The role of performance management in the motivation of employees : a case study
- Authors: Zwane, Themba Lambert
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1090 , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Description: After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zwane, Themba Lambert
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1090 , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Description: After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Mulch tower treatment system Part I: Overall performance in greywater treatment
- Zuma, Bongumusa M, Tandlich, Roman, Whittington-Jones, Kevin J, Burgess, Jo E
- Authors: Zuma, Bongumusa M , Tandlich, Roman , Whittington-Jones, Kevin J , Burgess, Jo E
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71537 , vital:29862 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2008.03.030
- Description: A mulch tower (MT) system for greywater treatment is introduced in this paper. Materials used to assemble the MT system included mulch, coarse sand, fine and coarse gravel. Limited removal efficiency of the MT system was demonstrated for alkalinity, total hardness, pH, Cl–, PO43–, NH4+, and SO42–, with the estimated cumulative removals ranging from 7 to 12%. Intermediate removal efficiency was observed for chemical oxygen demand (COD), NO3–, and S2– with the estimated cumulative removals ranging from 24 to 28%. The highest removal efficiency was observed for the total suspended solids (TSS) with the estimated cumulative removal equal to 52%. Given the minute residence time in the MT system, the results obtained were promising and justify scale-up studies for potential on-site applications. The MT effluent did not meet hygienic norms with respect to the faecal coliform concentration (FC) and the total coliform concentration (TC), and further effluent treatment is required before any discharge or reuse of the treated greywater. Further research should focus on characterisation of the microbial community of the MT, and the fate of Cl–, PO43–, NH4+, and SO42–.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zuma, Bongumusa M , Tandlich, Roman , Whittington-Jones, Kevin J , Burgess, Jo E
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71537 , vital:29862 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2008.03.030
- Description: A mulch tower (MT) system for greywater treatment is introduced in this paper. Materials used to assemble the MT system included mulch, coarse sand, fine and coarse gravel. Limited removal efficiency of the MT system was demonstrated for alkalinity, total hardness, pH, Cl–, PO43–, NH4+, and SO42–, with the estimated cumulative removals ranging from 7 to 12%. Intermediate removal efficiency was observed for chemical oxygen demand (COD), NO3–, and S2– with the estimated cumulative removals ranging from 24 to 28%. The highest removal efficiency was observed for the total suspended solids (TSS) with the estimated cumulative removal equal to 52%. Given the minute residence time in the MT system, the results obtained were promising and justify scale-up studies for potential on-site applications. The MT effluent did not meet hygienic norms with respect to the faecal coliform concentration (FC) and the total coliform concentration (TC), and further effluent treatment is required before any discharge or reuse of the treated greywater. Further research should focus on characterisation of the microbial community of the MT, and the fate of Cl–, PO43–, NH4+, and SO42–.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009
Women in organisational management in Zimbabwe: theory and practice
- Authors: Zikhali, Whitehead
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Businesswomen , Discrimination in employment -- Zimbabwe , Women executives -- Zimbabwe , Success in business -- Zimbabwe , Corporate culture -- Zimbabwe , Leadership -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11415 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001185 , Businesswomen , Discrimination in employment -- Zimbabwe , Women executives -- Zimbabwe , Success in business -- Zimbabwe , Corporate culture -- Zimbabwe , Leadership -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study was premised on the truism that men have historically served in higher echelons of organizational management structures and women are under-represented. The principal objective was to explore the constraints faced by women in accessing higher leadership and senior management positions in public, private and non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe. This study adopted the triangulation method, that is, qualitative and quantitative approaches. These mixed research methods, were upgraded by the feminist research methodologies, thereby making a contribution in the field of research. The study found out that the constraints that mostly hinder women from accessing leadership and senior management positions in public, private and NGOs were cultural practices, which represent levels of power and control that in turn hinder reforms; and women's socialisation into feminised roles. The study also found out that in most organisations, most females work under male leadership, and this traditional organisational culture, needs to be deconstructed and reversed in order to achieve gender equality. The study recommended for a human centric and integrated organizational management strategy for public, private and NGOs in Zimbabwe. The adoption of a human centric and integrated management approach should aim at gender equity and reduce women's under-representation. A human centred organizational culture has to be practiced, that would create organisational ethos that guide organizational management. An integrated organizational management approach should integrate all systems and processes into one complete framework, enabling people to work as a single unit, unified by organizational goals, shared vision and common values. The system should depend on a balanced mix of the masculine and feminine attributes. The approach should put its weight towards adoption of measures to attract, advance and empower women so as to benefit from their qualifications, experience and talent in a highly competitive environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zikhali, Whitehead
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Businesswomen , Discrimination in employment -- Zimbabwe , Women executives -- Zimbabwe , Success in business -- Zimbabwe , Corporate culture -- Zimbabwe , Leadership -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11415 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001185 , Businesswomen , Discrimination in employment -- Zimbabwe , Women executives -- Zimbabwe , Success in business -- Zimbabwe , Corporate culture -- Zimbabwe , Leadership -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study was premised on the truism that men have historically served in higher echelons of organizational management structures and women are under-represented. The principal objective was to explore the constraints faced by women in accessing higher leadership and senior management positions in public, private and non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe. This study adopted the triangulation method, that is, qualitative and quantitative approaches. These mixed research methods, were upgraded by the feminist research methodologies, thereby making a contribution in the field of research. The study found out that the constraints that mostly hinder women from accessing leadership and senior management positions in public, private and NGOs were cultural practices, which represent levels of power and control that in turn hinder reforms; and women's socialisation into feminised roles. The study also found out that in most organisations, most females work under male leadership, and this traditional organisational culture, needs to be deconstructed and reversed in order to achieve gender equality. The study recommended for a human centric and integrated organizational management strategy for public, private and NGOs in Zimbabwe. The adoption of a human centric and integrated management approach should aim at gender equity and reduce women's under-representation. A human centred organizational culture has to be practiced, that would create organisational ethos that guide organizational management. An integrated organizational management approach should integrate all systems and processes into one complete framework, enabling people to work as a single unit, unified by organizational goals, shared vision and common values. The system should depend on a balanced mix of the masculine and feminine attributes. The approach should put its weight towards adoption of measures to attract, advance and empower women so as to benefit from their qualifications, experience and talent in a highly competitive environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Tourism policy, biodiversity conservation and management: a case study of the Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Authors: Zhou, Leocadia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Tourism -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11513 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/174 , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Tourism -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Description: The Kruger National Park (KNP) management has recently made considerable progress in enacting new policies to address biodiversity conservation and management challenges. However, the interlinkages among the new policies to support biodiversity conservation and management have not been evaluated, particularly the principles and approaches, and how these interact in terms of policy decision-making at the economic and political levels. This study seeks to evaluate the interlinkages among the new policies and how they affect one another, as an avenue to promote a more integrated and comprehensive policy implementation. These policies include the tourism policy, the elephant management policy, and the water provision policy. At policy-making level, the integration of these three policies enhances the possibilities for balancing and controlling the pressures exerted on environmental resources. At the implementation level, it offers a framework for the coordination of the interventions of the policies in space so as to recognise and capitalize on their synergies. Given the inevitably multifarious and departmentalized nature of policy formulation in the KNP, there is a need for the analysis of interlinkages amongst policies. The conceptual framework underpinning this study derives much from Briassoulis’ (2004) policy integration. The research utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and focuses on selected camp sites within the Park. The findings indicate that current procedures for tourism policy-making and implementation are weak, and little is done by way of impact assessment. This has been attributed to the lack of capacity at the KNP. The findings also reconfirm that policy-making is too fragmented. As a result, policy coordination and cooperation among park managers is weak. This study suggests that an environmental policy integration approach can lead to improved policy-making and implementation. Informed by the data collected from interviews, questionnaires and document analyses, a management framework has been developed to demonstrate how an integrated approach to Environmental Policy Integration (EPI) or management can help sustain the practice