Customer experience: a comparative analysis between the banking and grocery retail sectors
- Authors: Pillay, Deneesha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53007 , vital:44891
- Description: The notion of customer experience has gained prominence in the field of marketing over the last three decades. It has become a strategic imperative for firms in order to ensure sustained business growth. A positive customer experience not only has the ability to promote customer loyalty but can also assist firms in encouraging brand advocacy. While customer experience has been explored in several contexts, regions and industries, customer experience in South Africa’s banking and grocery retail sectors has not yet been adequately explored. Therefore, this study attempts to provide a comparative analysis of these two sectors and in turn present a model for improving customer experience as a marketing tool. The execution of this study requires a literature review to investigate the field of customer experience. This literature review assisted in developing a conceptual model for customer experience in the attempt of improving customer experience quality. Furthermore, this Treatise pursues a positivistic research approach using quantitative methods of analysis. Factor analysis was conducted using data gathered from an online questionnaire disseminated via e-mail. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 858 is used in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted on the data. The primary contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing customer experience in South Africa’s grocery retail and banking sectors. This study found that the independent factors of Brand Experience, Service Experience and Post-purchase Experience were all found to have a positive effect on the overall customer experience. In the grocery-retail sector, Post-purchase Experience was found to have a strong positive correlation with customer experience. Brand Experience and Service Experience were strongly correlated with each other as independent factors, but did not demonstrate any practical or statistical significance in relation to the dependent factor, Customer Experience. However, in the banking sector, all of these factors demonstrate positive correlations with Customer Experience that are statistically and practically significant. The model presented in this study identifies the determinants of Customer Experience within both sectors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Pillay, Deneesha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53007 , vital:44891
- Description: The notion of customer experience has gained prominence in the field of marketing over the last three decades. It has become a strategic imperative for firms in order to ensure sustained business growth. A positive customer experience not only has the ability to promote customer loyalty but can also assist firms in encouraging brand advocacy. While customer experience has been explored in several contexts, regions and industries, customer experience in South Africa’s banking and grocery retail sectors has not yet been adequately explored. Therefore, this study attempts to provide a comparative analysis of these two sectors and in turn present a model for improving customer experience as a marketing tool. The execution of this study requires a literature review to investigate the field of customer experience. This literature review assisted in developing a conceptual model for customer experience in the attempt of improving customer experience quality. Furthermore, this Treatise pursues a positivistic research approach using quantitative methods of analysis. Factor analysis was conducted using data gathered from an online questionnaire disseminated via e-mail. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 858 is used in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted on the data. The primary contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing customer experience in South Africa’s grocery retail and banking sectors. This study found that the independent factors of Brand Experience, Service Experience and Post-purchase Experience were all found to have a positive effect on the overall customer experience. In the grocery-retail sector, Post-purchase Experience was found to have a strong positive correlation with customer experience. Brand Experience and Service Experience were strongly correlated with each other as independent factors, but did not demonstrate any practical or statistical significance in relation to the dependent factor, Customer Experience. However, in the banking sector, all of these factors demonstrate positive correlations with Customer Experience that are statistically and practically significant. The model presented in this study identifies the determinants of Customer Experience within both sectors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Customer perceptions on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and its possible influence on Revenue Management (RM) at a selected water board in South Africa
- Authors: Manyonganise, Joshua Anesu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Revenue management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amatola Water (Utility) , South Africa. National Water Act, 1998
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177214 , vital:42800
- Description: The primary activity of water boards is to provide water services (bulk portable, and bulk wastewater) to other water services institutions within its respective service areas. They may perform other activities under conditions set out in the Water Services Act of 1997. Water boards’ revenues come from the municipalities they deliver services to. Not all municipalities have been paying for the services delivered to them, which led to the aim of this study being to gauge the perceptions of Water Board X and Water Board X’s customers of selected Customer Relationship Management (CRM) factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) that may possibly influence Revenue Management (RM). This could possibly assist Water Board X in the future to improve its revenue and debt collection. This thesis employed an interpretivist qualitative research methodology to explore its research aims and objectives. Open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants from Water Board X and four municipalities which Water Board X provides services. The data collected from the interviews were analysed manually through thematic analysis. The outcome of the interviews noted that an organisation that delivered high levels of service quality to its customers, could possibly improve its RM as the customers are of the opinion that their needs and requirements have been met and would be willing to pay for the services rendered. It was furthermore found that an organisation that involves its customers could possibly improve its RM as the organisation constantly communicates with its customers during, for example, the different stages of a project to ensure that the organisation does not deliver a project that does not meet the customers’ requirements at the end of the project life cycle. In addition the use of information technology played a pivotal in an organisation as the use of information technology assisted to develop effective methods in customer relationship management such as, data management, improving communication within the organisation, and with the customers, and the decision making. Furthermore, this study suggested the importance for an organisation to add value to the services that they deliver and for an organisation’s management to be committed to ensure that their customers’ expectations and requirements are met. The findings of the study suggest that CRM factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) could influence RM, and it is suggested that Water Board X adopts CRM strategies accordingly to improve its RM. Some of these strategies include adopting a coherent and sustainable revenue strategy through the use of appropriate tariff structures that are simple, equitable, affordable, financially sustainable, and transparent for all; showing commitment by prioritising water loss management and by properly auditing water supplies and water treatment revenue while increasing efficiency in supply and revenue recovery as this allowed Water Board X to better serve its customers, improve its financial standing, and allocate funding for water infrastructure upgrades and to adopt technologies that are on the market as these technologies can detect leakages, manage payments, control water flow and transmit data. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Department of Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Manyonganise, Joshua Anesu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Revenue management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amatola Water (Utility) , South Africa. National Water Act, 1998
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177214 , vital:42800
- Description: The primary activity of water boards is to provide water services (bulk portable, and bulk wastewater) to other water services institutions within its respective service areas. They may perform other activities under conditions set out in the Water Services Act of 1997. Water boards’ revenues come from the municipalities they deliver services to. Not all municipalities have been paying for the services delivered to them, which led to the aim of this study being to gauge the perceptions of Water Board X and Water Board X’s customers of selected Customer Relationship Management (CRM) factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) that may possibly influence Revenue Management (RM). This could possibly assist Water Board X in the future to improve its revenue and debt collection. This thesis employed an interpretivist qualitative research methodology to explore its research aims and objectives. Open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants from Water Board X and four municipalities which Water Board X provides services. The data collected from the interviews were analysed manually through thematic analysis. The outcome of the interviews noted that an organisation that delivered high levels of service quality to its customers, could possibly improve its RM as the customers are of the opinion that their needs and requirements have been met and would be willing to pay for the services rendered. It was furthermore found that an organisation that involves its customers could possibly improve its RM as the organisation constantly communicates with its customers during, for example, the different stages of a project to ensure that the organisation does not deliver a project that does not meet the customers’ requirements at the end of the project life cycle. In addition the use of information technology played a pivotal in an organisation as the use of information technology assisted to develop effective methods in customer relationship management such as, data management, improving communication within the organisation, and with the customers, and the decision making. Furthermore, this study suggested the importance for an organisation to add value to the services that they deliver and for an organisation’s management to be committed to ensure that their customers’ expectations and requirements are met. The findings of the study suggest that CRM factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) could influence RM, and it is suggested that Water Board X adopts CRM strategies accordingly to improve its RM. Some of these strategies include adopting a coherent and sustainable revenue strategy through the use of appropriate tariff structures that are simple, equitable, affordable, financially sustainable, and transparent for all; showing commitment by prioritising water loss management and by properly auditing water supplies and water treatment revenue while increasing efficiency in supply and revenue recovery as this allowed Water Board X to better serve its customers, improve its financial standing, and allocate funding for water infrastructure upgrades and to adopt technologies that are on the market as these technologies can detect leakages, manage payments, control water flow and transmit data. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Department of Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Deep neural networks for robot vision in evolutionary robotics
