An evaluation of change communication in ensuring the sustainability of change at Barclays Africa's first "green" building
- Authors: Magubane, Nokuzola
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Barclays Bank , Sustainable buildings -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Communication in organizations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017517
- Description: The purpose of the study was to conduct an evaluation on the effectiveness of the change communications distributed to the occupants of Barclays Towers West, Barclays Africa‟s first green building, in ensuring the sustainability of the change after the move into the building. In addition, recommendations are made to improve the change communications directed towards the building occupants to ensure the sustainability of the change and for future moves to green buildings. The research paper is made up of the following three distinct sections: Section One – Evaluation Research Report: this section outlines the organisational and research context for the study, the objectives of the research and rationale for conducting the research. A brief overview of the key theories and models on change communication that were utilised in the study are discussed, and definitions of important terms are presented. The research methodology is also described which includes an explanation on the evaluation research approach utilised as well as the use of both qualitative and quantitative data in the study. In addition, the results from the research conducted are presented, based on three data collection methods utilised: document analysis, semi-structured interviews and a survey. The results are then analysed and discussed in relation to the literature reviewed on change communication. Recommendations are made on improvements that can be made to the change communications to ensure the sustainability of the change. Section Two – Literature Review: the literature, theories and important concept definitions of organisational change management, change sustainability, change communication and green buildings which are relevant for the research topic and have been used as the theoretical base of the study are explored in this section. A key component of the literature review is the description of the change communication theories and models: communication theory, Armenakis, Harris and Field (2007) Model, and the Barrett (2002) Model. An understanding of the theories and models is imperative, as the effectiveness of the change communications after the move into Barclays Towers West is assessed based on the elements of the change communication theories and models. Section Three – Research Methodology: the research methodology for the study is described in this section. Specifically, the research aims and objectives, the research paradigm, the population and sampling, data collection, data analysis and ethical considerations are outlined. A key component of the section is the explanation on how the data was collected and analysed in the study and the sequence. The post move communications and artefacts and meeting presentations were collected first. The qualitative data was analysed and used to determine the questions for the semi structured interviews. Semi-structured one on one interviews were then conducted. The qualitative data and the change communication theories and models used in this study were used to determine the questions for the online survey. An online survey tool was used to administer a predominantly five point Likert scale questionnaire with an invitation to participate emailed to the building occupants. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistical analysis. Research Findings: The key research findings revealed that the messages communicated to the occupants after the move into the building have been mainly focused on operational matters and rarely on educating occupants on the green aspects of the building. A large majority of the survey respondents were aware of the building facilities, details and required behaviour. However it was found that the occupants, Line Managers and Senior Management are not displaying the required behaviour for a green building and do not know how to use some of the building facilities. A major gap was found in communicating with people moving into the building. In addition it was found that some of the information communicated to occupants is outdated. Written communications are used extensively and face to face communication is rarely used to communicate with the occupants. As a result, a number of changes are required to improve the effectiveness of the change communications to the occupants of Barclays Towers West. The improvements include communicating to new occupants; utilising additional communication channels; focusing communication messages on educating occupants on the strategic objectives for the building; rationale for building features and facilities; how to use the facilities and the impact of their behaviour on the building objectives being achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Magubane, Nokuzola
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Barclays Bank , Sustainable buildings -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Communication in organizations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017517
- Description: The purpose of the study was to conduct an evaluation on the effectiveness of the change communications distributed to the occupants of Barclays Towers West, Barclays Africa‟s first green building, in ensuring the sustainability of the change after the move into the building. In addition, recommendations are made to improve the change communications directed towards the building occupants to ensure the sustainability of the change and for future moves to green buildings. The research paper is made up of the following three distinct sections: Section One – Evaluation Research Report: this section outlines the organisational and research context for the study, the objectives of the research and rationale for conducting the research. A brief overview of the key theories and models on change communication that were utilised in the study are discussed, and definitions of important terms are presented. The research methodology is also described which includes an explanation on the evaluation research approach utilised as well as the use of both qualitative and quantitative data in the study. In addition, the results from the research conducted are presented, based on three data collection methods utilised: document analysis, semi-structured interviews and a survey. The results are then analysed and discussed in relation to the literature reviewed on change communication. Recommendations are made on improvements that can be made to the change communications to ensure the sustainability of the change. Section Two – Literature Review: the literature, theories and important concept definitions of organisational change management, change sustainability, change communication and green buildings which are relevant for the research topic and have been used as the theoretical base of the study are explored in this section. A key component of the literature review is the description of the change communication theories and models: communication theory, Armenakis, Harris and Field (2007) Model, and the Barrett (2002) Model. An understanding of the theories and models is imperative, as the effectiveness of the change communications after the move into Barclays Towers West is assessed based on the elements of the change communication theories and models. Section Three – Research Methodology: the research methodology for the study is described in this section. Specifically, the research aims and objectives, the research paradigm, the population and sampling, data collection, data analysis and ethical considerations are outlined. A key component of the section is the explanation on how the data was collected and analysed in the study and the sequence. The post move communications and artefacts and meeting presentations were collected first. The qualitative data was analysed and used to determine the questions for the semi structured interviews. Semi-structured one on one interviews were then conducted. The qualitative data and the change communication theories and models used in this study were used to determine the questions for the online survey. An online survey tool was used to administer a predominantly five point Likert scale questionnaire with an invitation to participate emailed to the building occupants. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistical analysis. Research Findings: The key research findings revealed that the messages communicated to the occupants after the move into the building have been mainly focused on operational matters and rarely on educating occupants on the green aspects of the building. A large majority of the survey respondents were aware of the building facilities, details and required behaviour. However it was found that the occupants, Line Managers and Senior Management are not displaying the required behaviour for a green building and do not know how to use some of the building facilities. A major gap was found in communicating with people moving into the building. In addition it was found that some of the information communicated to occupants is outdated. Written communications are used extensively and face to face communication is rarely used to communicate with the occupants. As a result, a number of changes are required to improve the effectiveness of the change communications to the occupants of Barclays Towers West. The improvements include communicating to new occupants; utilising additional communication channels; focusing communication messages on educating occupants on the strategic objectives for the building; rationale for building features and facilities; how to use the facilities and the impact of their behaviour on the building objectives being achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of intervention strategies into gangsterism in the Helenvale area
- Authors: Jonas, Branton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Gang members -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa Social work with youth -- South Africa Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Prevention , Problem youth -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10890 , vital:26833
- Description: The impact of intervention strategies to reduce gang related violence by Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the community at large has so far not attracted much attention or support from provincial and national authorities. Helenvale and its surrounding areas plays an integral part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as the economic-hub of the Eastern Cape Province. But its gang problem has evolved over decades of socio-economic difficulties and struggle for a better life in the predominantly Coloured community. In order for this problem to be overcome a more strategically focused intervention strategy is required by local, provincial, and national authorities. This research study evaluates the gang intervention strategies in the Helenvale area and seeks to provide a primary research base from which key policies and strategies could be developed to address this challenge in an effort to bring about peace and stability in this community and other affected areas within close proximity of the area of study. At the heart of providing possible solutions to practices of gangsterism amongst mostly the youth, should be a well-coordinated intergovernmental high impact intervention strategy in partnership with NGO’s, civil society and other sectors of the community. Further solutions are the investment by authorities in rehabilitation centres, with skills development and job-creation opportunities as a key exit strategy for those involved in gangs. Acknowledgement that the enhancement and development of mediation skills of community based structures through the sharing of critical conflict theory and mediation practices, could make a substantial contribution to greater peace and stability in our communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Jonas, Branton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Gang members -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa Social work with youth -- South Africa Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Prevention , Problem youth -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10890 , vital:26833
