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Communication strategies in management: a case study of interpersonal manager-staff communication at a South African university

  • Authors: Balarin, Megan Georgina
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Communication in management -- South Africa Interpersonal communication -- South Africa Communication -- Education College personnel management -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1452 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003333
  • Description: Communication is a central feature of human life. The ability to talk is the very feature that distinguishes us from our primate ancestors. Knowing how to use language effectively gives the bearers of this knowledge power over their environment and an upper hand in their dealings with others. Thus, understanding the importance of communication in management is an essential tool for managers who wish to build and develop their organisations and their staff within these organisations. This thesis takes a case study view of manager-staff communication at a South African university. In this study managers and staff members contribute their feelings on current communication practices at this organisation through an online questionnaire and in-depth interviews. In an interpretive paradigm this thesis answers three central questions: 1) what role do managers and staff think communication plays in their working relationships, 2) what do they perceive to be effective and ineffective communication strategies and 3) What strategies can they suggest to enhance effective communication? Through in-depth qualitative research and numerical data analysis this thesis discovers central themes that pertain to the effective flow of communication in this organisation. These themes include: motivation and praise, the role of listening, building relationships, respect, acknowledging others’ languages and cultures, building teams, communicating frequently and using email and technology effectively, as well as keeping notes of meetings and discussions. Challenges to effective communication include not having enough time, suffering from stress, and the challenges of physical space and distance. By paying attention to basic human principles, such as the fact that acknowledging people for a job well done encourages them to perform well in future, this thesis relates the general concepts of communication and management theory to the specific realities and individual, personal experiences of manager-staff communication. In this way it sheds a beam of light on management communication practices and points the way towards an ideal where managers and staff members use communication as a tool of empowerment and understanding.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Community structure and predation impact of carnivorous macrozooplankton in the polar frontal zone (Southern Ocean), with particular reference to chaetognaths

  • Authors: Lukáč, Danica
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Chaetognatha
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005336 , Zooplankton -- Antarctic Ocean , Chaetognatha
  • Description: The community structure and predation impact of carnivorous macrozooplankton (>2 cm; chaetognaths, medusae, ctenophores and mysids), with particular emphasis on the chaetognaths Eukrohnia hamata and Sagitta gazellae, were investigated during three surveys conducted in late austral summer (April/May) of 2001, 2004 and 2005 in the Polar Frontal Zone in the vicinity of the Prince Edward Islands (46º45’S, 37º50’E), Southern Ocean. The 2001 survey formed part of the Marion Offshore Variability Ecosystem Study (MOVES II), while the 2004 and 2005 surveys formed part of the Dynamics of Eddy Impacts on Marion’s Ecosystem study (DEIMEC III and IV respectively). Macrozooplankton samples were collected using WP-2, RMT-8 and Bongo nets. Results of the hydrographic survey indicated that the region of investigation, the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ), is an area of high mesoscale variability. During the 2004 survey the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) and the Subantarctic Front (SAF) merged to form an intense frontal feature with subsurface temperature and salinity ranging from 8.5-7.5ºC and 34.15-33.88, respectively. A cyclonic cold core eddy, believed to have been spawned from the APF, was observed during the 2005 survey. Macrozooplankton abundance and biomass ranged from 0 to 43.731 ind. m⁻³, and from 0 to 41.55 mg wwt m⁻³ respectively, during the three surveys. Among the carnivorous macrozooplankton, chaetognaths (Eukrohnia hamata and Sagitta gazellae) were most prominent, contributing up to 85% of the total biomass during all three surveys. Elevated biomass values were found near and within the frontal feature during the 2004 survey, and also along the eddy edge during the 2005 survey. However, hierarchical cluster analysis did not reveal the presence of distinct zooplankton groupings associated with the various water masses encountered during the surveys and this is probably due to the high mesoscale variability in oceanographic conditions that are characteristic of the PFZ. The total average predation impact of the selected carnivorous macrozooplankton during the 2001, 2004 and 2005 surveys accounted for 4.93 ± 6.76%, 0.55 ± 0.51% and 4.88 ± 4.45 of the mesozooplankton standing stock, respectively. S. gazellae had the highest consumption rate in all three surveys, consuming up to 800 g Dwt 1000m⁻³d⁻¹ during the study. Of the two chaetognaths, E. hamata dominated the chaetognath standing stock. The combined abundance and biomass values of E. hamata and S. gazellae ranged from 0 to 43.73 ind. m⁻³ and from 0 to 41.551 mg wwt m⁻³ respectively, during the three surveys. Inter-annual variability in the chaetognath densities was apparent. Highest abundances and biomasses tended to be associated with specific water masses, confirming the existence of a relationship between zooplankton community structure and hydrographic conditions. Generally, about 90% of the chaetognaths contained no food in their guts. S. gazellae consumed a wider variety of prey. Oil droplets occurred in the guts of ≈ 51% of E. hamata. Cannibalism was low in both species, but greater in S. gazellae than E. hamata. During the three surveys, the feeding rate values of E. hamata and S. gazellae went up to 0.48 and 2.099 prey d⁻¹ respectively. S. gazellae also had a greater predation impact on the mesozooplankton standing stock than E. hamata. The mean predation impact of the chaetognaths combined was 0.31 ± 0.291%, 0.52 ± 0.28% and 0.53 ± 0.56% of the mesozooplankton standing stock during the 2001, 2004 and 2005 surveys, respectively. During all three surveys, the majority of individuals (≈ 76%) of the chaetognaths were at stage I maturity, suggesting that during the time of study the chaetognaths were not reproducing. In both species a significant difference (log-linear analysis, p < 0.05) in maturities between the years investigated was observed. In general, there were no differences in lengths and maturities between the different water masses encountered during the surveys. The lengths of E. hamata and S. gazellae ranged from 5 to 24 mm and from 9.4 to 63.6 mm, respectively.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Comparitive study of automation strategies at VW Germany and South Africa