- Authors: Watt,Nathan
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Evolutionary robotics -- South Africa , Neural networks
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61601 , vital:71473
- Description: Description Advances in electronics manufacturing have made robots and their sensors cheaper and more accessible. Robots can have a variety of sensors, such as touch sensors, distance sensors and cameras. A robot’s controller is the software which interprets its sensors and determines how the robot will behave. The difficulty in programming robot controllers increases with complex robots and complicated tasks, forming a barrier to deploying robots for real-world applications. Robot controllers can be automatically created with Evolutionary Robotics (ER). ER makes use of an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) to evolve controllers to complete a particular task. Instead of manually programming controllers, an EA can evolve controllers when provided with the robot’s task. ER has been used to evolve controllers for many different kinds of robots with a variety of sensors, however the use of robots with on-board camera sensors has been limited. The nature of EAs makes evolving a controller for a camera-equipped robot particularly difficult. There are two main challenges which complicate the evolution of vision-based controllers. First, every image from a camera contains a large amount of information, and a controller needs many parameters to receive that information, however it is difficult to evolve controllers with such a large number of parameters using EAs. Second, during the process of evolution, it is necessary to evaluate the fitness of many candidate controllers. This is typically done in simulation, however creating a simulator for a camera sensor is a tedious and timeconsuming task, as building a photo-realistic simulated environment requires handcrafted 3-dimensional models, textures and lighting. Two techniques have been used in previous experiments to overcome the challenges associated with evolving vision-based controllers. Either the controller was provided with extremely low-resolution images, or a task-specific algorithm was used to preprocess the images, only providing the necessary information to the controller. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Watt,Nathan
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Evolutionary robotics -- South Africa , Neural networks
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61601 , vital:71473
- Description: Description Advances in electronics manufacturing have made robots and their sensors cheaper and more accessible. Robots can have a variety of sensors, such as touch sensors, distance sensors and cameras. A robot’s controller is the software which interprets its sensors and determines how the robot will behave. The difficulty in programming robot controllers increases with complex robots and complicated tasks, forming a barrier to deploying robots for real-world applications. Robot controllers can be automatically created with Evolutionary Robotics (ER). ER makes use of an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) to evolve controllers to complete a particular task. Instead of manually programming controllers, an EA can evolve controllers when provided with the robot’s task. ER has been used to evolve controllers for many different kinds of robots with a variety of sensors, however the use of robots with on-board camera sensors has been limited. The nature of EAs makes evolving a controller for a camera-equipped robot particularly difficult. There are two main challenges which complicate the evolution of vision-based controllers. First, every image from a camera contains a large amount of information, and a controller needs many parameters to receive that information, however it is difficult to evolve controllers with such a large number of parameters using EAs. Second, during the process of evolution, it is necessary to evaluate the fitness of many candidate controllers. This is typically done in simulation, however creating a simulator for a camera sensor is a tedious and timeconsuming task, as building a photo-realistic simulated environment requires handcrafted 3-dimensional models, textures and lighting. Two techniques have been used in previous experiments to overcome the challenges associated with evolving vision-based controllers. Either the controller was provided with extremely low-resolution images, or a task-specific algorithm was used to preprocess the images, only providing the necessary information to the controller. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Descriptive analysis of organic farming systems and factors affecting adoption and disadoption in Zambia : a case study
- Authors: Munthali, Robert
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Organic farming -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52111 , vital:43434
- Description: The last 30 years since the early 1990s has seen the heightened promotion of organic farming as a sustainable farming option in Zambia. The main objectives of this research study were to carry out an analysis of organic farming systems in order to understand factors affecting adoption, as well as reasons why some organic farmers discontinue using the approach. The study involved four districts in Zambia: Mazabuka, Chikankata, Lusaka and Chongwe. Specifically, the research investigated challenges and limitations of organic agronomic practices, and analysed factors that influence adopters and disadopters of organic agriculture. Primary data were collected through interviews and by administering semi-structured questionnaires. The research population comprised approximately 250 farmers adopters and disadopters, with the sample size being 50 farmers chosen across four districts using systematic random sampling methods. Additionally, five observation research field trials were conducted in order to gather practical data on individual farmer’s crop management practices. Farmers adopting and maintaining organic methods reported several reasons for embracing the system, some of which are: organic farming is regenerative; it is environmentally responsible; it uses manure, believed to help build healthy soils rich in organic matter with better nutrient and moisture holding capacity; pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not used, reducing the levels of toxic residues in organic products which ultimately promotes health. Labour constraints, pest and disease challenges and weed problems were some of the reasons for disadoption. Data showed that disadopters had lower education (48% had primary education), were older and with slightly more children. Although there were more women adopting organic agriculture compared to men, the difference was small 56% and 44% women and men respectively. Among disadopters there were more women (67%) compared to men (33%). Overall, the study results suggest that promotion of organic agriculture should be encouraged through liaison with government departments such as the Zambian Department of Agriculture to include organic agriculture when developing policies. In general, organic farmers have positive opinions concerning the benefits resulting from organic agriculture. Organic farmers should enjoy equal opportunities to conventional agriculture in the provision of extension services, input support, infrastructural development, access to financial resources to procure farm machinery, and equipment and most important of all, they should get fair prices for their organic produce and products. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Munthali, Robert
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Organic farming -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52111 , vital:43434
- Description: The last 30 years since the early 1990s has seen the heightened promotion of organic farming as a sustainable farming option in Zambia. The main objectives of this research study were to carry out an analysis of organic farming systems in order to understand factors affecting adoption, as well as reasons why some organic farmers discontinue using the approach. The study involved four districts in Zambia: Mazabuka, Chikankata, Lusaka and Chongwe. Specifically, the research investigated challenges and limitations of organic agronomic practices, and analysed factors that influence adopters and disadopters of organic agriculture. Primary data were collected through interviews and by administering semi-structured questionnaires. The research population comprised approximately 250 farmers adopters and disadopters, with the sample size being 50 farmers chosen across four districts using systematic random sampling methods. Additionally, five observation research field trials were conducted in order to gather practical data on individual farmer’s crop management practices. Farmers adopting and maintaining organic methods reported several reasons for embracing the system, some of which are: organic farming is regenerative; it is environmentally responsible; it uses manure, believed to help build healthy soils rich in organic matter with better nutrient and moisture holding capacity; pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not used, reducing the levels of toxic residues in organic products which ultimately promotes health. Labour constraints, pest and disease challenges and weed problems were some of the reasons for disadoption. Data showed that disadopters had lower education (48% had primary education), were older and with slightly more children. Although there were more women adopting organic agriculture compared to men, the difference was small 56% and 44% women and men respectively. Among disadopters there were more women (67%) compared to men (33%). Overall, the study results suggest that promotion of organic agriculture should be encouraged through liaison with government departments such as the Zambian Department of Agriculture to include organic agriculture when developing policies. In general, organic farmers have positive opinions concerning the benefits resulting from organic agriculture. Organic farmers should enjoy equal opportunities to conventional agriculture in the provision of extension services, input support, infrastructural development, access to financial resources to procure farm machinery, and equipment and most important of all, they should get fair prices for their organic produce and products. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Detection and effects of selected pharmaceutical compounds from selected water bodies in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Setshedi, Koketso Josinah
