Showing items 10281 - 10300 of 33287

The impact of learning advancement and quality of work-life on turnover intentions among nurses in Amathole District, South Africa

  • Authors: Marufu, Tandiwe Joy
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Nurses -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2182 , vital:27666
  • Description: Ongoing instability in the nursing workforce is raising questions globally about the issue of nurse turnover. It is against this background that this research examines the impact of learning, advancement and quality of work-life on turnover intentions among nurses in selected hospitals from Eastern Cape. Little research has been conducted to investigate the impact of the above mentioned subjects on turnover intentions among nurses in the South African health sector. Research questions as well as hypotheses were formulated as the means to gain data on the subject. The research employed a quantitative design with a sample size of 160 nurses and 159 were returned. The data analysis consisted of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The main findings of the study showed a positive relationship among job satisfaction, work-life rewards, learning and advancement opportunities and job satisfaction. However, there were negative relationships between job satisfaction and turnover intentions; work-life rewards and turnover intentions; and also among learning, career advancement and turnover intentions. Finally, suggestions were made to the top management in the Health sector to come up with strategies and mechanisms that improve nurses’ quality of work-life and offering them training and advancement opportunities through organisational change programs.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of oil price changes on selected economic indicators in South Africa

  • Authors: Vellem, Nomtha
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Interest rate futures -- South Africa , Economic indicators -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
  • Identifier: vital:11485 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017862 , Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Interest rate futures -- South Africa , Economic indicators -- South Africa
  • Description: The study examines the effect of oil price changes on selected economic indicators in South Africa. A VAR-5 model was applied to quarterly data of 1990:Q1-2012:Q4 estimating the impulse response functions, variance decomposition and Granger-causality tests. The findings allow for a conclusion that oil significantly affects the exchange rate and an inverse link between oil and GDP exists. A unidirectional relation is found where oil Granger-causes the exchange rate and GDP Granger-causes oil in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of oil price volatility on unemployment: a case study of South Africa

  • Authors: Senzangakhona, Phakama
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Cointegration -- South Africa Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa Interest rate futures -- South Africa Petroleum products -- Prices -- South Africa Petroleum industry and trade -- South Africa -- Econometric models
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1697 , vital:27550
  • Description: This study analyses and investigates the impact of crude oil price vitality on unemployment in South Africa. This is done by firstly surveying theoretical and empirical literature on the crude oil price-unemployment relationship before relating it to South Africa. Secondly, crude oil and unemployment trends with their causes are overviewed. The study employs a Johansen co-integration technique based on VAR to model unemployment against crude oil prices, real effective exchange rate, real interest rates and real gross domestic product. Using quarterly data for the period 1990-2010, econometric results show that crude oil prices are positively related to unemployment in the long run while the opposite is true in the short run. Parameter estimates and variables are statistically significant; hence there are also policy recommendations which are related to both empirical and theoretical literature. Lastly, impulse response functions show that unemployment returns to equilibrium in the long run when crude oil price changes whereas real interest rates followed by crude oil prices explain most of unemployment changes compared to other variables in the long run.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of performance management system on employees: the Eastern Cape provincial legislature (2009- 2011)

  • Authors: Mfene, Ndileka Lorraine
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Performance management -- performance contracts , Quarterly reviews -- Performance assessment -- Training
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1261 , vital:26540 , Performance management -- performance contracts , Quarterly reviews -- Performance assessment -- Training
  • Description: The Performance Management System (PMS) has been introduced in the Republic of South African public service with intentions of planning, monitoring, developing under-performance, rating and rewarding good performance. The study was undertaken as an attempt to investigate the impact of the PMS on employees of the ECPL. The literature review shows that there are challenges facing the institution with regards to implementation of PMS. The findings of the study indicated that the supervisors have no understanding of PMS instead they used it as punishing tool. Other findings of the study showed that there’s a culture within the institution of using PMS as a money making scheme or a 14th checque. To achieve this, a semi- structured questionnaire was issued to employees of the ECPL. The recommendation on the basis of the study is that the compliance issue should be strengthened and disciplinary measures be taken against employees who failed to comply with the provisions of the PMS policy.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of social network sites on written isiXhosa : a case study of a rural and an urban high school