- Description: The impact of intervention strategies to reduce gang related violence by Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the community at large has so far not attracted much attention or support from provincial and national authorities. Helenvale and its surrounding areas plays an integral part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as the economic-hub of the Eastern Cape Province. But its gang problem has evolved over decades of socio-economic difficulties and struggle for a better life in the predominantly Coloured community. In order for this problem to be overcome a more strategically focused intervention strategy is required by local, provincial, and national authorities. This research study evaluates the gang intervention strategies in the Helenvale area and seeks to provide a primary research base from which key policies and strategies could be developed to address this challenge in an effort to bring about peace and stability in this community and other affected areas within close proximity of the area of study. At the heart of providing possible solutions to practices of gangsterism amongst mostly the youth, should be a well-coordinated intergovernmental high impact intervention strategy in partnership with NGO’s, civil society and other sectors of the community. Further solutions are the investment by authorities in rehabilitation centres, with skills development and job-creation opportunities as a key exit strategy for those involved in gangs. Acknowledgement that the enhancement and development of mediation skills of community based structures through the sharing of critical conflict theory and mediation practices, could make a substantial contribution to greater peace and stability in our communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of knowledge sharing as a knowledge management mechanism in public libraries in Cape Town, Western Cape Province , South Africa
- Authors: Tatana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Knowledge management Information services Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5138 , vital:29090
- Description: This study aimed to investigate into knowledge sharing as a mechanism for managing knowledge in the City of Cape Town public libraries, Western Cape, South Africa. The study sought to achieve the following objectives: To find out the extent to which knowledge sharing takes place in the City of Cape Town public libraries; To establish how knowledge is shared between the less experienced and the more experienced librarians; To explore the influence of knowledge sharing on service delivery in the City of Cape Town public libraries; To identify and discuss the impediments to knowledge sharing the City of Cape Town public libraries; The findings of the study would provide insight useful in addressing the challenges that confront public libraries as far as knowledge sharing and is concerned. This study would assist to maintain the best practices of knowledge sharing in the City of Cape Town public libraries.This study would also help the City of Cape Town policy makers and library management to come up with knowledge‐sharing/ knowledge management intervention measures from an informed point of view.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Tatana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Knowledge management Information services Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5138 , vital:29090
- Description: This study aimed to investigate into knowledge sharing as a mechanism for managing knowledge in the City of Cape Town public libraries, Western Cape, South Africa. The study sought to achieve the following objectives: To find out the extent to which knowledge sharing takes place in the City of Cape Town public libraries; To establish how knowledge is shared between the less experienced and the more experienced librarians; To explore the influence of knowledge sharing on service delivery in the City of Cape Town public libraries; To identify and discuss the impediments to knowledge sharing the City of Cape Town public libraries; The findings of the study would provide insight useful in addressing the challenges that confront public libraries as far as knowledge sharing and is concerned. This study would assist to maintain the best practices of knowledge sharing in the City of Cape Town public libraries.This study would also help the City of Cape Town policy makers and library management to come up with knowledge‐sharing/ knowledge management intervention measures from an informed point of view.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of security issues in cloud-based file sharing technologies
- Authors: Fana, Akhona
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures Computer networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1841 , vital:27565
- Description: Cloud computing is one of the most promising technologies for backup and data storage that provides flexible access to data. Cloud computing plays a vital role in remote backup. It is so unfortunate that this computing technique has flaws that thrilled and edgy end users in implementing it effectively. These flaws include factors like lack of integrity, confidentiality and privacy to information. A secure cloud is impossible unless the computer-generated environment is appropriately secured. In any form of technology it is always advisable that security challenges must be prior identified and fixed before the implementation of that particular technology. Primarily, this study will focus on finding security issues in cloud computing with the objective of finding concerns like credential theft and session management in the ―Cloud‖. Main arguments like HTTP banner disclosure, Bash ―ShellShock‖ Injection and password issues were discovered during the stages of study implementation. These challenges may provide information that will permit hackers in manipulating and exploiting cloud environment. Identifying credential theft and session management in cloud-based file sharing technologies a mixed method approach was implemented throughout the course of the study due to the nature of study and unity of analysis. Penetration tests were performed as security testing technique. Prevention and guideline of security threats leads to a friendly and authentic world of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Fana, Akhona
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures Computer networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1841 , vital:27565
- Description: Cloud computing is one of the most promising technologies for backup and data storage that provides flexible access to data. Cloud computing plays a vital role in remote backup. It is so unfortunate that this computing technique has flaws that thrilled and edgy end users in implementing it effectively. These flaws include factors like lack of integrity, confidentiality and privacy to information. A secure cloud is impossible unless the computer-generated environment is appropriately secured. In any form of technology it is always advisable that security challenges must be prior identified and fixed before the implementation of that particular technology. Primarily, this study will focus on finding security issues in cloud computing with the objective of finding concerns like credential theft and session management in the ―Cloud‖. Main arguments like HTTP banner disclosure, Bash ―ShellShock‖ Injection and password issues were discovered during the stages of study implementation. These challenges may provide information that will permit hackers in manipulating and exploiting cloud environment. Identifying credential theft and session management in cloud-based file sharing technologies a mixed method approach was implemented throughout the course of the study due to the nature of study and unity of analysis. Penetration tests were performed as security testing technique. Prevention and guideline of security threats leads to a friendly and authentic world of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of the effectiveness of organisational communication : a case of student-directed communication strategies at University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus
- Authors: Ncube, Sizalobuhle
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Communication in organizations--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17395 , vital:40964
- Description: Organisational communication entails the interaction that the management has with its stakeholders. Communication is never complete if the message sent has not been fully understood by the receiver. Hence, for communication to be effective, the sender has to provide two-way open channels of communication as it allows dialogue which stimulates reaching a consensus. Thus, this study was done to find out about the effectiveness of organisational communication in relation to the student-directed communication strategies at University of Fort hare, Alice campus. Data were collected from the participants through four focus groups consisting of ten randomly picked students, and in-depth interviews with five SRC members and five University management staff. A qualitative methodological approach was therefore used in this study for data collection and analysis. Furthermore, the data analysed were categorised into different themes. The findings of this study indicate that the right communication messages and channel must always be used by organisations when communicating with stakeholders. The study also found out that communication will be effective if messages are received as intended by the sender. Conclusively, the study notes that stakeholders should be included in decision making processes in the organisation and that if their needs are also catered for, this will make them to be fully involved in understanding organisational concerns positively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ncube, Sizalobuhle
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Communication in organizations--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17395 , vital:40964