  • Authors: Wessel, Oliver
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Volkswagen (Firm) , Motor vehicle industry -- Automation Comparative studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/823 , Volkswagen (Firm) , Motor vehicle industry -- Automation Comparative studies
  • Description: This master thesis analyses the Volkswagen assembly lines of the Golf A5 manufacture in the mother plant in Wolfsburg, the Touran manufacture in the Auto 5000 GmbH in Wolfsburg as well as the Golf A5 manufacture in Uitenhage in South Africa - all with regard to the level of automation. The target of the analysis is the determination of the optimal level of automation in the three production sites and therefore, the investigation of the potential to automate, or rather to deautomate in particular sections of the assembly in the prevailing production locations. The three production sites are to be investigated with regard to costs, quality and quantity.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Competing interests and change within the pharmacy education system in South Africa

  • Authors: Allan, Lucie
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Pharmacy -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa Community pharmacy services -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
  • Identifier: vital:3741 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003219
  • Description: This thesis provides a historical account of the emergence of the pharmacy education system in South Africa, and an analysis of the influence of competing interest groups over the pharmacy education curriculum. It provides a critical evaluation of structural-consensus and micro-interpretive approaches to medical and pharmacy education, and sets out a macrointerpretive account of pharmacy education in South Africa. Following Margaret Archer (1979) it analyzes three forms of negotiation between competing interest groups in their efforts to change the pharmacy curriculum; these are political manipulation, external transaction and internal initiation. The thesis argues that whilst the private sector interest group (comprising of retail, wholesale and manufacturing pharmacy) dominated the pharmacy education system until 1994, since then a newly emerged government interest group has begun to compete for educational control. The priorities pursued by this interest group have consistently reflected the objectives set out in the ANC National Health Plan of 1994. The thesis maintains that given its frustration over the non-implementation of the ANC’s health policy objectives, the government interest group is likely to resort to direct political manipulation by passing legislation to alter the content of the current pharmacy curriculum. Such changes would seek to ensure that the syllabus more accurately reflects the ANC Plan’s community health and primary health care objectives. The thesis asserts that such an outcome (of direct political manipulation of the curriculum) is not inevitable, and can be avoided through a process of internally initiated change. It presents the findings of an interpretive case study into how the Rhodes University Community Experience Programme (CEP) influenced final year pharmacy students’ perceptions of the role of the pharmacist. The students’ comments were collected by means of focus group interviews, participant observation and documentary analysis. Whilst the CEP did not successfully transform their concept of the pharmacist’s role, it did succeed in influencing students’ understanding of the notions of community pharmacy and primary health care in line with the government interest group’s health objectives. This thesis concludes that internally initiated change within the pharmacy education system, would be preferable to that imposed through external political manipulation, as such change would be more likely to preserve the independent professional interests of pharmacy academics.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Composition portfolio