  • Authors: Dlutu, Bongiwe Agrienette
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Online social networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Use studies Mobile communication systems -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Interpersonal communication -- Technological innovations -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mobile communication systems in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Aids and devices Xhosa language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Electronic mail systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Slang Smartphones -- South Africa -- Use studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011826
  • Description: The use of cellphones has increased all over the world. That invites many academics to conduct research on the usage of these devices, especially by young people, since young people join Social Network Sites (Facebook, Mxit, 2go, Whatsapp) and use a shorthand language. Most studies are related to the use of English and other languages that are recognised by computer software. There are few studies, if any, that have been done in relation to the use of African Languages on these sites. This research therefore aims to seek to explore the use of African Languages, especially isiXhosa, in assessing how technology might help in language development through the usage of SNSs that learners already use to equip them with educational material in their mother tongue. This study was conducted in two high schools, Nogemane Senior Secondary School in a disadvantaged and remote rural community with limited access to additional educational material such as magazines, newspapers, and television. The school also lacks basic study materials such as textbooks from the Education Department and they have no access to a library and laboratory. They also only have very few subjects to choose from. Nombulelo Senior Secondary School is in Grahamstown. This school has good infrastructure and learners have access to different technological devices and they can access libraries. What is common between learners in both schools is that they are all doing isiXhosa as a first language and are using SNSs to interact with each other. This study has found that learners enjoy using SNSs rather than reading the printed books. Furthermore, they enjoy and prefer interacting in isiXhosa in their conversations. Learners also use the web to post and show their creative writing, regardless of the shorthand form writing they use on the SNSs. This study has found that learners are not well equipped with basic isiXhosa skills when reaching the FET phase. They lack the understanding of standard isiXhosa idioms and proverbs. That clearly means that they are equipped in the more modern forms of literature rather than the traditional oral forms. IsiXhosa teachers also see SNSs as the better platform to engage with learners and they suggest that there must be a section in the subjects at school that teaches about cyber bullying and being safe online. This thesis also presents examples of new and contemporary forms of SNS-speak that are used by learners in both the rural and urban schools. This study is more concerned with SNSs for literacy development and to assess whether the shorthand writing has negative or positive effects in writing isiXhosa. This is done against the backdrop of a literature review which explores new literacies, computer mediated communication, social identity models as well as language policy and planning.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of solar water heaters on sustainable development

  • Authors: Mbeng, Regina Nso
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Solar water heaters , Renewable energy sources
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9238 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021103
  • Description: In this present world order of growing information, communication and technological advancement, it is primordial that climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts seeks to make people resilient to inevitable climate inconsistency through the exploitation and development of renewable energy sources. Though climate impacts are global, the population most at risk is predominantly from developing countries, particularly poor communities who have experienced multi-layered threats from floods, droughts and energy supply, just to mention a few. This explains why sustainable development is at the heart of all development trajectories in the world today, specifically the post-2015 development tenets. Climate change adaptation and mitigation requires international collaboration from all nations in order to get an effective and unified response to climate change. Building a critical mass for action and an institutional memory to sustain policies and efforts is crucial. A resilient-based approach to climate mitigation and adaptation founded on a crisis-driven reaction to communities vulnerable to climate threat will boost quality of life through the provision and safeguarding of safety nets for the poor. Solar water heaters, a renewable energy source, are here considered as a critical option to South Africa’s coal-driven economy as a means of alleviating energy poverty in rural and low-income communities, to be more precise. Therefore, SWHs have become the epicentre of sustainable development policies and climate change mitigation efforts in South Africa. So far, this device has attracted the attention of local governments in the country who view it as a game changer in the field, particularly towards greenhouse gas emission and energy conservation. The contour of this thesis is to assess the impact of solar water heaters on sustainable development. Although it is generally difficult to assess the real impact of technology on people, that of SWHs was established by asking questions about livelihood before, during and after the introduction of this device.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of the concept of decent work on the job security and the provisioning of educators