of wildlife tourism and support biodiversity conservation. It is concluded that greater realisation of integrated policy-making and implementation in the KNP can be achieved by establishing a formal coordinating office. However, a special feature of KNP policy-making is its widespread consultation system that can provide a fertile ground for enhancing EPI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zhou, Leocadia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Tourism -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11513 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/174 , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Kruger National Park , Tourism -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Description: The Kruger National Park (KNP) management has recently made considerable progress in enacting new policies to address biodiversity conservation and management challenges. However, the interlinkages among the new policies to support biodiversity conservation and management have not been evaluated, particularly the principles and approaches, and how these interact in terms of policy decision-making at the economic and political levels. This study seeks to evaluate the interlinkages among the new policies and how they affect one another, as an avenue to promote a more integrated and comprehensive policy implementation. These policies include the tourism policy, the elephant management policy, and the water provision policy. At policy-making level, the integration of these three policies enhances the possibilities for balancing and controlling the pressures exerted on environmental resources. At the implementation level, it offers a framework for the coordination of the interventions of the policies in space so as to recognise and capitalize on their synergies. Given the inevitably multifarious and departmentalized nature of policy formulation in the KNP, there is a need for the analysis of interlinkages amongst policies. The conceptual framework underpinning this study derives much from Briassoulis’ (2004) policy integration. The research utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and focuses on selected camp sites within the Park. The findings indicate that current procedures for tourism policy-making and implementation are weak, and little is done by way of impact assessment. This has been attributed to the lack of capacity at the KNP. The findings also reconfirm that policy-making is too fragmented. As a result, policy coordination and cooperation among park managers is weak. This study suggests that an environmental policy integration approach can lead to improved policy-making and implementation. Informed by the data collected from interviews, questionnaires and document analyses, a management framework has been developed to demonstrate how an integrated approach to Environmental Policy Integration (EPI) or management can help sustain the practice of wildlife tourism and support biodiversity conservation. It is concluded that greater realisation of integrated policy-making and implementation in the KNP can be achieved by establishing a formal coordinating office. However, a special feature of KNP policy-making is its widespread consultation system that can provide a fertile ground for enhancing EPI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The reactions of ruthenium (ii) polypyridyl complexes
- Authors: Zheng, Sipeng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Ruthenium , Ruthenium compounds , Chemical reactions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1089 , Ruthenium , Ruthenium compounds , Chemical reactions
- Description: Ruthenium (II) polypyridine complexes in general have been extensively studied because of their unique redox and photochemical properties. A typical example of such complexes is tris(2,2’-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II). In this study, this complex was synthesized and then characterized using electronic spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. It was also shown that the ruthenium concentration could be accurately determined using ICP-MS. It was found that the complex is very stable in various chemical environments. It was observed from spectrophotometric investigations that persulphate and lead dioxide easily oxidize Ru(bpy)3 2+ to Ru(bpy)3 3+ in the presence of heat and H2SO4, respectively. It was also observed that the oxidation between Ru(bpy)3 2+ and cerium (IV) occurred at approximately 3:2 [Ce(IV)]/[Ru(II)] mole ratio. The resultant Ru(bpy)3 3+ solution was unstable in the presence of light and recovery of Ru(bpy)3 2+ occurred gradually. The regeneration of Ru(bpy)3 2+ from Ru(bpy)3 3+ was found to be a multistep process, which appears to involve the formation of an intermediate species. The following reaction model was found to best explain the kinetic data obtained: Ru(bpy)3 2+ + Ce(IV) → Ru(bpy)3 3+ Ru(bpy)3 3+ → Ru(bpy)3 2+ Ru(bpy)3 3+ → Ru* intermediate Ru* intermediate → Ru(bpy)3 2+ Theoretical rate constants were also calculated for the same process under the experimental conditions. The comparison between the experimental and theoretical results gave good agreement. In addition, the factors that influence the rate of the regeneration of Ru(bpy)3 2+ from Ru(bpy)3 3+ were also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zheng, Sipeng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Ruthenium , Ruthenium compounds , Chemical reactions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1089 , Ruthenium , Ruthenium compounds , Chemical reactions
- Description: Ruthenium (II) polypyridine complexes in general have been extensively studied because of their unique redox and photochemical properties. A typical example of such complexes is tris(2,2’-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II). In this study, this complex was synthesized and then characterized using electronic spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. It was also shown that the ruthenium concentration could be accurately determined using ICP-MS. It was found that the complex is very stable in various chemical environments. It was observed from spectrophotometric investigations that persulphate and lead dioxide easily oxidize Ru(bpy)3 2+ to Ru(bpy)3 3+ in the presence of heat and H2SO4, respectively. It was also observed that the oxidation between Ru(bpy)3 2+ and cerium (IV) occurred at approximately 3:2 [Ce(IV)]/[Ru(II)] mole ratio. The resultant Ru(bpy)3 3+ solution was unstable in the presence of light and recovery of Ru(bpy)3 2+ occurred gradually. The regeneration of Ru(bpy)3 2+ from Ru(bpy)3 3+ was found to be a multistep process, which appears to involve the formation of an intermediate species. The following reaction model was found to best explain the kinetic data obtained: Ru(bpy)3 2+ + Ce(IV) → Ru(bpy)3 3+ Ru(bpy)3 3+ → Ru(bpy)3 2+ Ru(bpy)3 3+ → Ru* intermediate Ru* intermediate → Ru(bpy)3 2+ Theoretical rate constants were also calculated for the same process under the experimental conditions. The comparison between the experimental and theoretical results gave good agreement. In addition, the factors that influence the rate of the regeneration of Ru(bpy)3 2+ from Ru(bpy)3 3+ were also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The influence of selected elements of service quality provided by Chinese fine-dining restaurants in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Zhao, Feng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1088 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: A good understanding of customer expectations is very important to service providers. Since the Chinese first came to South Africa and started their restaurant businesses. Chinese fine-dining restaurants have become more and more popular. Identifying the customer expectations and Chinese fine-dining restaurant owner perceptions will help Chinese service providers to understand better the restaurant businesses. To ensure the development of the Chinese restaurant business in South Africa, it is very important to understand what South African customers want, whether there are differences between the Chinese restaurant owner perceptions of the service quality and South African customer expectations of the service quality. This would depend on the customers’ preferences, and provide a positive contribution to customer decision-making. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify what is customer expectations are, what the management perceptions are and the differences between them. 5 In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the following approach was followed: Factors that influence the customer expectations and management perceptions are explained. Five factors used to measure the service quality of Chinese fine-dining restaurants are identified, namely reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibility. The responses to the questionnaire were collected and analysed to determine the extent to which factors are both important to customer expectations and management perceptions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zhao, Feng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1088 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: A good understanding of customer expectations is very important to service providers. Since the Chinese first came to South Africa and started their restaurant businesses. Chinese fine-dining restaurants have become more and more popular. Identifying the customer expectations and Chinese fine-dining restaurant owner perceptions will help Chinese service providers to understand better the restaurant businesses. To ensure the development of the Chinese restaurant business in South Africa, it is very important to understand what South African customers want, whether there are differences between the Chinese restaurant owner perceptions of the service quality and South African customer expectations of the service quality. This would depend on the customers’ preferences, and provide a positive contribution to customer decision-making. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify what is customer expectations are, what the management perceptions are and the differences between them. 5 In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the following approach was followed: Factors that influence the customer expectations and management perceptions are explained. Five factors used to measure the service quality of Chinese fine-dining restaurants are identified, namely reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibility. The responses to the questionnaire were collected and analysed to determine the extent to which factors are both important to customer expectations and management perceptions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into guests' perceived service quality of the bed-and-breakfast and guest house market industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay area
- Authors: Zhang, Jin
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Customer services , Boardinghouses -- Customer services -- South Africa , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1087
