A unified data repository for rich communication services
- Authors: Sogunle, Oluwasegun Francis
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5777 , vital:20974
- Description: Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a framework that defines a set of IP-based services for the delivery of multimedia communications to mobile network subscribers. The framework unifies a set of pre-existing communication services under a single name, and permits network operators to re-use investments in existing network infrastructure, especially the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), which is a core part of a mobile network and also acts as a docking station for RCS services. RCS generates and utilises disparate subscriber data sets during execution, however, it lacks a harmonised repository for the management of such data sets, thus making it difficult to obtain a unified view of heterogeneous subscriber data. This thesis proposes the creation of a unified data repository for RCS which is based on the User Data Convergence (UDC) standard. The standard was proposed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a major telecommunications standardisation group. UDC provides an approach for consolidating subscriber data into a single logical repository without adversely affecting existing network infrastructure, such as the IMS. Thus, this thesis details the design and development of a prototypical implementation of a unified repository, named Converged Subscriber Data Repository (CSDR). It adopts a polyglot persistence model for the underlying data store and exposes heterogeneous data through the Open Data Protocol (OData), which is a candidate implementation of the Ud interface defined in the UDC architecture. With the introduction of polyglot persistence, multiple data stores can be used within the CSDR and disparate network data sources can access heterogeneous data sets using OData as a standard communications protocol. As the CSDR persistence model becomes more complex due to the inclusion of more storage technologies, polyglot persistence ensures a consistent conceptual view of these data sets through OData. Importantly, the CSDR prototype was integrated into a popular open-source implementation of the core part of an IMS network known as the Open IMS Core. The successful integration of the prototype demonstrates its ability to manage and expose a consolidated view of heterogeneous subscriber data, which are generated and used by different RCS services deployed within IMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sogunle, Oluwasegun Francis
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5777 , vital:20974
- Description: Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a framework that defines a set of IP-based services for the delivery of multimedia communications to mobile network subscribers. The framework unifies a set of pre-existing communication services under a single name, and permits network operators to re-use investments in existing network infrastructure, especially the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), which is a core part of a mobile network and also acts as a docking station for RCS services. RCS generates and utilises disparate subscriber data sets during execution, however, it lacks a harmonised repository for the management of such data sets, thus making it difficult to obtain a unified view of heterogeneous subscriber data. This thesis proposes the creation of a unified data repository for RCS which is based on the User Data Convergence (UDC) standard. The standard was proposed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a major telecommunications standardisation group. UDC provides an approach for consolidating subscriber data into a single logical repository without adversely affecting existing network infrastructure, such as the IMS. Thus, this thesis details the design and development of a prototypical implementation of a unified repository, named Converged Subscriber Data Repository (CSDR). It adopts a polyglot persistence model for the underlying data store and exposes heterogeneous data through the Open Data Protocol (OData), which is a candidate implementation of the Ud interface defined in the UDC architecture. With the introduction of polyglot persistence, multiple data stores can be used within the CSDR and disparate network data sources can access heterogeneous data sets using OData as a standard communications protocol. As the CSDR persistence model becomes more complex due to the inclusion of more storage technologies, polyglot persistence ensures a consistent conceptual view of these data sets through OData. Importantly, the CSDR prototype was integrated into a popular open-source implementation of the core part of an IMS network known as the Open IMS Core. The successful integration of the prototype demonstrates its ability to manage and expose a consolidated view of heterogeneous subscriber data, which are generated and used by different RCS services deployed within IMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A water footprint assessment of dryland pasture based dairy enterprise in the Eastern Cape: a case study
- Authors: Jenje, Paige
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water supply, Agricultural -- South Africa , Water supply, Agricultural -- Government policy -- South Africa , Water consumption -- Measurement -- South Africa , Water demand management -- South Africa , Water-supply -- Accounting -- South Africa , Cattle -- Water requirements -- South Africa -- Cast studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5362 , vital:20917
- Description: Water scarcity continues to pose a threat to South Africa, with severe water scarcity predicted within the next fifty years. As a result, national interest has been sparked over the development of market based water resource allocation strategies to alleviate pressures on South Africa's freshwater resources, and ensure compliance with the National Water Act. Agriculture is the largest water user internationally and within South Africa, highlighting the importance of improving the water use efficiency within the industry. This study performed a full water footprint assessment (WFA) of a dryland pasture based dairy enterprise in the Eastern Cape. Following the guidelines of the WFA, this study calculated the blue, green and grey water footprints of dryland pasture based dairy production from crop- to-farm gate by assessing the water footprints of pasture production, bought in feed and concentrates, drinking water and servicing water processes over a period of five years. Following the accounting the of the water footprint, economic and environmental sustainability indicators were used along with the incorporation of the Water Risk Filter tool. This revealed that the case study farm was operating efficiently with the enterprise's highest water related risk being governmental regulation. Water footprint accounting results highlighted that green water was largest contributor to the overall water footprint of over 80%, and grey water contributed the least to the water footprint of dryland pasture based dairy production. Economic productivity results indicated that milk production is highly correlated with annual rainfall due to the breeding strategy undertaken by the farm. Results also indicated little correlation between the monthly water footprint and milk production, with the majority of the enterprise's milk production occurring in the last quarter regardless of the water footprint. The study demonstrated the relationship between the water footprint and economic land and water productivity, along with the value of milk to costs ratio which indicated that approximately R1.00 worth of costs generates between R1.80 and R2.06 value of milk. The sustainability indicators suggested that the farm's management of its effluent dam requires attention to meet the Department of Water and Sanitations effluent waste quality guidelines. The overall analysis of the water footprint suggested that the highest water related risk to dryland dairy production was regulatory risk. This risk suggests that the government cannot be relied upon for the management of freshwater resources within the study area, leaving the onus on the individual dairy farmers. As such, farmers should utilise the water footprint to formulate water stewardship programmes which have the potential to influence the regulation and protection of freshwater resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Jenje, Paige
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water supply, Agricultural -- South Africa , Water supply, Agricultural -- Government policy -- South Africa , Water consumption -- Measurement -- South Africa , Water demand management -- South Africa , Water-supply -- Accounting -- South Africa , Cattle -- Water requirements -- South Africa -- Cast studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5362 , vital:20917
- Description: Water scarcity continues to pose a threat to South Africa, with severe water scarcity predicted within the next fifty years. As a result, national interest has been sparked over the development of market based water resource allocation strategies to alleviate pressures on South Africa's freshwater resources, and ensure compliance with the National Water Act. Agriculture is the largest water user internationally and within South Africa, highlighting the importance of improving the water use efficiency within the industry. This study performed a full water footprint assessment (WFA) of a dryland pasture based dairy enterprise in the Eastern Cape. Following the guidelines of the WFA, this study calculated the blue, green and grey water footprints of dryland pasture based dairy production from crop- to-farm gate by assessing the water footprints of pasture production, bought in feed and concentrates, drinking water and servicing water processes over a period of five years. Following the accounting the of the water footprint, economic and environmental sustainability indicators were used along with the incorporation of the Water Risk Filter tool. This revealed that the case study farm was operating efficiently with the enterprise's highest water related risk being governmental regulation. Water footprint accounting results highlighted that green water was largest contributor to the overall water footprint of over 80%, and grey water contributed the least to the water footprint of dryland pasture based dairy production. Economic productivity results indicated that milk production is highly correlated with annual rainfall due to the breeding strategy undertaken by the farm. Results also indicated little correlation between the monthly water footprint and milk production, with the majority of the enterprise's milk production occurring in the last quarter regardless of the water footprint. The study demonstrated the relationship between the water footprint and economic land and water productivity, along with the value of milk to costs ratio which indicated that approximately R1.00 worth of costs generates between R1.80 and R2.06 value of milk. The sustainability indicators suggested that the farm's management of its effluent dam requires attention to meet the Department of Water and Sanitations effluent waste quality guidelines. The overall analysis of the water footprint suggested that the highest water related risk to dryland dairy production was regulatory risk. This risk suggests that the government cannot be relied upon for the management of freshwater resources within the study area, leaving the onus on the individual dairy farmers. As such, farmers should utilise the water footprint to formulate water stewardship programmes which have the potential to influence the regulation and protection of freshwater resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Abalone stock enhancement at Cape Recife, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Witte, Warren
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/45695 , vital:25532
- Description: The potential for restocking depleted natural reefs with hatchery abalone, Haliotis midae, to support a commercial ranching venture in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was investigated. A baseline stock assessment and analysis of historical fishery data provided compelling evidence of significant declines in the abalone stock, attributed to uncontrolled illegal fishing over the last 20 years at the study site. A ranching pilot study was undertaken where small-scale replicated seeding experiments were set up which quantified the effect of seed size, density and habitat on survival and growth of hatchery-reared abalone. Thirty-six experimental plots were seeded with 8400 abalone spread evenly over two broad habitats. Mean retrievals of seeded abalone were 17% ranging from 4 - 42% after a minimum of eight months at large. Release density and large-scale habitat had no significant effect on seed survival, but smaller seed size (40.0 ±3.7mm shell length) achieved higher (F1, 22 = 4.64, p = 0.042) retrievals than larger seed size (53 ±3.7mm). Growth rates were an average of 30% higher in the shallow sites compared deeper sites (t1, 1091 = -2.79, p = 0.005). There was seasonal component in growth with a 0.55 ± 0.04 mm per month higher rate in summer than during winter (t1, 1091 = -12.45, p < 0.001). Abalone seed releases were also conducted on a larger scale, which focused on the economic potential for commercial-scale ranching. Over 160 sites were seeded with 1.4 million hatchery reared abalone or 30 metric tonnes. Seventeen sites underwent long-term monitoring of survival with repeated sampling events on sites over a period of up to 666 days. Nine of these sites were seeded with 140800 small abalone (29 – 40 mm), three sites with 25100 medium abalone (30 – 46 mm) and five sites with 14700 large abalone (60 – 84 mm). There was a significant difference in survival between the seed sizes (F4,6329 = 304.3, P < 0.001). The Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) calculation estimated the instantaneous apparent mortality rate for small, medium and large abalone at 1.19 yr-1 , -0.9 yr-1 and -0.67 yr-1 , which equated to a survival rate of 21%, 28% and 36% per year respectively. The weighted mortality rate calculated according to the seed size differential mortality and the number of seed released for those sizes was 1 yr-1 or 25% survival. In conjunction with a conservative somatic growth rate of 1.2mm.m-1 and plausible emigration rates, a range of biomass harvesting estimates were obtained. Movement and mortality were investigated using video analysis which showed that hatchery seed had the ability to move considerably once released onto natural reefs and confirmed that mortality immediately following releases was due to the heavy predation pressure as confirmed by shell collections. This project has demonstrated that potential exists for ranching in South Africa and highlights critical factors that need to be addressed if ranching is to be an economically viable operation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Witte, Warren