  • Authors: Pretorius, William Richard
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labor policy -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:10262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021218
  • Description: Section 29(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (the Constitution) guarantees the right to a basic education, including a basic adult education and further education. In realising this right, the State is obliged to provide financial and human resources in a manner that will transform society as a whole and deliver a better life for all citizens. The human resources in the main refer to educators. Education is one of key priorities of the present government to the extent that President Zuma has instructed that a presidential commission be established to look into the conditions of service of public servants and in particular that of educators. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has proposed the Decent Work Country Programmes to help countries align their policies with the international goal of the achievement of Decent Work for all. South Africa has done a lot of work in this regard; however the main challenge remains with the implementation and acceptance of such policies by the major stakeholders especially the trade unions. This treatise investigates the impact of the Decent Work Agenda (DWA) on the job security and provisioning of educators in South Africa. It also explores the conditions of service of temporary educators and those educators who are teaching in the rural areas under extremely difficult conditions in comparison with their counterparts in urban areas. This treatise also examines the status of social dialogue in the education sector and the impact of same on collective bargaining. This treatise recommends that the utilisation of the services of temporary educators need to be regulated to address the continuous extension of temporary contracts that is impacting negatively on job security. It also suggests that urgent measures in the form of norms and standards be determined to improve the working conditions of educators who are teaching in rural areas under very difficult circumstances.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of the global financial crisis on small businesses

  • Authors: Dontoni, Jovani Zavatunga
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Global Financial Crisis , Small business
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021187
  • Description: The creation and survival of SMEs largely continues to depend upon access to financing. When a financial crisis in the USA becomes a global economic crisis, SMEs and entrepreneurs all over the world suffer what can be called a double shock; a drop in demand for goods and services and a further tightening in credit terms. It becomes important therefore, to have a strategy on how to tackle the difficulties created by the crisis. Governments are trying to respond by helping to support sales and prevent bankruptcy of SMEs; by increasing access to liquidity, and by helping SMEs to maintain their investment level. Adequate responses of small businesses to the global financial crisis will determine how they will be impacted by the global financial crisis. Many research studies have shown how businesses behave in times of economic abundance. Although over ten economic recessions occurred during the past century, research on the response of businesses to financial challenges remains low. For this reason, the aim of this research was to demonstrate the response of small business owners and managers to the global financial crisis. To achieve this objective, the researcher used an integrated study method, as follows:  A systematic literature review of the importance of small businesses in the economy and the implications of the global financial crises in the world and the South African economies. An empirical survey was conducted on small businesses in the Nelson Mandela Bay area in order to demonstrate their response to the global financial crisis. The results of the literature review and the empirical survey allowed the research to come to the conclusion that during times of financial challenges, small businesses decrease the number of people employed (only employ the people needed), increase efficiency through management, and reduce costs through efficient operations. This study contributes to the literature on small business responsive behaviour during times of economic crisis. As a result, this study presents recommendations and suggestions to assist owners and/or managers to respond appropriately to times of financial contraction.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impact of the marketing communications mix on the purchase decisions for pharmaceuticals in South African Public Health Sector