- Description: The tourism and hospitality industry has made a meaningful contribution to the development of the South African economy. Not only the hotels, but also the demand for self-catering holiday properties such as guest houses and bed-and-breakfast Bed and Breakfast establishments is increasing which could boost the tourist industry. Moreover, the prospect of the self-catering holiday properties in South Africa is extremely positive, particularly when the country is given the opportunity to hold the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Thus, expectations and perceptions are significantly shaped and transformed by the prosperous environment. The self-catering holiday properties should provide the best possible service to international and domestic tourists and ensure that their needs are fully met. The general purpose of this study was to evaluate the service quality of guest houses and Bed and Breakfasts in the Nelson Mandela Bay by comparing guests’ expectations and perceptions. The results of this study could assist the managers of guest house and Bed and Breakfast in improving its service performance to more effectively fulfil the needs of dynamic tourist market. The literature study provided an overview of tourism industry from the management and marketing perspectives, services marketing and a detailed discussion of service quality focusing on the nature of services, determinants of service quality and techniques for measuring service quality. The SERVQUAL model and its derivative, Lodging Quality Index (LQI), were adapted for measuring the guests’ perceived service quality in this research. ii The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to guests who were staying at guest houses or Bed and Breakfasts in the Nelson Mandela Bay identified in terms of convenience sampling. One hundred and five useable questionnaires were received. The empirical findings based on the perception-minus-expectation (P-E) gap analysis showed that the perception mean scores were consistently lower than the expectation mean scores. This implies that guests perceived service quality of guest house and Bed and Breakfast to be relatively low. It is recommended that the managers of guest houses and BBs should: uniform the employees; use every tool to figure out what the guest wants; establish specific working procedures and help employees to understand their job responsibilities and mangers’ expectations; invite suggestions of existing located facilities from guests, and move the inconvenient facilities if possible; employ a communication audit to evaluate the overall quality of the communication system by comparing communication objectives to actual performance; combine useful destination information from different sources and update them on the website frequently; and apply an attracting layout to build positive image.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zhang, Jin
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Customer services , Boardinghouses -- Customer services -- South Africa , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1087
- Description: The tourism and hospitality industry has made a meaningful contribution to the development of the South African economy. Not only the hotels, but also the demand for self-catering holiday properties such as guest houses and bed-and-breakfast Bed and Breakfast establishments is increasing which could boost the tourist industry. Moreover, the prospect of the self-catering holiday properties in South Africa is extremely positive, particularly when the country is given the opportunity to hold the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Thus, expectations and perceptions are significantly shaped and transformed by the prosperous environment. The self-catering holiday properties should provide the best possible service to international and domestic tourists and ensure that their needs are fully met. The general purpose of this study was to evaluate the service quality of guest houses and Bed and Breakfasts in the Nelson Mandela Bay by comparing guests’ expectations and perceptions. The results of this study could assist the managers of guest house and Bed and Breakfast in improving its service performance to more effectively fulfil the needs of dynamic tourist market. The literature study provided an overview of tourism industry from the management and marketing perspectives, services marketing and a detailed discussion of service quality focusing on the nature of services, determinants of service quality and techniques for measuring service quality. The SERVQUAL model and its derivative, Lodging Quality Index (LQI), were adapted for measuring the guests’ perceived service quality in this research. ii The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to guests who were staying at guest houses or Bed and Breakfasts in the Nelson Mandela Bay identified in terms of convenience sampling. One hundred and five useable questionnaires were received. The empirical findings based on the perception-minus-expectation (P-E) gap analysis showed that the perception mean scores were consistently lower than the expectation mean scores. This implies that guests perceived service quality of guest house and Bed and Breakfast to be relatively low. It is recommended that the managers of guest houses and BBs should: uniform the employees; use every tool to figure out what the guest wants; establish specific working procedures and help employees to understand their job responsibilities and mangers’ expectations; invite suggestions of existing located facilities from guests, and move the inconvenient facilities if possible; employ a communication audit to evaluate the overall quality of the communication system by comparing communication objectives to actual performance; combine useful destination information from different sources and update them on the website frequently; and apply an attracting layout to build positive image.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Benchmark value chain clusters, agglomeration economies and dynamic externalities : an intergrated approach to regional economic development
- Authors: Zeelie, Eben Johannes
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Industrial clusters , Regional economics , Regional economic disparities , Economic development , Regional planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1086 , Industrial clusters , Regional economics , Regional economic disparities , Economic development , Regional planning
- Description: From the broad overview of the cluster literature, the proposition emerges that the manipulation of regional economic structural and cluster factor conditions within a geographically proximate region can translate into sustainable regional economic growth outcomes. As a first step in exploring this research, a theoretical framework for the conceptualisation of industry clusters was established and a methodological framework applied to statistically identify major manufacturing value chain clusters in the Eastern Cape Province. This methodology combines a strength-of-linkage measure for all pairs of supply and use sectors (as revealed in the systematic analysis of intermediate purchasing and sales patterns in the South African Final Supply and Use Tables: 2002) with the application of Ward’s hierarchical cluster algorithm to map the national benchmark value chain clusters in the South African national economy. The ensuing national value chain benchmark cluster framework was then transposed to the Eastern Cape Province to reveal cluster concentrations and gaps that exist in the value chain clusters in the province. The methodology applied in this study provides an objective and clear perspective of inter-industry linkages in the South African economy and produces more detailed and evenly distributed clusters than traditional cluster identification methodologies. Secondary linkages were determined for each of the twenty-six core value chain clusters to depict the diversity of sectors linked to the respective core clusters. In transposing the national benchmark value chain cluster framework onto the Eastern Cape Province economy, a number of distinct advantages emerge. Firstly, it reveals gaps in value chain cluster groupings that may be filled through industry recruiting or regional business development strategies. However, not all industries absent from value chain clusters in the region are equally attractive for recruitment. Henceforth, the number of direct and indirect linkages to industries absent from the Eastern Cape Province serves as a measure of their relative attractiveness when considering their recruitment into the region. vi The benchmark value chain cluster framework alone does not explain which agglomeration externalities are generated and exploited within each cluster, but it served as the overarching framework for the remainder of the research. Accordingly, the value chain cluster framework was applied to evidence whether specialisation, competition or diversity (represented by MAR, Porter and Jacobs economies respectively) is the operative mechanism in generating cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province. Since agglomeration externalities are not directly observable, construct-valid indicators for the various externalities, as well as appropriate mechanisms to empirically assess the statistical relevance of MAR-, Porter and Jacobs economies in stimulating cluster growth, were established. This thesis added to agglomeration literature by disaggregating the standard measure of diversity externalities into two unique diversity indicators, namely supply diversity (SDiv) and use diversity (UDiv). The SDiv- and UDiv coefficients measure the degree to which a value chain cluster’s supplying/user sectoral mix at provincial level differs from that of the cluster grouping at the national level. This distinction between supply-and use diversity developed in this study firstly provides a clearer insight into the relative regional presence of supplying- and using sectors to the various value chain clusters, and secondly, serves as a useful mechanism to regional policymakers in identifying industries that may be targeted for investment into a region. Therefore, by separating the diversity into its two components, a clear distinction can be drawn between the impact of supplying- and using sectors on value chain cluster growth in a particular region. From a narrow perspective, the empirical findings validate both the Marshall Arrow Romer- (small positive impact of regional cluster concentration) and the Jacobs theory (significant positive impact of cluster supply- and use diversity on cluster growth), while it invalidates Porter’s theory (no correlation between competition and cluster performance). The positive effect size recorded between the level of value chain cluster concentration and differential growth indicates that policy makers in the Eastern Cape Province will be well advised to direct growth interventions towards larger concentrated clusters, than towards smaller, incipient value chain clusters. Additionally, vii the effectiveness of targeted inward FDI to the Eastern Cape Province may be raised by evaluating the economic impact against current value chain cluster structure, as well as the effect on the supply- and use diversities of existing value chain clusters in the province. This thesis has also illustrated that value chain clusters that are concentrated in the region, show a positive effect size with the level of supply diversity in the region. Conversely, value chain clusters that reflect high levels of competitiveness record a positive effect size with use diversity. Policy interventions aimed at raising the performance of value chain clusters typified by smaller players in a competitive environment, should therefore consider raising the respective levels of use diversity in the region. This research awakens the proposition that a reliance on a serendipitous approach