authors: Nompula, Thami Ignatius
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: National Energy Regulator (South Africa) Knowledge workers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:771 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003892
- Description: The research, investigating how a selected group of former BETD graduates understand and implement the theory of reflective practice, is a qualitative case study carried out in the Kavango region of Namibia. The study was shaped by one of the major policy emphases in Namibia’s post independence teacher education reform process - that of developing reflective teachers who actively participate in curriculum planning and take educational decisions based on their own judgment. A basic assumption underlying the study is that effective educational practice is dependent on practitioners thinking about what they are doing and acting on their reflections to improve practice. The study found that a fundamental problem preventing these teachers from implementing reflective practice in accordance with the Namibian educational reform process, is that the participating teachers neither understand the exact meaning of reflective practice nor do they have a common or shared view of the concept, in spite of their common qualifications. A key contributing factor to their problems withimplementing reflective practice is the lack of a deep understanding of the reform epistemology and pedagogy revealed by the three former BETD graduates selected for the research. These are the teachers referred to in the first paragraph: The first teacher is Helena, a teacher at Duduva primary school, the second teacher is Kalishe, also teaching at the same school as Helena and the third teacher is Darius at Ntja Junior secondary school. The qualitative approach employed for the study served to illuminate and highlight specific issues related to the implementation of reflective practice that will be of considerable value for the researcher in her capacity as a teacher educator. These included among others: • The teacher’s need for an understanding of the key principles on which reflection is based and how to translate these into practice. • The need for teachers to have a clear understanding of the role that learners play in the reflective process. • The need to revisit the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD) education programme, because for teachers to reflect they need a sound subject knowledge on which to base their judgments. These aspects, as well as the identification of the factors in the school system that contribute to the failure of reflective practice, provide a foundation for finding real solutions to the problems identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Nompula, Thami Ignatius
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: National Energy Regulator (South Africa) Knowledge workers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:771 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003892
- Description: The research, investigating how a selected group of former BETD graduates understand and implement the theory of reflective practice, is a qualitative case study carried out in the Kavango region of Namibia. The study was shaped by one of the major policy emphases in Namibia’s post independence teacher education reform process - that of developing reflective teachers who actively participate in curriculum planning and take educational decisions based on their own judgment. A basic assumption underlying the study is that effective educational practice is dependent on practitioners thinking about what they are doing and acting on their reflections to improve practice. The study found that a fundamental problem preventing these teachers from implementing reflective practice in accordance with the Namibian educational reform process, is that the participating teachers neither understand the exact meaning of reflective practice nor do they have a common or shared view of the concept, in spite of their common qualifications. A key contributing factor to their problems withimplementing reflective practice is the lack of a deep understanding of the reform epistemology and pedagogy revealed by the three former BETD graduates selected for the research. These are the teachers referred to in the first paragraph: The first teacher is Helena, a teacher at Duduva primary school, the second teacher is Kalishe, also teaching at the same school as Helena and the third teacher is Darius at Ntja Junior secondary school. The qualitative approach employed for the study served to illuminate and highlight specific issues related to the implementation of reflective practice that will be of considerable value for the researcher in her capacity as a teacher educator. These included among others: • The teacher’s need for an understanding of the key principles on which reflection is based and how to translate these into practice. • The need for teachers to have a clear understanding of the role that learners play in the reflective process. • The need to revisit the Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD) education programme, because for teachers to reflect they need a sound subject knowledge on which to base their judgments. These aspects, as well as the identification of the factors in the school system that contribute to the failure of reflective practice, provide a foundation for finding real solutions to the problems identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation of the response of entities in the South African JSE ICT sector in 2005 to environmental sustainability reporting
- Authors: Rafferty, Kevin Lee
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa Communication in organizations -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa Social responsibility of business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003874