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/45695 , vital:25532
- Description: The potential for restocking depleted natural reefs with hatchery abalone, Haliotis midae, to support a commercial ranching venture in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was investigated. A baseline stock assessment and analysis of historical fishery data provided compelling evidence of significant declines in the abalone stock, attributed to uncontrolled illegal fishing over the last 20 years at the study site. A ranching pilot study was undertaken where small-scale replicated seeding experiments were set up which quantified the effect of seed size, density and habitat on survival and growth of hatchery-reared abalone. Thirty-six experimental plots were seeded with 8400 abalone spread evenly over two broad habitats. Mean retrievals of seeded abalone were 17% ranging from 4 - 42% after a minimum of eight months at large. Release density and large-scale habitat had no significant effect on seed survival, but smaller seed size (40.0 ±3.7mm shell length) achieved higher (F1, 22 = 4.64, p = 0.042) retrievals than larger seed size (53 ±3.7mm). Growth rates were an average of 30% higher in the shallow sites compared deeper sites (t1, 1091 = -2.79, p = 0.005). There was seasonal component in growth with a 0.55 ± 0.04 mm per month higher rate in summer than during winter (t1, 1091 = -12.45, p < 0.001). Abalone seed releases were also conducted on a larger scale, which focused on the economic potential for commercial-scale ranching. Over 160 sites were seeded with 1.4 million hatchery reared abalone or 30 metric tonnes. Seventeen sites underwent long-term monitoring of survival with repeated sampling events on sites over a period of up to 666 days. Nine of these sites were seeded with 140800 small abalone (29 – 40 mm), three sites with 25100 medium abalone (30 – 46 mm) and five sites with 14700 large abalone (60 – 84 mm). There was a significant difference in survival between the seed sizes (F4,6329 = 304.3, P < 0.001). The Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) calculation estimated the instantaneous apparent mortality rate for small, medium and large abalone at 1.19 yr-1 , -0.9 yr-1 and -0.67 yr-1 , which equated to a survival rate of 21%, 28% and 36% per year respectively. The weighted mortality rate calculated according to the seed size differential mortality and the number of seed released for those sizes was 1 yr-1 or 25% survival. In conjunction with a conservative somatic growth rate of 1.2mm.m-1 and plausible emigration rates, a range of biomass harvesting estimates were obtained. Movement and mortality were investigated using video analysis which showed that hatchery seed had the ability to move considerably once released onto natural reefs and confirmed that mortality immediately following releases was due to the heavy predation pressure as confirmed by shell collections. This project has demonstrated that potential exists for ranching in South Africa and highlights critical factors that need to be addressed if ranching is to be an economically viable operation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Adaptation of the mathematics recovery programme to facilitate progression in the early arithmetic strategies of Grade 2 learners in Zambia
- Authors: Young, Catherine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Zambia Arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4977 , vital:20749
- Description: Research indicates that many children finish primary school in Southern Africa still reliant on inefficient counting strategies. This study extends the research of the South African Numeracy Chair project to early mathematics intervention with Grade 2 learners. It investigated the possible adaptation of the Mathematics Recovery programme to facilitate learner progression in early arithmetic strategies. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of adapting the Mathematics Recovery programme for use in a whole class setting, and to research the effectiveness of such an adapted programme. This study also aimed to investigate the extent of the phenomenon of unit counting and other early arithmetic strategies used in the early years in Zambia. This study was conducted from an emergent perspective. A review of the literature indicated that children who become stuck using unit counting face later mathematical difficulties, and that teacher over-emphasis on unit counting in the early years of schooling may be a contributing factor. This study used a qualitative design research methodology that consisted of a preparation phase, teaching experiment and retrospective analysis. The context of this teaching experiment was a seven week after-school intervention with a class of Grade 2 learners aged seven to eight in a rural Zambian primary school. Data collection and analysis focused on video recordings of a sample of 6 learners. The experimental teaching content focused on the Early Arithmetic Strategies aspect of the Mathematics Recovery programme. Although limited by time and research focus, this study found that all learners made some progress in early arithmetic strategies, and indicates that the Mathematics Recovery programme has potential for adaptation for early intervention in whole class teaching to address the mathematical education challenges in Zambia and beyond. This study also found that unit counting predominated in the sample learners, but that strategies were not yet entrenched, indicating this was a suitable age for early intervention. This study makes methodological contributions to a growing body of research into the adaptation of the Mathematics Recovery in Southern African contexts and suggests avenues for possible further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Young, Catherine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Zambia Arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4977 , vital:20749
- Description: Research indicates that many children finish primary school in Southern Africa still reliant on inefficient counting strategies. This study extends the research of the South African Numeracy Chair project to early mathematics intervention with Grade 2 learners. It investigated the possible adaptation of the Mathematics Recovery programme to facilitate learner progression in early arithmetic strategies. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of adapting the Mathematics Recovery programme for use in a whole class setting, and to research the effectiveness of such an adapted programme. This study also aimed to investigate the extent of the phenomenon of unit counting and other early arithmetic strategies used in the early years in Zambia. This study was conducted from an emergent perspective. A review of the literature indicated that children who become stuck using unit counting face later mathematical difficulties, and that teacher over-emphasis on unit counting in the early years of schooling may be a contributing factor. This study used a qualitative design research methodology that consisted of a preparation phase, teaching experiment and retrospective analysis. The context of this teaching experiment was a seven week after-school intervention with a class of Grade 2 learners aged seven to eight in a rural Zambian primary school. Data collection and analysis focused on video recordings of a sample of 6 learners. The experimental teaching content focused on the Early Arithmetic Strategies aspect of the Mathematics Recovery programme. Although limited by time and research focus, this study found that all learners made some progress in early arithmetic strategies, and indicates that the Mathematics Recovery programme has potential for adaptation for early intervention in whole class teaching to address the mathematical education challenges in Zambia and beyond. This study also found that unit counting predominated in the sample learners, but that strategies were not yet entrenched, indicating this was a suitable age for early intervention. This study makes methodological contributions to a growing body of research into the adaptation of the Mathematics Recovery in Southern African contexts and suggests avenues for possible further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Agricultural-based commodity chains and development: the case of the tobacco sector in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Thring, Stephen Richard
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5337 , vital:20814
- Description: This thesis examines the nature of governance in the Zimbabwean tobacco value chain and what upgrading implications this has for participants at the lower end of the value chain, with a particular focus on smallholder tobacco growers. The nature of governance and upgrading opportunities will provide further implications for broader economic development in Zimbabwe. Value chain analysis was the over-arching method, adopting a mixed methods approach of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Data attained from the Tobacco and Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) was used to construct a Zimbabwean tobacco profile. This information was used to construct a simple Global Value Chain (GVC) framework in order to obtain an understanding of the Zimbabwean tobacco value chain. Information was gathered at the top end of the value chain via documents and data from British American Tobacco (BAT) and information was gathered at the middle and lower end of the value chain through interviews. It was found that the Zimbabwean tobacco value chain is characterised by two types of governance: modular and hierarchy. Modular governance existed where the value chain was disjointed by the leaf merchant and hierarchy governance existed where cigarette manufacturers have vertically integrated themselves backwards into the tobacco growing segment. It was found that contract lines offer smallholder tobacco growers’ financial and technical support that would otherwise be difficult to attain. This increased the likelihood for smallholder tobacco growers to produce a high quality crop that met Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and other compliancy requirements; therefore achieving product and process upgrading. However, the environmental impact of tobacco growing through deforestation and the possibility of lead cigarette manufacturers relocating their operations to a different geographical location (as is the nature of GVCs) threatens the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry. Despite these issues it was argued that the tobacco value chain could assist Zimbabwe’s economy in diversifying away from simple tobacco production towards valueadding tobacco sectors, such as processing, by-product processing and cigarette manufacturing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Thring, Stephen Richard
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5337 , vital:20814
- Description: This thesis examines the nature of governance in the Zimbabwean tobacco value chain and what upgrading implications this has for participants at the lower end of the value chain, with a particular focus on smallholder tobacco growers. The nature of governance and upgrading opportunities will provide further implications for broader economic development in Zimbabwe. Value chain analysis was the over-arching method, adopting a mixed methods approach of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Data attained from the Tobacco and Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) was used to construct a Zimbabwean tobacco profile. This information was used to construct a simple Global Value Chain (GVC) framework in order to obtain an understanding of the Zimbabwean tobacco value chain. Information was gathered at the top end of the value chain via documents and data from British American Tobacco (BAT) and information was gathered at the middle and lower end of the value chain through interviews. It was found that the Zimbabwean tobacco value chain is characterised by two types of governance: modular and hierarchy. Modular governance existed where the value chain was disjointed by the leaf merchant and hierarchy governance existed where cigarette manufacturers have vertically integrated themselves backwards into the tobacco growing segment. It was found that contract lines offer smallholder tobacco growers’ financial and technical support that would otherwise be difficult to attain. This increased the likelihood for smallholder tobacco growers to produce a high quality crop that met Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and other compliancy requirements; therefore achieving product and process upgrading. However, the environmental impact of tobacco growing through deforestation and the possibility of lead cigarette manufacturers relocating their operations to a different geographical location (as is the nature of GVCs) threatens the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry. Despite these issues it was argued that the tobacco value chain could assist Zimbabwe’s economy in diversifying away from simple tobacco production towards valueadding tobacco sectors, such as processing, by-product processing and cigarette manufacturing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Airline revenue management performance measurement of South African Airways origin-destination revenue management