  • Authors: Sogoni, Vuyo Monwabisi Vula
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Communication in marketing , Direct marketing , Sales promotion
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021030
  • Description: A significant amount of pharmaceutical marketing literature is available. Most of this marketing has doctors, physicians and specialists as main target audience due to the fact that, historically, these medical professionals were the main pharmaceutical purchase decision makers. Pharmaceutical marketing literature has, historically, also been biased towards the private health sector for obvious reasons as the private health sector constitutes the minority of the pharmaceutical market but with a significantly enormous purchasing power than the public healthcare market, constituting the biggest pharmaceutical market in numbers. It is not surprising therefore that majority of pharmaceutical marketing models have been tailor made for the private healthcare market as the growing number of pharmaceutical companies compete for a piece of the small but extremely profitable private healthcare market. South Africa is no exception as it reflects exactly the same pharmaceutical landscape as described above. For growth purposes, pharmaceutical companies have been showing a continued interest in the public healthcare market in Africa as the vast numbers of the African population present an opportunity for pharmaceutical sales. The inspiration of this research study emanated from the realisation that, in order for pharmaceutical companies to take advantage of the looming African opportunity, there is very little literature on pharmaceutical marketing in the public health sector of which majority of the African market constitutes. This study therefore investigates the impact of marketing communication mix elements on pharmaceutical purchasing decisions for pharmaceuticals in the public health sector in South Africa. Personal selling, public relations and promotions are the marketing communications mix elements being investigated in this study as they are the most commonly utilised in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the study aims to develop an understanding on which of the chosen marketing communications mix elements has the most influence on the pharmaceutical purchasing decisions in the context of the public health sector in South Africa. The study also aims to explore the causal effects of such influences in the public health sector in South Africa. The findings will be valuable to pharmaceutical marketers that are trying to tap in the public health sector market as it is different from the private health sector. The study employs more qualitative approach. A small sample was utilised from the public health sector in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data which was analysed using grounded theory data analysis methodology. Empirical results revealed that personal selling influences pharmaceutical purchasing decision the most and promotions the least. Mitigating factors were uncovered to assist in optimising the marketing communication efforts for marketers in this sector.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The impacts of harvesting circumcision amaryllids from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Nombewu, Nomatile
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Medicinal plants -- Harvesting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Botany, Medical -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020648
  • Description: This quantitative study seeks to determine the impacts of harvesting three plant species traditionally used for wound healing during circumcision. Three localities where these plant species occur have been identified. The population size for each species was determined and an assessment of the extent of harvesting was determined through repeated assessment of marked plants. A significant harvest of these species resulted in the unsustainable use of our natural resources. Out of 25 Boophone disticha plants marked, only one plant was remaining after two circumcision seasons. The Brunsvigia grandiflora and Scadoxus multiflorus populations monitored disappeared completely, with no single marked plant found after two circumcision seasons. Growth rates of wild populations of Boophone disticha and cultivated Brunsvigia grandiflora and Scadoxus multiflorus plants were determined. The seedling bulbs of Brunsvigia grandiflora grew significantly more slowly at less than 0.6 cm per year, while Scadoxus multiflorus grew faster at over 1 cm per year. A model for population dynamics of the three plant species was designed which showed that the plants are being harvested before they even flower. It is therefore recommended in this study that a conservation plan for these plant species must be done to save the little that is left in the wild before they become critically endangered.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The implementation of inclusion policy for learners with special education needs in primary schools in Fort beafort district :Towards a rights based approach to education

  • Authors: Adewumi, Toyin Mary
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Inclusive education Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5873 , vital:29413
  • Description: The implementation of inclusion policy for learners with special education needs as stipulated in the Education White Paper 2001has been an issue of concern for South African schools. This study sheds light on the implementation of inclusion policy for learners with special education needs in the selected primary schools in the Fort Beaufort District in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The aim of the study is to examine the implementation of inclusion policy for learners with special education needs. The study was placed within the post-positivism paradigm and used a mixed method research approach that integrated concurrent procedures in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while qualitative data were collected through interviews, and document analysis. A total number of 30 teachers completed the questionnaires. The researcher conducted interviews with ten principals and eight teachers. She also held interviews with four education district officials and one provincial official. Data were analysed by statistical and non-statistical procedures. The study revealed that the inclusion policy is being implemented in the selected schools. However, there are challenges that are being encountered. Firstly, some teachers have not received adequate training with regards to inclusive education policy. Staff development workshops put in place to address this challenge are minimal, and there is not enough joint effort being established by the different stakeholders with regards to support and monitoring the implementation process. Despite the challenges that accompany implementation of inclusion of learners with special education needs, as well as the difficult working conditions, this study reveals that there are pockets of good practice of inclusion policy in some of the selected schools in the Fort Beaufort District. For instance, it was found that teachers implement inclusion of learners with special education needs, even though the majority of them do not have qualifications in special education. It was also revealed that teachers used learner-centred teaching methods to accommodate all learners, which include group and individual teaching, group demonstration, discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and practical activities.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The implications of late payments by government on emerging construction contractors