to generate dynamic externalities is not sufficient, and that certain factor conditions favour the transfer of tacit knowledge between cluster members. Accordingly, this research empirically explored whether statistically significant relationships can be detected between the common cluster elements, or factor conditions, that serve as conduits for the transfer of dynamic externalities and value chain cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings indicate that linkages with knowledge generating institutions in the Eastern Cape Province do, albeit to a relatively small extent, have an impact on value chain cluster growth, and validates the assertion that cognitive enhancing institutions contribute to cluster growth. The importance of backward and forward linkages in nurturing regional growth is signified by the moderate effect size recorded by the level of vertical linkages and total value chain cluster growth. Similarly, a moderate effect size was recorded between the level of horizontal linkages and value chain cluster growth, which shows that cooperation amongst competing firms do stimulate cluster and regional growth in the Eastern Cape Province and affirms the proposition that inter-firm linkages on both vertical- and horizontal levels stimulate cluster growth. An expectation was that the institutional framework conditions would have a significant impact on value chain cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province. However, the empirical findings reflect that the institutional framework conditions have no statistical impact on value chain cluster growth. The study also found a moderate, positive effect size between value chain cluster size (number of employees) and growth, which shows viii that size matters in regional growth. In other words, in contrast to their European counterparts, the larger the number of employees per value chain cluster, the greater the impact on value chain cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zeelie, Eben Johannes
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Industrial clusters , Regional economics , Regional economic disparities , Economic development , Regional planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:8594 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1086 , Industrial clusters , Regional economics , Regional economic disparities , Economic development , Regional planning
- Description: From the broad overview of the cluster literature, the proposition emerges that the manipulation of regional economic structural and cluster factor conditions within a geographically proximate region can translate into sustainable regional economic growth outcomes. As a first step in exploring this research, a theoretical framework for the conceptualisation of industry clusters was established and a methodological framework applied to statistically identify major manufacturing value chain clusters in the Eastern Cape Province. This methodology combines a strength-of-linkage measure for all pairs of supply and use sectors (as revealed in the systematic analysis of intermediate purchasing and sales patterns in the South African Final Supply and Use Tables: 2002) with the application of Ward’s hierarchical cluster algorithm to map the national benchmark value chain clusters in the South African national economy. The ensuing national value chain benchmark cluster framework was then transposed to the Eastern Cape Province to reveal cluster concentrations and gaps that exist in the value chain clusters in the province. The methodology applied in this study provides an objective and clear perspective of inter-industry linkages in the South African economy and produces more detailed and evenly distributed clusters than traditional cluster identification methodologies. Secondary linkages were determined for each of the twenty-six core value chain clusters to depict the diversity of sectors linked to the respective core clusters. In transposing the national benchmark value chain cluster framework onto the Eastern Cape Province economy, a number of distinct advantages emerge. Firstly, it reveals gaps in value chain cluster groupings that may be filled through industry recruiting or regional business development strategies. However, not all industries absent from value chain clusters in the region are equally attractive for recruitment. Henceforth, the number of direct and indirect linkages to industries absent from the Eastern Cape Province serves as a measure of their relative attractiveness when considering their recruitment into the region. vi The benchmark value chain cluster framework alone does not explain which agglomeration externalities are generated and exploited within each cluster, but it served as the overarching framework for the remainder of the research. Accordingly, the value chain cluster framework was applied to evidence whether specialisation, competition or diversity (represented by MAR, Porter and Jacobs economies respectively) is the operative mechanism in generating cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province. Since agglomeration externalities are not directly observable, construct-valid indicators for the various externalities, as well as appropriate mechanisms to empirically assess the statistical relevance of MAR-, Porter and Jacobs economies in stimulating cluster growth, were established. This thesis added to agglomeration literature by disaggregating the standard measure of diversity externalities into two unique diversity indicators, namely supply diversity (SDiv) and use diversity (UDiv). The SDiv- and UDiv coefficients measure the degree to which a value chain cluster’s supplying/user sectoral mix at provincial level differs from that of the cluster grouping at the national level. This distinction between supply-and use diversity developed in this study firstly provides a clearer insight into the relative regional presence of supplying- and using sectors to the various value chain clusters, and secondly, serves as a useful mechanism to regional policymakers in identifying industries that may be targeted for investment into a region. Therefore, by separating the diversity into its two components, a clear distinction can be drawn between the impact of supplying- and using sectors on value chain cluster growth in a particular region. From a narrow perspective, the empirical findings validate both the Marshall Arrow Romer- (small positive impact of regional cluster concentration) and the Jacobs theory (significant positive impact of cluster supply- and use diversity on cluster growth), while it invalidates Porter’s theory (no correlation between competition and cluster performance). The positive effect size recorded between the level of value chain cluster concentration and differential growth indicates that policy makers in the Eastern Cape Province will be well advised to direct growth interventions towards larger concentrated clusters, than towards smaller, incipient value chain clusters. Additionally, vii the effectiveness of targeted inward FDI to the Eastern Cape Province may be raised by evaluating the economic impact against current value chain cluster structure, as well as the effect on the supply- and use diversities of existing value chain clusters in the province. This thesis has also illustrated that value chain clusters that are concentrated in the region, show a positive effect size with the level of supply diversity in the region. Conversely, value chain clusters that reflect high levels of competitiveness record a positive effect size with use diversity. Policy interventions aimed at raising the performance of value chain clusters typified by smaller players in a competitive environment, should therefore consider raising the respective levels of use diversity in the region. This research awakens the proposition that a reliance on a serendipitous approach to generate dynamic externalities is not sufficient, and that certain factor conditions favour the transfer of tacit knowledge between cluster members. Accordingly, this research empirically explored whether statistically significant relationships can be detected between the common cluster elements, or factor conditions, that serve as conduits for the transfer of dynamic externalities and value chain cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings indicate that linkages with knowledge generating institutions in the Eastern Cape Province do, albeit to a relatively small extent, have an impact on value chain cluster growth, and validates the assertion that cognitive enhancing institutions contribute to cluster growth. The importance of backward and forward linkages in nurturing regional growth is signified by the moderate effect size recorded by the level of vertical linkages and total value chain cluster growth. Similarly, a moderate effect size was recorded between the level of horizontal linkages and value chain cluster growth, which shows that cooperation amongst competing firms do stimulate cluster and regional growth in the Eastern Cape Province and affirms the proposition that inter-firm linkages on both vertical- and horizontal levels stimulate cluster growth. An expectation was that the institutional framework conditions would have a significant impact on value chain cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province. However, the empirical findings reflect that the institutional framework conditions have no statistical impact on value chain cluster growth. The study also found a moderate, positive effect size between value chain cluster size (number of employees) and growth, which shows viii that size matters in regional growth. In other words, in contrast to their European counterparts, the larger the number of employees per value chain cluster, the greater the impact on value chain cluster growth in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Civil engineering components for a conceptual elevated light rail transit model with reference to Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Zang, Jin