- Authors: Githiri, Duncan Wanjau
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Revenue management , Airlines Finance , Performance Measurement , Airlines Rates Mathematical models , South African Airways
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59188 , vital:27455
- Description: Revenue Management (RM) in the airline industry is the practise of selling fixed capacity as a service over a finite time horizon. The market is characterised by the customers’ willingness to pay different prices for the service. This creates the opportunity to target different customer segments and use price differential to attain the optimal passenger fare mix to maximise revenue. The aim is to maximise revenue and an airline can expect revenue increase of between 3 to 7 percent with the successful implementation of a Revenue Management system. The question of whether the revenue increase can be attributed to the RMS is crucial in determining its level of success and validating the optimisation strategy applied (Rannou and Melli, 2003). South African Airways (SAA) migration from Leg-based optimisation to Origin-Destination (O&D) network based revenue management optimisation created the opportunity for this study to measure and evaluate the RMS performance. Revenue performance measuring tools using inventory systems data to measure RMS performance, ASK (Available Seat Kilometre), RASK (Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre), CASK (Cost per Available Seat Kilometre), RPK (Revenue Passenger Kilometre) and cabin factor yield. The limitations relating to the performance measuring tools utilising inventory system data, is the inability for continuous measurement and the isolation of the impact to revenue due to the RMS on its own. In seeking to gauge the performance of the O&D optimisation, the Revenue Opportunity Model (ROM) is applied. ROM is a post departure measuring tool utilised to continuously measure and isolate the contribution of the RMS on SAA’s O&D network. The revenue opportunity achieved versus the potential revenue was assessed. A revenue comparison of the airlines 2014 and 2015 financial year is performed. The results of the analysis showed the O&D optimisation yielded positive revenue capture on routes that applied the correct optimisation strategy. Recommendations on the optimisation strategy to be applied on routes having average or low revenues captured are presented. The aim is to provide the SAA revenue management department with tangible solutions that would result in increased revenue for the SAA network.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Githiri, Duncan Wanjau
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Revenue management , Airlines Finance , Performance Measurement , Airlines Rates Mathematical models , South African Airways
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59188 , vital:27455
- Description: Revenue Management (RM) in the airline industry is the practise of selling fixed capacity as a service over a finite time horizon. The market is characterised by the customers’ willingness to pay different prices for the service. This creates the opportunity to target different customer segments and use price differential to attain the optimal passenger fare mix to maximise revenue. The aim is to maximise revenue and an airline can expect revenue increase of between 3 to 7 percent with the successful implementation of a Revenue Management system. The question of whether the revenue increase can be attributed to the RMS is crucial in determining its level of success and validating the optimisation strategy applied (Rannou and Melli, 2003). South African Airways (SAA) migration from Leg-based optimisation to Origin-Destination (O&D) network based revenue management optimisation created the opportunity for this study to measure and evaluate the RMS performance. Revenue performance measuring tools using inventory systems data to measure RMS performance, ASK (Available Seat Kilometre), RASK (Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre), CASK (Cost per Available Seat Kilometre), RPK (Revenue Passenger Kilometre) and cabin factor yield. The limitations relating to the performance measuring tools utilising inventory system data, is the inability for continuous measurement and the isolation of the impact to revenue due to the RMS on its own. In seeking to gauge the performance of the O&D optimisation, the Revenue Opportunity Model (ROM) is applied. ROM is a post departure measuring tool utilised to continuously measure and isolate the contribution of the RMS on SAA’s O&D network. The revenue opportunity achieved versus the potential revenue was assessed. A revenue comparison of the airlines 2014 and 2015 financial year is performed. The results of the analysis showed the O&D optimisation yielded positive revenue capture on routes that applied the correct optimisation strategy. Recommendations on the optimisation strategy to be applied on routes having average or low revenues captured are presented. The aim is to provide the SAA revenue management department with tangible solutions that would result in increased revenue for the SAA network.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of flood activity over the past century based on the sedimentary deposits in the Mfolozi floodplain
- Authors: Mbao, Chabala
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Floodplain morphology -- South Africa -- Mfolozi River , Floodplains -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Floods -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal -- Measurement , Hydrology -- Research -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Stream measurements -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53711 , vital:26312
- Description: Floods are natural phenomena that are of widespread interest to the scientific community, particularly in the context of understanding the impact of climate change as well as changing land use patterns and the security of infrastructure such as towns and roads. In northern KwaZulu-Natal, large flood events have been a reoccurring feature over the past century. The geographical position and extent of the region means that is affected by both inland and coastal weather phenomena, each with the potential to cause large flood events. While information pertaining to large floods in the region in the form of flow data is readily available, flow data is often incomplete and limited in terms of how far back in time the records extend. The Mfolozi River floodplain itself also houses a record of flood activity in the region in the form of sedimentary deposits, which have the potential to reveal flood activity over a much longer timescale, even when monitoring of flood activity in the region was not present. Establishing a link between the hydrological and sedimentary features of floods may be useful in establishing a record of flood activity extending beyond the limits of historical records. The aim of this project was to construct a record of major flood events on the Mfolozi River floodplain over the last century and determine their source. The first objective involved establishing the history of flood events in the Mfolozi River catchment utilising hydrological data recorded throughout the catchment. Thirty nine different large floods (defined as being over 800 m3.s-1) were recorded on the floodplain over the past century. The data also highlighted differences in the extent of known coastal and inland systems (tropical cyclones and cut-off lows respectively), allowing for inferences to be made about the area of the catchment most likely affected by each event; some flood events were identified as having mostly affected the upper reaches of the catchment, while others mostly affected the lower reaches, closer to the coast. The second objective was to identify the various physical, mineralogical and geochemical features of the sediment deposited on the Mfolozi floodplain. Multiple individual flood deposits were identified in the sedimentary record, with sediment tracing analysis providing insight into the source of the deposits within the catchment; no traces of igneous or metamorphic material could be found within the sediment. The source rocks were identified as mostly quartzite, with minor shale and sandstone deposits as well. This put the source of the sediment in the upper to middle reaches of the catchment. The sedimentary analysis was combined with the hydrological records to establish a chronology of flood events extending back to the 1960's. Unfortunately, this record could not be extended further due to the limited amount of sediment collected as well the limits of readily available analytical techniques; radionuclide dating methods were unsuccessful due to the low amounts of fallout radionuclides present in the sediment. The study has however successfully established a history of flood events in the region, as well as providing a link between the hydrological and sedimentary features of flood events that could potentially be useful for current and future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mbao, Chabala
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Floodplain morphology -- South Africa -- Mfolozi River , Floodplains -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Floods -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal -- Measurement , Hydrology -- Research -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal , Stream measurements -- South Africa -- Kwazulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53711 , vital:26312
- Description: Floods are natural phenomena that are of widespread interest to the scientific community, particularly in the context of understanding the impact of climate change as well as changing land use patterns and the security of infrastructure such as towns and roads. In northern KwaZulu-Natal, large flood events have been a reoccurring feature over the past century. The geographical position and extent of the region means that is affected by both inland and coastal weather phenomena, each with the potential to cause large flood events. While information pertaining to large floods in the region in the form of flow data is readily available, flow data is often incomplete and limited in terms of how far back in time the records extend. The Mfolozi River floodplain itself also houses a record of flood activity in the region in the form of sedimentary deposits, which have the potential to reveal flood activity over a much longer timescale, even when monitoring of flood activity in the region was not present. Establishing a link between the hydrological and sedimentary features of floods may be useful in establishing a record of flood activity extending beyond the limits of historical records. The aim of this project was to construct a record of major flood events on the Mfolozi River floodplain over the last century and determine their source. The first objective involved establishing the history of flood events in the Mfolozi River catchment utilising hydrological data recorded throughout the catchment. Thirty nine different large floods (defined as being over 800 m3.s-1) were recorded on the floodplain over the past century. The data also highlighted differences in the extent of known coastal and inland systems (tropical cyclones and cut-off lows respectively), allowing for inferences to be made about the area of the catchment most likely affected by each event; some flood events were identified as having mostly affected the upper reaches of the catchment, while others mostly affected the lower reaches, closer to the coast. The second objective was to identify the various physical, mineralogical and geochemical features of the sediment deposited on the Mfolozi floodplain. Multiple individual flood deposits were identified in the sedimentary record, with sediment tracing analysis providing insight into the source of the deposits within the catchment; no traces of igneous or metamorphic material could be found within the sediment. The source rocks were identified as mostly quartzite, with minor shale and sandstone deposits as well. This put the source of the sediment in the upper to middle reaches of the catchment. The sedimentary analysis was combined with the hydrological records to establish a chronology of flood events extending back to the 1960's. Unfortunately, this record could not be extended further due to the limited amount of sediment collected as well the limits of readily available analytical techniques; radionuclide dating methods were unsuccessful due to the low amounts of fallout radionuclides present in the sediment. The study has however successfully established a history of flood events in the region, as well as providing a link between the hydrological and sedimentary features of flood events that could potentially be useful for current and future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of how geogebra can be used as a visualisation tool by selected teachers to develop conceptual understanding of the properties of geometric shapes in grade 9 learners: a case study in Namibia
- Authors: Mwiikeni, Eramus
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6989 , vital:21207