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177074 , vital:42788
- Description: Theses embargoed. Release date March 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Setshedi, Koketso Josinah
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177074 , vital:42788
- Description: Theses embargoed. Release date March 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Determinants of domestic savings: why Africa is dissaving
- Authors: Ruiters, Caviner Glen
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52966 , vital:44888
- Description: The World Bank has emphasized the role of savings in financing domestic fixed capital formation, technology, education, employment and economic growth. Many African countries have experienced decreased savings and increased current account deficits worsened by the global financial crisis and capital outflows. This study seeks to explore the determinants of savings and determine the savings trend of African countries compared to that of the world. To this end, annual time series data for 20 representative countries from different economic groups were obtained from World Bank Indicators, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Penn World Tables and Integrated Network for Societal Conflict Research (INSCR) database over the period 2000 to 2018. The Panel ARDL/ Pooled Mean Group estimator was used to analyse the data. The main findings were that household variables, capital flow variables, human capital variables, institutional quality variables, financial and other social macroeconomic variables determine savings. Further, the speed of adjustment show causality from the explanatory variables to savings. The use of income and monetary policy dummy variables indicates that there is no difference in determinants of savings for countries with different income groups and monetary policies. It was recommended that African countries invest in education and ICT infrastructure, improve their financial systems and restructure policies on good governance and political stability as this has a significant effect on savings. The study was limited by a lack of time series data for all African countries, therefore, future research involving an increased sample size and variables were recommended. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ruiters, Caviner Glen
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52966 , vital:44888
- Description: The World Bank has emphasized the role of savings in financing domestic fixed capital formation, technology, education, employment and economic growth. Many African countries have experienced decreased savings and increased current account deficits worsened by the global financial crisis and capital outflows. This study seeks to explore the determinants of savings and determine the savings trend of African countries compared to that of the world. To this end, annual time series data for 20 representative countries from different economic groups were obtained from World Bank Indicators, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Penn World Tables and Integrated Network for Societal Conflict Research (INSCR) database over the period 2000 to 2018. The Panel ARDL/ Pooled Mean Group estimator was used to analyse the data. The main findings were that household variables, capital flow variables, human capital variables, institutional quality variables, financial and other social macroeconomic variables determine savings. Further, the speed of adjustment show causality from the explanatory variables to savings. The use of income and monetary policy dummy variables indicates that there is no difference in determinants of savings for countries with different income groups and monetary policies. It was recommended that African countries invest in education and ICT infrastructure, improve their financial systems and restructure policies on good governance and political stability as this has a significant effect on savings. The study was limited by a lack of time series data for all African countries, therefore, future research involving an increased sample size and variables were recommended. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Development and assessment of rifampicin loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems
- Authors: Mphaphuli, Mashudu Theodore
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178503 , vital:42945
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mphaphuli, Mashudu Theodore
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178503 , vital:42945
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Development and characterisation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride solid lipid nanoparticles for ocular delivery
- Authors: Dhege, Clarence
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178446 , vital:42940
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Dhege, Clarence
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178446 , vital:42940
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Disruptive technology in the wool industry: an impact analysis with specific reference to sustainable wool brokers services In South Africa
- Van Niekerk, Christiaan Petrus Jamneck
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Christiaan Petrus Jamneck
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Disruptive technologies , Wool industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53013 , vital:44903
- Description: Significant research has been conducted on the sustainability, productivity, maintenance, improvement and the development of the agricultural sector. For this reason, there is increasingly more technology that is being adapted and used in the agricultural arena. New technology (Disruptive technology) in the wool value chain has the ability to significantly disrupt the typical business models of wool brokers in South Africa, and as a result, key uncertainties exist with regard to its future sustainability. This study investigated the importance of sustainable disruptive technology that is implementable at wool brokers in South Africa. This was done through secondary research, creating a proposed conceptual business framework that would make use of various disruptive technologies such as; digital wool auction, RFID and blockchain technology to enhance interventions that are needed to create sustainability amongst wool brokers in South Africa. The enhanced proposed sustainability is created through by creating socio efficiencies, environmental efficiencies and operational efficiencies in the form of safety, Traceability and Operational efficiencies as Intervening Variables. Questionnaire statements were developed by the researcher from the literature review that was conducted and consulting experts in the field of the agriculture fibre industry and also in the wider sphere of agriculture. The instrument used in this study was used to measure the hypothesised models based on the influence of independent variables of a disruptive nature on the interventions that would allow for the perceived sustainability for wool brokers in South Africa. From the data analysis of the feedback received, a Revised Proposed Framework to enhance the sustainability of Wool Brokers in South Africa using disruptive Technology was created. From the research it is evident that new technology, such as disruptive technology, in the wool value chain has the ability to significantly disrupt the typical business models of wool brokers in South Africa and, as a result, address the demands of the end consumer to ensure the future sustainability of wool brokers. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Nelson Mandela University Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Christiaan Petrus Jamneck
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Disruptive technologies , Wool industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53013 , vital:44903
- Description: Significant research has been conducted on the sustainability, productivity, maintenance, improvement and the development of the agricultural sector. For this reason, there is increasingly more technology that is being adapted and used in the agricultural arena. New technology (Disruptive technology) in the wool value chain has the ability to significantly disrupt the typical business models of wool brokers in South Africa, and as a result, key uncertainties exist with regard to its future sustainability. This study investigated the importance of sustainable disruptive technology that is implementable at wool brokers in South Africa. This was done through secondary research, creating a proposed conceptual business framework that would make use of various disruptive technologies such as; digital wool auction, RFID and blockchain technology to enhance interventions that are needed to create sustainability amongst wool brokers in South Africa. The enhanced proposed sustainability is created through by creating socio efficiencies, environmental efficiencies and operational efficiencies in the form of safety, Traceability and Operational efficiencies as Intervening Variables. Questionnaire statements were developed by the researcher from the literature review that was conducted and consulting experts in the field of the agriculture fibre industry and also in the wider sphere of agriculture. The instrument used in this study was used to measure the hypothesised models based on the influence of independent variables of a disruptive nature on the interventions that would allow for the perceived sustainability for wool brokers in South Africa. From the data analysis of the feedback received, a Revised Proposed Framework to enhance the sustainability of Wool Brokers in South Africa using disruptive Technology was created. From the research it is evident that new technology, such as disruptive technology, in the wool value chain has the ability to significantly disrupt the typical business models of wool brokers in South Africa and, as a result, address the demands of the end consumer to ensure the future sustainability of wool brokers. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Nelson Mandela University Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Does the Transkei population of Haliotis Midae at the eastern edge of its distributional range have a higher thermal tolerance than those in more temperate waters?