- Description: Organisational communication entails the interaction that the management has with its stakeholders. Communication is never complete if the message sent has not been fully understood by the receiver. Hence, for communication to be effective, the sender has to provide two-way open channels of communication as it allows dialogue which stimulates reaching a consensus. Thus, this study was done to find out about the effectiveness of organisational communication in relation to the student-directed communication strategies at University of Fort hare, Alice campus. Data were collected from the participants through four focus groups consisting of ten randomly picked students, and in-depth interviews with five SRC members and five University management staff. A qualitative methodological approach was therefore used in this study for data collection and analysis. Furthermore, the data analysed were categorised into different themes. The findings of this study indicate that the right communication messages and channel must always be used by organisations when communicating with stakeholders. The study also found out that communication will be effective if messages are received as intended by the sender. Conclusively, the study notes that stakeholders should be included in decision making processes in the organisation and that if their needs are also catered for, this will make them to be fully involved in understanding organisational concerns positively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of the implementation of education training and development policy in the Eastern Cape: the case of Cacadu health district
- Authors: Feni, Monde Ludick
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- Evaluation , Manpower policy -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8261 , vital:26317
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy of the Eastern Cape Department of Health: A Case Study of Cacadu District. The Cacadu Health District as with all Districts is the Eastern Cape Department of Health experiences a few challenges with the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy. Through observation these problems seem to be stalling progress in the implementation of this policy. The study seeks to investigate whether there can be an improvement in the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy. The focus of the study will be the Cacadu Health District. Provision of Education, Training and Development is key to any organisation especially if performance of employees needs to be of high standard. If the performance of employees is of high standard service delivery will improve. Chapter one provided an introduction which gave a brief overview of the study, problem statement, research objectives and questions, preliminary literature review and research methodology to be employed by the study. Chapter two provided a literature review of education, training and development framework and legislative framework for guiding the development and provision of education, training and development in an organisation. The chapter also looked into mentoring and mentoring strategies. Chapter three looked into detail on the training evaluation strategies and what training evaluation entails. It looked at the different approaches that can be used in evaluating training in an organisation. Chapter four provides proposals for the approaches and strategies to improve the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy of the Eastern Cape Department of Health in the Cacadu District. The chapter will also provide an analysis of participants’ responses from the questionnaire. Chapter five will give a summary with concluding remarks and recommendations. This chapter came up with conclusions about the study and gave recommendations and way forward on how best to improve the implementation of the education, training and development policy in the Eastern Cape Department of Health: Cacadu District.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Feni, Monde Ludick
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- Evaluation , Manpower policy -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8261 , vital:26317
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy of the Eastern Cape Department of Health: A Case Study of Cacadu District. The Cacadu Health District as with all Districts is the Eastern Cape Department of Health experiences a few challenges with the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy. Through observation these problems seem to be stalling progress in the implementation of this policy. The study seeks to investigate whether there can be an improvement in the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy. The focus of the study will be the Cacadu Health District. Provision of Education, Training and Development is key to any organisation especially if performance of employees needs to be of high standard. If the performance of employees is of high standard service delivery will improve. Chapter one provided an introduction which gave a brief overview of the study, problem statement, research objectives and questions, preliminary literature review and research methodology to be employed by the study. Chapter two provided a literature review of education, training and development framework and legislative framework for guiding the development and provision of education, training and development in an organisation. The chapter also looked into mentoring and mentoring strategies. Chapter three looked into detail on the training evaluation strategies and what training evaluation entails. It looked at the different approaches that can be used in evaluating training in an organisation. Chapter four provides proposals for the approaches and strategies to improve the implementation of the Education, Training and Development Policy of the Eastern Cape Department of Health in the Cacadu District. The chapter will also provide an analysis of participants’ responses from the questionnaire. Chapter five will give a summary with concluding remarks and recommendations. This chapter came up with conclusions about the study and gave recommendations and way forward on how best to improve the implementation of the education, training and development policy in the Eastern Cape Department of Health: Cacadu District.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of the implementation of Mercedes Benz production system (MPS) and the employee change readiness at Mercedes Benz commercial vehicles South Africa
- Authors: McAllister, Rozane Ronardo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft , Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational behavior -- South Africa , Employees -- Attitudes , Continuous improvement process -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017518
- Description: The evaluation report section describes the evaluation of the implementation of Mercedes Benz Production System (MPS) at Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles, which is a division of Mercedes Benz South Africa’s manufacturing plant situated in East London. The section evaluates the changes the implementation of MPS brought to the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’S) of the division and evaluates the change readiness of the employees in the division prior to the change. The change implementation was initiated by the management of MBCV as a strategic organisational change to bring about continuous improvement to the KPI’s of the organisation. These KPI’s are Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Morale (SQDCM). The reason behind the change at the time was deemed critical to MBCV in order to meet the annual KPI targets and remain cost competitive and sustainable. The evaluation report further describes the results of the change with regards to the organisational KPI’s and the level of employee change readiness which was conducted through a questionnaire survey. A brief literature review is included in the Evaluation Report under section one describing key concepts about Production Systems, Lean Manufacturing and Change Management. The evaluation section includes recommendations based on the results of the research findings and ends with a conclusion. The literature review section explores the literature that supports production systems, lean manufacturing and change management concepts, its definitions, importance and benefits. The literature review describes and critiques key concepts of the research such as productions systems, MPS in particular, lean manufacturing concepts and related change management topics relevant to the research. The literature review defines production systems and the concepts of lean manufacturing, highlighting the benefits of the concepts to enhance organisations’ manufacturing capabilities. An integrated part of lean manufacturing is people and the implementation of lean manufacturing into an organisation requires change management theories therefore key understanding in this particular research was to discuss change management concepts, in particular, employee change readiness. The literature will discuss different tools to assess employee change readiness and from this develop an employee change readiness tool. The change management concepts evaluated change readiness and the consequences if organisations are not ready for change. The research methodology section describes how that the research was conducted in two phases, one to evaluate the implementation of MPS with regards to the organisational KPI’s (SQDCM). This was assessed through reports from projects and presentations made by the project teams on improvements of the organisational KPI’s. The second phase evaluated the change readiness of the employees prior to the implementation of MPS. This phase of the research was intended to retrieve quantitative data with an adapted questionnaire which was distributed to employees. To evaluate the change readiness, a change model known as ADKAR was used as an evaluation instrument. The modified ADKAR questionnaire was distributed to employees in hard copies and completed during a weekly team meeting. The results were summarised and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the final results. Microsoft Excel (2010 version) was used to illustrate and display the graphs. Section three discussed the research methodology in more detail. The study shows that although there were some positive changes that came from the implementation of MPS in MBCV, especially to the following KPI’s (Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost), real consideration should be given to employee morale and the level of change readiness of MBCV employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: McAllister, Rozane Ronardo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft , Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational behavior -- South Africa , Employees -- Attitudes , Continuous improvement process -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017518