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Railroads, Local and light -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Street-railroads -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local transit -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/769 , Railroads, Local and light -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Street-railroads -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local transit -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The increase of motor vehicles, especially in cities, cause transport problems of traffic congestion, vehicle accidents, air pollution and a lack of public spaces. The increasing number of motor vehicles consumes huge amounts of finite petrol energy and emits large amounts of gases that are harmful to the atmosphere and the natural environment. Therefore, the current road transport network is not a sustainable form of public transport for the future. In order to seek a suitable transportation mode, the Infrastructure and Engineering Business Unit of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) did some feasibility studies about light rail transit (LRT) from 1984 to 1988. The NMBM-report (1988: 8) concluded that a LRT system would provide the most suitable and primary mode to serve Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Although LRT was regarded as the most suitable primary mode of transport at that time (1988), further studies that were reported in 2006 recommended an alternative public transportation system. This research refers to these studies done for the NMB area and other studies and reports for other areas, but focus on the identification of the most suitable civil engineering components for a conceptual elevated light rail transit (ELRT) model. Electrical driven LRT systems have advantages over internal-combustion driven vehicles in terms of environmental protection. Traditional LRT systems are at ground level and are integrated with the existing road network. Some successful LRT systems indicate that the success of LRT systems is mainly dependent on integration with the existing road network. However, the integration of road transport systems with LRT systems cause increased congestion and accidents. An ELRT system can solve these problems. Bangkok has already built an ELRT system to solve its severe traffic congestion. 4 In order to develop a conceptual ELRT model, this research aimed to determine the most suitable civil engineering components for a conceptual ELRT model, including: (i) the most suitable type of bridge foundation; (ii) the most suitable type bridge girder; (iii) the most suitable type of sleeper; and (iv) whether the track should be a ballasted or non-ballasted type. The grounded theory approach was adopted to build up sets of data from which the most suitable components could be selected. In addition, design analyses were done of the various types of components to determine their suitability for a conceptual ELRT model. Experienced engineers and experts were also consulted to identify the most suitable components. After analyses and selection of the most suitable components, outstanding experts were approached to evaluate the components that showed up as the most suitable through the research. The research results indicated that bored and cast-in-place piles, a double-cell trapezoidal segmental box girder, and twin-block sleepers on a non-ballasted sleeper bed are the most suitable civil engineering components.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zang, Jin
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Railroads, Local and light -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Street-railroads -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local transit -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/769 , Railroads, Local and light -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Street-railroads -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local transit -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The increase of motor vehicles, especially in cities, cause transport problems of traffic congestion, vehicle accidents, air pollution and a lack of public spaces. The increasing number of motor vehicles consumes huge amounts of finite petrol energy and emits large amounts of gases that are harmful to the atmosphere and the natural environment. Therefore, the current road transport network is not a sustainable form of public transport for the future. In order to seek a suitable transportation mode, the Infrastructure and Engineering Business Unit of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) did some feasibility studies about light rail transit (LRT) from 1984 to 1988. The NMBM-report (1988: 8) concluded that a LRT system would provide the most suitable and primary mode to serve Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Although LRT was regarded as the most suitable primary mode of transport at that time (1988), further studies that were reported in 2006 recommended an alternative public transportation system. This research refers to these studies done for the NMB area and other studies and reports for other areas, but focus on the identification of the most suitable civil engineering components for a conceptual elevated light rail transit (ELRT) model. Electrical driven LRT systems have advantages over internal-combustion driven vehicles in terms of environmental protection. Traditional LRT systems are at ground level and are integrated with the existing road network. Some successful LRT systems indicate that the success of LRT systems is mainly dependent on integration with the existing road network. However, the integration of road transport systems with LRT systems cause increased congestion and accidents. An ELRT system can solve these problems. Bangkok has already built an ELRT system to solve its severe traffic congestion. 4 In order to develop a conceptual ELRT model, this research aimed to determine the most suitable civil engineering components for a conceptual ELRT model, including: (i) the most suitable type of bridge foundation; (ii) the most suitable type bridge girder; (iii) the most suitable type of sleeper; and (iv) whether the track should be a ballasted or non-ballasted type. The grounded theory approach was adopted to build up sets of data from which the most suitable components could be selected. In addition, design analyses were done of the various types of components to determine their suitability for a conceptual ELRT model. Experienced engineers and experts were also consulted to identify the most suitable components. After analyses and selection of the most suitable components, outstanding experts were approached to evaluate the components that showed up as the most suitable through the research. The research results indicated that bored and cast-in-place piles, a double-cell trapezoidal segmental box girder, and twin-block sleepers on a non-ballasted sleeper bed are the most suitable civil engineering components.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The transportability and utility of cognitive therapy in South African contexts: a review
- Authors: Young, Charles
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6279 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008280
- Description: Cognitive therapy could be more widely promoted in South Africa given the great disparity between the need and provision of psychological therapies. Three possible objections to the promotion of cognitive therapy are considered: uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in South African contexts; uncertainty surrounding the applicability in multicultural contexts; and suggestions that cognitive therapy is decontextualised and therefore objectionable in a country facing major social challenges. A systematic review of the literature indentified 15 outcome studies, and suggests that cognitive therapy is a viable and much-needed approach in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Young, Charles
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6279 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008280
- Description: Cognitive therapy could be more widely promoted in South Africa given the great disparity between the need and provision of psychological therapies. Three possible objections to the promotion of cognitive therapy are considered: uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in South African contexts; uncertainty surrounding the applicability in multicultural contexts; and suggestions that cognitive therapy is decontextualised and therefore objectionable in a country facing major social challenges. A systematic review of the literature indentified 15 outcome studies, and suggests that cognitive therapy is a viable and much-needed approach in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Ecosystem health of the Nelson Mandela Bay sandy beaches
- Authors: Yani, Vuyolwethu Veronica
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Seashore ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beaches -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1075 , Seashore ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beaches -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An investigation of ecosystem functioning of sandy beaches in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) was carried out with the aim of describing their type and pollution status. Water salinity, temperature, pH, beach slope, water inorganic nutrient concentrations, urea, and chlorophyll-a concentration as well as the composition of zooplankton, phytoplankton, meiofauna, benthic microalgae and bacteria were examined at thirteen beaches. The beaches were classified into three types: short beaches; long beaches with surf diatoms; and long beaches that import biomass (without surf diatoms). Of the thirteen beaches, five were non-polluted and eight polluted with polluting human activities in and around them. Most beaches were dominated by fine sand except for St. Georges Strand where the particles were medium to fine sand and Maitland’s River Beach, Bluewater Bay and Sardinia Bay that had coarse sand. Nutrient concentrations ranged from 1.98 ± 0.10 μM to 19.30 ± 3.02 μM nitrate; 4.88 ± 1.00 μM to 11.97 ± 1.00 μM ammonium; 0.67 ± 0.00 μM to 2.31 ±1.00 μM soluble reactive phosphorus; and 0.00 to 0.03 ± 0.00 μg l-1 urea-N. Chlorophyll-a concentrations ranged from 0.04 ± 0.02 to 1.57 ± 0.11 μg l-1. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were negatively correlated to ammonium for all beach types (short beaches: r = 0.94; long importing beaches: r = 0.95 and surf diatom beaches: 0.94) and to nitrate for short and long importing beaches (short: r = 0.97 and long importing: r = 0.85). By contrast, a positive correlation was found between observed between chlorophyll-a concentrations and urea for surf diatom beaches (r = 0.93) and for long importing beaches (r = 0.73). Chlorophyll-a concentrations were negatively correlated to short beaches (r = 0.99) and long importing beaches (r = 0.76). The E. coli and total coliforms in all the sampled beaches were within the recommended South African water quality guidelines for contact recreation as specified by DWAF (1995) except at New Brighton Beach (2 419 total coliforms/100 ml and 1 853 E. coli cells/100 ml) and St. Georges Strand (274 total coliforms/100 ml). Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton and benthic microflora; calanoid copepods dominated the zooplankton and deposit-feeding nematodes dominated the meiofauna in all the beaches with no changes found at polluted beaches.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Yani, Vuyolwethu Veronica
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Seashore ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beaches -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1075 , Seashore ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beaches -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An investigation of ecosystem functioning of sandy beaches in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) was carried out with the aim of describing their type and pollution status. Water salinity, temperature, pH, beach slope, water inorganic nutrient concentrations, urea, and chlorophyll-a concentration as well as the composition of zooplankton, phytoplankton, meiofauna, benthic microalgae and bacteria were examined at thirteen beaches. The beaches were classified into three types: short beaches; long beaches with surf diatoms; and long beaches that import biomass (without surf diatoms). Of the thirteen beaches, five were non-polluted and eight polluted with polluting human activities in and around them. Most beaches were dominated by fine sand except for St. Georges Strand where the particles were medium to fine sand and Maitland’s River Beach, Bluewater Bay and Sardinia Bay that had coarse sand. Nutrient concentrations ranged from 1.98 ± 0.10 μM to 19.30 ± 3.02 μM nitrate; 4.88 ± 1.00 μM to 11.97 ± 1.00 μM ammonium; 0.67 ± 0.00 μM to 2.31 ±1.00 μM soluble reactive phosphorus; and 0.00 to 0.03 ± 0.00 μg l-1 urea-N. Chlorophyll-a concentrations ranged from 0.04 ± 0.02 to 1.57 ± 0.11 μg l-1. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were negatively correlated to ammonium for all beach types (short beaches: r = 0.94; long importing beaches: r = 0.95 and surf diatom beaches: 0.94) and to nitrate for short and long importing beaches (short: r = 0.97 and long importing: r = 0.85). By contrast, a positive correlation was found between observed between chlorophyll-a concentrations and urea for surf diatom beaches (r = 0.93) and for long importing beaches (r = 0.73). Chlorophyll-a concentrations were negatively correlated to short beaches (r = 0.99) and long importing beaches (r = 0.76). The E. coli and total coliforms in all the sampled beaches were within the recommended South African water quality guidelines for contact recreation as specified by DWAF (1995) except at New Brighton Beach (2 419 total coliforms/100 ml and 1 853 E. coli cells/100 ml) and St. Georges Strand (274 total coliforms/100 ml). Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton and benthic microflora; calanoid copepods dominated the zooplankton and deposit-feeding nematodes dominated the meiofauna in all the beaches with no changes found at polluted beaches.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009