  • Authors: Wynne, Donovan
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Music -- South Africa Composition (Music) String quartets -- Scores
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: vital:2658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003121
  • Description: Introductory remarks: Being a middle-class white South African, I grew up on a diet of predominantly "white" music: rock, pop and Western classical music. I was later introduced to a broader range of musics: blues, jazz, kwaito and traditional Southern African idioms. I found myself particularly attracted to the traditional music of the amaXhosa (especially that of the uhadi bow), possibly due to the fact that this music is hexatonic (that is, based on two major triads whose tonics are one tone apart), a system that bears certain resemblances to the Western tonal idiom. However, much of my musical experience tended to be entrenched in the piano and flute music I played: mostly works by composers who were neatly ensconced in the traditional Western canon. Therefore, despite the broad range of musics with which I was familiarisedduring my tertiary studies, I feel that this early experiential background is the reason I feel most comfortable with Western-influenced music. More recently, I discovered a whole new genre to explore: film music, particularly the work of Elliot Goldenthal, Danny Elfman, John Williams and Philip Glass, whose unique brand of minimalism has extended from the concert hall to thefilm theatre. I am fascinated by the ways in which film scores function. A "main titles" theme usually appears as the film opens, upon which most of the subsequent music is based. This is not a linear process, like a theme and its variations, but a lateral, where the main titles theme is the core that engenders other themes that all share a familial resemblance.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Composition portfolio

  • Authors: Webb, Cassidy Frank
  • Date: 2006
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: vital:2659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003729
  • Description: Introduction: This portfolio consists of musical ideas which I have had for some time now. I have attempted to capture these ideas throughout the portfolio, starting with the smaller works (Brumes et Pluies) and building up to the larger works (James Tiberius, The tide). Brumes et Pluies is minimalistic in style. The interlocking of the two pianos plays an important role in the texture of the piece. The rhythms are repetitive throughout, with only slight variations. Kalahari is more idiomatic, rhythmical and has a main theme which recurs throughout the piece. Melodic fragments are used, sometimes with slight variations. This piece was inspired by the Kalahari desert, with its abundance of life. I enjoy the string quartet because of the homogeneity of sound on the one hand, and the diversity possible by using different techniques and effects on the other. James Tiberius is a work for chamber orchestra. Motifs in the music resemble certain animals. The rhythm is unstable, as is the harmony. There are many melodic fragments throughout. The texture is thin in certain areas (at the beginning) and dense in others (the waltz). The harmony is sometimes unconventional. The Tide was written in response to a memory of a drowning incident I experienced when I was a child. This orchestral piece is strong in form. The opening, for example, is tense and slightly atonal in harmony. The pomposo section tends to utilise most of the orchestra, so the texture is a lot denser here and the harmony is more conventional. I try not to use traditional forms in my composition. Rather, I prefer to compose by re-using and re-introducing ideas as I proceed.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Contrasting livelihoods in the upper and lower Gariep River basin: a study of livelihood change and household development

  • Authors: McDermott, Lindsay
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Rural development -- Lesotho , Rural development -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Sustainable development -- Lesotho , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Households -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Rural poor -- Lesotho , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Agriculture -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:4758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007147 , Rural development -- Lesotho , Rural development -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Sustainable development -- Lesotho , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Households -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Rural poor -- Lesotho , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Agriculture -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
  • Description: This study investigated rural livelihoods in two contrasting environments in the upper and lower reaches of the Gariep River: Sehlabathebe in the Lesotho highlands, and the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape, and how these have changed over time. Livelihoods were examined using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework in conjunction with the household development cycle. This study therefore adopted a multi-scale approach, where a micro-level household analysis was framed within the macro level social, political, environmental, economic and institutional context, while taking into account the role of temporal scale of livelihood change. A multi-scale approach facilitated the identification of the major drivers of change, both exogenous and endogenous. The combination of livelihood strategies pursued differed between the two sites. Households in Sehlabathebe are reliant mainly on arable and garden cultivation, livestock in some households, occasional remittances, use of wild resources, petty trading and reliance on donations. Households in the Richtersveld relied primarily on livestock, wage labour, use of wild resources and State grants or pensions. The livelihood strategies pursued in each site have not changed markedly over time, but rather the relative importance of those strategies was found to have changed. The assets available to households, the livelihood strategies adopted and the changes in these livelihood strategies are influenced by a households stage in the development cycle and differing macro-level factors. Drivers of change operate at multiple spatial and temporal scales, and are often complex and interrelated. The major drivers of livelihood change were identified as macro-economic, demographic, institutional and social and climatic. This study highlights the importance of using historical analysis in the study of livelihoods, as well as the complexity and diversity of rural livelihoods. Ecosystem goods and services were found to play a fundamental role in rural livelihoods and are influenced by institutional factors. Rural households are heavily reliant on the formal economy, and macro-economic changes have had a significant impact on livelihoods. This is highlighted by how the drastic decline in migrant labour opportunities for households in Sehlabathebe has negatively affected them. Vulnerability was shown to be a result of external shocks and trends, such as institutional transformation, a decline in employment opportunities, theft and climatic variation; and differed between the two sites. The role of institutional breakdown was shown to be a major factor influencing rural livelihoods, and this is related to broader economic and political changes. This study contributes to the growing literature on rural livelihoods by allowing for an appreciation of how differing environments and contextual factors influence livelihood strategies adopted, and which different factors are driving change.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Corporate information risk : an information security governance framework

