A case study of Siemens Afghanistan : building a country, building a company
- Authors: Qaleej, Raaz Hassan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft , Corporate culture -- Afghanistan , Employees -- Attitudes , Industrial relations -- Afghanistan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017522
- Description: This case study was written within the broader concept of Organisational Culture and how it is integrated into an organisation to encourage responsible leadership. The core focus and emphasis of this approach is to establish the implications for businesses operating in the most challenging of commercial environments, while adhering to their corporate ethos and organisational values. These may be summarised with the phrase: Only a clean business is a sustainable business. This dissertation is intended to act as a case study and resource aide for the teaching of leadership, organisational behaviour, human resources and business sustainability. The study is about the Afghanistan chapter of the global giant Siemens, which has been working in many areas of specialisation conducting business in the country for more than 75 years. It has been selected for this case study because of its long-term impressive record, during which time it has developed and sustained a reputation as an organisation with a much-admired organisational culture, and one to which employees feel very closely attached and connected. This case study evolved from a set of unique as well as difficult circumstances. In Afghanistan, where infrastructure is weak, businesses and other structured organisations are in their initial and immature stages of development, and employee attachment to their workplaces is relatively weak. In the case of Siemens however, it has been much the opposite. It became apparent over a protracted period of time that the relationship of employees to the company was clearly of a positive and committed nature, unlike the general perception stemming from other multinational organisations operating within the country. Many business organisations in Afghanistan tend to emphasise to a lesser degree some modern-day practices of employer-employee relationships, which negatively affect motivation and commitment. The study grew out of the observations that employees of Siemens on the other hand, seemed to exhibit attitudes and commitments contrary to the general trend in the wider business sector. This project began with the intention to identify those factors contributing to employee loyalty and strong attachments to an organisation. Subsequently, the same findings were used to identify the traits and particular features working within the organisational environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Qaleej, Raaz Hassan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft , Corporate culture -- Afghanistan , Employees -- Attitudes , Industrial relations -- Afghanistan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017522
- Description: This case study was written within the broader concept of Organisational Culture and how it is integrated into an organisation to encourage responsible leadership. The core focus and emphasis of this approach is to establish the implications for businesses operating in the most challenging of commercial environments, while adhering to their corporate ethos and organisational values. These may be summarised with the phrase: Only a clean business is a sustainable business. This dissertation is intended to act as a case study and resource aide for the teaching of leadership, organisational behaviour, human resources and business sustainability. The study is about the Afghanistan chapter of the global giant Siemens, which has been working in many areas of specialisation conducting business in the country for more than 75 years. It has been selected for this case study because of its long-term impressive record, during which time it has developed and sustained a reputation as an organisation with a much-admired organisational culture, and one to which employees feel very closely attached and connected. This case study evolved from a set of unique as well as difficult circumstances. In Afghanistan, where infrastructure is weak, businesses and other structured organisations are in their initial and immature stages of development, and employee attachment to their workplaces is relatively weak. In the case of Siemens however, it has been much the opposite. It became apparent over a protracted period of time that the relationship of employees to the company was clearly of a positive and committed nature, unlike the general perception stemming from other multinational organisations operating within the country. Many business organisations in Afghanistan tend to emphasise to a lesser degree some modern-day practices of employer-employee relationships, which negatively affect motivation and commitment. The study grew out of the observations that employees of Siemens on the other hand, seemed to exhibit attitudes and commitments contrary to the general trend in the wider business sector. This project began with the intention to identify those factors contributing to employee loyalty and strong attachments to an organisation. Subsequently, the same findings were used to identify the traits and particular features working within the organisational environment.