- Description: The evaluation report section describes the evaluation of the implementation of Mercedes Benz Production System (MPS) at Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles, which is a division of Mercedes Benz South Africa’s manufacturing plant situated in East London. The section evaluates the changes the implementation of MPS brought to the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’S) of the division and evaluates the change readiness of the employees in the division prior to the change. The change implementation was initiated by the management of MBCV as a strategic organisational change to bring about continuous improvement to the KPI’s of the organisation. These KPI’s are Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Morale (SQDCM). The reason behind the change at the time was deemed critical to MBCV in order to meet the annual KPI targets and remain cost competitive and sustainable. The evaluation report further describes the results of the change with regards to the organisational KPI’s and the level of employee change readiness which was conducted through a questionnaire survey. A brief literature review is included in the Evaluation Report under section one describing key concepts about Production Systems, Lean Manufacturing and Change Management. The evaluation section includes recommendations based on the results of the research findings and ends with a conclusion. The literature review section explores the literature that supports production systems, lean manufacturing and change management concepts, its definitions, importance and benefits. The literature review describes and critiques key concepts of the research such as productions systems, MPS in particular, lean manufacturing concepts and related change management topics relevant to the research. The literature review defines production systems and the concepts of lean manufacturing, highlighting the benefits of the concepts to enhance organisations’ manufacturing capabilities. An integrated part of lean manufacturing is people and the implementation of lean manufacturing into an organisation requires change management theories therefore key understanding in this particular research was to discuss change management concepts, in particular, employee change readiness. The literature will discuss different tools to assess employee change readiness and from this develop an employee change readiness tool. The change management concepts evaluated change readiness and the consequences if organisations are not ready for change. The research methodology section describes how that the research was conducted in two phases, one to evaluate the implementation of MPS with regards to the organisational KPI’s (SQDCM). This was assessed through reports from projects and presentations made by the project teams on improvements of the organisational KPI’s. The second phase evaluated the change readiness of the employees prior to the implementation of MPS. This phase of the research was intended to retrieve quantitative data with an adapted questionnaire which was distributed to employees. To evaluate the change readiness, a change model known as ADKAR was used as an evaluation instrument. The modified ADKAR questionnaire was distributed to employees in hard copies and completed during a weekly team meeting. The results were summarised and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the final results. Microsoft Excel (2010 version) was used to illustrate and display the graphs. Section three discussed the research methodology in more detail. The study shows that although there were some positive changes that came from the implementation of MPS in MBCV, especially to the following KPI’s (Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost), real consideration should be given to employee morale and the level of change readiness of MBCV employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of the Integrated Quality Management System at selected schools within the Lukhanji Circuit, Queenstown District
- Authors: Gongqa, Mxolanisi Michael
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Total quality management in education -- South Africa -- Queenstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3285 , vital:20420
- Description: The study focused on the evaluation of the integrated management system (IQMS) at selected schools within the Queenstown Education District. A quantitative research method was used for the study and questionnaires were used as a research tool to collect data. The respondents were members of the school management teams (SMT) which comprised the principals, deputy principals, heads of departments, senior educators and educators. These are key role-players in the management and implementation of IQMS. The rationale was to obtain pertinent information which would address the research questions and objectives of the study. The primary objective of the study as outlined above was to evaluate the impact of IQMS implementation in the Queenstown district with specific reference to the Lukhanji Circuit, on the performance of the high schools selected. It was envisaged that the results of the study would contribute towards developing measures to ensure that IQMS implementation achieves the desired objectives. The research questions were: To what extent can IQMS implementation be used as a tool to measure and improve teaching and learning? What measures have been put in place by the district to support and build capacity of the educators to perform? What factors hinder the effective IQMS implementation? The key findings of the study reveal that IQMS as a tool to improve teaching and learning had the overwhelming support of the majority of the respondents. However, a reasonable percentage of the respondents were of the view that IQMS constituted an administrative burden to educators. There are educators who displayed a negative attitude towards the implementation of IQMS. The respondents also felt that the district office needs to provide more support for IQMS implementation so that its objectives can be fully realised. The study makes clear recommendations such as the de-linking of IQMS from salaries and pay progression, provision of more support by the district, to make IQMS more user-friendly to educators and additional budget and teacher training to enhance educators’ professional development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Gongqa, Mxolanisi Michael
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Total quality management in education -- South Africa -- Queenstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3285 , vital:20420
- Description: The study focused on the evaluation of the integrated management system (IQMS) at selected schools within the Queenstown Education District. A quantitative research method was used for the study and questionnaires were used as a research tool to collect data. The respondents were members of the school management teams (SMT) which comprised the principals, deputy principals, heads of departments, senior educators and educators. These are key role-players in the management and implementation of IQMS. The rationale was to obtain pertinent information which would address the research questions and objectives of the study. The primary objective of the study as outlined above was to evaluate the impact of IQMS implementation in the Queenstown district with specific reference to the Lukhanji Circuit, on the performance of the high schools selected. It was envisaged that the results of the study would contribute towards developing measures to ensure that IQMS implementation achieves the desired objectives. The research questions were: To what extent can IQMS implementation be used as a tool to measure and improve teaching and learning? What measures have been put in place by the district to support and build capacity of the educators to perform? What factors hinder the effective IQMS implementation? The key findings of the study reveal that IQMS as a tool to improve teaching and learning had the overwhelming support of the majority of the respondents. However, a reasonable percentage of the respondents were of the view that IQMS constituted an administrative burden to educators. There are educators who displayed a negative attitude towards the implementation of IQMS. The respondents also felt that the district office needs to provide more support for IQMS implementation so that its objectives can be fully realised. The study makes clear recommendations such as the de-linking of IQMS from salaries and pay progression, provision of more support by the district, to make IQMS more user-friendly to educators and additional budget and teacher training to enhance educators’ professional development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of the performance management and development system at the Department of Safety and Liaison in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Menemene, Nonkosi Arnoria
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Performance -- Management -- Evaluation Performance -- Management Employees -- Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9875 , vital:26629
- Description: The performance management and development system (PMDS) is a tool that is used by government to measure the performance of individuals in the organisation. PMDS was developmental in its nature in identifying the development of employees and training in case of poor performance. The main aim of the PMDS is to motivate officials in the organisation by rewarding a performance bonus at the end of the financial year. There are challenges that affect the PMDS: officials felt that the system did not motivate them; it is perceived as a 14th cheque and some of them felt the system should be terminated. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the performance management and development system at the Department of Safety and Liaison in the Eastern Cape. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to officials from levels 1 - 8 and interviews were conducted with assistant managers, managers and senior managers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the questionnaires and transcriptions were used to interpret the interviews. The results of the study reflect that most officials in the Department are young and new to the public service. The findings show that the employees of the Department are average in their performance and the Department perceives that the PMDS is not used to identify poor performance and training. The system is not implemented effectively and efficiently. Based on the findings and recommendations made to management to facilitate the training on PMDS and also to allow the processes and procedures to be more efficient. Furthermore allowing performance from all staff to achieve the core objectives of the department.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Menemene, Nonkosi Arnoria
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Performance -- Management -- Evaluation Performance -- Management Employees -- Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9875 , vital:26629
- Description: The performance management and development system (PMDS) is a tool that is used by government to measure the performance of individuals in the organisation. PMDS was developmental in its nature in identifying the development of employees and training in case of poor performance. The main aim of the PMDS is to motivate officials in the organisation by rewarding a performance bonus at the end of the financial year. There are challenges that affect the PMDS: officials felt that the system did not motivate them; it is perceived as a 14th cheque and some of them felt the system should be terminated. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the performance management and development system at the Department of Safety and Liaison in the Eastern Cape. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to officials from levels 1 - 8 and interviews were conducted with assistant managers, managers and senior managers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the questionnaires and transcriptions were used to interpret the interviews. The results of the study reflect that most officials in the Department are young and new to the public service. The findings show that the employees of the Department are average in their performance and the Department perceives that the PMDS is not used to identify poor performance and training. The system is not implemented effectively and efficiently. Based on the findings and recommendations made to management to facilitate the training on PMDS and also to allow the processes and procedures to be more efficient. Furthermore allowing performance from all staff to achieve the core objectives of the department.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of treasury oversight and budget under-spending in selected Eastern Cape Provincial Departments
- Authors: Daniels, Nokuthula