  • Authors: Posthumus, Shaun Murray
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Computer security , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/814 , Computer security , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures
  • Description: Information Security is currently viewed from a technical point of view only. Some authors believe that Information Security is a process that involves more than merely Risk Management at the department level, as it is also a strategic and potentially legal issue. Hence, there is a need to elevate the importance of Information Security to a governance level through Information Security Governance and propose a framework to help guide the Board of Directors in their Information Security Governance efforts. IT is a major facilitator of organizational business processes and these processes manipulate and transmit sensitive customer and financial information. IT, which involves major risks, may threaten the security if corporate information assets. Therefore, IT requires attention at board level to ensure that technology-related information risks are within an organization’s accepted risk appetite. However, IT issues are a neglected topic at board level and this could bring about enronesque disasters. Therefore, there is a need for the Board of Directors to direct and control IT-related risks effectively to reduce the potential for Information Security breaches and bring about a stronger system of internal control. The IT Oversight Committee is a proven means of achieving this, and this study further motivates the necessity for such a committee to solidify an organization’s Information Security posture among other IT-related issues.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Corporate social responsibility: evaluating three South African Companies' initiatives

  • Authors: Fourie, Neil
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Case studies , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8563 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/568 , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Case studies , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa
  • Description: The aim of this research project was to evaluate the available theoretical information on Corporate Social Responsibility and with this knowledge to then also evaluate three companieś initiatives based on this information. Gone are the days when an organisation could do business for the sole purpose of making a profit. If the organisation does not take the environment into account in doing business, or if the community where this organisation is situated or does business, feel “abused” or that their needs are not being addressed, the organisation will not survive and its future sustainability can not be assured or guaranteed. This has been proven internationally, but how does South African organisations fare when it comes to corporate social responsibility, and more specifically, what social responsible initiatives are taken? The research also attempted to determine how “industry specific” the three companies'́ initiatives are and whether any changes in initiative-directions should be considered. The Social Responsibility Initiatives of Woolworths, ENGEN and SABMiller (South Africa) were evaluated and certain shortcomings were identified and presented to the various companies. These companies deliver excellent products and services to their client base, but it was felt that should adherence be given to the recommendations that were made, the mentioned companies could in future improve their turnover, market position and increase their client support base. Finally, it could also assist in increasing brand loyalty amongst their customers.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Cross-cultural differences in IQ test performance: extension of an existing normative database on WAIS-III test performance