- Description: According to Rosken & Rolka (2006), learning mathematics through visualisations can be a powerful tool to explore mathematical problems and give meaning to mathematical concepts and relationships between them. “Visualisation can reduce the complexity of mathematical problems when dealing with a multitude of information” (p.458). This case study focused on using GeoGebra as a visualisation tool to teach angle properties in Grade 9 geometry. This study set out to analyse how GeoGebra visualisations can be used by selected teachers to teach for conceptual understanding. The research is based on a constructivist view of learning and is oriented within an interpretive paradigm. The methodology used is a qualitative case study. The study was conducted in one school and involved 3 mathematics teachers who were purposefully selected because they showed willingness to use technology in their teaching. I used classroom observations and interviews to collect the data. The study identified a number of factors from the participants that related to using GeoGebra in teaching for conceptual understanding. These include the effective use of dynamic visuals to build on prior knowledge, using multiple representations through image generation and image transformation to make connections and using visuals to justify mathematics ideas. The results from this study indicated that GeoGebra can indeed be used effectively as a teaching tool to teach for conceptual understanding in mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mwiikeni, Eramus
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6989 , vital:21207
- Description: According to Rosken & Rolka (2006), learning mathematics through visualisations can be a powerful tool to explore mathematical problems and give meaning to mathematical concepts and relationships between them. “Visualisation can reduce the complexity of mathematical problems when dealing with a multitude of information” (p.458). This case study focused on using GeoGebra as a visualisation tool to teach angle properties in Grade 9 geometry. This study set out to analyse how GeoGebra visualisations can be used by selected teachers to teach for conceptual understanding. The research is based on a constructivist view of learning and is oriented within an interpretive paradigm. The methodology used is a qualitative case study. The study was conducted in one school and involved 3 mathematics teachers who were purposefully selected because they showed willingness to use technology in their teaching. I used classroom observations and interviews to collect the data. The study identified a number of factors from the participants that related to using GeoGebra in teaching for conceptual understanding. These include the effective use of dynamic visuals to build on prior knowledge, using multiple representations through image generation and image transformation to make connections and using visuals to justify mathematics ideas. The results from this study indicated that GeoGebra can indeed be used effectively as a teaching tool to teach for conceptual understanding in mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of organisational culture in a restaurant in Grahamstown, South Africa
- Authors: Kamona, Oabona Bonnie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- Case studies , Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Case studies , Restaurants-- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Management , Saints Bistro (Makhanda, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8178 , vital:21363
- Description: This study investigates organisational culture and shared values that currently exist at Saint’s Bistro in Grahamstown along with the desired organisational culture and desired values. In particular it explores possible discrepancies between the two using the reliable and valid Competing Values Framework (CVF) and its matched scale, the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and the Shared Values Survey. McDonald and Gandz (1992: 64-67) discovered 24 shared values that correlate with modern business and where each value ties in with one of the four quadrants of the CVF. The researcher found a study conducted by Burchell and Saele (2011: 512) which is a cultural study based on the CVF working in conjunction with shared values survey to analyse a situation and it presented an improved means of investigating culture and values related facets within an organisation. The aim of this study is to examine the existing culture and subsequently make recommendations that can create alignment between what is currently experienced and what is desired in the organisation, if it is found that misalignment exists. This research presents a study using a paper based survey conducted in a restaurant in Grahamstown, South Africa. The results are based on the use of the OCAI in conjunction with organisational shared values profiles. The study revealed that there is no significant gap between the current organisational culture and the desired organisational culture within the organisation. Due to these findings, the research established that a structured strategy for maintaining the organisational culture should be developed in order to sustain the existing organisational culture that can be used when recruiting and on-boarding new employees in the future. The research is significant in that it highlighted a link between the competing values framework and the shared values survey and this will contribute to the effective analysis of organisational culture in future culture research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kamona, Oabona Bonnie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- Case studies , Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Case studies , Restaurants-- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Management , Saints Bistro (Makhanda, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8178 , vital:21363
- Description: This study investigates organisational culture and shared values that currently exist at Saint’s Bistro in Grahamstown along with the desired organisational culture and desired values. In particular it explores possible discrepancies between the two using the reliable and valid Competing Values Framework (CVF) and its matched scale, the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and the Shared Values Survey. McDonald and Gandz (1992: 64-67) discovered 24 shared values that correlate with modern business and where each value ties in with one of the four quadrants of the CVF. The researcher found a study conducted by Burchell and Saele (2011: 512) which is a cultural study based on the CVF working in conjunction with shared values survey to analyse a situation and it presented an improved means of investigating culture and values related facets within an organisation. The aim of this study is to examine the existing culture and subsequently make recommendations that can create alignment between what is currently experienced and what is desired in the organisation, if it is found that misalignment exists. This research presents a study using a paper based survey conducted in a restaurant in Grahamstown, South Africa. The results are based on the use of the OCAI in conjunction with organisational shared values profiles. The study revealed that there is no significant gap between the current organisational culture and the desired organisational culture within the organisation. Due to these findings, the research established that a structured strategy for maintaining the organisational culture should be developed in order to sustain the existing organisational culture that can be used when recruiting and on-boarding new employees in the future. The research is significant in that it highlighted a link between the competing values framework and the shared values survey and this will contribute to the effective analysis of organisational culture in future culture research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of selected grade 11 learners’ interactions with geometry tasks using visualization processes: a case study in Namibia
- Authors: Kabuku, Brian S
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Cast studies , Visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5949 , vital:20997
- Description: This case study was conducted at a secondary school where I teach, situated in the semi-rural setting of Bukalo village in Namibia, and sought to gain insights into the nature and role of visualisation processes employed when selected grade 11 learners interacted with selected geometry problems. According to Mariotti and Pensci (1994), visualisation takes place when "thinking is spontaneously accompanied and supported by images”, and helps students to understand the problem at hand. Visualisation is regarded as "making the unseen visible and imagery as the power to imagine the possible and the impossible” (Mason 1992). The study is located within an interpretive research paradigm in order to obtain in-depth understanding of the participants’ visualisation processes. Within this paradigm, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. The eight Grade 11 participants engaged with 12 items of the Geometry Visualisation Tasks (GVT) worksheets. Data was collected using video-recorded learners’ interactions with the GVT, observations, stimulated recall interviews and post-GVT interviews with the learners. During the data analysis stage, I used inductive analysis to determine patterns evident in learners ‘thinking processes’. My analytical framework consisted of indicators that were used to identify and classify visualisation processes for each task of the GVT for each participant. I adapted this framework from Ho (2010) and Ho, Ramful and Lowrie’s (2015) clarification of the representations. The findings from this study revealed that the use of visualisations facilitated meaningful learning when learners made use of these to develop and scaffold their conceptual understanding. The findings revealed that most learners used visualisation processes fairly to very accurately when solving geometry problems. They used visualisation processes by using sketches and diagrams that transformed a mathematical problem pictorially, connected their thinking to previous knowledge and experience, clarified the algebraic task and assisted them to understand the spatial relationships within each task.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kabuku, Brian S
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Cast studies , Visualization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5949 , vital:20997
- Description: This case study was conducted at a secondary school where I teach, situated in the semi-rural setting of Bukalo village in Namibia, and sought to gain insights into the nature and role of visualisation processes employed when selected grade 11 learners interacted with selected geometry problems. According to Mariotti and Pensci (1994), visualisation takes place when "thinking is spontaneously accompanied and supported by images”, and helps students to understand the problem at hand. Visualisation is regarded as "making the unseen visible and imagery as the power to imagine the possible and the impossible” (Mason 1992). The study is located within an interpretive research paradigm in order to obtain in-depth understanding of the participants’ visualisation processes. Within this paradigm, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. The eight Grade 11 participants engaged with 12 items of the Geometry Visualisation Tasks (GVT) worksheets. Data was collected using video-recorded learners’ interactions with the GVT, observations, stimulated recall interviews and post-GVT interviews with the learners. During the data analysis stage, I used inductive analysis to determine patterns evident in learners ‘thinking processes’. My analytical framework consisted of indicators that were used to identify and classify visualisation processes for each task of the GVT for each participant. I adapted this framework from Ho (2010) and Ho, Ramful and Lowrie’s (2015) clarification of the representations. The findings from this study revealed that the use of visualisations facilitated meaningful learning when learners made use of these to develop and scaffold their conceptual understanding. The findings revealed that most learners used visualisation processes fairly to very accurately when solving geometry problems. They used visualisation processes by using sketches and diagrams that transformed a mathematical problem pictorially, connected their thinking to previous knowledge and experience, clarified the algebraic task and assisted them to understand the spatial relationships within each task.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of the effect that integrated reporting has had on the description of the strategy and strategic planning process in the banking sector in South Africa
- Authors: Musuwo, Getrude Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40990 , vital:25045
- Description: The study was carried out in order to analyse the effect which the requirement for integrated reporting has had on the description of strategy and strategic planning processes of three South African Banks during the three-year period between 2012 and 2014. The study was conducted in three Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed Banks namely Barclays Bank, Capitec Bank and Standard Bank and focused on their integrated reports for 2012 to 2014. The objectives of the study were to analyse the change in the scope of the depth of reporting on strategy, analyse the evolution of the strategic planning process, compare and contrast the banks’ nature, scope and depth of reporting and establish how the requirement for integrated reporting has impacted on the strategic planning processes in the banks. The study was carried out as a content analysis of the integrated reports of the three banks. The sample for the study consisted for the 9 integrated reports issued by the three banks in the period from 2012 to 2014. There was an increasing trend in the prominence of reporting on strategy by the C.E.Os and chairmen of the companies in the integrated reports. All the companies exhibited an increase in the depth of their reporting on strategy in their overall integrated reports. There is a general increase in the depth of reporting on value creation in the integrated reports. From discussing their business models to some extent in 2012 and 2013, all integrated reports reported on strategy to a large extent in 2014. The study concluded that the scope and depth of reporting on strategy was growing. The study also concluded that strategic planning processes had been transformed due to the requirement for integrated reporting. It was also concluded that Standard Bank had the greatest focus on strategy. Further studies may focus beyond strategy and explore the extent to which companies are implementing non-financial measures in their integrated reporting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Musuwo, Getrude Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40990 , vital:25045