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Expenditures, Public , Legislative auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fiscal year -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3265 , vital:20418
- Description: The investigation of this study focused on the ability of provincial government departments in South Africa to spend allocated revenues on activities adequately, with a direct bearing on social and economic development. The research presents an analysis of two selected Eastern Cape Provincial Government departments’ expenditure for a three-year timeframe (the fiscal years from 2009–2012), with a focus on the oversight role played by the Provincial Planning and Treasury department in instilling fiscal discipline in the provinces, and the potentially detrimental effect of under-spending on provincial service delivery. Among other things mentioned and discussed are, firstly, the fiscal policy; secondly, the funding of provincial departments; thirdly, the role and responsibilities of the Provincial Planning and Treasury department. The study adopted a qualitative methodology which focussed on the perspective of the insider who has experienced first-hand the activities or procedures under scrutiny in the selected provincial departments. Further, the qualitative researcher believed that first-hand experience provides the most meaningful data. In support of this, the respondents were asked twenty-two questions, the first five of which were based on the need to understand their personal particulars. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to 43 officials and 22 of those questionnaires were returned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Daniels, Nokuthula
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Expenditures, Public , Legislative auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fiscal year -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3265 , vital:20418
- Description: The investigation of this study focused on the ability of provincial government departments in South Africa to spend allocated revenues on activities adequately, with a direct bearing on social and economic development. The research presents an analysis of two selected Eastern Cape Provincial Government departments’ expenditure for a three-year timeframe (the fiscal years from 2009–2012), with a focus on the oversight role played by the Provincial Planning and Treasury department in instilling fiscal discipline in the provinces, and the potentially detrimental effect of under-spending on provincial service delivery. Among other things mentioned and discussed are, firstly, the fiscal policy; secondly, the funding of provincial departments; thirdly, the role and responsibilities of the Provincial Planning and Treasury department. The study adopted a qualitative methodology which focussed on the perspective of the insider who has experienced first-hand the activities or procedures under scrutiny in the selected provincial departments. Further, the qualitative researcher believed that first-hand experience provides the most meaningful data. In support of this, the respondents were asked twenty-two questions, the first five of which were based on the need to understand their personal particulars. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to 43 officials and 22 of those questionnaires were returned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An examination of the challenges in intergrated development planning and budget alignment at Amathole District Municipality, (Eastern Cape)
- Authors: Links, Ralph Ronald
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local budgets -- Political aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3176 , vital:28329
- Description: The traditional mandate of local government is to deliver sustainable services to communities. The evolution of local government has since put more emphasis on evidence based planning in the form of IDP and sound financial management. The relationship between the IDP and Budget is that, a) the IDP contains community needs, objectives and strategies on how these will be responded or dealt with by the municipality, and b) the budget is the financial plan to execute strategies that need to be employed. The purpose of the study was to examine challenges in integrated development plan and the budget alignment of Amathole District Municipality. The study moved from the premise that municipalities are different and ADM has been in the fore front in terms of producing IDP and Budget. The study therefore is based on the assumption that the Amathole District Municipality has challenges in the IDP and Budget alignment. The study proposed to give a background of the scholarly literature of the IDP and Budget of local government. The empirical survey and research methodology used in the study is described and explained in-depths and followed by data collection in the form of the questionnaire. The research findings of the empirical survey are then analysed and reported in statistical form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Links, Ralph Ronald
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local budgets -- Political aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3176 , vital:28329
- Description: The traditional mandate of local government is to deliver sustainable services to communities. The evolution of local government has since put more emphasis on evidence based planning in the form of IDP and sound financial management. The relationship between the IDP and Budget is that, a) the IDP contains community needs, objectives and strategies on how these will be responded or dealt with by the municipality, and b) the budget is the financial plan to execute strategies that need to be employed. The purpose of the study was to examine challenges in integrated development plan and the budget alignment of Amathole District Municipality. The study moved from the premise that municipalities are different and ADM has been in the fore front in terms of producing IDP and Budget. The study therefore is based on the assumption that the Amathole District Municipality has challenges in the IDP and Budget alignment. The study proposed to give a background of the scholarly literature of the IDP and Budget of local government. The empirical survey and research methodology used in the study is described and explained in-depths and followed by data collection in the form of the questionnaire. The research findings of the empirical survey are then analysed and reported in statistical form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An examination of the Mobisam project and Grocott's Mail : towards mobile social accountability monitoring in Grahamstown
- Authors: Reinecke, Romi Kami
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) , Electronic discussion groups -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Government accountability -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Social action -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal services -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3541 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017782
- Description: This thesis critically examines the nature and purpose of the MobiSAM partnership, in relation to its value as a model resonating with normative theories on the role of the media in South African democratic society. The MobiSAM project introduces a mobile polling application, designed for citizens to provide real-time, user-generated data on crucial municipal service delivery such as clean water in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The project has partnered with the local community newspaper, Grocott's Mail, to broadcast this data, with the aim to facilitate citizen participation in public problem solving and support local government accountability in service delivery. Despite pervasive poverty in areas such as the Eastern Cape, mobile penetration in South Africa is near universal. The MobiSAM partnership is an ongoing effort to forge new links between social accountability monitors, new media, traditional media, citizens and local government around public issues in Grahamstown, in line with the development objectives of the post-apartheid South African state. The overall theoretical framework for this thesis is taken from Christians, Glasser, McQuail, Nordenstreng and White's Normative Theories of the Media, which provides an analysis of four roles of the media in a democratic society, that is: the monitorial, the facilitative, the radical and the collaborative roles. Within each of these roles, the stated journalistic approach is explored, that is investigative journalism, public journalism, radical journalism and development journalism. Public journalism is focused on as having the most resonance with the goals of the MobiSAM partnership. The chosen research design is a critical realist case study with the selected methods of thematic document analysis and, primarily, in-depth interviews with key project participants. The research goals were to analyse this primary data against the normative theory on the role of the media in a democratic society, and the 'real world' constraints posed by the project’s specific political and socioeconomic context. The findings conclude by offering certain recommendations and areas for further research, such as the central importance of a dedicated municipal reporter for covering complex public issues. This critical realist case study, drawing on qualitative interviews with both the accountability monitors and the media practitioners, interrogates the philosophical understandings on the role of the media in this new project, towards an empirical model for advancing substantive socio-economic change through media in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Reinecke, Romi Kami
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) , Electronic discussion groups -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Government accountability -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Social action -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal services -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3541 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017782
- Description: This thesis critically examines the nature and purpose of the MobiSAM partnership, in relation to its value as a model resonating with normative theories on the role of the media in South African democratic society. The MobiSAM project introduces a mobile polling application, designed for citizens to provide real-time, user-generated data on crucial municipal service delivery such as clean water in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The project has partnered with the local community newspaper, Grocott's Mail, to broadcast this data, with the aim to facilitate citizen participation in public problem solving and support local government accountability in service delivery. Despite pervasive poverty in areas such as the Eastern Cape, mobile penetration in South Africa is near universal. The MobiSAM partnership is an ongoing effort to forge new links between social accountability monitors, new media, traditional media, citizens and local government around public issues in Grahamstown, in line with the development objectives of the post-apartheid South African state. The overall theoretical framework for this thesis is taken from Christians, Glasser, McQuail, Nordenstreng and White's Normative Theories of the Media, which provides an analysis of four roles of the media in a democratic society, that is: the monitorial, the facilitative, the radical and the collaborative roles. Within each of these roles, the stated journalistic approach is explored, that is investigative journalism, public journalism, radical journalism and development journalism. Public journalism is focused on as having the most resonance with the goals of the MobiSAM partnership. The chosen research design is a critical realist case study with the selected methods of thematic document analysis and, primarily, in-depth interviews with key project participants. The research goals were to analyse this primary data against the normative theory on the role of the media in a democratic society, and the 'real world' constraints posed by the project’s specific political and socioeconomic context. The findings conclude by offering certain recommendations and areas for further research, such as the central importance of a dedicated municipal reporter for covering complex public issues. This critical realist case study, drawing on qualitative interviews with both the accountability monitors and the media practitioners, interrogates the philosophical understandings on the role of the media in this new project, towards an empirical model for advancing substantive socio-economic change through media in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of business level strategy at the bottom of the pyramid: a case study of Twizza, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sityoshwana, Ludwe Lusu