  • Authors: Gaylard, Emma K
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa , Black people -- Education , Black people -- Social conditions , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002488 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa , Black people -- Education , Black people -- Social conditions , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
  • Description: Prior research (Shuttleworth-Edwards et al., 2004) presented preliminary normative data for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – III (WAIS-III) for Southern Africa, stratified according to gender (female vs. male), language (black African vs. white English), level of education (matric/12+ years of education vs. Graduate/15+ years of education) and quality of education (disadvantaged – Department of Education and Training vs. advantaged - Private/Model C). IQ scores for black African language and white English Southern Africans were comparable with the United States of America (USA) standardization when level and quality of education were equitable. (‘White English’ is the term used to denote those of European descent whose first language is English). A limitation of the research was the lack of control for language for most of the black groups and particularly in the Private/Model C Graduate group, where sixty percent of the participants originated from Zimbabwe. These represented a particularly elite group whose education was equitable to that of the white participants throughout their education (i.e. at primary, secondary and tertiary level). In order to rectify the lack of homogeneity of language, all non- Xhosa first language participants were excluded from the black sample and sixteen additional Xhosa first language participants were tested on the WAIS-III. Data analyses found no significant differences between the original and new groups, except in the comparison between Mixed African language Private/Model C Graduates and the Xhosa first language Private/Model C Graduate/15+ years of education, where there was a lowering of WAIS-III subtest, index and IQ scores in the newly constituted group. This lowering in test performance is explained in that the new Xhosa first language 15+ years of education group was a less advantaged group than the original Mixed African Language Private/Model C Graduate group, as the new group generally had less advantaged primary school education and had generally studied less at a tertiary level. Overall, these results demonstrate an incremental increase in WAIS-III test performance for sample groups on a continuum of quality of education from least to most advantaged education. This was true for both verbal and non-verbal subtests.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Cytokine signalling functions of human soluble IgE receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal and hyper-allergic individuals and in B-lymphoblastoid and monocytic cell lines

  • Authors: Askew, Sandra Lyn
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Ligands , Cell receptors , Cellular signal transduction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/455 , Ligands , Cell receptors , Cellular signal transduction
  • Description: CD23 is a multifunctional receptor/ligand, found in a variety of cell types, such as human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), B-lymphoblastoid cell lines, mast cells and basophils. It is also found on a variety of haematopoietic cell lines. As the low-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE), CD23 plays a role in antigen-presentation and macrophage activation. As a surface molecule cleaved from the cell membrane, soluble CD23 (sCD23) can act as an adhesion molecule and a cytokine. Perturbances of such molecular interactions may lead to various diseases such as allergies and other inflammatory diseases. It has been speculated that elevated levels of sCD23 may be used to bind secreted IgE, thus preventing it from binding to membrane CD23 on haematopoietic cells, preventing B cells from being activated into IgE producing cells. Signal transduction by sCD23 is dependent on cell subsets, ligands and co-factors required for its function. sCD23 plays a direct role in inducing tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and soluble IL-1 receptor from activated human monocytes and PBMCs in vitro. Recombinant forms of 25 and 37 kDa human sCD23 were produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-cloning into pET23a, a bacterial expression vector. The proteins were expressed and refolded, followed by purification by gel filtration chromatography. The purified proteins were biochemically characterized to ensure purity and biological activity, by observing the binding to human IgE both in enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. ELISA showed KD values of 7.23 x 10-9M and 8.12 x 10-9M for the 25 and 37 kDa proteins, respectively. These values were significantly lower than that of Hibbert et al., (2005). SPR data obtained for the 25 kDa CD23 was not of reliable quality but SPR for the 33kDa sCD23 showed a KD of 1.18 x 10-7M, close to that of Hibbert et al., (2005), J. Exp. Med, 202: 751-760. To test the therapeutic potential of the recombinant molecule, a B-lymphoblastoid cell line (Raji), a pre-monocytic cell line (U937), and PBMCs from normal and hyper-allergic individuals were used. All cells showed no change in production of cytokines. It is essential to investigate further cytokine functions and production implicated by recombinant forms of sCD23, as well as binding of sCD23 to CD21 and CD11b/c, and in vivo IgE regulation before a conclusion can be drawn as to whether recombinant sCD23 is a potential therapeutic target against allergic disease.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Decorating Asterisk : experiments in service creation for a multi-protocol telephony environment using open source tools

  • Authors: Hitchcock, Jonathan
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Asterisk (Computer file) , Internet telephony
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006539 , Asterisk (Computer file) , Internet telephony
  • Description: As Voice over IP becomes more prevalent, value-adds to the service will become ubiquitous. Voice over IP (VoIP) is no longer a single service application, but an array of marketable services of increasing depth, which are moving into the non-desktop market. In addition, as the range of devices being generally used increases, it will become necessary for all services, including VoIP services, to be accessible from multiple platforms and through varied interfaces. With the recent introduction and growth of the open source software PBX system named Asterisk, the possibility of achieving these goals has become more concrete. In addition to Asterisk, a number of open source systems are being developed which facilitate the development of systems that interoperate over a wide variety of platforms and through multiple interfaces. This thesis investigates Asterisk in terms of its viability to provide the depth of services that will be required in a VoIP environment, as well as a number of other open source systems in terms of what they can offer such a system. In addition, it investigates whether these services can be made available on different devices. Using various systems built as a proof-of-concept, this thesis shows that Asterisk, in conjunction with various other open source projects, such as the Twisted framework provides a concrete tool which can be used to realise flexible and protocol independent telephony solutions for a small to medium enterprise.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Democracy in Lesotho: theory and practice of opposition