- Authors: Mathebula, Surprise
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Abalones -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Physiology -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Adaptation -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Growth -- South Africa -- Indian Coast
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177360 , vital:42814
- Description: The South African perlemoen abalone (Haliotis midae) may be vulnerable to rising temperatures on the East coast of South Africa due to climate change. H. midae is South Africa’s most valuable aquaculture species, and it is thus important to understand its physiological ability to adapt to the expected changes and to identify possible management measures to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures. This project aimed to understand thermal tolerance and growth rates of offspring from two H. midae populations originating from the warm-temperate Central region (Port Elizabeth) and warmer Eastern edge of the species’ distribution in the Transkei region. To determine the effects of temperature on the physiological performance of the two abalone populations, growth rates, oxygen consumption rates and critical thermal maxima (CTM) were compared. A laboratory growth trial was conducted at three controlled temperatures, visibly, the ‘optimal’ temperature for H. midae growth (18 - 20℃), ‘pejus’ (stressful) temperature (21 - 22℃) and ‘critical’ temperature (23 - 24℃). Oxygen consumption rates were recorded at optimum (20℃), pejus (22℃) and critical (24℃) temperature using a respirometer. In addition, a farm growth trial with simultaneously spawned cohorts of abalone from the two populations was conducted at ambient temperature (19.5 and 20.0℃). The laboratory growth trial revealed no significant differences in growth rate between the two populations at the three temperature treatments (ANOVA, P > 0.05; df = 2). However, mortalities were high and growth rates low, indicating that the rearing conditions were sub-optimal, possibly masking genetic differences. No significant differences were observed in oxygen consumption rates (ANOVA, P = 0.18; df = 2), and CTM (t-Test, P = 0.31; df = 3) between the two populations. The CTM for both populations was between 29 - 30℃. The farm trial yielded no significant differences in growth rate during the Nursery phase (t-Test, P = 0.25; df = 2), however significant differences in growth rate were observed during the grow out phase with the Central region abalone offspring growing faster than the Eastern edge population (t-Test, P = 0.04; df = 4) indicating the possibility of a genetic difference between the two populations. Further experiments will be required to determine whether the differences observed in the growth trial were genetically or environmentally induced. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mathebula, Surprise
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Abalones -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Physiology -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Adaptation -- South Africa -- Indian Coast , Haliotis midae -- Growth -- South Africa -- Indian Coast
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177360 , vital:42814
- Description: The South African perlemoen abalone (Haliotis midae) may be vulnerable to rising temperatures on the East coast of South Africa due to climate change. H. midae is South Africa’s most valuable aquaculture species, and it is thus important to understand its physiological ability to adapt to the expected changes and to identify possible management measures to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures. This project aimed to understand thermal tolerance and growth rates of offspring from two H. midae populations originating from the warm-temperate Central region (Port Elizabeth) and warmer Eastern edge of the species’ distribution in the Transkei region. To determine the effects of temperature on the physiological performance of the two abalone populations, growth rates, oxygen consumption rates and critical thermal maxima (CTM) were compared. A laboratory growth trial was conducted at three controlled temperatures, visibly, the ‘optimal’ temperature for H. midae growth (18 - 20℃), ‘pejus’ (stressful) temperature (21 - 22℃) and ‘critical’ temperature (23 - 24℃). Oxygen consumption rates were recorded at optimum (20℃), pejus (22℃) and critical (24℃) temperature using a respirometer. In addition, a farm growth trial with simultaneously spawned cohorts of abalone from the two populations was conducted at ambient temperature (19.5 and 20.0℃). The laboratory growth trial revealed no significant differences in growth rate between the two populations at the three temperature treatments (ANOVA, P > 0.05; df = 2). However, mortalities were high and growth rates low, indicating that the rearing conditions were sub-optimal, possibly masking genetic differences. No significant differences were observed in oxygen consumption rates (ANOVA, P = 0.18; df = 2), and CTM (t-Test, P = 0.31; df = 3) between the two populations. The CTM for both populations was between 29 - 30℃. The farm trial yielded no significant differences in growth rate during the Nursery phase (t-Test, P = 0.25; df = 2), however significant differences in growth rate were observed during the grow out phase with the Central region abalone offspring growing faster than the Eastern edge population (t-Test, P = 0.04; df = 4) indicating the possibility of a genetic difference between the two populations. Further experiments will be required to determine whether the differences observed in the growth trial were genetically or environmentally induced. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Driving factors of mobile banking application in South Africa
- Authors: Peter, Unati
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52984 , vital:44885
- Description: There has been a gaping variance between the number of mobile phone users and landline users in South Africa (RSA). Results from an assessment in 2011 suggested that 29 million South Africans subscribed to mobile phones versus 5 million landline users (Balabanoff, 2014). The exponential growth of mobile applications has been precipitated by the increased growth of the mobile phone market. This growth is coupled with numerous advantages that mobile services bring to the user, such as better operability, productivity advances and entertainment (Balabanoff, 2014). Even though adoption strategies regarding mobile banking have been studied in various parts of the world, acceptance of mobile banking applications in South Africa has not been greatly researched. Hence, this study focused on exploring consumer behaviour and acceptance towards adopting mobile banking in South Africa, where mobile banking is at an elementary stage, but provides potential benefits to both users and business at large. A quantitative research style was followed by this research. An electronic quantitative questionnaire was distributed to South African civilians who are eligible to hold bank accounts in their own names. The research was then conducted on a sample size of 86 respondents. Due to limitations on time, this study utilised convenience sampling. Data gathered from the questionnaires was examined using statistical analysis to scrutinise the correlation between the variables used in the research model, this being Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The UTAUT is commonly used to predict and explain factors that influence the adoption of technology by users. These factors help decision-makers in formulating technology acceptance strategies. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Peter, Unati
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52984 , vital:44885
- Description: There has been a gaping variance between the number of mobile phone users and landline users in South Africa (RSA). Results from an assessment in 2011 suggested that 29 million South Africans subscribed to mobile phones versus 5 million landline users (Balabanoff, 2014). The exponential growth of mobile applications has been precipitated by the increased growth of the mobile phone market. This growth is coupled with numerous advantages that mobile services bring to the user, such as better operability, productivity advances and entertainment (Balabanoff, 2014). Even though adoption strategies regarding mobile banking have been studied in various parts of the world, acceptance of mobile banking applications in South Africa has not been greatly researched. Hence, this study focused on exploring consumer behaviour and acceptance towards adopting mobile banking in South Africa, where mobile banking is at an elementary stage, but provides potential benefits to both users and business at large. A quantitative research style was followed by this research. An electronic quantitative questionnaire was distributed to South African civilians who are eligible to hold bank accounts in their own names. The research was then conducted on a sample size of 86 respondents. Due to limitations on time, this study utilised convenience sampling. Data gathered from the questionnaires was examined using statistical analysis to scrutinise the correlation between the variables used in the research model, this being Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The UTAUT is commonly used to predict and explain factors that influence the adoption of technology by users. These factors help decision-makers in formulating technology acceptance strategies. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Economic impact of climate change on maize production in the Free State Province, South Africa