  • Authors: Mayeko, Bathandwa R
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public contracts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Transfer payments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3085 , vital:20397
  • Description: The public sector is the biggest consumer of construction works in South Africa. Public sector is known for late payments to its service providers. This led to the study’s problem statement that stipulates that, the construction industry; particularly emerging contractors generally experience late payments from clients and employers. This is due to the fact that emerging contractors are vulnerable to failing as these contractors have limited financial resources and experience. The primary objective of the study was to develop a better understanding of the implications of late payments by the government on emerging construction contractors. The study therefore investigated the experiences of emerging construction contractors in the Eastern Cape. The secondary objectives of the study were: to identify the reasons for late payments by the public sector; determine the payment norms applicable to, and expectations of emerging construction contractors; establish construction contractors’ experiences with government payment methods; and to examine the implications of late payment on emerging contractors and their businesses. The study was conducted within a qualitative research paradigm. The participants were identified through non-probability snowball sampling. The sample consisted of five emerging construction contractors mainly from the Civil Engineering and General Building sectors in the Eastern Cape. The data was collected using semi-structured interviewing and was analysed using Tesch’s qualitative analysis explained by Hesse-Biber & Leavy (2011:201). The key results of the empirical study show that late payments have incapacitating effects on the development of emerging contractors. The conclusion reached from the empirical study includes recommendation that construction industry stakeholders form payment legislation aimed at curbing the delay of payments.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The implications of the merger on the morale of staff at the Walter Sisulu University

  • Authors: Shwababa, Fundiswa
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Attitudes -- Evaluation , Education, Higher -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021091
  • Description: The merger has consequently brought about a lot of challenges on Walter Sisulu University (WSU) employees. While the amalgamation of the three historically disadvantaged institutions remains a noble initiative, on the other hand, it has brought about inequalities, such as disproportionate salaries among employees of the three campuses, poor work performance, which can only be attributed to lack of motivation and reluctance amongst the staff members to accept new conditions of service under WSU. A substantial number of those employees, some of whom were employed before the amalgamation, have terminated their service long before the merger even took place. The aim of this study was to explore the implications of the merger on the morale of employees at WSU. The objective of this study aimed firstly, to provide an understanding of those inherent factors, which adversely affected the morale of staff at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and secondly, to reflect on the impact of the restructuring process on employees. This study employed a quantitative descriptive research design to analyse the data, using statistical procedures. Target population for this study was fifty academic and fifty non-academic staff members from the three sites of Walter Sisulu University, namely East London, Ibika and Umtata. There were, therefore, 100 questionnaires distributed electronically (e-mail), and also a few hand-delivered to the offices of the respondents, in order for them to complete at a time convenient to them. This study used purposive sampling because it is based entirely on the judgment of the researcher. The study established that indeed the merger had negative implications on WSU employees, even though these implications varied from category to category. Through the findings that emerged in this research, conclusions could be drawn that the merger brought about many challenges on WSU employees, namely staff development, human resource and management issues, job security and work environment. Suggestions and recommendations are espoused to eliminate the situation.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The importance's of the physical analogue clock in mediating learning of analogue clock time in Grade 4 learners

  • Authors: Metelerkamp, Roger Gregory
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Clocks and watches , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) , Time measurements -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013169
  • Description: My research topic concerns how learners use the analogue clock (as a human tool) to make meaning of clock time. This study is informed by a Vygotskian socio-cultural framework to learning and development based on the concept that human activities take place in cultural contexts and is mediated by tools. In this qualitative study I report on the learners meaning making of analogue clock time using the physical clock. This study was carried out at a South African primary school through an intervention programme after school. The research employed a case study method. It involved a purposeful sample of 4 learners (n=38) from the grade four class group based on their response to a baseline assessment task. The selected sample of learners included learners across the ability spectrum to gain rich insight into how learners make meaning of analogue clock time. Data collection and analysis was done through an interpretive approach. The video-taped interviews and intervention programme was my main instrument of data collection. Other research instruments included document analysis of responses to baseline assessment tasks. These research tools yielded the data collected and also allowed for triangulation. My research topic explored how the learners make meaning of analogue clock time. In particular the two-way movement of how the learners use the physical tool namely the analogue clock to develop meaning and how the clock mediates clock knowledge in return. The findings of the study suggest that learners’ find it difficult to conceptualise analogue clock symbols and signs, in particular, in Afrikaans the half hour concept, in relation to the two hands. The physical analogue clock is also important to support and extend clock knowledge in solving time-related problems. This shows the power of the analogue clock to mediate meaning making of clock time in young learners. Because of its potential to improve teaching and learning analogue clock time in primary school it is therefore recommended that the analogue clock time be further researched in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The income tax consequences of the in-house development of software