Factors influencing international students' choice of enrolling at higher education institutions via the internet
- Authors: Yang, Ning
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Internet marketing -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Marketing , Internet in higher education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1084 , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Marketing , Internet in higher education -- South Africa
- Description: As the competition increase in the Higher Education industry, marketing departments of Higher Education Institutions view students as consumers and market their institutions. At the mean time, universities around the world encourage their international offices to increase the foreign student enrollments. This research investigates the factors influencing international students’ choice of enrolling at Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) via the internet: international students’ Internet use to facilitate information search and decision making. This survey of international students from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) explored the Internet’s role in marketing international education. Based on this exploratory research, NMMU educational institutions gain insights of online customer service for successfully recruiting students. The results show that prospective overseas students do indeed use the internet. Overall evaluation of the factors influencing the use of the internet for enrolling at HEIs was determined by four factors: namely, perceived usefulness, consumer involvement, perceived ease of use and opinion leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Yang, Ning
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Internet marketing -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Marketing , Internet in higher education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1084 , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Marketing , Internet in higher education -- South Africa
- Description: As the competition increase in the Higher Education industry, marketing departments of Higher Education Institutions view students as consumers and market their institutions. At the mean time, universities around the world encourage their international offices to increase the foreign student enrollments. This research investigates the factors influencing international students’ choice of enrolling at Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) via the internet: international students’ Internet use to facilitate information search and decision making. This survey of international students from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) explored the Internet’s role in marketing international education. Based on this exploratory research, NMMU educational institutions gain insights of online customer service for successfully recruiting students. The results show that prospective overseas students do indeed use the internet. Overall evaluation of the factors influencing the use of the internet for enrolling at HEIs was determined by four factors: namely, perceived usefulness, consumer involvement, perceived ease of use and opinion leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Suitability of total coliform beta-D-galactosidase activity and CFU counts in monitoring faecal contamination of environmental water samples
- Wutor, V C, Togo, C A, Pletschke, Brett I
- Authors: Wutor, V C , Togo, C A , Pletschke, Brett I
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6477 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006165 , http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S1816-79502009000100010&script=sci_arttext
- Description: Total coliforms are a group of bacteria found in high numbers in mammalian intestines; hence their presence in water indicates the possible contamination with faecal material. Total and faecal coliform counts were monitored over a period of 18 months using mFC, m-Endo and CM1046 media together with enzymatic assays on 215 environmental water samples obtained from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A positive correlation, with an R2 value of 0.9393 was observed between faecal and total coliform colony units employing mFc and m-Endo media, and 0.8818 using CM1046 media. Also, a positive correlation was observed between Escherichia coli colony-forming units and β-D-galactosidase (B-GAL) activity (R2=0.8542). Overall, this study indicated that faecal contamination of environmental water samples could be monitored by measuring total coliform β-galactosidase activity and total coliform colony-forming units.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wutor, V C , Togo, C A , Pletschke, Brett I
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6477 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006165 , http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S1816-79502009000100010&script=sci_arttext
- Description: Total coliforms are a group of bacteria found in high numbers in mammalian intestines; hence their presence in water indicates the possible contamination with faecal material. Total and faecal coliform counts were monitored over a period of 18 months using mFC, m-Endo and CM1046 media together with enzymatic assays on 215 environmental water samples obtained from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A positive correlation, with an R2 value of 0.9393 was observed between faecal and total coliform colony units employing mFc and m-Endo media, and 0.8818 using CM1046 media. Also, a positive correlation was observed between Escherichia coli colony-forming units and β-D-galactosidase (B-GAL) activity (R2=0.8542). Overall, this study indicated that faecal contamination of environmental water samples could be monitored by measuring total coliform β-galactosidase activity and total coliform colony-forming units.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009
South African Shakespeare in the twentieth century
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: vital:7061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007425
- Description: This special section of the Shakespearean International Yearbook asks a series of questions about South African Shakespeare, chapter by chapter, focusing on the twentieth century. The temporal emphasis is deliberate, because it was particularly in the last century that Shakespeare became an issue, albeit a minor one, in relation to the titanic political and ideological struggles that convulsed the country throughout the period. The articles set out to examine and re-assess, in historical sequence, some of the acknowledged highlights of Shakespeare in South Africa in the last century. These are the moments when, for a range of different reasons, Shakespeare troubles the public sphere to claim attention in excess of that normally accorded ‘routine Shakespeare,’ that haphazard succession of productions, tours, educational debates, academic publications, reviews and commentary that comprises the internal history of the subject.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: vital:7061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007425
- Description: This special section of the Shakespearean International Yearbook asks a series of questions about South African Shakespeare, chapter by chapter, focusing on the twentieth century. The temporal emphasis is deliberate, because it was particularly in the last century that Shakespeare became an issue, albeit a minor one, in relation to the titanic political and ideological struggles that convulsed the country throughout the period. The articles set out to examine and re-assess, in historical sequence, some of the acknowledged highlights of Shakespeare in South Africa in the last century. These are the moments when, for a range of different reasons, Shakespeare troubles the public sphere to claim attention in excess of that normally accorded ‘routine Shakespeare,’ that haphazard succession of productions, tours, educational debates, academic publications, reviews and commentary that comprises the internal history of the subject.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Nathaniel Merriman’s lecture: “Shakspeare, as Bearing on English History”
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:7060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007424 , http://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC48132
- Description: preprint , “Shakspeare, as Bearing on English History” is the second of two lectures on Shakespeare given by Archdeacon Nathaniel Merriman in Grahamstown in 1857. The first was delivered in the Court House on the 2nd September 1857, and the second two months later, on Friday 6th November that same year, again in the Court House. The lecture was published in 1858. An article placing the lectures in their local context appeared in Shakespeare in Southern Africa 20 (2008): 25-37, accompanying an annotated edition of the first lecture, “On the Study of Shakspeare”. Readers desiring details of the editorial principles adopted in producing annotated editions of the two lectures are referred to the introductory material prefacing the first lecture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:7060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007424 , http://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC48132
- Description: preprint , “Shakspeare, as Bearing on English History” is the second of two lectures on Shakespeare given by Archdeacon Nathaniel Merriman in Grahamstown in 1857. The first was delivered in the Court House on the 2nd September 1857, and the second two months later, on Friday 6th November that same year, again in the Court House. The lecture was published in 1858. An article placing the lectures in their local context appeared in Shakespeare in Southern Africa 20 (2008): 25-37, accompanying an annotated edition of the first lecture, “On the Study of Shakspeare”. Readers desiring details of the editorial principles adopted in producing annotated editions of the two lectures are referred to the introductory material prefacing the first lecture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Umabatha: Zulu play or Shakespeare translation?