  • Authors: Mohapi, Refiloe Alphonce
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Democracy -- Lesotho , Political parties -- Lesotho , Lesotho -- Politics and government
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2806 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003016 , Democracy -- Lesotho , Political parties -- Lesotho , Lesotho -- Politics and government
  • Description: Using theoretical insights from elsewhere, this thesis examines and explains Lesotho’s opposition. It argues that the decline of single-member constituency and the rise of Mixed Member Proportionality (MMP) has weakened the prospects for a strong opposition in Lesotho; more parties in parliament have strengthened the hold of the ruling party. These parties cannot overturn the parliamentary decisions of the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), which continues to win more than 90% of majority seats in successive elections. So, most bills and motions passed in parliament have support of the majority of the MPs of LCD. Opposition parties have little legislative impact in challenging the policies of government. Paradoxically, MPs of the LCD are often the only source of opposition in the country’s parliament.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Designing a lean manufacturing model for Johnson Controls SA

  • Authors: Andersson, Carl
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Production management -- South Africa , Just-in-time systems , Manufacturing resource planning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8566 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/188 , Production management -- South Africa , Just-in-time systems , Manufacturing resource planning
  • Description: An increase in global competitiveness has forced manufacturing organisations to re – look at their facility from an output and quality standpoint. Leveraging a manufacturing operation into a competitive advantage must at all times support the organisation’s objectives. It is therefore vital that the operation reviews its strategy so that it fulfils the everchanging needs of its market. The main objective of this research was to identify possible approaches that Johnson Controls South Africa (JCI SA) could pursue when implementing a Lean Manufacturing model. In doing this it will improve JCI SA’s manufacturing efficiency and quality, thus giving the organisation a competitive edge over its opposition. The research presented an empirical study of how a Lean Manufacturing model should be implemented in JCI SA. A theoretical and empirical study was conducted on how to successfully implement Lean Manufacturing within an organisation. The main purpose was to establish a theoretical Lean Manufacturing model that the organisation can utilise as a strategic plan to become the global leader in its market place.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Designing for maintenance

  • Authors: Syce, Melvin
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Buildings -- Maintenance -- South Africa , Buildings -- Protection -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:9670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011924 , Buildings -- Maintenance -- South Africa , Buildings -- Protection -- South Africa
  • Description: This treatise is a study of the methodology and the thought processes followed when buildings are designed, in order to determine to what extent, if any, designers consider the need for buildings to be maintained long after they walk off site and part with the project. The concept of taking future maintenance requirements into account as part of the design process is referred to as “designing for maintenance” (DFM). It can be assumed that, from a professional perspective, designers must keep the client’s needs in mind when designing. Facilities managers face the challenge of balancing a budget with maintaining a functional building – a dream building would be a maintenance-free building. Armed with the knowledge of DFM it is hoped that future buildings will be designed in a manner that will facilitate maintenance, thereby achieving significant savings on the life cycle costing of buildings. Buys (2004) suggests that designers should adopt a more open-minded approach toward maintenance during the design stages of buildings. Maintenance, with reference to access, methods, material and funding, could benefit from this approach, with a positive effect on the life cycle costing of a building. In order of priority when starting a building project, the design process is at the top of the list. Because this process happens right at the outset of a project, it is important to address the level of maintenance awareness that goes into designing, at this stage. The research concludes that one of the methods which could have a permanent effect on designers’ awareness of DFM would be to include it in the subjects taught at schools where designers are trained. This idea was discussed with a number of lecturers in this field and they were all in favour of this approach. There is a perception that built environment practitioners and professionals such as architects and contractors in the various fields related to the built environment, often engage in their particular task as if they exist in isolation from the project as a whole and from the rest of the project team. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that all built environment aspects are interwoven and interlinked, and that all are part of a larger context. With reference to the built environment as a whole, no action or element exists in isolation from a larger web of activity. The challenge, to nurture within students an awareness of the range and interconnectedness of elements and processes that contribute to the holistic idea, rests with the educators in the design fields, because it is clear that the final impact of any project relies to a large extent on what was specified by the designers in terms of materials and construction methods. The impact of the world’s six billion inhabitants on the environment is clearly a critical issue but does little to influence the actions of most design professionals. Documented experiences should serve as valuable tools to guide designers towards making more educated decisions on building design. Built environment professionals should educate themselves about the range of issues involved in the analysis, design and production of the built environment and the interaction between these factors.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2006