  • Authors: Hodge, Dominic Shaughn
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Computer software -- Accounting , Income tax -- Data processing , Research and development projects , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Computer software -- Development -- South Africa , Computer software -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013550
  • Description: The objective of this thesis was to explore the nature of expenditure incurred on the internal development of software and its treatment in terms of the accounting and taxation frameworks to which it is subject. In fulfilling the primary objective the thesis had a number of subsidiary considerations. These included, firstly, a brief analysis of the approach of the software industry in South Africa to the taxation treatment of this type of software. The second consideration was a discussion and analysis of the taxation framework which differentiates between capital and revenue and the extent to which the receipts produced by internally developed software may be informative of the nature of the expenditure. The third was an analysis of the deductibility of expenditure incurred in the production of software with the fourth analysing the tests employed in the determination of whether expenditure is capital or revenue in nature. The fifth objective was to briefly analyse the accounting standards which find application in the determination of whether or not the software created can be considered a capital asset. The final subsidiary objective of the thesis was an analysis of the taxation framework applicable to software in respect of research and development incentives, as well as the position in the United States of America. Throughout the thesis the most apparent commonality is that there exists a significant level of uncertainty as to the taxation treatment of software both in South Africa and in America. The research concludes by stating that such uncertainty is prejudicial to the interests of research and development in relation to software.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The influence of employees's perceptions of organisational ethics and perceived relative self-ethicality on their levels of organisational identification and overall well-being

  • Authors: Breytenbach, Nadia
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Corporate culture , Well-being , Work ethic , Self-realization
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:9411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020072
  • Description: This study investigated whether an employees’ perception of the ethical culture in the organisation and their perception of their own ethicality influenced their level of organisational identification and additionally, whether this relationship between perceived ethical culture and organisational identification had an influence on workplace wellbeing. The aim of this research study was to measure employees’ perceptions of organisational ethics, their relative self-ethicality, organisational identification, and wellbeing, in order to develop a model pertaining to the relationship between these three constructs. Research showed that employees’ perceptions of the ethical culture in their organisation can influence how they identify with that particular organisation. Research also indicated that the differences between perceived organisational ethicality and relative self-ethicality exist. Additionally, research showed the influence of perceived ethical culture and relative self-ethicality has indicated a relationship between organisational identification and wellbeing respectively. However, to date and to the researcher’s knowledge there has been no investigation of the relationship between these four constructs. This research study was quantitative in nature in which a questionnaire was utilised as a research method. A sample of 111 respondent from three organisations in the automation industry in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth was utilised for this research study. The main findings indicated that an alternative model resulted to be a good fit through structural equation modelling. The results illustrated that organisational ethicality has an influence on how employees identify with their organisations and how this relationship influences wellbeing. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest in an ethical organisational culture for the sustainability of the organisation and its employees’ livelihoods. This study contributes to the literature based on perceived ethical culture, organisational identification, and workplace wellbeing. Additionally, the study provides readers with a model on how these concepts influence each other.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The influence of family business resources on transgenerational success: a family business case study