- Description: Pressure is on organisations the world over to report to their stakeholders, not only on their economic performance, but also on their environmental and social performance. In South Africa the King II code of corporate governance provides the guidance and impetus for this integrated “triple bottom line” sustainability reporting. The ICT sector in South Africa has been cited as lagging behind other sectors with regards to sustainability reporting, particularly in environmental sustainability reporting. Many ICT organisations would appear to be using their office and service based existence as reasons for having little or no impact on the environment. The study of the impacts of ICT on environmental sustainability in this research suggests that this is not necessarily the case. An assessment tool based on the internationally recognised Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines was developed in this research to investigate the level of environmental sustainability reporting in the South African ICT sector. The investigation showed the level of environmental sustainability reporting in the sector’s 2005 annual reports to be low. To get an indication of the level of reporting in more developed countries, a small sample of international ICT and service organisations was assessed using the tool, which showed significantly higher levels of environmental sustainability reporting. A set of ICT specific environmental sustainability performance indicators are proposed to enhance and encourage more significant levels of environmental sustainability reporting in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Rafferty, Kevin Lee
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa Communication in organizations -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa Social responsibility of business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003874
- Description: Pressure is on organisations the world over to report to their stakeholders, not only on their economic performance, but also on their environmental and social performance. In South Africa the King II code of corporate governance provides the guidance and impetus for this integrated “triple bottom line” sustainability reporting. The ICT sector in South Africa has been cited as lagging behind other sectors with regards to sustainability reporting, particularly in environmental sustainability reporting. Many ICT organisations would appear to be using their office and service based existence as reasons for having little or no impact on the environment. The study of the impacts of ICT on environmental sustainability in this research suggests that this is not necessarily the case. An assessment tool based on the internationally recognised Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines was developed in this research to investigate the level of environmental sustainability reporting in the South African ICT sector. The investigation showed the level of environmental sustainability reporting in the sector’s 2005 annual reports to be low. To get an indication of the level of reporting in more developed countries, a small sample of international ICT and service organisations was assessed using the tool, which showed significantly higher levels of environmental sustainability reporting. A set of ICT specific environmental sustainability performance indicators are proposed to enhance and encourage more significant levels of environmental sustainability reporting in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Competitive strategies and entry strategies of low cost airline incumbent 1time Airline
- Authors: Potgieter, Diane
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: 1time Airline (South Africa) 1time Airline (South Africa) -- Planning Airlines -- South Africa -- Management Airlines -- South Africa -- Marketing Airlines -- South Africa -- Cost of operation Competition -- South Africa Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007606
- Description: This dissertation reports on the factors that contributed to the successful entry strategy of 1time Airline, a low cost carrier, into the South African airline industry as well as its competitive strategies within this context. Research interviews were conducted in November 2005 and research material gathered until end January 2006. Key issues include an evaluation of 1time's business model in relation to other low cost entrants as well as against material sourced through interviews with 1time Airline management, employees and consumers of the airline's product. Porter's Generic Strategies and Five Forces model are used as a framework in evaluating the airline. It is found that Nohria, Joyce and Robertson's "4+2 Formula" is effectively implemented at the airline, but that further implementation of Game Theory in terms of alliances should be investigated for continued success and sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Potgieter, Diane
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: 1time Airline (South Africa) 1time Airline (South Africa) -- Planning Airlines -- South Africa -- Management Airlines -- South Africa -- Marketing Airlines -- South Africa -- Cost of operation Competition -- South Africa Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007606
- Description: This dissertation reports on the factors that contributed to the successful entry strategy of 1time Airline, a low cost carrier, into the South African airline industry as well as its competitive strategies within this context. Research interviews were conducted in November 2005 and research material gathered until end January 2006. Key issues include an evaluation of 1time's business model in relation to other low cost entrants as well as against material sourced through interviews with 1time Airline management, employees and consumers of the airline's product. Porter's Generic Strategies and Five Forces model are used as a framework in evaluating the airline. It is found that Nohria, Joyce and Robertson's "4+2 Formula" is effectively implemented at the airline, but that further implementation of Game Theory in terms of alliances should be investigated for continued success and sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Opportunities for eco-efficiency at Summerpride Foods Ltd.: a pineapple processing factory
- Venters, Bruce Russell Ainsley
- Authors: Venters, Bruce Russell Ainsley
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Summerpride Foods Ltd. (South Africa) Environmental protection -- South Africa Industries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Pineapple industry -- South Africa Environmental policy -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003908