- Authors: Johnson, Richard Cowper
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Corn -- Climatic factors -- South Africa -- Free State , Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Free State , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- Free State , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Free State
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174365 , vital:42471
- Description: Higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere is a major influence on climate change globally. Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases trapping too much heat from the sun in the atmosphere and thus, altering the climate through a rise in global surface temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. CO2 is the most prominent greenhouse gas found in the atmosphere and it is reported that by the turn of the century the CO2 concentration levels will have doubled if the current rate of emissions continues. However, the increase in atmospheric levels of the gas has been found to increase the capacity of maize plants and their water use efficiency to achieve higher yields through CO2 fertilisation. Simulation experiments conducted by the Rhodes University Botany Department found that the effect of elevated levels of CO2 of double the current concentration offsets the negative effects of drought on maize. A case study was conducted on commercial maize farmers in two regions of the Free State province in South Africa to estimate the economic impact of climate change on maize production. Although production is increasing in the province, adaptation to the changing climate is key to the sustainability of production. There is a trade-off between the negative effects of higher CO2 levels changing the climate and the positive effect of CO2 fertilisation. As predicted, the economic impact of climate change is the disruption of farming practices and the increase in costs of production as a result of adapting to climate change. Using a gross margin analysis, the study found that the larger maize farmers who benefit from economies of scale are able to adapt and grow their production whilst the smaller farmers are being pushed out of the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Johnson, Richard Cowper
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Corn -- Climatic factors -- South Africa -- Free State , Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Free State , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- Free State , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Free State
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174365 , vital:42471
- Description: Higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere is a major influence on climate change globally. Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases trapping too much heat from the sun in the atmosphere and thus, altering the climate through a rise in global surface temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. CO2 is the most prominent greenhouse gas found in the atmosphere and it is reported that by the turn of the century the CO2 concentration levels will have doubled if the current rate of emissions continues. However, the increase in atmospheric levels of the gas has been found to increase the capacity of maize plants and their water use efficiency to achieve higher yields through CO2 fertilisation. Simulation experiments conducted by the Rhodes University Botany Department found that the effect of elevated levels of CO2 of double the current concentration offsets the negative effects of drought on maize. A case study was conducted on commercial maize farmers in two regions of the Free State province in South Africa to estimate the economic impact of climate change on maize production. Although production is increasing in the province, adaptation to the changing climate is key to the sustainability of production. There is a trade-off between the negative effects of higher CO2 levels changing the climate and the positive effect of CO2 fertilisation. As predicted, the economic impact of climate change is the disruption of farming practices and the increase in costs of production as a result of adapting to climate change. Using a gross margin analysis, the study found that the larger maize farmers who benefit from economies of scale are able to adapt and grow their production whilst the smaller farmers are being pushed out of the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Ecosexual digital war machines: minoritarian environmental desires in the age of new media
- Authors: Weideman, Lisa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54828 , vital:47915
- Description: Today the (Transnational) State Apparatuses of neoliberal capitalism, ranging from educational institutions to mass media and financial institutions, have effectively created and channelled desires towards consumerism, predicated on resource-extractive practices, within the context of what Gilles Deleuze calls societies of control. This control has also intensified in the digital era, particularly through Internet-based technologies which provide increasingly efficient platforms for the escalation of commodification – ironically, despite the reality of ecological crisis being precipitated by the related extractive practices to the point where it now threatens the continued existence of life on earth. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Weideman, Lisa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54828 , vital:47915
- Description: Today the (Transnational) State Apparatuses of neoliberal capitalism, ranging from educational institutions to mass media and financial institutions, have effectively created and channelled desires towards consumerism, predicated on resource-extractive practices, within the context of what Gilles Deleuze calls societies of control. This control has also intensified in the digital era, particularly through Internet-based technologies which provide increasingly efficient platforms for the escalation of commodification – ironically, despite the reality of ecological crisis being precipitated by the related extractive practices to the point where it now threatens the continued existence of life on earth. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Effect of fire frequency on the recovery of soil invertebrate communities in semi-arid savanna biome of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Madikana, Ayabulela https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9119-4650
- Authors: Madikana, Ayabulela https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9119-4650
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Soil invertebrates , Fire ecology , Arid regions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22831 , vital:52946
- Description: Fires are common in South African savanna habitats, which can disrupt the dynamics of entire invertebrate populations, endangering biodiversity and the environment. The aim of this study was to look at how fire frequency affected invertebrate population dynamics and biodiversity in a 41-year-old fire experiment at the University of Fort Hare research farm in Alice. The experiment had six different levels of burning frequency: no-burn (K), annual burn (B1), biannual burn (B2), triennial burn (B3), quadrennial burn (B4), and sexennial burn (B6). The experimental plots were replicated two times in a randomized complete block design and have been continuously retained since 1980. A ground yellow mustard solution was used to collect earthworms, which were then identified by an earthworm taxonomist. Pitfall traps were used to collect ants and other insects, which were then identified under a microscope. In total, three soil samples were collected from each plot to assess selected soil nutrients, moisture, and pH. The Shannon diversity index, richness, and population of earthworms, ants, and other insects were calculated, and a one-way ANOVA analysis was done to check if the treatments differed significantly. A correlations study was used to look for any influence connected to soil parameters, including the Shannon diversity index, species richness, and density of soil invertebrates. According to our findings, the measured parameters did not show any significant differences in the measured parameters between the different frequency levels. All the plots had two species of earthworm , Proandricus timmianus and Proandricus beddardi except the biennial burn plot, which had all three, the afore mentioned species and one other unidentified species, Proandricus sp. The triennial burn treatment slightly enhanced the insect diversity, richness, and evenness of ant species difference while the diversity, evenness, and richness were lowest in the sexennial burn plot. However, there was no signif difference in population. After B4, the no burn plot had the second largest diversity and species richness, and the third highest species evenness and had a 100 percent species similarity index. The ants were evenly distributed in the no burn plot compared to the other plots, with K having a lower density than the other plots except for B4, K being slightly more diverse than B6, and B1 with a slightly lower diversity than the other plots, and it being the third species rich plot after B2 and B3, followed by the rest of the plots. This study implied that fire frequency has an insignificant impact on invertebrates’ communities in Savanna biomes words.icant , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Madikana, Ayabulela https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9119-4650