  • Authors: Klee, Robynne
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11124 , vital:26887
  • Description: Family businesses are major contributors to the economies of most countries and are known to be one of the best performing, most prevalent and resilient forms of business throughout the world. Despite their importance and based on the vast amount of research done in the field of family businesses, this form of business appears to be laden with challenges and is short-lived. Amongst others, one of the most fundamental challenges and contributors to the short-lived nature, and thus high failure rate of family businesses is poor succession planning. In order to address this challenge, the Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) research framework was developed to ascertain the factors that contribute to entrepreneurial performance and the effective transgenerational potential and success of family businesses globally. Transgenerational potential, entrepreneurial performance, the external mediating factors influencing family businesses, Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and the Resource Based View (RBV) of familiness resource pools are the components that make up the STEP research framework. By adopting the STEP research framework, the primary objective of this study is to establish how a transgenerational family business creates new economic activity over time by using and transferring familiness resource pools from one generation to the next. Due to the primary focus of the study being to research familiness resource pools and how they generate transgenerational potential for family businesses, this component of the STEP research framework is investigated in detail. The literature review therefore highlights the eight dimensions of familiness resource pools, namely: leadership, networks, capital, decision-making, culture, relationships, governance and knowledge, and are the main focus of this study. An interpretivism research paradigm is selected for this study. Interpretivism paradigms are associated with qualitative research methodologies. Owing to the fact that much still remains to be discovered in terms of familiness and familiness resource pools, a descriptive, single-case study is the type of research method undertaken. The sample is identified based on non-probability purposive sampling as per the strict guidelines of the STEP project. The sample size in this study consisted of one family business operating in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The STEP interview schedule, which consists of semi-structured questions, is the research instrument used to collect the necessary data from five participants involved in the family business (a prominent motorcar dealership). Once all the data is collected, a combination of directed content analysis and explanation building are used to analyse the data. The findings of the study reveal that the leadership values present in the family business stem from that of the founder. Contrary to the current CEO’s beliefs that the family business investigated operates primarily under his participative leadership style, the interviews reveal that while the CEO does demonstrate participative leadership, his leadership style is somewhat autocratic in nature. This autocratic leadership style has caused the employees and the business as a whole, to become too reliant on the CEO, especially in terms of strategic decision-making, which may be a threat to the future succession of the business. The CEO’s expert leadership however, ensures that the business adheres to strict guidelines in terms of employing the best person for the job, regardless of whether the candidates are family members or not. As such, the prominent motorcar dealership is marketed as a family business and together under the family leadership, has helped attract customers and well qualified non-family employees to the business. While there is ample leadership available within the business, the lack of succession planning is reiterated to be a major threat facing the future of the business. Almost all of the original networks established by the founder in the prominent motorcar dealership studied still exist in the business in 2014. It is established that employees, especially those in the third generation, are encouraged to build their own networks within their relevant spheres of responsibility. Moreover, the business family’s history, reputation and goodwill have helped create and establish networks for the family business, especially within the Eastern Cape. These networks have helped the business drive sales and have contributed to the success of the business.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The influence of gender on access to venture capital and firm performance in small, medium and micro enterprises in King Williams Town, South Africa

  • Authors: Shava, Herring
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Venture capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex discrimination -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/767 , vital:26495 , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Venture capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex discrimination -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: This study examined the influence of gender on access to venture capital and firm performance on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises in King Williams Town, South Africa. This study sought to establish whether there was differential access to venture capital between genders; to establish whether men- and women-owned SMMEs differ in performance; to identify whether an association between gender and business related experience can be found; and to assess the extent to which the gender gap in SMME access to venture capital and performance could be allocated to gender differences in levels of business related experience. A total sample of 109 SMMEs was used which comprised 53 female- and 56 male-owned. The quota sampling technique was implemented and a self-administered questionnaire was used for the purpose of gathering primary data. Data for this study was gathered from SMME owners only as they were the targeted respondents. The t-test and Chi-square test were used for the statistical analysis in order to arrive at findings and conclusions. Based on a 64% survey response rate, the study reports the existence of statistically significant gender gap in SMME access to venture capital and SMME performance. In addition, this study also reports the existence of a gender gap in business related experience amongst SMME owners. However, after controlling for business related experience, the gender gap in SMMEs access to venture capital and performance disappears. This study therefore argues that the variation in business related experience between gender plays a major role in the noted gender gap. This study therefore concludes that addressing gender gap in business related experience is of vital importance as this would also assist in eliminating the apparent gender gap in access to venture capital and firm performance. To address the gender gap in business related experience, the study recommends that innovations in the design and delivery of training programmes should be implemented. Establishing and monitoring targets for current women managers who are also potential future business owners/SMME owners, should be a policy being practiced in both the private and public sector, among other recommendations outlined in the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The influence of indigenous languages on Ugandan English as used in the media