- Description: The study was carried out in order to analyse the effect which the requirement for integrated reporting has had on the description of strategy and strategic planning processes of three South African Banks during the three-year period between 2012 and 2014. The study was conducted in three Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed Banks namely Barclays Bank, Capitec Bank and Standard Bank and focused on their integrated reports for 2012 to 2014. The objectives of the study were to analyse the change in the scope of the depth of reporting on strategy, analyse the evolution of the strategic planning process, compare and contrast the banks’ nature, scope and depth of reporting and establish how the requirement for integrated reporting has impacted on the strategic planning processes in the banks. The study was carried out as a content analysis of the integrated reports of the three banks. The sample for the study consisted for the 9 integrated reports issued by the three banks in the period from 2012 to 2014. There was an increasing trend in the prominence of reporting on strategy by the C.E.Os and chairmen of the companies in the integrated reports. All the companies exhibited an increase in the depth of their reporting on strategy in their overall integrated reports. There is a general increase in the depth of reporting on value creation in the integrated reports. From discussing their business models to some extent in 2012 and 2013, all integrated reports reported on strategy to a large extent in 2014. The study concluded that the scope and depth of reporting on strategy was growing. The study also concluded that strategic planning processes had been transformed due to the requirement for integrated reporting. It was also concluded that Standard Bank had the greatest focus on strategy. Further studies may focus beyond strategy and explore the extent to which companies are implementing non-financial measures in their integrated reporting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of the impact of financialization on commodity markets
- Authors: Ndawona, Takudzwa Maitaishe
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7113 , vital:21218
- Description: An unprecedented increase in real commodity prices from 2002-2011 fuelled an intense debate as to the causes of the steep rise in prices and its possible implications for producers and consumers. On the one hand, the prolonged and dramatic rise in almost all commodity prices is attributed to growing demand from emerging market economies, supply shocks such as adverse weather conditions, export bans as well as other macroeconomic factors. Collectively these are known as the fundamental (demand and supply) factors. On the other hand, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests these fundamental factors alone are not sufficient enough to explain recent commodity price developments. It is noted that alongside changes in the fundamental factors, there was a major shift in trading activities on commodity derivative markets related to the increasing presence of financial investors, institutional investors and hedge funds. This had important effects, it is argued, on the microstructure of these markets and on price dynamics in a process termed “fmancialization”. Most of the empirical literature covers the period of rising commodity prices from 20022011. This study seeks to add to the existing literature by examining, in addition, the impact of financialization when commodity prices were falling from 2011-2015. Whereas the literature focuses mainly on the rise of agricultural commodity prices, the focus of this study is on metals, oil and bulk commodities (coal and iron ore). Two techniques are employed, namely the calculation of rolling correlations for futures and spot returns. Granger causality tests are then performed to examine the relationships between futures and spot prices. Rolling return correlations are calculated for i) different exchange- traded commodities and ii) exchange-traded commodities and bulk commodities not traded on exchanges. This is done to establish whether the increased correlations between different commodities found in the literature still hold now that commodity prices across all categories are falling. Granger causality tests are used in order to establish the link between the futures prices and spot prices both during the upswing period (2002-2011) and downswing period (2011-2015). It is found that rapidly growing indexed-based investment in commodity markets (financialization) during the upswing period is concurrent with increasingly correlated returns on the prices of unrelated commodities in both the futures and spot markets. These correlations decline during the period of falling commodity prices (2011-2015). This was a period in which the total amount of commodity assets under management fell sharply. This supports the a priori expectation that if the increased correlations of previously seemingly correlated and unrelated commodities during the upswing had been driven by financialization, the correlation would decline in the downturn. Granger causality results reveal statistically significant evidence of futures prices (returns) driving spot prices (returns) during the financialization period. However, post-financialization there is a shift to more bidirectional relationships. The study therefore concludes that, in addition to changing fundamental and macroeconomic factors, the financialization of commodity markets further drove the excessive and volatile price levels in commodity markets from 2002 to 2011.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ndawona, Takudzwa Maitaishe
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7113 , vital:21218
- Description: An unprecedented increase in real commodity prices from 2002-2011 fuelled an intense debate as to the causes of the steep rise in prices and its possible implications for producers and consumers. On the one hand, the prolonged and dramatic rise in almost all commodity prices is attributed to growing demand from emerging market economies, supply shocks such as adverse weather conditions, export bans as well as other macroeconomic factors. Collectively these are known as the fundamental (demand and supply) factors. On the other hand, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests these fundamental factors alone are not sufficient enough to explain recent commodity price developments. It is noted that alongside changes in the fundamental factors, there was a major shift in trading activities on commodity derivative markets related to the increasing presence of financial investors, institutional investors and hedge funds. This had important effects, it is argued, on the microstructure of these markets and on price dynamics in a process termed “fmancialization”. Most of the empirical literature covers the period of rising commodity prices from 20022011. This study seeks to add to the existing literature by examining, in addition, the impact of financialization when commodity prices were falling from 2011-2015. Whereas the literature focuses mainly on the rise of agricultural commodity prices, the focus of this study is on metals, oil and bulk commodities (coal and iron ore). Two techniques are employed, namely the calculation of rolling correlations for futures and spot returns. Granger causality tests are then performed to examine the relationships between futures and spot prices. Rolling return correlations are calculated for i) different exchange- traded commodities and ii) exchange-traded commodities and bulk commodities not traded on exchanges. This is done to establish whether the increased correlations between different commodities found in the literature still hold now that commodity prices across all categories are falling. Granger causality tests are used in order to establish the link between the futures prices and spot prices both during the upswing period (2002-2011) and downswing period (2011-2015). It is found that rapidly growing indexed-based investment in commodity markets (financialization) during the upswing period is concurrent with increasingly correlated returns on the prices of unrelated commodities in both the futures and spot markets. These correlations decline during the period of falling commodity prices (2011-2015). This was a period in which the total amount of commodity assets under management fell sharply. This supports the a priori expectation that if the increased correlations of previously seemingly correlated and unrelated commodities during the upswing had been driven by financialization, the correlation would decline in the downturn. Granger causality results reveal statistically significant evidence of futures prices (returns) driving spot prices (returns) during the financialization period. However, post-financialization there is a shift to more bidirectional relationships. The study therefore concludes that, in addition to changing fundamental and macroeconomic factors, the financialization of commodity markets further drove the excessive and volatile price levels in commodity markets from 2002 to 2011.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of the nature of visualisation objects in three Namibian grade 9 mathematics textbooks: a case study in Namibia
- Nghifimule, Selma Ndilipomwene
- Authors: Nghifimule, Selma Ndilipomwene
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6334 , vital:21090
- Description: Textbooks are a universal and central element of teaching and learning mathematics (Namibia. Ministry of Education [MoE], 2008). Steenpaß and Steinbring (2014) state that diagrams in mathematics textbooks are often used as Visualisation Objects (VOs) to enhance learning of mathematical concepts. VOs in textbooks are thus important teaching and learning tools (Fotakopoulou and Spiliotopoulou, 2008). This Namibian interpretive case study analysed the nature of VOs used in the three approved grade 9 Namibian mathematics textbooks namely: y=mx+c to success, Maths for Life 9 and Discover Mathematics 9. The VOs were analysed by using an analytical framework adapted from Fotakopoulou and Spiliotopoulou (2008). This analytic tool was specifically used to interrogate the following categories: the type of VOs, the roles of VOs, the relation of VOs to mathematical content, the relation of VOs to reality, and their properties. The 266 VOs under study were collected from the Algebra and Geometry chapters of each book. This study also included survey questionnaires with the 50 selected mathematics teachers, which sought their views and perceptions on the use of the identified VOs. In addition, the authors’ rationale in selecting the identified VOs used in their textbooks was sought through interviews. This research study is part of the “Visualisation in Namibia and Zambia” (VISNAMZA) project which seeks to research the effective use of visualisation processes in the mathematics classroom in Namibia and Zambia (Schäfer, 2015). It is hoped that this study contributes towards improving the quality of textbook evaluations, and design of suitable and more comprehensive assessment procedures in Namibia. It is also hoped that it creates a critical awareness of the roles of VOs in textbooks amongst teachers, inspiring them to help their learners interpret VOs effectively. It should also inspire potential authors to use suitable and appropriate VOs that enhance conceptual teaching and learning of mathematics. The study discovered that most of the VOs used in the selected textbooks align well with the mathematical content. The VOs can help make abstract ideas concrete, stimulate learning, simplify and clarify written texts. In addition, VOs can also be used as a tool for reasoning and an instrument for problem solving. The findings however also indicate that some of the VOs used are not self-explanatory; they are vague, unfamiliar and confusing, leading to misinterpretations by some learners. Another interesting finding was that some of the learners found it difficult to interpret VOs on their own without the help of the teacher.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nghifimule, Selma Ndilipomwene
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6334 , vital:21090