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Soil invertebrates , Fire ecology , Arid regions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22831 , vital:52946
- Description: Fires are common in South African savanna habitats, which can disrupt the dynamics of entire invertebrate populations, endangering biodiversity and the environment. The aim of this study was to look at how fire frequency affected invertebrate population dynamics and biodiversity in a 41-year-old fire experiment at the University of Fort Hare research farm in Alice. The experiment had six different levels of burning frequency: no-burn (K), annual burn (B1), biannual burn (B2), triennial burn (B3), quadrennial burn (B4), and sexennial burn (B6). The experimental plots were replicated two times in a randomized complete block design and have been continuously retained since 1980. A ground yellow mustard solution was used to collect earthworms, which were then identified by an earthworm taxonomist. Pitfall traps were used to collect ants and other insects, which were then identified under a microscope. In total, three soil samples were collected from each plot to assess selected soil nutrients, moisture, and pH. The Shannon diversity index, richness, and population of earthworms, ants, and other insects were calculated, and a one-way ANOVA analysis was done to check if the treatments differed significantly. A correlations study was used to look for any influence connected to soil parameters, including the Shannon diversity index, species richness, and density of soil invertebrates. According to our findings, the measured parameters did not show any significant differences in the measured parameters between the different frequency levels. All the plots had two species of earthworm , Proandricus timmianus and Proandricus beddardi except the biennial burn plot, which had all three, the afore mentioned species and one other unidentified species, Proandricus sp. The triennial burn treatment slightly enhanced the insect diversity, richness, and evenness of ant species difference while the diversity, evenness, and richness were lowest in the sexennial burn plot. However, there was no signif difference in population. After B4, the no burn plot had the second largest diversity and species richness, and the third highest species evenness and had a 100 percent species similarity index. The ants were evenly distributed in the no burn plot compared to the other plots, with K having a lower density than the other plots except for B4, K being slightly more diverse than B6, and B1 with a slightly lower diversity than the other plots, and it being the third species rich plot after B2 and B3, followed by the rest of the plots. This study implied that fire frequency has an insignificant impact on invertebrates’ communities in Savanna biomes words.icant , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Effectiveness of cost containment measures: the case of Harry Gwala District Municipality
- Authors: Lungwengwe, Neziswa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Activity-based costing , Cost accounting , Managerial accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51765 , vital:43370
- Description: The primary research objective of this case study was to understand the effectiveness of cost containment measures implemented by all departments at Harry Gwala District Municipality. The case study also explored factors that may have contributed to the implementation of cost containment measures to ensure that the municipality spends funds on essential items and avoids unauthorised expenditure. A case study with fourteen (14) participants was chosen in order to focus on a particular area that the researcher could easily monitor. The researcher mixed qualitative and quantitative research designs to maintain the strengths and improve the weaknesses in both designs. Audited Annual Financial Statements and approved budgets were analysed to assess the effectiveness of cost containment measures. The study found that while employees were aware of their roles and responsibilities, it is safe to say that they did not follow procedures to ensure that costs were maintained. The results of the study showed that the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) had no financial background. There was generally no change in the behaviour of employees as far as cost containment measures were concerned. The current repairs and maintenance budget was far below the norm of 8% of the carrying value of municipal assets and the municipality only budgeted between 2 – 3% per year for the assets with a carrying value of about R2.3 billion. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Lungwengwe, Neziswa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Activity-based costing , Cost accounting , Managerial accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51765 , vital:43370
- Description: The primary research objective of this case study was to understand the effectiveness of cost containment measures implemented by all departments at Harry Gwala District Municipality. The case study also explored factors that may have contributed to the implementation of cost containment measures to ensure that the municipality spends funds on essential items and avoids unauthorised expenditure. A case study with fourteen (14) participants was chosen in order to focus on a particular area that the researcher could easily monitor. The researcher mixed qualitative and quantitative research designs to maintain the strengths and improve the weaknesses in both designs. Audited Annual Financial Statements and approved budgets were analysed to assess the effectiveness of cost containment measures. The study found that while employees were aware of their roles and responsibilities, it is safe to say that they did not follow procedures to ensure that costs were maintained. The results of the study showed that the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) had no financial background. There was generally no change in the behaviour of employees as far as cost containment measures were concerned. The current repairs and maintenance budget was far below the norm of 8% of the carrying value of municipal assets and the municipality only budgeted between 2 – 3% per year for the assets with a carrying value of about R2.3 billion. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Effects of different levels of education and government spending on economic growth
- Authors: Malangeni, Luxolo Mihle
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Southern African Development Community , Economic development -- Africa , Economics -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51842 , vital:43377
- Description: This study investigates the impact of the level of education and education spending on economic growth in the Southern African development community (SADC) using annual panel data from 1995 to 2017 using the FMOSLS and DOLS cointegration estimators. Three levels of education are identified in study (primary, secondary and tertiary). Moreover, we create an index of government spending on education corresponding to these three levels of education. The empirical results suggest that there is a positive long-term relationship between secondary education and economic growth but not for other levels of education. Moreover, it is found that only government spending at primary and secondary education contribute to economic growth. The causality analysis for confirm that only secondary education affects economic growth and is affected by government spending on education. Policy implications of the study are discussed. Government should be careful in managing the public spending on education in a way to increase the skilled labor. Education Policies must be drive based on principle. Professional schools must be first priority in education policies in the region. Government should direct the public expenditures on education towards productive sectors that will contribute in improving the standard of living contributing so on economic growth. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Malangeni, Luxolo Mihle
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Southern African Development Community , Economic development -- Africa , Economics -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51842 , vital:43377