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54486 , vital:26569
- Description: This qualitative study focuses on business level strategy adopted by Twizza to compete in the bottom of the pyramid market in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Twizza enjoyed huge success between the years 2010 - 2014 as a medium to large sized manufacturer of carbonated soft drinks in the Eastern Cape. In light of this, the current study seeks to answer the following: What business level strategy did top management at Twizza adopt to compete and grow in the BoP market in the Eastern Cape, South Africa? The study takes the form of a case study to explore and understand the patterns of decisions adopted by Twizza’s top management in competing at the bottom of the pyramid. As such, the main objective of the study was to identify the business level strategy adopted by Twizza which enabled their superior performance within the BoP market. The study adopts Porter`s typology to explore business level strategy. Stratified, purposive sampling was used to identify 4 top managers as participants in this study. A total of 7, semi-structured, interviews were used to collect critical incidents from top management of Twizza. This was the primary data used in this study. This type of data was combined with relevant information which was gathered via published press articles and on-line commentary. The study found that central to Twizza’s business strategy were four pillars, namely, strict control and management of manufacturing costs, product quality equal to that of market leaders, the ability of the organisation to manufacture its own raw materials and ability to ensure product availability to the market to the market. These findings reveal that Twizza employed a hybrid strategy, anchored by cost leadership. Thus, Twizza incorporated elements of differentiation and best value strategies to offer its customers affordable quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sityoshwana, Ludwe Lusu
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54486 , vital:26569
- Description: This qualitative study focuses on business level strategy adopted by Twizza to compete in the bottom of the pyramid market in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Twizza enjoyed huge success between the years 2010 - 2014 as a medium to large sized manufacturer of carbonated soft drinks in the Eastern Cape. In light of this, the current study seeks to answer the following: What business level strategy did top management at Twizza adopt to compete and grow in the BoP market in the Eastern Cape, South Africa? The study takes the form of a case study to explore and understand the patterns of decisions adopted by Twizza’s top management in competing at the bottom of the pyramid. As such, the main objective of the study was to identify the business level strategy adopted by Twizza which enabled their superior performance within the BoP market. The study adopts Porter`s typology to explore business level strategy. Stratified, purposive sampling was used to identify 4 top managers as participants in this study. A total of 7, semi-structured, interviews were used to collect critical incidents from top management of Twizza. This was the primary data used in this study. This type of data was combined with relevant information which was gathered via published press articles and on-line commentary. The study found that central to Twizza’s business strategy were four pillars, namely, strict control and management of manufacturing costs, product quality equal to that of market leaders, the ability of the organisation to manufacture its own raw materials and ability to ensure product availability to the market to the market. These findings reveal that Twizza employed a hybrid strategy, anchored by cost leadership. Thus, Twizza incorporated elements of differentiation and best value strategies to offer its customers affordable quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of the effect of world politics on SADC's capacity to manage and resolve violent conflict
- Authors: Matsanga, Mavis
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian intervention -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6886 , vital:21157
- Description: The rise of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOS) in the post-Cold War era in Africa exerted pressure on conflict resolution mechanisms as governments responded to perceived and real pressure from external, mainly Western countries. INGOs are well resourced and conduct ‘humanitarian’ and other work funded by donors. The issue of funding is critical to control and legitimacy. It is also tied to achievement of intended goals. The study explores the relationships and in some cases conflict between Western NGOs in Zimbabwe and the government during the period when the latter was experiencing diplomatic estrangement with Western countries. The qualitative study seeks to establish whether INGO operations were influenced by political relations. The researcher interviewed twenty experts in NGO and governmental operations using an interview guide. Data was collected and entered into Nvivo software where it was thematically analysed. The major findings of the study are that the political strand is the main relational context that determined the relationship between the government and INGOs. INGOs were viewed as active conflict drivers mostly due to the bias towards certain political parties and being conduits of Western initiatives. Local conflict resolution mechanisms were also established to be inadequate. The study recommends that the government of Zimbabwe needs to work on maladministration and resolve differences with Western countries. Local NGOs and INGOs should not meddle in politics in order to have a trustworthy relationship with government while donor funds are more appreciated when channelled through governments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Matsanga, Mavis
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian intervention -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6886 , vital:21157
- Description: The rise of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOS) in the post-Cold War era in Africa exerted pressure on conflict resolution mechanisms as governments responded to perceived and real pressure from external, mainly Western countries. INGOs are well resourced and conduct ‘humanitarian’ and other work funded by donors. The issue of funding is critical to control and legitimacy. It is also tied to achievement of intended goals. The study explores the relationships and in some cases conflict between Western NGOs in Zimbabwe and the government during the period when the latter was experiencing diplomatic estrangement with Western countries. The qualitative study seeks to establish whether INGO operations were influenced by political relations. The researcher interviewed twenty experts in NGO and governmental operations using an interview guide. Data was collected and entered into Nvivo software where it was thematically analysed. The major findings of the study are that the political strand is the main relational context that determined the relationship between the government and INGOs. INGOs were viewed as active conflict drivers mostly due to the bias towards certain political parties and being conduits of Western initiatives. Local conflict resolution mechanisms were also established to be inadequate. The study recommends that the government of Zimbabwe needs to work on maladministration and resolve differences with Western countries. Local NGOs and INGOs should not meddle in politics in order to have a trustworthy relationship with government while donor funds are more appreciated when channelled through governments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of the effects of mindfulness on people with an HIV positive diagnosis living in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: McIntyre, Tracy-Leigh
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Stress management HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9903 , vital:26631
- Description: Mindfulness research is growing considerably, though there is very little research in the area of HIV and mindfulness. This study explored and described the experience of a sample of HIV positive people, before and after an 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme, to ascertain whether mindfulness can positively impact the CD4 count of the participants, with the consequent improvement to their immune systems. The incidence of depression, anxiety and stress levels were also explored. The research sample consisted of 17 participants recruited from a local hospital clinic. Purposive sampling was used to source participants. The mixed method approach of data gathering was made up of a pre-test post-test battery of questionnaires and blood tests. Mindfulness levels were assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) at 3 intervals, while depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by means of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Key findings included the following: the drop out rate for this population group was large, mindfulness practices do not always have a positive effect on immune functioning when there are other confounding variables at play, all participants reported they benefited from the 8 week MBSR course, though their results did not always indicate this. In conclusion it is proposed that mindfulness is potentially beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: McIntyre, Tracy-Leigh
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Stress management HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9903 , vital:26631