- Description: Textbooks are a universal and central element of teaching and learning mathematics (Namibia. Ministry of Education [MoE], 2008). Steenpaß and Steinbring (2014) state that diagrams in mathematics textbooks are often used as Visualisation Objects (VOs) to enhance learning of mathematical concepts. VOs in textbooks are thus important teaching and learning tools (Fotakopoulou and Spiliotopoulou, 2008). This Namibian interpretive case study analysed the nature of VOs used in the three approved grade 9 Namibian mathematics textbooks namely: y=mx+c to success, Maths for Life 9 and Discover Mathematics 9. The VOs were analysed by using an analytical framework adapted from Fotakopoulou and Spiliotopoulou (2008). This analytic tool was specifically used to interrogate the following categories: the type of VOs, the roles of VOs, the relation of VOs to mathematical content, the relation of VOs to reality, and their properties. The 266 VOs under study were collected from the Algebra and Geometry chapters of each book. This study also included survey questionnaires with the 50 selected mathematics teachers, which sought their views and perceptions on the use of the identified VOs. In addition, the authors’ rationale in selecting the identified VOs used in their textbooks was sought through interviews. This research study is part of the “Visualisation in Namibia and Zambia” (VISNAMZA) project which seeks to research the effective use of visualisation processes in the mathematics classroom in Namibia and Zambia (Schäfer, 2015). It is hoped that this study contributes towards improving the quality of textbook evaluations, and design of suitable and more comprehensive assessment procedures in Namibia. It is also hoped that it creates a critical awareness of the roles of VOs in textbooks amongst teachers, inspiring them to help their learners interpret VOs effectively. It should also inspire potential authors to use suitable and appropriate VOs that enhance conceptual teaching and learning of mathematics. The study discovered that most of the VOs used in the selected textbooks align well with the mathematical content. The VOs can help make abstract ideas concrete, stimulate learning, simplify and clarify written texts. In addition, VOs can also be used as a tool for reasoning and an instrument for problem solving. The findings however also indicate that some of the VOs used are not self-explanatory; they are vague, unfamiliar and confusing, leading to misinterpretations by some learners. Another interesting finding was that some of the learners found it difficult to interpret VOs on their own without the help of the teacher.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of visualization processes used by selected Grade 11 and 12 learners when solving algebraic problems: a Namibian case study
- Authors: Josef, Joseane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Visualization , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Activity programs , Algebra -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7843 , vital:21309
- Description: Visualisation is gaining visibility in mathematics education research. It is a powerful tool for solving different types of problems in many areas of mathematics, including Algebra - the mathematical domain of this study. The aim of this case study was to analyse the visualisation processes that selected senior secondary school learners used to solve a set of ten algebraic problems.The research was conducted at a secondary school in the Erongo region of Namibia. This is the school where the researcher is teaching. The sample consisted of six selected learners, three from Grade 11 and three from Grade 12. The learners were purposefully selected to participate in this study based on their mathematics performance in class and their willingness to participate. The participants were video recorded as they worked through the ten items of an Algebraic Visualisation Tasks (AVT) worksheet. They were also interviewed about the visualisation processes they employed when solving each of the tasks. The AVT, the videos and the interviews were analysed with the aid of an adapted visualisation template. The findings of the study show that learners used visualisations in all their problem-solving processes. These visualisations were used for different purposes such as starting points, for illustrative purposes, as organizational tools and as simplification tools. Visualisations as starting points were used when the problem was wordy and had lengthy descriptions and explanations. Illustrative visualisations enabled learners to articulate in their own way mathematical notations, mathematical equations and expressions that they then used to solve the problem. Organizational pictures provided a useful structural framework for solving the problems.This research suggests that the selected participants indeed used visualisation processes to solve algebraic problems. It is thus important for teachers to harness this aid and make the most use of these visualisation processes when teaching Algebra.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Josef, Joseane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Visualization , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Activity programs , Algebra -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7843 , vital:21309
- Description: Visualisation is gaining visibility in mathematics education research. It is a powerful tool for solving different types of problems in many areas of mathematics, including Algebra - the mathematical domain of this study. The aim of this case study was to analyse the visualisation processes that selected senior secondary school learners used to solve a set of ten algebraic problems.The research was conducted at a secondary school in the Erongo region of Namibia. This is the school where the researcher is teaching. The sample consisted of six selected learners, three from Grade 11 and three from Grade 12. The learners were purposefully selected to participate in this study based on their mathematics performance in class and their willingness to participate. The participants were video recorded as they worked through the ten items of an Algebraic Visualisation Tasks (AVT) worksheet. They were also interviewed about the visualisation processes they employed when solving each of the tasks. The AVT, the videos and the interviews were analysed with the aid of an adapted visualisation template. The findings of the study show that learners used visualisations in all their problem-solving processes. These visualisations were used for different purposes such as starting points, for illustrative purposes, as organizational tools and as simplification tools. Visualisations as starting points were used when the problem was wordy and had lengthy descriptions and explanations. Illustrative visualisations enabled learners to articulate in their own way mathematical notations, mathematical equations and expressions that they then used to solve the problem. Organizational pictures provided a useful structural framework for solving the problems.This research suggests that the selected participants indeed used visualisation processes to solve algebraic problems. It is thus important for teachers to harness this aid and make the most use of these visualisation processes when teaching Algebra.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis on role of judges in interpreting tax legislation
- Authors: Chanhuwa, Mildred Kudzanai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Law -- South Africa , Judicial discretion -- South Africa , Judicial opinion -- South Africa , Judges -- Attitudes -- South Africa , South Africa. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4289 , vital:20644
- Description: This thesis focusses on the role of judges as interpreters of tax legislation. It examines the role of judges by analysing how the perceptions of judges can impact on how they interpret legislation. It also analyses various other factors that play a role when judges interpret legislation, in an effort to answer the question to what extent do philosophical theories and interpretative approaches explain the role of judges as interpreters? Jurisprudential theories such as the natural law theory, positivist theories, and American realist theories are used to analyse how judges interpret and how theorists think judges should play their interpretational role. It is noted that in pre-constitutional South Africa the courts followed a positivist paradigm; as a result, the judges used a strict literal approach to interpretation. The new Constitution brought a change in the jurisprudential paradigm accepted in South Africa and has transformed how judges perceive and carry out their role as interpreters of legislation. Judges have now adopted the purposive value-laden approach as authoritative. As custodians of the Constitution, judges should interpret provisions against the values imposed by it. The purposive value-laden interpretational approach allows judges to take into account more considerations and to weigh a provision against the constitutional values. Other issues discussed pertain to how institutional guidelines such as the doctrine of precedent and separation of powers, to a lesser extent, play a role in how judges interpret the law. It is demonstrated that the doctrine of precedent does not limit the role of judges but rather contributes to maintaining certainty, predictability and coherence in the legal system. It is also noted that judicial discretion is the mechanism by which judges use extra-legal factors such as public policy and moral considerations to assist in interpreting legislation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chanhuwa, Mildred Kudzanai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Law -- South Africa , Judicial discretion -- South Africa , Judicial opinion -- South Africa , Judges -- Attitudes -- South Africa , South Africa. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4289 , vital:20644
- Description: This thesis focusses on the role of judges as interpreters of tax legislation. It examines the role of judges by analysing how the perceptions of judges can impact on how they interpret legislation. It also analyses various other factors that play a role when judges interpret legislation, in an effort to answer the question to what extent do philosophical theories and interpretative approaches explain the role of judges as interpreters? Jurisprudential theories such as the natural law theory, positivist theories, and American realist theories are used to analyse how judges interpret and how theorists think judges should play their interpretational role. It is noted that in pre-constitutional South Africa the courts followed a positivist paradigm; as a result, the judges used a strict literal approach to interpretation. The new Constitution brought a change in the jurisprudential paradigm accepted in South Africa and has transformed how judges perceive and carry out their role as interpreters of legislation. Judges have now adopted the purposive value-laden approach as authoritative. As custodians of the Constitution, judges should interpret provisions against the values imposed by it. The purposive value-laden interpretational approach allows judges to take into account more considerations and to weigh a provision against the constitutional values. Other issues discussed pertain to how institutional guidelines such as the doctrine of precedent and separation of powers, to a lesser extent, play a role in how judges interpret the law. It is demonstrated that the doctrine of precedent does not limit the role of judges but rather contributes to maintaining certainty, predictability and coherence in the legal system. It is also noted that judicial discretion is the mechanism by which judges use extra-legal factors such as public policy and moral considerations to assist in interpreting legislation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An energy, water and disease disaster management module: a technoeconomic feasibility analysis
- Authors: Nicholson, Thomas J
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSC
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65167 , vital:28700
- Description: Intermittent energy and water supply are current challenges faced by many residents in South Africa. South Africa is one of the more water scarce countries in the world; this coupled with the lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to provide every citizen with their right to basic water and sanitation. With millennium development goal 7C not being addressed in many areas, residents experience sub-standard living conditions, which drastically increases the vulnerability of marginalised groups to epidemics. In the sustainable development goals improving sanitation and drinking water has been identified as one of the most effective and least expensive means of reducing fatalities and increasing public health. There is a need for a mobile laboratory that demonstrates power and water self-sufficiency, which is capable of on-site diagnosis and water treatment. The unit will have the ability to perform independent compliance monitoring of municipal water supply, treat inadequate water and provide surplus electricity to surrounding areas. A literature-based study was performed utilizing several scientific databases to identify current methods of power and water production in previous disaster management and humanitarian relief situations. Based on findings three example laboratories were theoretically designed; structural modelling, systems simulation and optimization and sensitivity analyses were performed with HOMER Pro, PackVol and SketchUp. A cost benefit analysis was performed with the social return on investment methodology. Novel human waste processing was performed with fly ash and simulated faeces. Bacterial species identification in ice samples was performed with the API 20E protocol and limited equipment as a proof of concept for field deployment. A hybrid system consisting of PV panels, a wind turbine and biomass generator showed promise for displaced humanitarian relief camps; with every 1 ZAR capital invested resulting in 3.13 ZAR social benefit. A system consisting of PV panels and a battery bank proved to have the least environmental impact and the grid supply laboratory showed a cheaper cost of energy alternative for needs provision. Fly ash showed potential as in nutrient recovery and as a fertility aid to soil. The units developed function as a means to increase disaster preparedness and humanitarian relief as well a means to improve quality of life for rural marginalize populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nicholson, Thomas J
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSC
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65167 , vital:28700