Determining the critical success factors for implementing lean manufacturing in South Africa: a case study

  • Authors: Pitout, Callum John
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Production management -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021082
  • Description: The lean manufacturing system that evolved in Japan since World War II has leapt across the globe to North America and Europe. The secret success of Japan’s manufacturing machine has been shared. In Europe and America, lean has been identified as a manufacturing best practice that should be adopted to ensure competitive manufacturing efficiency. Many success stories have been told of American companies adopting the Japanese lean tools and techniques. Now, South African manufacturers are implementing the lean manufacturing philosophy, some with more success than others. This research paper explores lean manufacturing implementations at two South African automotive component manufacturers and identifies the critical success factors that have driven the implementation process forward. Commitment from top company executives, extensive training, worker empowerment and other critical success factors for implementing lean manufacturing into a South African environment are identified as a result of the research conducted.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Determining the impact of emotional intelligence on organisational effectiveness

  • Authors: Paul, Stephanie
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Organizational effectiveness , Emotional intelligence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/591 , Organizational effectiveness , Emotional intelligence
  • Description: Employees who are able to use their emotions intelligently can contribute meaningfully towards building an emotionally intelligent organisation, one in which everyone take responsibility for increasing his or her own emotional intelligence, for using it in relations with others, and for applying the skills of emotional intelligence to the organisation as a whole. The lack of emotional intelligence, however, undermines both an individual’s and a company’s growth and success. Expressing emotions within the workplace has for many years been considered inappropriate and irrelevant to business. This research study points to the fact that an overwhelming amount of research shows that not only are emotions very much a part if the work experience but, to a large degree, set the course that companies should follow. This research study firstly discusses the core components of emotional intelligence and its impact on individuals and how they relate to others. The study further focuses on the impact that emotional intelligence has on aspects that contribute to organisational effectiveness. This study suggests that emotional intelligence within companies could result in a situation where employees communicate with understanding and respect and where confidence and enthusiasm in the organisation are instilled. Knowing one’s own emotions and controlling them; recognizing emotions in others and managing them; and self-motivation are key dimensions of emotional intelligence covered in the theoretical perspective of emotional intelligence discussed in Chapter Two. This study points to the benefits of emotional intelligence as an indispensable element not only in creating a profitable business but also in leading a successful life. The findings discussed in Chapter Six indicate a reasonable level of emotional intelligence amongst employees at GMSA who participated in the survey. Recommendations from the study indicated a need for training in various aspects of emotional intelligence in order to derive the benefits of improved organisational effectiveness and profitability.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Developing self-regulated learning through the use of meta-cognitive strategies in adventure-based activities