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Reviewing the definition of the natural resource curse and analysing its occurence post-1990
- Authors: Mwansa, Mumamba Chitumwa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Resource curse , Natural resources -- Management , Economic development , National income
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013243
- Description: That countries with high natural resource abundance should experience slower economic growth than those with low resource abundance seems contrary to what would be expected, considering the developmental head-start such resources afford. Yet Sachs and Warner (1997) found that economies with a high share of natural resource exports in national income in 1970 tended to experience slower economic growth in the two decades that followed. This finding, that natural resources are a “curse” rather than a blessing, has become generally accepted. This thesis sought to test whether the conclusion drawn from their data – that higher natural resource abundance leads to slower economic growth – is still correct. It sought to test their findings first by correcting for their use of resource intensity (natural resources share of exports) as a proxy for abundance. Using measures of resource abundance for 1995 as a proxy for abundance in previous decades, it was found that higher resource abundance was not associated with lower economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s. This finding is contrary to that of Sachs and Warner (1997, 2001). Secondly, this thesis tested whether the natural resource curse effect was still present for the period 1995–2010. This was done by observing the effect of both resource abundance and resource intensity on economic growth during 1995–2010. In both cases no resource curse effect was found, for this more recent period. The resource curse had disappeared regardless of whether one uses Sachs and Warner’s (1997, 2001) measure of resource intensity or a measure of resource abundance. Natural resources should therefore no longer be considered a “curse”. In explaining the difference for the impact of resource intensity between the 1970-90 period measured by Sachs and Warner (1997, 2001) and the more recent period 1995-2010 it was found that the Dutch Disease effect has decreased significantly since the 1970s and 1980s. This could partly explain why the resource curse has disappeared when measured in terms of resource intensity. Thus it was concluded that the natural resource curse existed in the period 1970-90 only when measured in terms of resource intensity but not when measured relative to resource abundance. The negative effects of natural resources on economic growth have disappeared in terms of both resource intensity and resource abundance in the more recent time period.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mwansa, Mumamba Chitumwa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Resource curse , Natural resources -- Management , Economic development , National income
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013243
- Description: That countries with high natural resource abundance should experience slower economic growth than those with low resource abundance seems contrary to what would be expected, considering the developmental head-start such resources afford. Yet Sachs and Warner (1997) found that economies with a high share of natural resource exports in national income in 1970 tended to experience slower economic growth in the two decades that followed. This finding, that natural resources are a “curse” rather than a blessing, has become generally accepted. This thesis sought to test whether the conclusion drawn from their data – that higher natural resource abundance leads to slower economic growth – is still correct. It sought to test their findings first by correcting for their use of resource intensity (natural resources share of exports) as a proxy for abundance. Using measures of resource abundance for 1995 as a proxy for abundance in previous decades, it was found that higher resource abundance was not associated with lower economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s. This finding is contrary to that of Sachs and Warner (1997, 2001). Secondly, this thesis tested whether the natural resource curse effect was still present for the period 1995–2010. This was done by observing the effect of both resource abundance and resource intensity on economic growth during 1995–2010. In both cases no resource curse effect was found, for this more recent period. The resource curse had disappeared regardless of whether one uses Sachs and Warner’s (1997, 2001) measure of resource intensity or a measure of resource abundance. Natural resources should therefore no longer be considered a “curse”. In explaining the difference for the impact of resource intensity between the 1970-90 period measured by Sachs and Warner (1997, 2001) and the more recent period 1995-2010 it was found that the Dutch Disease effect has decreased significantly since the 1970s and 1980s. This could partly explain why the resource curse has disappeared when measured in terms of resource intensity. Thus it was concluded that the natural resource curse existed in the period 1970-90 only when measured in terms of resource intensity but not when measured relative to resource abundance. The negative effects of natural resources on economic growth have disappeared in terms of both resource intensity and resource abundance in the more recent time period.