- Description: International awareness and demands for the protection of the environment by the public on industry has only been pushed into the limelight in the past couple of decades. Prior to this it could be argued that it was accepted that environmental protection and economic development were at odds. However it has since been recognised that there is a need to achieve environmental sustainability, the concept of which was released in the 1987 Brundtland Report released by the United Nations. There are a number of ways that industry can reduce its impact on the environment and thus help reach this goal. While some advocated that stricter legislation would result in greater innovation by industry in “cleaning-up” its act, such as the Porter Hypothesis, there were also a number of new concepts and voluntary industry codes being developed. These new practices and codes have been promoted by organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce and include technological improvements within organisations and improved resource productivity. The aim of this case study research was to find out what the environmental policy and related performance of Summerpride Foods Ltd, a pineapple processing factory in East London was and does an understanding of its environmental performance provide insights for improved efficiency. This involved the identification and analysis of what resources were used during the processing of pineapples as well as making recommendations that would result in increased efficiencies of their use. Due to the number of resources identified, only the use of water and coal which were ranked as having the highest impact were investigated further. The literature review showed that there are industry moves to applying cleaner production and eco-efficiency concepts as a means to attaining environmental sustainability. There are a number of voluntary environmental management system standards and codes that organisations can subscribe to with most probably the ISO 14001 standard being the most internationally recognised. There are many benefits to organisations adopting such standards. The use of lifecycle assessments is a useful tool that can be used to assess the environmental impact of a product through its entire life and thus enable one to identify all resources used and their impact, as well as to provide the information required to quantify areas where the greatest improvements can be made. The results of this research showed that at the start of the study, there was no formal environmental policy in place at Summerpride Foods Ltd and that this was starting to become a requirement with some customers. The detailed results which focused on water and coal usage showed that current operating methods do not recognise the importance of any wastage and that there are a number of changes that could be made that would not only result in better efficiency of use but would also result in substantial financial savings to the organisation. Summerpride Foods Ltd currently has a number of systems in place that help reduce its impact on the environment but these are not formally recorded. Summerpride Foods Ltd should adopt the principles of eco-efficiency and record all systems that impact on the environment. This would be the first step to attaining a formal environmental management system accreditation which due the increasing competitiveness of the international market in which Summerpride Foods Ltd operates, would give it a degree of advantage over those competing pineapples processing factories that do not have such accreditation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Venters, Bruce Russell Ainsley
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Summerpride Foods Ltd. (South Africa) Environmental protection -- South Africa Industries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Pineapple industry -- South Africa Environmental policy -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003908
- Description: International awareness and demands for the protection of the environment by the public on industry has only been pushed into the limelight in the past couple of decades. Prior to this it could be argued that it was accepted that environmental protection and economic development were at odds. However it has since been recognised that there is a need to achieve environmental sustainability, the concept of which was released in the 1987 Brundtland Report released by the United Nations. There are a number of ways that industry can reduce its impact on the environment and thus help reach this goal. While some advocated that stricter legislation would result in greater innovation by industry in “cleaning-up” its act, such as the Porter Hypothesis, there were also a number of new concepts and voluntary industry codes being developed. These new practices and codes have been promoted by organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce and include technological improvements within organisations and improved resource productivity. The aim of this case study research was to find out what the environmental policy and related performance of Summerpride Foods Ltd, a pineapple processing factory in East London was and does an understanding of its environmental performance provide insights for improved efficiency. This involved the identification and analysis of what resources were used during the processing of pineapples as well as making recommendations that would result in increased efficiencies of their use. Due to the number of resources identified, only the use of water and coal which were ranked as having the highest impact were investigated further. The literature review showed that there are industry moves to applying cleaner production and eco-efficiency concepts as a means to attaining environmental sustainability. There are a number of voluntary environmental management system standards and codes that organisations can subscribe to with most probably the ISO 14001 standard being the most internationally recognised. There are many benefits to organisations adopting such standards. The use of lifecycle assessments is a useful tool that can be used to assess the environmental impact of a product through its entire life and thus enable one to identify all resources used and their impact, as well as to provide the information required to quantify areas where the greatest improvements can be made. The results of this research showed that at the start of the study, there was no formal environmental policy in place at Summerpride Foods Ltd and that this was starting to become a requirement with some customers. The detailed results which focused on water and coal usage showed that current operating methods do not recognise the importance of any wastage and that there are a number of changes that could be made that would not only result in better efficiency of use but would also result in substantial financial savings to the organisation. Summerpride Foods Ltd currently has a number of systems in place that help reduce its impact on the environment but these are not formally recorded. Summerpride Foods Ltd should adopt the principles of eco-efficiency and record all systems that impact on the environment. This would be the first step to attaining a formal environmental management system accreditation which due the increasing competitiveness of the international market in which Summerpride Foods Ltd operates, would give it a degree of advantage over those competing pineapples processing factories that do not have such accreditation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The influence of Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs) on Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Kenya