- Description: Intermittent energy and water supply are current challenges faced by many residents in South Africa. South Africa is one of the more water scarce countries in the world; this coupled with the lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to provide every citizen with their right to basic water and sanitation. With millennium development goal 7C not being addressed in many areas, residents experience sub-standard living conditions, which drastically increases the vulnerability of marginalised groups to epidemics. In the sustainable development goals improving sanitation and drinking water has been identified as one of the most effective and least expensive means of reducing fatalities and increasing public health. There is a need for a mobile laboratory that demonstrates power and water self-sufficiency, which is capable of on-site diagnosis and water treatment. The unit will have the ability to perform independent compliance monitoring of municipal water supply, treat inadequate water and provide surplus electricity to surrounding areas. A literature-based study was performed utilizing several scientific databases to identify current methods of power and water production in previous disaster management and humanitarian relief situations. Based on findings three example laboratories were theoretically designed; structural modelling, systems simulation and optimization and sensitivity analyses were performed with HOMER Pro, PackVol and SketchUp. A cost benefit analysis was performed with the social return on investment methodology. Novel human waste processing was performed with fly ash and simulated faeces. Bacterial species identification in ice samples was performed with the API 20E protocol and limited equipment as a proof of concept for field deployment. A hybrid system consisting of PV panels, a wind turbine and biomass generator showed promise for displaced humanitarian relief camps; with every 1 ZAR capital invested resulting in 3.13 ZAR social benefit. A system consisting of PV panels and a battery bank proved to have the least environmental impact and the grid supply laboratory showed a cheaper cost of energy alternative for needs provision. Fly ash showed potential as in nutrient recovery and as a fertility aid to soil. The units developed function as a means to increase disaster preparedness and humanitarian relief as well a means to improve quality of life for rural marginalize populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An evaluation of appreciative inquiry as an alternative organisation development approach
- Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5925 , vital:20990
- Description: The research provides an insight into the main challenges of previous Organisation Development processes, and Appreciative Inquiry is explored to establish the value it can offer as an alternative which minimises these challenges in today’s organisations. Organisation Development originated during the early 1950s and has evolved, adapted and changed dramatically since then. Two classical Organisation Development processes, Lewin’s 3-Step model and the Action Research spiral, are described, and typical challenges of applying them in today’s organisations are outlined. To remain competitive, organisations need to identify, adjust, and adapt to changing circumstances. These changing circumstances are constant and are due to increasingly complex demands from technological, economic, managerial, and cultural needs. Appreciative Inquiry as an approach is explored as an alternative Organisation Development process: it shifts the question from ‘what is going wrong’ to ‘what is going right in the organisation’. Appreciative Inquiry consists of the Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny stages, and searches for the best in people and their organisations. In accordance with the constructionist paradigm, the research offers conclusions through the confirmation of past practices, conversations and relationships combined with creative new methods or experimentation of a positive intended future. The One- Group Pretest-Posttest, as a design, was selected to explore the effect of the variable (the Appreciative Inquiry intervention) in relation to the pre- and post-experimental evaluation. The design consists of an initial engagement (Pretest), the influencing variable (an Appreciative Inquiry intervention) and final engagement (Posttest) with the same group. The research was supported by a mixed method approach, with qualitative data supported by quantitative data. The quantitative data provided a general understanding of how participants experienced the change interventions. The qualitative data provided the information on how respondents experienced Organisation Development before an Appreciative Inquiry intervention and their views after an Appreciative Inquiry intervention. A South African secondary school was selected as a research site. Limited research is available regarding the application of Organisation Development and especially Appreciative Inquiry as a process in schools in general, and in South African schools in particular. A survey questionnaire was the instrument for collecting the quantitative data regarding the participants’ biographical information and change process perceptions. For the collection of qualitative data, interview questionnaires were used. The findings indicate that whereas previous change processes appear to have regarded the various staff levels of the school as separate entities, during the Appreciative Inquiry approach all staff were included as being an integral part of the organisation. The main finding after completion of the Appreciative Inquiry intervention was that collectively discussing and defining issues in a positive light instead of a problem to be solved changes the perspective of participants. Through the application of the Appreciative Inquiry’s four stages, participants were invited to think in a new way by applying innovation, enhancing participation, maintaining a positive core, and providing practical solutions through provocative statements. Conclusions reached from the research are that Appreciative Inquiry is a viable alternative for minimising Organisation Development challenges in contemporary organisations. The conclusions are based on factors such as understanding the reason for change; strong leadership; defining what is a successful intervention; understanding the Appreciative Inquiry process, the value of provocative statements; and the sustainability of change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5925 , vital:20990
- Description: The research provides an insight into the main challenges of previous Organisation Development processes, and Appreciative Inquiry is explored to establish the value it can offer as an alternative which minimises these challenges in today’s organisations. Organisation Development originated during the early 1950s and has evolved, adapted and changed dramatically since then. Two classical Organisation Development processes, Lewin’s 3-Step model and the Action Research spiral, are described, and typical challenges of applying them in today’s organisations are outlined. To remain competitive, organisations need to identify, adjust, and adapt to changing circumstances. These changing circumstances are constant and are due to increasingly complex demands from technological, economic, managerial, and cultural needs. Appreciative Inquiry as an approach is explored as an alternative Organisation Development process: it shifts the question from ‘what is going wrong’ to ‘what is going right in the organisation’. Appreciative Inquiry consists of the Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny stages, and searches for the best in people and their organisations. In accordance with the constructionist paradigm, the research offers conclusions through the confirmation of past practices, conversations and relationships combined with creative new methods or experimentation of a positive intended future. The One- Group Pretest-Posttest, as a design, was selected to explore the effect of the variable (the Appreciative Inquiry intervention) in relation to the pre- and post-experimental evaluation. The design consists of an initial engagement (Pretest), the influencing variable (an Appreciative Inquiry intervention) and final engagement (Posttest) with the same group. The research was supported by a mixed method approach, with qualitative data supported by quantitative data. The quantitative data provided a general understanding of how participants experienced the change interventions. The qualitative data provided the information on how respondents experienced Organisation Development before an Appreciative Inquiry intervention and their views after an Appreciative Inquiry intervention. A South African secondary school was selected as a research site. Limited research is available regarding the application of Organisation Development and especially Appreciative Inquiry as a process in schools in general, and in South African schools in particular. A survey questionnaire was the instrument for collecting the quantitative data regarding the participants’ biographical information and change process perceptions. For the collection of qualitative data, interview questionnaires were used. The findings indicate that whereas previous change processes appear to have regarded the various staff levels of the school as separate entities, during the Appreciative Inquiry approach all staff were included as being an integral part of the organisation. The main finding after completion of the Appreciative Inquiry intervention was that collectively discussing and defining issues in a positive light instead of a problem to be solved changes the perspective of participants. Through the application of the Appreciative Inquiry’s four stages, participants were invited to think in a new way by applying innovation, enhancing participation, maintaining a positive core, and providing practical solutions through provocative statements. Conclusions reached from the research are that Appreciative Inquiry is a viable alternative for minimising Organisation Development challenges in contemporary organisations. The conclusions are based on factors such as understanding the reason for change; strong leadership; defining what is a successful intervention; understanding the Appreciative Inquiry process, the value of provocative statements; and the sustainability of change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An evaluation of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban KwaZulu-Natal
- Wedderburn-Maxwell, Morgan Keir
- Authors: Wedderburn-Maxwell, Morgan Keir
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40884 , vital:25036
- Description: South African health care organisations are required to adhere to the National Health Act, 61 of 2003 which contains the national core standards. Clinical governance is a key domain within the national core standards and is directly involved with a health care organisation’s ability to deliver quality care services. It can be described as a framework that ensures doctors and health care employees collaborate to provide superior quality health care services and create clinical accountability. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The goals of this research was to identify and explore the challenges that are associated with clinical governance within a private health care organisation in Durban, KZN. Furthermore, to evaluate the importance and implications of clinical governance for a private radiology organisation in Durban, KZN. The objectives of this research was to investigate how the private radiology organisation is managing clinical governance and to identify whether there is a common understanding of the concept among its members. The research adopted a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the data that enabled the goals and objectives of this research to be attained. The results indicated that clinical governance is a key factor to the private radiology organisations long-term sustainability. Clinical governance is vital for health care organisations to deliver quality health care services. The private radiology organisation places a significant emphasis among its members to deliver superior quality health care services. As a result, the organisation utilises the key elements within the clinical governance framework to continuously increase the quality of care that it provides and abide to the legally binding standards. The results support the notion that there is a need for the clarity of the definition, roles and responsibilities of clinical governance. The findings of this research suggest that further research is required to identify the contribution that clinical governance makes to improving the quality of care within South African health care organisations. Furthermore, research identifying employees’ perceptions of clinical governance within the private health care sector in South Africa is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An evaluation of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban KwaZulu-Natal
- Authors: Wedderburn-Maxwell, Morgan Keir
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40884 , vital:25036