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A hermeneutic description of a therapeutic interview using reader response concepts from literary theory
- Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Authors: Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Hermeneutics , Narrative therapy , Reading, Psychology of , Reader-response criticism , Psychology and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007749
- Description: Certain approaches in the discipline Psychology, use the term narrative to describe how they work. Upon investigation one finds that the term narrative is seldom informed from Literary Theory, the background from which it originated. Instead, other disciplines that were also influenced by Literary Theory are invariably used as a means of cross fertilisation, e.g. the work of Geertz from an anthropologist background. Therapists make use of techniques described in the theories in an attempt to come to an understanding of the interactions in the therapy session. Some of the later theories emanating from Literary Theory appear to very useful for opening new ways of research in psychology, especially because some of them already come from an interdisciplinary background. This research attempts to identify useful theories and then apply them within a hermeneutical background in a therapeutical session. Theoretical work on ambiguity, recent research on foregrounding and defamiliarization and also the research in psychonarratology appear to be eminently useful for coming to a deeper understanding of the processes that take place in a therapeutic environment. It is thought that these theories could be of use because they have been 'tested' against the experiences of real readers reading texts. As novels differ from reports and washing lists, therapeutic settings differ from discussions. A novel is a cultivated variant of a report, and a therapeutic conversation is a cultivated version of a chat. These theories then, were applied to a real therapeutic session. The therapists who participated were interviewed on the session and on their reactions to certain 'readings' made by them during the session. The purpose of the interview was to obtain an understanding of their interpretation of what had happened during that session. The questions, reactions, observations and reflections of the session constitute the text of this research. The generated text was then reread from the perspective of each of the theories. The data was collected and interpreted. The interpretation focusses on the therapists 'reading' or understanding of the session and in the process, leads the therapists and researcher to further levels of understanding. In conclusion, it was found that the theories were indeed useful as they were able to point out how certain stylistics of language and situation in the therapeutic session had led to hermeneutic or interpretive processes and also how these processes were perceived or experienced on reflection by the therapists.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Hermeneutics , Narrative therapy , Reading, Psychology of , Reader-response criticism , Psychology and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007749
- Description: Certain approaches in the discipline Psychology, use the term narrative to describe how they work. Upon investigation one finds that the term narrative is seldom informed from Literary Theory, the background from which it originated. Instead, other disciplines that were also influenced by Literary Theory are invariably used as a means of cross fertilisation, e.g. the work of Geertz from an anthropologist background. Therapists make use of techniques described in the theories in an attempt to come to an understanding of the interactions in the therapy session. Some of the later theories emanating from Literary Theory appear to very useful for opening new ways of research in psychology, especially because some of them already come from an interdisciplinary background. This research attempts to identify useful theories and then apply them within a hermeneutical background in a therapeutical session. Theoretical work on ambiguity, recent research on foregrounding and defamiliarization and also the research in psychonarratology appear to be eminently useful for coming to a deeper understanding of the processes that take place in a therapeutic environment. It is thought that these theories could be of use because they have been 'tested' against the experiences of real readers reading texts. As novels differ from reports and washing lists, therapeutic settings differ from discussions. A novel is a cultivated variant of a report, and a therapeutic conversation is a cultivated version of a chat. These theories then, were applied to a real therapeutic session. The therapists who participated were interviewed on the session and on their reactions to certain 'readings' made by them during the session. The purpose of the interview was to obtain an understanding of their interpretation of what had happened during that session. The questions, reactions, observations and reflections of the session constitute the text of this research. The generated text was then reread from the perspective of each of the theories. The data was collected and interpreted. The interpretation focusses on the therapists 'reading' or understanding of the session and in the process, leads the therapists and researcher to further levels of understanding. In conclusion, it was found that the theories were indeed useful as they were able to point out how certain stylistics of language and situation in the therapeutic session had led to hermeneutic or interpretive processes and also how these processes were perceived or experienced on reflection by the therapists.