- Description: Mindfulness research is growing considerably, though there is very little research in the area of HIV and mindfulness. This study explored and described the experience of a sample of HIV positive people, before and after an 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme, to ascertain whether mindfulness can positively impact the CD4 count of the participants, with the consequent improvement to their immune systems. The incidence of depression, anxiety and stress levels were also explored. The research sample consisted of 17 participants recruited from a local hospital clinic. Purposive sampling was used to source participants. The mixed method approach of data gathering was made up of a pre-test post-test battery of questionnaires and blood tests. Mindfulness levels were assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) at 3 intervals, while depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by means of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Key findings included the following: the drop out rate for this population group was large, mindfulness practices do not always have a positive effect on immune functioning when there are other confounding variables at play, all participants reported they benefited from the 8 week MBSR course, though their results did not always indicate this. In conclusion it is proposed that mindfulness is potentially beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of the school nutrition programme's potential to catalyse community-based environmental learning : a case study of a rural Eastern Cape school
- Authors: Tshabeni, Veliswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: National School Nutrition Programme (South Africa) , School children -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2063 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020306
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which a School Nutrition Programme can catalyse community-based environmental learning and promote food security in the school and the community. This is an interpretive case study of a junior secondary school in the rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The school is located in an area characterised by high levels of poverty and under-nutrition. The school’s food garden, a central focus of this study, contributes to the School Nutrition Programme, which falls under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The aim of the NSNP is to alleviate poverty in public schools. This case study was conducted by means of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis and field observations. The data set was analysed, firstly, to ascertain if the School Nutrition Programme functions as a community of practise (Wenger, 1998). Thereafter, the data set was analysed to identify the knowledge related to food security and environmental sustainability that is learned and shared in the School Nutrition Programme, and also how such learning took place. The study found that the School’s Nutrition Programme was indeed operating as a community of practice and that it created a platform for sharing explicit and tacit knowledge and skills related to food security and environmental sustainability. The case study also revealed the contextual and experience-based nature of knowledge related to food cultivation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Tshabeni, Veliswa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: National School Nutrition Programme (South Africa) , School children -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2063 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020306
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which a School Nutrition Programme can catalyse community-based environmental learning and promote food security in the school and the community. This is an interpretive case study of a junior secondary school in the rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The school is located in an area characterised by high levels of poverty and under-nutrition. The school’s food garden, a central focus of this study, contributes to the School Nutrition Programme, which falls under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The aim of the NSNP is to alleviate poverty in public schools. This case study was conducted by means of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis and field observations. The data set was analysed, firstly, to ascertain if the School Nutrition Programme functions as a community of practise (Wenger, 1998). Thereafter, the data set was analysed to identify the knowledge related to food security and environmental sustainability that is learned and shared in the School Nutrition Programme, and also how such learning took place. The study found that the School’s Nutrition Programme was indeed operating as a community of practice and that it created a platform for sharing explicit and tacit knowledge and skills related to food security and environmental sustainability. The case study also revealed the contextual and experience-based nature of knowledge related to food cultivation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of the structural, cultural and agential conditions that shape life skills teachers' responses and experiences in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS
- Authors: Hakaala, Beatha Ndinelao
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Life skills -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Sex instruction -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , HIV infections -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2029 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017340
- Description: This paper reports findings on how Namibian secondary school Life Skills teachers are exercising their agency to teach or not to teach Sexuality and HIV and AIDS, a subject which is regarded as sensitive and has been surrounded by secrecy and has issues which are cloaked by silence and taboos. The aim of the study was to explore the structural and cultural factors that shape the responses and experiences of Life Skills teachers in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS. The study was conducted through observations and interviews with four full-time Life Skills teachers. Document analysis was carried out throughout the study in which lesson plans, portfolios, assessment forms, Life Skills syllabuses, schemes of works, national curriculum documents and subject policy on HIV and AIDS were analysed. The data were analysed by identifying categories, codes and themes using the analytic dualism framework, and the literature review was used to summarise the findings. The study revealed that all teachers operate in an environment that consists of the National structures such as high teacher: learner ratio in their classrooms that they have to teach Life Skills and do day to day counselling, a lack of teaching and learning support material that they should use to scaffold the learning of sexuality and HIV and AIDS, and little time allocated to Life Skills teaching. The same study also revealed that the teaching of Life Skills is hampered by the cultural structures which emerged from teachers’ discourses as evidenced from the data which shows that cultural properties have powers that condition teachers in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS. This included learners’ silence in sex-related discussion versus teachers’ position; discourses on the importance of full-time Life Skills teachers in school; comfort in teaching selected topics in Life Skills; Life Skills teachers’ perceptions on parents’ feelings on teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS in schools, and perceptions on the Life Skills teachers’ position and teaching sexuality and sex education. While the findings revealed that teachers are conditioned by the structural and cultural conditions that acted as constraints to teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS, the observations revealed agency on their part. The study finding depicts instances where teachers acted in agreement or in contravention of the structural and cultural pressures or conditions in their environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Hakaala, Beatha Ndinelao
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Life skills -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Sex instruction -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , HIV infections -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2029 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017340
- Description: This paper reports findings on how Namibian secondary school Life Skills teachers are exercising their agency to teach or not to teach Sexuality and HIV and AIDS, a subject which is regarded as sensitive and has been surrounded by secrecy and has issues which are cloaked by silence and taboos. The aim of the study was to explore the structural and cultural factors that shape the responses and experiences of Life Skills teachers in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS. The study was conducted through observations and interviews with four full-time Life Skills teachers. Document analysis was carried out throughout the study in which lesson plans, portfolios, assessment forms, Life Skills syllabuses, schemes of works, national curriculum documents and subject policy on HIV and AIDS were analysed. The data were analysed by identifying categories, codes and themes using the analytic dualism framework, and the literature review was used to summarise the findings. The study revealed that all teachers operate in an environment that consists of the National structures such as high teacher: learner ratio in their classrooms that they have to teach Life Skills and do day to day counselling, a lack of teaching and learning support material that they should use to scaffold the learning of sexuality and HIV and AIDS, and little time allocated to Life Skills teaching. The same study also revealed that the teaching of Life Skills is hampered by the cultural structures which emerged from teachers’ discourses as evidenced from the data which shows that cultural properties have powers that condition teachers in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS. This included learners’ silence in sex-related discussion versus teachers’ position; discourses on the importance of full-time Life Skills teachers in school; comfort in teaching selected topics in Life Skills; Life Skills teachers’ perceptions on parents’ feelings on teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS in schools, and perceptions on the Life Skills teachers’ position and teaching sexuality and sex education. While the findings revealed that teachers are conditioned by the structural and cultural conditions that acted as constraints to teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS, the observations revealed agency on their part. The study finding depicts instances where teachers acted in agreement or in contravention of the structural and cultural pressures or conditions in their environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exposition of Hilbert C-modules
- Authors: Sokopo, Bulelani Joab
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mathematics Algebra , Functions, Continuous Mathematical analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50008 , vital:41974
- Description: In trying to prove that derivations of type I AW -algebras are inner, I. Kaplansky introduced and developed the basics of the concept of Hilbert C- modules. He sought to generalize the idea of a Hilbert space by replacing the field C of all complex numbers with a general (commutative and unital) C-algebra. Twenty years later, the concept was broadened and expanded to non-commutative C-algebras by W. L. Paschke and M. A. Rieffel in their papers on inner product modules over B-algebras and induced representations of C-algebras, respectively. Since then, the theory of Hilbert C-modules has grown rapidly. It was used by G. G. Kasparov as the framework for his bivariant K-theory. More recently, Hilbert C-modules have formed the technical basis for the C*-algebraic approach to quantum group theory. The aim of this dissertation is to provide as detailed an account as possible of the theory of Hilbert C-modules, as given in a book of E. C. Lance, up to and including the KSGNS construction. The KSGNS construction, named after Kasparov, Stinespring, Gelfand, Naimark and Segal, is a generalization to Hilbert C-modules of the familiar GNS construction for C-algebras. The result by Kaplansky that all derivations of a type I AW-algebra are inner is given as an application in the final chapter of the dissertation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sokopo, Bulelani Joab