- Description: This study investigates the impact of the level of education and education spending on economic growth in the Southern African development community (SADC) using annual panel data from 1995 to 2017 using the FMOSLS and DOLS cointegration estimators. Three levels of education are identified in study (primary, secondary and tertiary). Moreover, we create an index of government spending on education corresponding to these three levels of education. The empirical results suggest that there is a positive long-term relationship between secondary education and economic growth but not for other levels of education. Moreover, it is found that only government spending at primary and secondary education contribute to economic growth. The causality analysis for confirm that only secondary education affects economic growth and is affected by government spending on education. Policy implications of the study are discussed. Government should be careful in managing the public spending on education in a way to increase the skilled labor. Education Policies must be drive based on principle. Professional schools must be first priority in education policies in the region. Government should direct the public expenditures on education towards productive sectors that will contribute in improving the standard of living contributing so on economic growth. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Enablers and dis-enablers to the success of the East London industrial development zone
- Authors: Ramncwana, Ayanda
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52967 , vital:44890
- Description: Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a global phenomenon since the 1960s and have been integral to the transformation of emerging and ailing economies. In 2002 the South African government identified SEZs as instruments for advancing its economy into a higher industrialisation path based the assessment of potential socio-economic gains. Past research findings, however, suggest that South African SEZs, when compared to international SEZ performances, are lagging behind both in terms of delivering a compelling SEZ value proposition and achieving the desired socio-economic gains. Limited research has been conducted on the factors which enable and dis-enable the success of SEZs in South Africa. This study evaluates the factors that enable and dis-enable the effectiveness of South African SEZs in achieving their socio-economic development objectives. Applying a qualitative case study methodology, research was conducted on the East London Industrial Development Zone(ELIDZ), one of the first SEZs to be designated in South Africa in 2002. The study finds that a weak SEZ regulatory framework characterised by slow delivery of important SEZ industrial support has dis-enabled South African SEZs. A complex business environment has also dis-enabled the competitiveness of South African SEZs. The study reveals that while it is easier to conduct business inside the SEZs, South African SEZs are not given adequate policy latitude to be an experimental ground to drive reform that will improve the ease of doing business in South Africa. A challenging labour market marred by low productivity, high production costs and inadequately skilled labour continue to challenge the success of SEZs in South Africa. Poor regional infrastructure and delays in the roll out of fiscal incentives, are also some of the factors that have dis-enabled the success of the East London IDZ. World-class infrastructure inside the ELIDZ, inherent locational competitive advantages and the existence of locational-specific non-fiscal incentives have, however, been the key enablers that have improved the competitiveness of the ELIDZ. Despite some of the notable dis-enablers to the competitiveness of South African SEZs, the ELIDZ has done well in achieving short-term static outcomes such as employment, exports, investment attraction and FDI despite some of the factors that had dis-enabled the zone. The zone has also achieved certain dynamic outcomes such as skills upgrading, industrial upgrading, technology transfer and diversification of the economic output, albeit these still being at low levels. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ramncwana, Ayanda
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52967 , vital:44890
- Description: Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a global phenomenon since the 1960s and have been integral to the transformation of emerging and ailing economies. In 2002 the South African government identified SEZs as instruments for advancing its economy into a higher industrialisation path based the assessment of potential socio-economic gains. Past research findings, however, suggest that South African SEZs, when compared to international SEZ performances, are lagging behind both in terms of delivering a compelling SEZ value proposition and achieving the desired socio-economic gains. Limited research has been conducted on the factors which enable and dis-enable the success of SEZs in South Africa. This study evaluates the factors that enable and dis-enable the effectiveness of South African SEZs in achieving their socio-economic development objectives. Applying a qualitative case study methodology, research was conducted on the East London Industrial Development Zone(ELIDZ), one of the first SEZs to be designated in South Africa in 2002. The study finds that a weak SEZ regulatory framework characterised by slow delivery of important SEZ industrial support has dis-enabled South African SEZs. A complex business environment has also dis-enabled the competitiveness of South African SEZs. The study reveals that while it is easier to conduct business inside the SEZs, South African SEZs are not given adequate policy latitude to be an experimental ground to drive reform that will improve the ease of doing business in South Africa. A challenging labour market marred by low productivity, high production costs and inadequately skilled labour continue to challenge the success of SEZs in South Africa. Poor regional infrastructure and delays in the roll out of fiscal incentives, are also some of the factors that have dis-enabled the success of the East London IDZ. World-class infrastructure inside the ELIDZ, inherent locational competitive advantages and the existence of locational-specific non-fiscal incentives have, however, been the key enablers that have improved the competitiveness of the ELIDZ. Despite some of the notable dis-enablers to the competitiveness of South African SEZs, the ELIDZ has done well in achieving short-term static outcomes such as employment, exports, investment attraction and FDI despite some of the factors that had dis-enabled the zone. The zone has also achieved certain dynamic outcomes such as skills upgrading, industrial upgrading, technology transfer and diversification of the economic output, albeit these still being at low levels. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Engaging the female voice in understanding gender and sexuality interaction: the school and social work as medium for empowerment
- Authors: Madikizela, B M
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Sex (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51298 , vital:43261
- Description: The lack of the female voice in relationships with men means that they cannot negotiate safe sex, friendships with both male and female peers, their freedom of movement within the parameters of their relationships, etc. As a result of this, HIV and teenage pregnancy rates remain unacceptably high. The public health sector in present-day South Africa finds itself increasingly strained due to high levels of new incidents of HIV in young women between the age of 18 and 24. Statistics show that pregnancies are on the rise due to early sexual interactions. These statistics stand in stark contrast with the fact that gender and sexuality are topics taught in the school system through subjects such as Life Orientation. The assumption is often that young people, and in the context of this study, young women, will translate the knowledge into skill sets and behaviours that would help them assert themselves more and have control of their bodies. The statistics, however, seem to tell a different story. The purpose of the study is to understand why, despite the fact that there are subjects in the school curriculum and programs offered by different organisations, HIV infection amongst young women as well as teenage pregnancies remain a problem, an indication that the female voice remains marginalised in intimate spaces. The theoretical frameworks for this study include a Humanising Pedagogy, interrogating education and training engagements for social change while also engaging with various works of Judith Butler as a lens to view the marginalisation of young women in a gendered society. This study is qualitative in nature as it uses a critical ethnographic research design. It aimed to uncover and understand the deeper meanings of the phenomena experienced by young women from their point of view. The study employed a non-probability, purposive sample technique, in addition to the ethnographic analysis. A sample of 15 young women between the ages of 18 and 24 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro engaged in the study. These young women were recruited from Rise out of School Programme, part of the Khethimpilo prevention program. Informed consent to participate in the study was secured before interviews were conducted and participants were not coerced into participation and were free to drop out at any point. All endeavours to protect participants from physical harm and mental stress were taken. Misconceptions and misunderstandings which arose in the piloting phase of the study were removed and complete confidentiality was maintained in the management of all information obtained about participants. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Guba’s model of ensuring trustworthiness of the data was applied. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Madikizela, B M