- Full Text:
The emergence and growth of dial-up internet service providers (ISPs) as a means of access to the internet in South Africa: a case study of M-Web and World Online
- De Vos Belgraver, Cecilia Susan
- Authors: De Vos Belgraver, Cecilia Susan
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007811 , Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Description: The desire amongst media scholars for the fulfilment of the ideal of a universally accessible public sphere by the media is such that virtually every new communications technology that has emerged over the past 1 ~O-odd years such as radio, television or the Internet has been welcomed with enthusiasm - by some - at the prospect of the newest communications innovation bringing about universal access to information. However, the history of communications media tells of the commercialisation of each new medium, from radio to television, and the imposition of barriers to access, based on cost. Access to communications media is open to those people who can afford to pay for them. 111e emergence of the Internet spawned renewed hoped that the public sphere ideal would be realised. 111is new technology seemed more powerful than anything that had come before it. The Internet offered the means whereby one could access a global repository of information, stored on a worldwide network of computer networks, and available 24 hours a day. With the Internet, it was also possible to communicate with people on the other side of the world within seconds, using electronic mail (e-mail). Here was a medium that permitted one to send text and pictures to colleagues and friends within a fraction of the time taken by traditional means such as fax, telephone or post. To enjoy the convenience of the Internet though, one had to have a means of access. In South Africa, access could be gained through a personal computer linked to the Internet either through a network in the workplace or an academic or research institution, or via a telephone link to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). What were the names of the first ISPs to emerge in South Africa? When did they emerge and how did they develop? Did the number of ISPs grow or decline? What do ISPs give access to, at what cost and to whom? Do they provide universal access to information? This study addresses these questions by examining South Africa's leading providers of home dial-up internet access, M-Web and World Online, and by exploring the histories of their emergence and development, within the context of current media trends of concentration, diversification and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Vos Belgraver, Cecilia Susan
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007811 , Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Description: The desire amongst media scholars for the fulfilment of the ideal of a universally accessible public sphere by the media is such that virtually every new communications technology that has emerged over the past 1 ~O-odd years such as radio, television or the Internet has been welcomed with enthusiasm - by some - at the prospect of the newest communications innovation bringing about universal access to information. However, the history of communications media tells of the commercialisation of each new medium, from radio to television, and the imposition of barriers to access, based on cost. Access to communications media is open to those people who can afford to pay for them. 111e emergence of the Internet spawned renewed hoped that the public sphere ideal would be realised. 111is new technology seemed more powerful than anything that had come before it. The Internet offered the means whereby one could access a global repository of information, stored on a worldwide network of computer networks, and available 24 hours a day. With the Internet, it was also possible to communicate with people on the other side of the world within seconds, using electronic mail (e-mail). Here was a medium that permitted one to send text and pictures to colleagues and friends within a fraction of the time taken by traditional means such as fax, telephone or post. To enjoy the convenience of the Internet though, one had to have a means of access. In South Africa, access could be gained through a personal computer linked to the Internet either through a network in the workplace or an academic or research institution, or via a telephone link to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). What were the names of the first ISPs to emerge in South Africa? When did they emerge and how did they develop? Did the number of ISPs grow or decline? What do ISPs give access to, at what cost and to whom? Do they provide universal access to information? This study addresses these questions by examining South Africa's leading providers of home dial-up internet access, M-Web and World Online, and by exploring the histories of their emergence and development, within the context of current media trends of concentration, diversification and globalisation.
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A critical review of literature on the expected roles of principals in schools
- Authors: Madaza, Simbongile Simphiwe
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: School principals -- South Africa School management and organization -- South Africa Educational change -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007243
- Description: Schools, like all organizations, are undergoing radical changes in the way that their business is conducted. "One of the most significant of these is that leadership, rather than management, needs to be seen as the most crucial focus for institutional development and growth in the years ahead," (Whitaker, 1993). In these projects I focus on three dimensions of leadership. First, a critical review of literature on the expected roles of principals in schools. Second, a case study of change management at a South African senior secondary school; and finally, a situational analysis of my organization with regard to organizational structure, leadership, decision making, communication and interpersonal relationships.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Madaza, Simbongile Simphiwe
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: School principals -- South Africa School management and organization -- South Africa Educational change -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007243
- Description: Schools, like all organizations, are undergoing radical changes in the way that their business is conducted. "One of the most significant of these is that leadership, rather than management, needs to be seen as the most crucial focus for institutional development and growth in the years ahead," (Whitaker, 1993). In these projects I focus on three dimensions of leadership. First, a critical review of literature on the expected roles of principals in schools. Second, a case study of change management at a South African senior secondary school; and finally, a situational analysis of my organization with regard to organizational structure, leadership, decision making, communication and interpersonal relationships.