- Description: South African health care organisations are required to adhere to the National Health Act, 61 of 2003 which contains the national core standards. Clinical governance is a key domain within the national core standards and is directly involved with a health care organisation’s ability to deliver quality care services. It can be described as a framework that ensures doctors and health care employees collaborate to provide superior quality health care services and create clinical accountability. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The goals of this research was to identify and explore the challenges that are associated with clinical governance within a private health care organisation in Durban, KZN. Furthermore, to evaluate the importance and implications of clinical governance for a private radiology organisation in Durban, KZN. The objectives of this research was to investigate how the private radiology organisation is managing clinical governance and to identify whether there is a common understanding of the concept among its members. The research adopted a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the data that enabled the goals and objectives of this research to be attained. The results indicated that clinical governance is a key factor to the private radiology organisations long-term sustainability. Clinical governance is vital for health care organisations to deliver quality health care services. The private radiology organisation places a significant emphasis among its members to deliver superior quality health care services. As a result, the organisation utilises the key elements within the clinical governance framework to continuously increase the quality of care that it provides and abide to the legally binding standards. The results support the notion that there is a need for the clarity of the definition, roles and responsibilities of clinical governance. The findings of this research suggest that further research is required to identify the contribution that clinical governance makes to improving the quality of care within South African health care organisations. Furthermore, research identifying employees’ perceptions of clinical governance within the private health care sector in South Africa is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An exploration of employee readiness for change at Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Mpepo, Bulelwa N
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Walter Sisulu University for Technology & Science -- Employees -- Attitudes , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Case studies , Educational change -- South Africa -- Case studies , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Case studies , Programme and qualification mix
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4455 , vital:20673
- Description: Higher education institutions are faced with pressure to change to meet academic as well as socio-economic needs. These changes are often aimed at achieving financial viability, increased institutional efficiency, and solving problems of fragmentation in the university. Universities can change in their structure, operations, systems, or and in the use or adoption of technology. The effective implementation and management of these requisite changes is the key challenge to organisations facing change. Walter Sisulu University, a comprehensive university in the Eastern Cape, has formulated a strategy to turn the university around. Included in the strategy is a project on the academic enterprise. The level of readiness for change is viewed to be a determining factor in making any change successful. Since readiness is not automatic, there is a need to prepare individuals to have a positive attitude towards the change and to embrace the proposed change initiative. This study is informed by the quest to know what will encourage and prepare employees for the implementation of the new Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) at the University. The study therefore sought as its main purpose to explore factors influencing individual readiness for change in the PQM at Walter Sisulu University. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. Models of change readiness were reviewed to identify themes that would be used to explore the levels of readiness amongst university academic employees who were to implement the new Programme and Qualification Mix. Documents were analysed to understand the change in PQM and face-to-face, semi-structured interviews held to solicit the views of academic employees regarding enablers or inhibiters of their readiness. Results highlighted the poor preparation of academic employees at Walter Sisulu University to support and implement the change. Key concerns of employees included dissatisfaction with the inadequate and inappropriate communication strategies, uncertainty about the suitability of the changed PQM, doubt regarding leadership support for change, as well as the perceived risk of the change. However, the main enablers were the comprehension by WSU employees of the need for a new PQM to address the poor alignment with university vision and HEQSF requirements, an appreciation of the lack of social relevance of the programmes, and confidence that they have the requisite skills and qualifications. The perceived benefits for the institution provided the needed spur for embracing the new PQM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mpepo, Bulelwa N
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Walter Sisulu University for Technology & Science -- Employees -- Attitudes , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Case studies , Educational change -- South Africa -- Case studies , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Case studies , Programme and qualification mix
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4455 , vital:20673
- Description: Higher education institutions are faced with pressure to change to meet academic as well as socio-economic needs. These changes are often aimed at achieving financial viability, increased institutional efficiency, and solving problems of fragmentation in the university. Universities can change in their structure, operations, systems, or and in the use or adoption of technology. The effective implementation and management of these requisite changes is the key challenge to organisations facing change. Walter Sisulu University, a comprehensive university in the Eastern Cape, has formulated a strategy to turn the university around. Included in the strategy is a project on the academic enterprise. The level of readiness for change is viewed to be a determining factor in making any change successful. Since readiness is not automatic, there is a need to prepare individuals to have a positive attitude towards the change and to embrace the proposed change initiative. This study is informed by the quest to know what will encourage and prepare employees for the implementation of the new Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) at the University. The study therefore sought as its main purpose to explore factors influencing individual readiness for change in the PQM at Walter Sisulu University. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. Models of change readiness were reviewed to identify themes that would be used to explore the levels of readiness amongst university academic employees who were to implement the new Programme and Qualification Mix. Documents were analysed to understand the change in PQM and face-to-face, semi-structured interviews held to solicit the views of academic employees regarding enablers or inhibiters of their readiness. Results highlighted the poor preparation of academic employees at Walter Sisulu University to support and implement the change. Key concerns of employees included dissatisfaction with the inadequate and inappropriate communication strategies, uncertainty about the suitability of the changed PQM, doubt regarding leadership support for change, as well as the perceived risk of the change. However, the main enablers were the comprehension by WSU employees of the need for a new PQM to address the poor alignment with university vision and HEQSF requirements, an appreciation of the lack of social relevance of the programmes, and confidence that they have the requisite skills and qualifications. The perceived benefits for the institution provided the needed spur for embracing the new PQM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An intervention on how using easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science influences science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions
- Authors: Asheela, Eva Ndagwedha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Science teachers -- In-service training -- Namibia , Science teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies , Science -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8330 , vital:21385
- Description: The reform and transformation of education systems in terms of enhancing Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the schooling systems is gaining momentum in different parts of the world. It is argued that there is a need to enhance science education, particularly in Africa, because science education is considered to be the main vehicle through which the greater objectives such as national development and improvement in the quality of life can be realised. Namibia as a country is no exception. A key way through which science education can be enhanced is through carrying out practical activities during teaching and learning. Despite the crucial role that practical activities play in science subjects, it appears that they are not carried out in most of the Namibian science classrooms. It is against this background that this study explored an intervention on how easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science, influenced science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions towards the use of practical activities in science. In this study, a mixed methods case study approach underpinned by an interpretive paradigm was adopted. The research was conducted with 21 in-service science teachers from schools in Namibia who were all on a two year part-time BEd (Honours) program delivered in Namibia by a South African university from the Eastern Cape. To generate data, document analysis, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, an intervention in the form of workshops on practical activities, lesson observations, which were videotaped, as well as teacher reflections were used. Conceptual development, disposition and professional development served as the conceptual lenses. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory in conjunction with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study.The findings showed that there was a general perception among the participants before the intervention that in order to carry out practical activities, well-equipped laboratories, conventional chemicals and equipment are needed. Some teachers had never used practical activities in their science classes with a range of constraints or hindrances provided as reasons. The findings additionally showed that for teachers to use easily accessible resources to carry out practical activities in their science classrooms, they need the knowledge and exposure on how to use these resources. The findings thus showed that this professional development approach raised motivation, knowledge and the skills of the science teacher participants to include practical activities in their science lessons using easily accessible resources. A recommendation is that if teachers are given opportunities, through professional development platforms to engage in hands- on practical activities using easily accessible resources, they can be enabled and motivated to implement these in their science classrooms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Asheela, Eva Ndagwedha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Science teachers -- In-service training -- Namibia , Science teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies , Science -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8330 , vital:21385
- Description: The reform and transformation of education systems in terms of enhancing Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the schooling systems is gaining momentum in different parts of the world. It is argued that there is a need to enhance science education, particularly in Africa, because science education is considered to be the main vehicle through which the greater objectives such as national development and improvement in the quality of life can be realised. Namibia as a country is no exception. A key way through which science education can be enhanced is through carrying out practical activities during teaching and learning. Despite the crucial role that practical activities play in science subjects, it appears that they are not carried out in most of the Namibian science classrooms. It is against this background that this study explored an intervention on how easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science, influenced science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions towards the use of practical activities in science. In this study, a mixed methods case study approach underpinned by an interpretive paradigm was adopted. The research was conducted with 21 in-service science teachers from schools in Namibia who were all on a two year part-time BEd (Honours) program delivered in Namibia by a South African university from the Eastern Cape. To generate data, document analysis, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, an intervention in the form of workshops on practical activities, lesson observations, which were videotaped, as well as teacher reflections were used. Conceptual development, disposition and professional development served as the conceptual lenses. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory in conjunction with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study.The findings showed that there was a general perception among the participants before the intervention that in order to carry out practical activities, well-equipped laboratories, conventional chemicals and equipment are needed. Some teachers had never used practical activities in their science classes with a range of constraints or hindrances provided as reasons. The findings additionally showed that for teachers to use easily accessible resources to carry out practical activities in their science classrooms, they need the knowledge and exposure on how to use these resources. The findings thus showed that this professional development approach raised motivation, knowledge and the skills of the science teacher participants to include practical activities in their science lessons using easily accessible resources. A recommendation is that if teachers are given opportunities, through professional development platforms to engage in hands- on practical activities using easily accessible resources, they can be enabled and motivated to implement these in their science classrooms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017