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:7062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007426 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781351963381/chapters/10.4324%2F9781315264219-12
- Description: preprint , There can be few recent theatrical productions in greater need of interpretative effort than Welcome Msomi’s Umabatha. From its inception debate has raged over the cultural status of the production: was it an authentic expression of Zulu culture, or a tacky piece of ‘blacksploitation’? – to use Russell Vandenbroucke’s term. Was the production pleasing evidence of Shakespeare’s universality, a gift to the colonies returning joyfully to the motherland with interest accruing? Could it perhaps be a case of Zulu culture triumphing over Shakespeare, native invention swamping and overwhelming a colonially-imposed ‘high culture’? Was the show performing ‘Africa’ for the world and, if so, was this the way Africa ought to be represented in the twentieth century? Or were we perhaps looking at a fetishized theatrical commodity, wrenched from any authentic cultural roots, and circulating aimlessly but profitably through a globalised theatrical cosmopolis? Such speculative questions – and there are many others – have regularly jostled each other in the bulky heritage of Umabatha’s reception history. The central problem underlying this chapter is whether it might not be possible to define a basis for a more objective response to some of them, so that the issues involved no longer rest quite so slackly in the realm of mere critical opinion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:7062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007426 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781351963381/chapters/10.4324%2F9781315264219-12
- Description: preprint , There can be few recent theatrical productions in greater need of interpretative effort than Welcome Msomi’s Umabatha. From its inception debate has raged over the cultural status of the production: was it an authentic expression of Zulu culture, or a tacky piece of ‘blacksploitation’? – to use Russell Vandenbroucke’s term. Was the production pleasing evidence of Shakespeare’s universality, a gift to the colonies returning joyfully to the motherland with interest accruing? Could it perhaps be a case of Zulu culture triumphing over Shakespeare, native invention swamping and overwhelming a colonially-imposed ‘high culture’? Was the show performing ‘Africa’ for the world and, if so, was this the way Africa ought to be represented in the twentieth century? Or were we perhaps looking at a fetishized theatrical commodity, wrenched from any authentic cultural roots, and circulating aimlessly but profitably through a globalised theatrical cosmopolis? Such speculative questions – and there are many others – have regularly jostled each other in the bulky heritage of Umabatha’s reception history. The central problem underlying this chapter is whether it might not be possible to define a basis for a more objective response to some of them, so that the issues involved no longer rest quite so slackly in the realm of mere critical opinion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Intellectual challenge is as necessary as breathing: an interview with Laurence Wright
- Authors: Wright, Laurence , Pearce, B
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007422
- Description: Professor Laurence Wright is Director of the Institute for the Study of English in Africa at Rhodes University. In 2009, he will have completed 25 years of research, teaching and scholarship at Rhodes University and this interview marks the occasion. A Rhodes Scholar and a Commonwealth Scholar, he studied at the universities of Rhodes, Warwick and Oxford. He is also Honorary Life President of the Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa. He has published widely in literary studies and is the Managing Editor of two academic journals as well as of the poetry magazine New Coin. He currently serves on the Council of the English Academy and is a co-opted member of the English National Language Body. He has taken a broad interest in the role of English in this country, ranging from language policy and teacher education matters, to archival research and the role of the humanities in public life. I thought that it would be worthwhile to interview him as his knowledge of literature is substantial, while his incisive and engaging thoughts on a range of topics are worth hearing. The interview was conducted intermittently by email between July and October, 2008.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wright, Laurence , Pearce, B
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007422
- Description: Professor Laurence Wright is Director of the Institute for the Study of English in Africa at Rhodes University. In 2009, he will have completed 25 years of research, teaching and scholarship at Rhodes University and this interview marks the occasion. A Rhodes Scholar and a Commonwealth Scholar, he studied at the universities of Rhodes, Warwick and Oxford. He is also Honorary Life President of the Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa. He has published widely in literary studies and is the Managing Editor of two academic journals as well as of the poetry magazine New Coin. He currently serves on the Council of the English Academy and is a co-opted member of the English National Language Body. He has taken a broad interest in the role of English in this country, ranging from language policy and teacher education matters, to archival research and the role of the humanities in public life. I thought that it would be worthwhile to interview him as his knowledge of literature is substantial, while his incisive and engaging thoughts on a range of topics are worth hearing. The interview was conducted intermittently by email between July and October, 2008.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The development of a practical diet for juvenile dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus, for the South African mariculture industry
- Authors: Woolley, Lindsey
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Fishes -- Nutrition -- Requirements , Fishes -- Food , Fishes -- Growth , Fish culture , Argyrosomus -- Nutrition , Sciaenidae -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005100 , Fishes -- Nutrition -- Requirements , Fishes -- Food , Fishes -- Growth , Fish culture , Argyrosomus -- Nutrition , Sciaenidae -- Nutrition
- Description: The lack of locally manufactured marine finfish diets motivated the current project, which aimed to develop a practical diet specifically formulated for dusky kob. The first growth trial investigated the effect of pellet texture (i.e. hard versus soft pellets) and the inclusion of an additional binder, test treatments were compared to two reference diets. There was no significant difference in weight gain between fish fed the hard or soft pellets (p=0.17), over nine weeks. The fish fed the local trout feed weighed significantly less than those fed the test diets (p=0.003). There was no significant difference in leaching rate amongst treatments (p=0.45). A hard pelleted diet without gelatin is recommended in the commercial culture of dusky kob. Pellets with different physical shapes were tested to determine the effect of shape on settling speeds. A square shaped pellet had a slower sinking rate compared to a round shaped pellet (p<0.0001). Juvenile dusky kob, held in cages, fed the square pellets grew significantly faster than the fish fed the round pellet, with a mean weight gain of 16.81 ± 0.45 g (p=0.018). A growth trial was used to optimize the protein to energy (PE) ratio by adjusting dietary protein and lipid levels. Fish fed the diets with high levels of protein (46 % protein) achieved the better growth rates (125 % weight gain) compared to the lower protein diets (92 % weight gain) (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference in total ammonia production (TAN) level for the 46 and 42 % protein diets (p=0.68). The overall performance of the prototype diet was investigated in a closed recirculating system. Growth and FCR of the fish fed the prototype diet was on a par to those fed the commercially available diet currently used in the local farming industry. There was no significant difference in the blood chemistry for fish held at increased stocking densities. The prototype diet is suitable for use in recirculating systems, as there were no negative effects on water quality parameters. This study has laid a foundation for the manufacture of a practical commercial dusky kob diet in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Woolley, Lindsey
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Fishes -- Nutrition -- Requirements , Fishes -- Food , Fishes -- Growth , Fish culture , Argyrosomus -- Nutrition , Sciaenidae -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005100 , Fishes -- Nutrition -- Requirements , Fishes -- Food , Fishes -- Growth , Fish culture , Argyrosomus -- Nutrition , Sciaenidae -- Nutrition