  • Authors: Tukwasibwe, Constance
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Mass media and language -- Uganda , Languages in contact -- Uganda , English language -- Uganda , Language transfer (Language learning) -- Uganda , Communication and culture -- Uganda , Bilingualism -- Uganda , Linguistic demography -- Uganda , Uganda -- Languages
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015637
  • Description: When two or more languages come in contact, they influence each other in various ways, for example through word borrowing, transfer of sounds, morphology and syntax taken from one language system and imported to another. In this study, the primary concern is on the indigenous communities of Uganda learning the English language, plus the influence that this interaction brings into the linguistic space. Bringing the Ugandan multilingual situation into perspective, the study looks at how the English language has interacted with the local languages and the local speech habits, customs and traditions of the indigenous people, to the extent that it has been indigenized. Some word usage results in miscommunication due to the socio-cultural uniqueness of Ugandan cultural expressions. As an example, because of the practice of polygamy in most Ugandan cultures, words like co-wife are coined to mean 'a woman who shares a husband, or a husband's other wife', a word that is absent in both the language and culture of native English speakers. Furthermore some words are formed by calquing some indigenous language expressions, e.g. 'to eat money' or 'to eat cash', an expression that is calqued from the Luganda phrase, kulya sente. Such word coinages are meant to fill the 'shortfall' where the English language fails to provide adequate equivalents. Understanding the context of this kind of English usage and the influence from the indigenous languages is helpful in handling inter-cultural discourses, as the same expression may convey different senses to different people in different contexts. So then, this study deals with some peculiarities of Ugandan English, namely; the features of Ugandan English grammar which are influenced by the indigenous languages. Evidence from the Corpus of Ugandan English is explored to establish that indigenous languages in Uganda have a significant influence on the English language variety spoken in the country, and that a large part of English bilingual speakers cannot speak English without transferring the features from their mother tongue or indeed, switching and mixing codes. A British corpus was used for the purposes of comparison with Ugandan English. The research was conducted in Uganda, drawing data from English newspapers, radio and television talk -shows that were recorded to provide a structural analysis of the contact situations. The result of the study points to the fact that, indeed, the phonological, morpho-syntactic and semantic characteristics of Ugandan English have a considerable amount of influence from indigenous local languages. This study is hinged on the assumption that when indigenous languages and the target language come together in a linguistic contact situation, the resulting variety would exhibit distinct phonological, lexical, grammatical and semantic/pragmatic features ( cf. Sankoff, 2001; Thomason, 1995; Thomason & Kaufman, 1988; Winford, 2005). However, some of these innovations have attracted criticism from 'prescriptivists' such as Quirk (1985, 1988, 1990); Gaudio (2011); and Abbot (1991) who perceive them as 'nonstandard', 'incorrect English language usage' and a 'direct translation from the language user's mother tongue into English'. Yet, indigenous languages continue to play important roles in shaping the kind of English language usage in Uganda.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The influence of organisational climate on job performance

  • Authors: Meintjies, Jean
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Organizational behaviour Organizational effectiveness Employees -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10286 , vital:26649
  • Description: Organisational climate, as represented by the aggregation of the perceptions of the individual employees within the organisation, has been the focus of considerable empirical research that can be traced back to the work of Lewin, Lippit and White (1939).The debate around organisational climate research, concentrates on the methodological issue of how the construct of such climate can be translated into an indicator of organisational effectiveness. Schneider and Bowen (1985), Bacayan and White (1993) have provided evidence that a worthy and functional organisational climate does have a positive effect upon service outcomes and hence improves organisational success. The study examines the influence of organisational participants’ perception of work environment on job performance in a sample of employees within the various departments of Transnet National Ports Authority. The paper presents that the perception of organisational climate has a significant effect on job performance of some employees while it is not so for others. The research sample consists of 71 employees working in the marine and operations, engineering, human resource, marketing and legal departments. One questionnaire was designed by the researcher to measure organisational climate and the effectiveness of job performance. The climate dimensions of communication, management and supervision, reward and recognition and training are significantly related to job performance. The research consisted of the organisational climate and job performance literature and the subsequent link between these two constructs within Transnet National Ports Authority. In conclusion the report presents the authors findings, conclusions and recommendations derived from the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2014
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