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A history of land tenure in the Herschel district, Transkei
- Authors: Viedge, Bronwen Elizabeth
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa -- Transkei Land tenure -- Herschel -- South Africa -- Transkei Land tenure -- History -- Herschel -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003808
- Description: A historical review of land tenure systems implemented in the Herschel district, Eastern Cape, South Africa and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each system in conjunction with international experience of land tenure provide guidelines as to what elements could be incorporated in the formulation of a new integrated land tenure system. These guidelines together with the information obtained from a questionnaire survey amongst the Herschel population provide the government of South Africa with a broad outline of an integrated land tenure system that could serve to link the former homelands to the land tenure system that currently operates in the rest of the country thereby removing one of the obstacles to rural development and land redistribution.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Viedge, Bronwen Elizabeth
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa -- Transkei Land tenure -- Herschel -- South Africa -- Transkei Land tenure -- History -- Herschel -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003808
- Description: A historical review of land tenure systems implemented in the Herschel district, Eastern Cape, South Africa and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each system in conjunction with international experience of land tenure provide guidelines as to what elements could be incorporated in the formulation of a new integrated land tenure system. These guidelines together with the information obtained from a questionnaire survey amongst the Herschel population provide the government of South Africa with a broad outline of an integrated land tenure system that could serve to link the former homelands to the land tenure system that currently operates in the rest of the country thereby removing one of the obstacles to rural development and land redistribution.
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What makes a painting good?: an enquiry into the criteria used in evaluation
- Authors: Frost, Lola
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Painting -- Appreciation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008542
- Description: From introduction: "To affirm that a work of art is good or bad is to commend or condemn, but not describe . Thus criticism does not, and cannot, have the impersonal character and strict rules applicable independently of time and place," .. . (Macdonald 1966: 111) "Criticism and appraisal, too, are more like creation than like demonstration and proof." (Macdonald 1966: 112) This essay articulates evaluatory criteria that are used by both critics and laymen and which are cross -culturally applicable. Thus it seeks to articulate relatively objective types of criteria which we all use when evaluating paintings. This essay articulates fixed and objective criteria, but within these categories recognizes that there is much room for skillful, sympathetic and knowledgeable criticism. Thus criticism is a creative act. These objectively- articulated criteria are best seen as aids to, rather than carbon copies, for evaluation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Frost, Lola
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Painting -- Appreciation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008542
- Description: From introduction: "To affirm that a work of art is good or bad is to commend or condemn, but not describe . Thus criticism does not, and cannot, have the impersonal character and strict rules applicable independently of time and place," .. . (Macdonald 1966: 111) "Criticism and appraisal, too, are more like creation than like demonstration and proof." (Macdonald 1966: 112) This essay articulates evaluatory criteria that are used by both critics and laymen and which are cross -culturally applicable. Thus it seeks to articulate relatively objective types of criteria which we all use when evaluating paintings. This essay articulates fixed and objective criteria, but within these categories recognizes that there is much room for skillful, sympathetic and knowledgeable criticism. Thus criticism is a creative act. These objectively- articulated criteria are best seen as aids to, rather than carbon copies, for evaluation.
- Full Text:
"The isolation and estimation of low molecular weight N-nitrosamines in biological materials"
- Authors: Du Plessis, Leo Stephen
- Date: 1973
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:21176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6750
- Description: Summary: Low molecular weight N-nitrosamines were detected by ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectral, thin-layer chromatographic and gas liquid chromatographic means. A method for the estimation of dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine, ethal-n-propylnitrosamine and di-n-propylnitrosamine has been developed. The method involves the isolation of the nitrosamines in an aqueous distillate by freeze-drying. After extraction of the nitrosamines from the aqueous distillate by means of dichloromethane, their separation and quantitative estimation are achieved by gas liquid chromatography of the extract. The procedure can be extended down to the ppb range. Dimethylnitrosamine was isolated from an extract of Solanum incanum and identified by gas liquid chromatography on four different columns, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Du Plessis, Leo Stephen
- Date: 1973
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:21176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6750
- Description: Summary: Low molecular weight N-nitrosamines were detected by ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectral, thin-layer chromatographic and gas liquid chromatographic means. A method for the estimation of dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine, ethal-n-propylnitrosamine and di-n-propylnitrosamine has been developed. The method involves the isolation of the nitrosamines in an aqueous distillate by freeze-drying. After extraction of the nitrosamines from the aqueous distillate by means of dichloromethane, their separation and quantitative estimation are achieved by gas liquid chromatography of the extract. The procedure can be extended down to the ppb range. Dimethylnitrosamine was isolated from an extract of Solanum incanum and identified by gas liquid chromatography on four different columns, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
- Full Text:
Aspects of reality as reflected by the human form in painting
- Authors: Fourie, F T
- Date: 1966
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:21174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6739
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fourie, F T
- Date: 1966
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:21174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6739
- Full Text:
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