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Sex (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51298 , vital:43261
- Description: The lack of the female voice in relationships with men means that they cannot negotiate safe sex, friendships with both male and female peers, their freedom of movement within the parameters of their relationships, etc. As a result of this, HIV and teenage pregnancy rates remain unacceptably high. The public health sector in present-day South Africa finds itself increasingly strained due to high levels of new incidents of HIV in young women between the age of 18 and 24. Statistics show that pregnancies are on the rise due to early sexual interactions. These statistics stand in stark contrast with the fact that gender and sexuality are topics taught in the school system through subjects such as Life Orientation. The assumption is often that young people, and in the context of this study, young women, will translate the knowledge into skill sets and behaviours that would help them assert themselves more and have control of their bodies. The statistics, however, seem to tell a different story. The purpose of the study is to understand why, despite the fact that there are subjects in the school curriculum and programs offered by different organisations, HIV infection amongst young women as well as teenage pregnancies remain a problem, an indication that the female voice remains marginalised in intimate spaces. The theoretical frameworks for this study include a Humanising Pedagogy, interrogating education and training engagements for social change while also engaging with various works of Judith Butler as a lens to view the marginalisation of young women in a gendered society. This study is qualitative in nature as it uses a critical ethnographic research design. It aimed to uncover and understand the deeper meanings of the phenomena experienced by young women from their point of view. The study employed a non-probability, purposive sample technique, in addition to the ethnographic analysis. A sample of 15 young women between the ages of 18 and 24 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro engaged in the study. These young women were recruited from Rise out of School Programme, part of the Khethimpilo prevention program. Informed consent to participate in the study was secured before interviews were conducted and participants were not coerced into participation and were free to drop out at any point. All endeavours to protect participants from physical harm and mental stress were taken. Misconceptions and misunderstandings which arose in the piloting phase of the study were removed and complete confidentiality was maintained in the management of all information obtained about participants. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Guba’s model of ensuring trustworthiness of the data was applied. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
Enhancement of domestic solar photovoltaic unit productivity through the use of a cost effective tracking system
- Authors: Cawood, John Henry
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems , Tracking (Engineering)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59215 , vital:60313
- Description: The majority of new and existing small photovoltaic (PV) installations in South Africa are fixed-panel systems, largely due to the cost of photovoltaic panel components having reduced steadily in recent years where an increased requirement is met with a larger number of panels, whilst tracking system costs remain prohibitively expensive. Fixed installations realise only a part of their energy potential as they are truly effective for only short periods of the day. The aim of this study is to investigate and build on the current technology of PV tracking systems with the aim of specifying a simple control and actuation system which performs the tracking function. The eventual purpose of this thesis is to reliably produce more energy from solar photovoltaic installations than similar installations using fixed panels. This would be achieved by the use of an effective and affordable tracking system which yields acceptable accuracy and reliability and opens the potential for the system to be further developed for other purposes. These alternative uses could be the control of sunlight into green buildings, control of dampers for building ventilation and cooling and Trombe wall air control. This study has investigated the potential of several passive and active methods to actuate a sun tracking system. A useful closed loop system, which uses low pressure hydraulics, was developed and tested. The prototype is detailed in the drawings, Appendix D. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Cawood, John Henry
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems , Tracking (Engineering)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59215 , vital:60313
- Description: The majority of new and existing small photovoltaic (PV) installations in South Africa are fixed-panel systems, largely due to the cost of photovoltaic panel components having reduced steadily in recent years where an increased requirement is met with a larger number of panels, whilst tracking system costs remain prohibitively expensive. Fixed installations realise only a part of their energy potential as they are truly effective for only short periods of the day. The aim of this study is to investigate and build on the current technology of PV tracking systems with the aim of specifying a simple control and actuation system which performs the tracking function. The eventual purpose of this thesis is to reliably produce more energy from solar photovoltaic installations than similar installations using fixed panels. This would be achieved by the use of an effective and affordable tracking system which yields acceptable accuracy and reliability and opens the potential for the system to be further developed for other purposes. These alternative uses could be the control of sunlight into green buildings, control of dampers for building ventilation and cooling and Trombe wall air control. This study has investigated the potential of several passive and active methods to actuate a sun tracking system. A useful closed loop system, which uses low pressure hydraulics, was developed and tested. The prototype is detailed in the drawings, Appendix D. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
Enhancing professionalism through the implementation of Batho Pele principles: the case of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
- Authors: Mhlwatika, Zandile
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53467 , vital:45156
- Description: The study investigated how Batho Pele Principles can enhance professionalism in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The New Public Management approach (NPM) was used to explore how professionalism can be promoted through the implementation of the Batho Pele Principles. The study adopted a qualitative research method by means of which secondary information was obtained from various sources to explore ways and means of enhancing professionalism through the implementation of Batho Pele Principles. This study discussed factors promoting the implementation of the Batho Pele Principles and revealed various factors that can inhibit the implementation of the Batho Pele Principles. The study also discussed the importance of codes of conduct and ethics in promoting professionalism as well as the strategies used to implement the Batho Pele Principles in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The findings of the study revealed that professionalism can be enhanced through the implementation of Batho Pele Principles. For this to be successful in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, the Batho Pele Principles should be implemented in conjunction with codes of conduct and ethics. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mhlwatika, Zandile
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53467 , vital:45156
- Description: The study investigated how Batho Pele Principles can enhance professionalism in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The New Public Management approach (NPM) was used to explore how professionalism can be promoted through the implementation of the Batho Pele Principles. The study adopted a qualitative research method by means of which secondary information was obtained from various sources to explore ways and means of enhancing professionalism through the implementation of Batho Pele Principles. This study discussed factors promoting the implementation of the Batho Pele Principles and revealed various factors that can inhibit the implementation of the Batho Pele Principles. The study also discussed the importance of codes of conduct and ethics in promoting professionalism as well as the strategies used to implement the Batho Pele Principles in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The findings of the study revealed that professionalism can be enhanced through the implementation of Batho Pele Principles. For this to be successful in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, the Batho Pele Principles should be implemented in conjunction with codes of conduct and ethics. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04