- Authors: Ngatia, Ndiritu
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Kenya Financial institutions -- Kenya Small business -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009436
- Description: In Kenya, like in many developing countries, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) have become the main focus for achieving the much-needed social and economic development and alleviating poverty. However, their development has been hampered by lack of access to appropriate financial and related services. Micro financing has been seen as a viable alternative to providing financial services to entrepreneurs in the MSE sector. The focus of this study was to explore the role of MFIs in the development of MSEs and to see if there are ways in which this role can be enhanced to better support the growth of MSEs. Such enhancement would contribute greatly towards government efforts to foster social-economic development. The results of the research indicate that generally, MFIs appear to have positively influenced the growth of MSE in Kenya and have potential to further influence MSE growth. There were however a number areas that if paid attention to could enhance this influence. These include the need for MFIs to offer supportive services as opposed to merely credit facilities to MSEs and the need for government intervention by putting in place a suitable Act to regulate the operations of MFIs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ngatia, Ndiritu
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Kenya Financial institutions -- Kenya Small business -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009436
- Description: In Kenya, like in many developing countries, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) have become the main focus for achieving the much-needed social and economic development and alleviating poverty. However, their development has been hampered by lack of access to appropriate financial and related services. Micro financing has been seen as a viable alternative to providing financial services to entrepreneurs in the MSE sector. The focus of this study was to explore the role of MFIs in the development of MSEs and to see if there are ways in which this role can be enhanced to better support the growth of MSEs. Such enhancement would contribute greatly towards government efforts to foster social-economic development. The results of the research indicate that generally, MFIs appear to have positively influenced the growth of MSE in Kenya and have potential to further influence MSE growth. There were however a number areas that if paid attention to could enhance this influence. These include the need for MFIs to offer supportive services as opposed to merely credit facilities to MSEs and the need for government intervention by putting in place a suitable Act to regulate the operations of MFIs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The relationship between individual needs and the choice of incentive schemes in the South African Breweries
- Authors: Long, Allan
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South African Breweries Ltd. Incentives in industry -- South Africa Workers' compensation -- South Africa Performance -- Management Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006119
- Description: After careful review of all the relevant literature pertaining to motivation, performance management and compensation in the form of incentives, this thesis focuses primarily on determining whether a statistically significant relationship exists between individual needs and the choice of an incentive scheme option. The secondary aims of the research are to determine whether: A relationship exists between the job grade of an individual and the choice of an incentive scheme. A particular incentive scheme option is preferred by the employees in The South African Breweries (SAB). A particular preference exists, and if so, to make recommendations to SAB for consideration as alternatives to their existing incentive scheme options. After collation of the survey data from the respondents in the sample, the analysis and discussion of the results determined that no significant relationship exists between individual needs and the choice of an incentive scheme option. It was, however, determined that a significant relationship exists between the grade of the employees in SAB and their choice of an incentive scheme. 81% of all respondents indicated a desire for shares as an option in their Short Term Incentives (STI) which indicates a desire for shares in some form or another and may well indicate a level of confidence and commitment by the employees to the organisation. Although the research hypothesis was not proven, significant insights into remuneration within SAB was obtained, which has resulted in recommendations being made for further research into the option of shares in some form or another in the organisation. A further recommendation for SAB is to consider some form of share options for all employees in the organisation. As many other organisations that are performing at remarkable levels attest this performance to share ownership and the behaviour that emanates from it, it would be in the interests of SAB to further investigate the issue as it may improve performance, ownership and retention within the company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Long, Allan