- Description: The lack of locally manufactured marine finfish diets motivated the current project, which aimed to develop a practical diet specifically formulated for dusky kob. The first growth trial investigated the effect of pellet texture (i.e. hard versus soft pellets) and the inclusion of an additional binder, test treatments were compared to two reference diets. There was no significant difference in weight gain between fish fed the hard or soft pellets (p=0.17), over nine weeks. The fish fed the local trout feed weighed significantly less than those fed the test diets (p=0.003). There was no significant difference in leaching rate amongst treatments (p=0.45). A hard pelleted diet without gelatin is recommended in the commercial culture of dusky kob. Pellets with different physical shapes were tested to determine the effect of shape on settling speeds. A square shaped pellet had a slower sinking rate compared to a round shaped pellet (p<0.0001). Juvenile dusky kob, held in cages, fed the square pellets grew significantly faster than the fish fed the round pellet, with a mean weight gain of 16.81 ± 0.45 g (p=0.018). A growth trial was used to optimize the protein to energy (PE) ratio by adjusting dietary protein and lipid levels. Fish fed the diets with high levels of protein (46 % protein) achieved the better growth rates (125 % weight gain) compared to the lower protein diets (92 % weight gain) (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference in total ammonia production (TAN) level for the 46 and 42 % protein diets (p=0.68). The overall performance of the prototype diet was investigated in a closed recirculating system. Growth and FCR of the fish fed the prototype diet was on a par to those fed the commercially available diet currently used in the local farming industry. There was no significant difference in the blood chemistry for fish held at increased stocking densities. The prototype diet is suitable for use in recirculating systems, as there were no negative effects on water quality parameters. This study has laid a foundation for the manufacture of a practical commercial dusky kob diet in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Normative indicators for a black, Xhosa speaking population without tertiary education on four tests used to access malingering
- Authors: Wong, Andrea Jane
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Malingering Neuropsychological tests Language and languages -- Ability testing Educational tests and measurements Education evaluation Xhosa (African people) -- Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3088 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002597
- Description: Malingering has become an increasing concern in neuropsychological assessment in recent years, and a wide range of tests have been designed and examined for the purpose of detecting malingering. Cut-off scores have been recommended for these tests in order to provide indications of malingering performances. However, the derived scores have been in respect of westernised populations of people with relatively high levels of education who speak English as their first language. Accordingly, the current study aimed to attain normative data and cut-off scores for four commonly employed neuropsychological tools, administered in English, on a population of black, South African, Xhosa-speaking people (N = 33), who attended a former DET-type school in the Eastern Cape, with a Grade 11-12 level of education, in the age range of 18 - 40 years. The targeted measures included the TOMM, the Rey-15 Item Memory Test, the Digit Span subtest of the WAIS-III, and the Trail Making Test. The obtained scores were poorer than the previously published cut-offs for at least one component of each of the tests investigated, except the TOMM. The fmdings of this study highlight the important role that the factors of culture, quality of education, and language play in neuropsychological test performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wong, Andrea Jane
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Malingering Neuropsychological tests Language and languages -- Ability testing Educational tests and measurements Education evaluation Xhosa (African people) -- Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3088 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002597
- Description: Malingering has become an increasing concern in neuropsychological assessment in recent years, and a wide range of tests have been designed and examined for the purpose of detecting malingering. Cut-off scores have been recommended for these tests in order to provide indications of malingering performances. However, the derived scores have been in respect of westernised populations of people with relatively high levels of education who speak English as their first language. Accordingly, the current study aimed to attain normative data and cut-off scores for four commonly employed neuropsychological tools, administered in English, on a population of black, South African, Xhosa-speaking people (N = 33), who attended a former DET-type school in the Eastern Cape, with a Grade 11-12 level of education, in the age range of 18 - 40 years. The targeted measures included the TOMM, the Rey-15 Item Memory Test, the Digit Span subtest of the WAIS-III, and the Trail Making Test. The obtained scores were poorer than the previously published cut-offs for at least one component of each of the tests investigated, except the TOMM. The fmdings of this study highlight the important role that the factors of culture, quality of education, and language play in neuropsychological test performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Regulating franchise operations in South Africa : a study of the existing legal framework with suggestions for reform.
- Authors: Woker, Tanya Ann
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Franchise Association of Southern Africa , Franchises (Retail trade) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Dept. of Trade and Industry , Common law -- South Africa , Commercial law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015719
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing legal framework that applies to franchising in South Africa today. The study begins with an examination of the history and nature of the franchise contract, focusing particularly on the nature of the franchise relationship. This study is undertaken in order to substantiate the argument that franchising is a unique method of doing business. There is a need therefore to recognise that the franchise contract is a special contract in its own right, just like contracts of sale, lease, insurance and suretyship. The study then goes on to examine the problems which are experienced in the sector, as well as the law which must provide solutions to these problems. The research will show that in a modern commercial world the existing legal framework, especially the common law, cannot adequately deal with many of these problems. The complex relationship between franchising and competition law is also explored. A common thread that emerges from franchise disputes is the lack of protection afforded to the interests of franchisees. Franchisees tend to be at the mercy of economically stronger franchisors, hence the belief that there is a need for a stronger regulatory framework. The study then shifts to proposals for reform. In 2000 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) established the Franchise Steering Committee in conjunction with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) to review the regulatory environment. This Committee drafted franchise legislation which aimed to bring the regulation of the sector under the control of the DTI. This legislation has not been implemented and the DTI has changed its strategy. Instead of dealing with franchising independently, franchising will fall within the scope of consumer protection legislation. Both the consumer protection legislation and the legislation proposed by the Franchise Steering Committee are thoroughly examined and explained. Shortcomings in the proposals are highlighted and an alternative approach is recommended. It is proposed that franchise-specific legislation should be introduced but that this legislation should establish a system of co-regulation between the government and the franchise sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Woker, Tanya Ann
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Franchise Association of Southern Africa , Franchises (Retail trade) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Dept. of Trade and Industry , Common law -- South Africa , Commercial law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015719
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing legal framework that applies to franchising in South Africa today. The study begins with an examination of the history and nature of the franchise contract, focusing particularly on the nature of the franchise relationship. This study is undertaken in order to substantiate the argument that franchising is a unique method of doing business. There is a need therefore to recognise that the franchise contract is a special contract in its own right, just like contracts of sale, lease, insurance and suretyship. The study then goes on to examine the problems which are experienced in the sector, as well as the law which must provide solutions to these problems. The research will show that in a modern commercial world the existing legal framework, especially the common law, cannot adequately deal with many of these problems. The complex relationship between franchising and competition law is also explored. A common thread that emerges from franchise disputes is the lack of protection afforded to the interests of franchisees. Franchisees tend to be at the mercy of economically stronger franchisors, hence the belief that there is a need for a stronger regulatory framework. The study then shifts to proposals for reform. In 2000 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) established the Franchise Steering Committee in conjunction with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) to review the regulatory environment. This Committee drafted franchise legislation which aimed to bring the regulation of the sector under the control of the DTI. This legislation has not been implemented and the DTI has changed its strategy. Instead of dealing with franchising independently, franchising will fall within the scope of consumer protection legislation. Both the consumer protection legislation and the legislation proposed by the Franchise Steering Committee are thoroughly examined and explained. Shortcomings in the proposals are highlighted and an alternative approach is recommended. It is proposed that franchise-specific legislation should be introduced but that this legislation should establish a system of co-regulation between the government and the franchise sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009