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mathematics Algebra , Functions, Continuous Mathematical analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50008 , vital:41974
- Description: In trying to prove that derivations of type I AW -algebras are inner, I. Kaplansky introduced and developed the basics of the concept of Hilbert C- modules. He sought to generalize the idea of a Hilbert space by replacing the field C of all complex numbers with a general (commutative and unital) C-algebra. Twenty years later, the concept was broadened and expanded to non-commutative C-algebras by W. L. Paschke and M. A. Rieffel in their papers on inner product modules over B-algebras and induced representations of C-algebras, respectively. Since then, the theory of Hilbert C-modules has grown rapidly. It was used by G. G. Kasparov as the framework for his bivariant K-theory. More recently, Hilbert C-modules have formed the technical basis for the C*-algebraic approach to quantum group theory. The aim of this dissertation is to provide as detailed an account as possible of the theory of Hilbert C-modules, as given in a book of E. C. Lance, up to and including the KSGNS construction. The KSGNS construction, named after Kasparov, Stinespring, Gelfand, Naimark and Segal, is a generalization to Hilbert C-modules of the familiar GNS construction for C-algebras. The result by Kaplansky that all derivations of a type I AW-algebra are inner is given as an application in the final chapter of the dissertation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An external evaluation of the effectiveness of the Souns-for-literarcy program in the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay areas
- Authors: Smith, Angelina
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Literacy programs -- South Africa -- Western Cape Early childhood education -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11157 , vital:26891
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Souns-for-Literacy program in selected Knysna and Plettenberg Bay pre-schools. This included investigating if there were significant benefits for its recipients and recommending improvements that could be made to the program, particularly in adapting it to fit the South African context. The program claims to build letter-sound associations. In response to evidence gained in the biannual surveys done by KET, it was decided that the program warranted a more formal evaluation. It was later agreed that the evaluation should i) critically examine claims about the effectiveness of the program; ii) analyse the relative value of factors contributing to its effectiveness, such as teachers, implementation practices and the program’s material and methodology, then iii) recommend improvements that cauld be made to the program. The evaluation should also identify insights gained in developing reading skills in pre-school children, specifically in South Africa’s multicultural and multilingual contexts. The total number of schools investigated was 25 (21 pre-schools and 4 primary schools for follow-up purposes). The data collection was primarily through i) interviews with program personnel (mentors, facilitators, teachers and volunteers), ii) observations of the children interacting with the equipment of the program as well as iii) individual, informal and age-appropriate testing of letter-sound association knowledge at the end of the academic year. The findings revealed that: i) the program’s materials and methodology showed ‘highly significant’ benefits to most of its beneficiaries; ii) KET’s support system (including mentors, facilitators and volunteers) was particularly valuable in contributing to the program’s effectiveness; iii) certain adaptations to the sequence of symbol presentation for each language would benefit the children’s word-building capacity; iv)the emergent literacy skill of learning letter-sound knowledge should gain more focus during this pre-school stage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Smith, Angelina
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Literacy programs -- South Africa -- Western Cape Early childhood education -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11157 , vital:26891
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Souns-for-Literacy program in selected Knysna and Plettenberg Bay pre-schools. This included investigating if there were significant benefits for its recipients and recommending improvements that could be made to the program, particularly in adapting it to fit the South African context. The program claims to build letter-sound associations. In response to evidence gained in the biannual surveys done by KET, it was decided that the program warranted a more formal evaluation. It was later agreed that the evaluation should i) critically examine claims about the effectiveness of the program; ii) analyse the relative value of factors contributing to its effectiveness, such as teachers, implementation practices and the program’s material and methodology, then iii) recommend improvements that cauld be made to the program. The evaluation should also identify insights gained in developing reading skills in pre-school children, specifically in South Africa’s multicultural and multilingual contexts. The total number of schools investigated was 25 (21 pre-schools and 4 primary schools for follow-up purposes). The data collection was primarily through i) interviews with program personnel (mentors, facilitators, teachers and volunteers), ii) observations of the children interacting with the equipment of the program as well as iii) individual, informal and age-appropriate testing of letter-sound association knowledge at the end of the academic year. The findings revealed that: i) the program’s materials and methodology showed ‘highly significant’ benefits to most of its beneficiaries; ii) KET’s support system (including mentors, facilitators and volunteers) was particularly valuable in contributing to the program’s effectiveness; iii) certain adaptations to the sequence of symbol presentation for each language would benefit the children’s word-building capacity; iv)the emergent literacy skill of learning letter-sound knowledge should gain more focus during this pre-school stage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An in-silico investigation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocyclic analogues for applications as novel HIV-1 C protease inhibitors
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Protease inhibitors , Heterocyclic compounds , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections , Drug resistance , Cheminformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017913
- Description: Cheminformatic approaches have been employed to optimize the bis-coumarin scaffold identified by Onywera et al. (2012) as a potential hit against the protease HIV-1 protein. The Open Babel library of commands was used to access functions that were incorporated into a markov chain recursive program that generated 17750 analogues of the bis-coumarin scaffold. The Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocycles were used to introduce structural diversity within the virtual library. In silico high through-put virtual screening using AutoDock Vina was used to rapidly screen the virtual library ligand set against 61 protease models built by Onywera et al. (2012). CheS-Mapper computed a principle component analysis of the compounds based on 13 selected chemical descriptors. The compounds were plotted against the principle component analysis within a 3 dimensional chemical space in order to inspect the diversity of the virtual library. The physicochemical properties and binding affinities were used to identify the top 3 performing ligands. ACPYPE was used to inspect the constitutional properties and eliminated virtual compounds that possessed open valences. Chromene based ligand 805 and ligand 6610 were selected as the lead candidates from the high-throughput virtual screening procedure we employed. Molecular dynamic simulations of the lead candidates performed for 5 ns allowed the stability of the ligand protein complexes with protease model 305152. The free energy of binding of the leads with protease model 305152 was computed over the first 50 ps of simulation using the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann method. Analysis structural features and energy profiles from molecular dynamic simulations of the protein–ligand complexes indicated that although ligand 805 had a weaker binding affinity in terms of docking, it outperformed ligand 6610 in terms of complex stability and free energy of binding. Medicinal chemistry approaches will be used to optimize the lead candidates before their analogues will be synthesized and assayed for in vivo protease activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Protease inhibitors , Heterocyclic compounds , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections , Drug resistance , Cheminformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017913
- Description: Cheminformatic approaches have been employed to optimize the bis-coumarin scaffold identified by Onywera et al. (2012) as a potential hit against the protease HIV-1 protein. The Open Babel library of commands was used to access functions that were incorporated into a markov chain recursive program that generated 17750 analogues of the bis-coumarin scaffold. The Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocycles were used to introduce structural diversity within the virtual library. In silico high through-put virtual screening using AutoDock Vina was used to rapidly screen the virtual library ligand set against 61 protease models built by Onywera et al. (2012). CheS-Mapper computed a principle component analysis of the compounds based on 13 selected chemical descriptors. The compounds were plotted against the principle component analysis within a 3 dimensional chemical space in order to inspect the diversity of the virtual library. The physicochemical properties and binding affinities were used to identify the top 3 performing ligands. ACPYPE was used to inspect the constitutional properties and eliminated virtual compounds that possessed open valences. Chromene based ligand 805 and ligand 6610 were selected as the lead candidates from the high-throughput virtual screening procedure we employed. Molecular dynamic simulations of the lead candidates performed for 5 ns allowed the stability of the ligand protein complexes with protease model 305152. The free energy of binding of the leads with protease model 305152 was computed over the first 50 ps of simulation using the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann method. Analysis structural features and energy profiles from molecular dynamic simulations of the protein–ligand complexes indicated that although ligand 805 had a weaker binding affinity in terms of docking, it outperformed ligand 6610 in terms of complex stability and free energy of binding. Medicinal chemistry approaches will be used to optimize the lead candidates before their analogues will be synthesized and assayed for in vivo protease activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015