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South African Breweries Ltd. Incentives in industry -- South Africa Workers' compensation -- South Africa Performance -- Management Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006119
- Description: After careful review of all the relevant literature pertaining to motivation, performance management and compensation in the form of incentives, this thesis focuses primarily on determining whether a statistically significant relationship exists between individual needs and the choice of an incentive scheme option. The secondary aims of the research are to determine whether: A relationship exists between the job grade of an individual and the choice of an incentive scheme. A particular incentive scheme option is preferred by the employees in The South African Breweries (SAB). A particular preference exists, and if so, to make recommendations to SAB for consideration as alternatives to their existing incentive scheme options. After collation of the survey data from the respondents in the sample, the analysis and discussion of the results determined that no significant relationship exists between individual needs and the choice of an incentive scheme option. It was, however, determined that a significant relationship exists between the grade of the employees in SAB and their choice of an incentive scheme. 81% of all respondents indicated a desire for shares as an option in their Short Term Incentives (STI) which indicates a desire for shares in some form or another and may well indicate a level of confidence and commitment by the employees to the organisation. Although the research hypothesis was not proven, significant insights into remuneration within SAB was obtained, which has resulted in recommendations being made for further research into the option of shares in some form or another in the organisation. A further recommendation for SAB is to consider some form of share options for all employees in the organisation. As many other organisations that are performing at remarkable levels attest this performance to share ownership and the behaviour that emanates from it, it would be in the interests of SAB to further investigate the issue as it may improve performance, ownership and retention within the company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The relationship between leadership style and employee commitment: an exploratory study in an electricity utility of South Africa
- Authors: Nyengane, Mongezi Hutton
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Management Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003880
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between leadership styles and different types of organisational commitment in Eskom Eastern Region. The literature provided discusses the leadership and organisational commitment. Information was gathered, using two instruments, from a sample of 86 leaders and 334 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, which was formulated from Bass and Avolio’s (1997) Full Range Leadership Development Theory, was used to determine leadership style within the organisation. Employee commitment was captured using Bagraim’s (2004) Organisational Commitment, a South African adaptation of Meyer and Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of employee commitment. Leadership was identified as the independent variable and organisational commitment as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Two-tailed correlation analysis showed that although the relationship is not strong, there is a positive relationship between the transformational leadership behaviours and commitment (affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment). The correlation analysis also indicates a weak, but significant, positive relationship between transactional leadership behaviours and continuance commitment. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between transactional leadership behaviours and affective commitment as well as between transactional leadership behaviours and normative commitment. The correlation results showed a weak, but significant, negative correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and affective commitment. There was no statistically significant correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and continuance commitment as well as between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and normative commitment. Overall findings from this study suggest that transformational and transactional leadership behaviours do play important roles in determining levels of affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment. These findings also reveal that the laissez-faire leadership behaviour had a negative relationship with affective commitment. This research therefore adds a new dimension to the body of literature that will help researchers’ efforts to understand the relationship between leadership style and organisational commitment. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the development of organisational commitment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Nyengane, Mongezi Hutton
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Management Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003880
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between leadership styles and different types of organisational commitment in Eskom Eastern Region. The literature provided discusses the leadership and organisational commitment. Information was gathered, using two instruments, from a sample of 86 leaders and 334 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, which was formulated from Bass and Avolio’s (1997) Full Range Leadership Development Theory, was used to determine leadership style within the organisation. Employee commitment was captured using Bagraim’s (2004) Organisational Commitment, a South African adaptation of Meyer and Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of employee commitment. Leadership was identified as the independent variable and organisational commitment as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Two-tailed correlation analysis showed that although the relationship is not strong, there is a positive relationship between the transformational leadership behaviours and commitment (affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment). The correlation analysis also indicates a weak, but significant, positive relationship between transactional leadership behaviours and continuance commitment. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between transactional leadership behaviours and affective commitment as well as between transactional leadership behaviours and normative commitment. The correlation results showed a weak, but significant, negative correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and affective commitment. There was no statistically significant correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and continuance commitment as well as between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and normative commitment. Overall findings from this study suggest that transformational and transactional leadership behaviours do play important roles in determining levels of affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment. These findings also reveal that the laissez-faire leadership behaviour had a negative relationship with affective commitment. This research therefore adds a new dimension to the body of literature that will help researchers’ efforts to understand the relationship between leadership style and organisational commitment. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the development of organisational commitment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The relevance of sustainable development principles and goals through a case study of Gold Fields and Living Gold
- Authors: Ferreira, Adrian
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192977 , vital:45286
- Description: The conventional definition of sustainable development as proposed by the Brundtland Report (United Nations, 1987), involving the integration of economic, social and environmental components, is widely accepted. Presumed benefits of these current framework applications tend to perpetuate a business as usual status, with no real sustainable development occurring. The growing debate surrounding this topic makes the case for relevant and contextual inputs to be included into sustainable development objectives. A case study, of Gold Fields and Living Gold, attempts to create a deeper understanding of the components of this debate, and begins to contextualise sustainable development principles, goals and their outcomes. This is carried out though an enquiry of the use of cultural development as a fourth sustainable development category. The case study includes the opinions of a directly affected local community entity (Living Gold) in order to observe the difference between the two organisations (Gold Fields and Living Gold). During the study, the focus began to move away from purely unabated growth impacts and looked to the creation and fostering of resilience and flexibility by the use of adaptive management. In breeding states of resilience, it was recognised that cultural impacts played an important role in ensuring long term systemic resilience. The case study involved assessing the feedback and responses of strategically selected individuals at both organisations, with Gold Fields representing a more western centric entity and Living Gold a formal representation of a traditional/ indigenous community. Similarities and differences were assessed in order to understand how current sustainable development criteria might differ between organisations that have different end objectives in mind, yet are dependent on each other. The findings resulted in a perspective of how culture could be used to describe the qualities of a local community, and how to begin aligning development goals with affected communities. The result was the development of the Integrated Resilience Sustainability Method and the consequent development of the Balanced Bottom Line Framework, which seeks to promote sustainable development along the lines of economic, social, environmental and cultural development. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Investec Business School, 2007
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ferreira, Adrian
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192977 , vital:45286
- Description: The conventional definition of sustainable development as proposed by the Brundtland Report (United Nations, 1987), involving the integration of economic, social and environmental components, is widely accepted. Presumed benefits of these current framework applications tend to perpetuate a business as usual status, with no real sustainable development occurring. The growing debate surrounding this topic makes the case for relevant and contextual inputs to be included into sustainable development objectives. A case study, of Gold Fields and Living Gold, attempts to create a deeper understanding of the components of this debate, and begins to contextualise sustainable development principles, goals and their outcomes. This is carried out though an enquiry of the use of cultural development as a fourth sustainable development category. The case study includes the opinions of a directly affected local community entity (Living Gold) in order to observe the difference between the two organisations (Gold Fields and Living Gold). During the study, the focus began to move away from purely unabated growth impacts and looked to the creation and fostering of resilience and flexibility by the use of adaptive management. In breeding states of resilience, it was recognised that cultural impacts played an important role in ensuring long term systemic resilience. The case study involved assessing the feedback and responses of strategically selected individuals at both organisations, with Gold Fields representing a more western centric entity and Living Gold a formal representation of a traditional/ indigenous community. Similarities and differences were assessed in order to understand how current sustainable development criteria might differ between organisations that have different end objectives in mind, yet are dependent on each other. The findings resulted in a perspective of how culture could be used to describe the qualities of a local community, and how to begin aligning development goals with affected communities. The result was the development of the Integrated Resilience Sustainability Method and the consequent development of the Balanced Bottom Line Framework, which seeks to promote sustainable development along the lines of economic, social, environmental and cultural development. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Investec Business School, 2007
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
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