  • Authors: Galbraith, Ian William
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Lilyfontein School Adventure education Education -- South Africa -- Curricula Competency-based education -- South Africa Educational psychology Cognitive learning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:1495 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003376
  • Description: This research investigates the benefits of adventure-based activities used as a learning experience at school level. In order to scientifically investigate these benefits the study is located at a school where an adventure-based programme is being developed as part of the school's curriculum. This programme consists of a range of adventure type experiences including, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, mountain biking, group dynamic activities, survival camps, ropes courses and adventure racing. At Lilyfontein School these activities form part of the Life Orientation and life Skill programmes from grade 1 to grade 11. Specialized and qualified staff are used to conduct some of these programmes. Adventure-based activities are rigorous and contain elements of risk which require problem solving, good decision making and sound emotional management. These aspects present both physical and mental challenges to any participant. This study postulates that learners engaged in these adventure type activities are faced with using meta-cognitive strategies to help them through these mental and physical challenges. In doing these activities regularly learners will develop meta-cognitive strategies that will enable them to become better self-regulated learners. A self-regulated learner is able to use meta-cognitive strategies like problem solving, decision making, selfevaluation, self-monitoring, self-reflective thinking or emotional control in life generally. The aim of this research is to conduct an on-going action research study of the adventure-based programmes to determine their worth for the learners at Lilyfontein School and consequently the future of such experiences in a school's curriculum. This forms the primary goal of this research. The secondary goal is to gather valid and reliable evidence required to make an argument for the School's Governing Body (SGB) and Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) to be able to substantiate decisions relating to any such future programmes. This research regards the school context as the activity system which forms a primary case study. In order to extract maximum information from this educational system, embedded case studies will be conducted and monitored. These embedded case studies will be made up of the following groups of people: firstly the learners engaged in a variety of adventure-based experiences, secondly the educators as they observe and perceive the consequences of these experiences, and thirdly the parents as they identifY possible influences of adventure-based experiences on the behaviours, beliefs or habits of their children. In this research study data collecting techniques are used to extract infonnation from the embedded cases. Infonnation is elicited from parents and educators through the use of questionnaires and interviews. For learners, narratives and interviews are used to get a more qualitative sense of their beliefs and feelings on adventure-based experiences. However, in order to capture and document the learners' use of metacognitive strategies as they engage in the rigours of an adventure-based activity a more empirical approach is used. This approach uses in-depth observation, recording and measuring of the learners in action. Video footage is used to record the learners' reactions as they battle with fear, mental-strength, fatigue and decision making to accomplish their goal during an adventure activity. This study claims that an adventure-based experience helps to mediate the learning that will develop selfregulatory strategies in a learner. The limited research in the adventure-based learning field and more significantly the lack of empirical evidence of how meta-cognitive strategies fonn a crucial component of adventure-based activities has meant that the researcher has developed his own recording, measuring and analytical tools to serve this end. He has chosen to use Engestrom's third generation Activity Theory model which provides a useful underlying theory as well as an analytical and interpretive framework for this study. The research was conducted over a period of three years. Findings are considered in relation to the National Curriculum Statement for the GET and FET bands to ensure its relevance in the school context to the National Department of Education's expectations for the Life Orientation curriculum. The empirical findings of this study at Lilyfontein School and their relevance to the curriculum content of the National Curriculum Statement ought to provide convincing data for very important curriculum policy decisions at Lilyfontein School and in the broader educational context.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Development and assessment of azithromycin paediatric suppository formulations

  • Authors: Mollel, Happiness
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Azithromycin , Pediatrics , Clinical pharmacology , Pharmacokinetics , Suppositories , Drugs -- Dosage forms
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003252 , Azithromycin , Pediatrics , Clinical pharmacology , Pharmacokinetics , Suppositories , Drugs -- Dosage forms
  • Description: The use of the oral route of administration for the treatment of young children with antibiotics can at times be problematic since, factors such as nausea, vomiting, taste and/or smell, in addition to the challenges associated with the administration of suspensions, may contribute to poor patient compliance. In such cases, the use of the rectal route of administration may be appropriate. Therefore, suppositories containing 250 mg azithromycin (AZI) were manufactured and assessed for potential as an antibiotic suppository dosage form. Suppositories, containing AZI dihydrate were manufactured by the fusion method, using different grades of PEG, Witepsol® and Suppocire® bases. The rate and extent of AZI release was evaluated using USP apparatus I, and samples were analyzed using a validated HPLC method. Differences in the rate and extent of AZI release were observed with the greatest amount of AZI being released from PEG formulations. The rate and extent of AZI release from formulations manufactured using fatty bases were influenced by physicochemical properties, such as melting rate and hydroxyl value, of the bases. In addition drug partitioning appeared to favor the lipid phase and had a negative impact on AZI release characteristics. Two different formulation approaches were used in an attempt to increase the rate and extent of AZI release from fatty base formulations. The use of surfactants significantly increased AZI release from formulations manufactured with fatty bases with high hydroxyl values. The use of urea or Povidone K25 in combination with AZI as a physical mixture or solid dispersion did not increase the rate and extent of AZI release from the fatty suppositories, to any significant extent. The mechanism of drug release was evaluated using several mathematical models, including the Higuchi, Korsmeyer- eppas, Zero and, First order models. In addition, in vitro dissolution profiles were characterized by the difference and similarity factors, f1 and f2 and by use of the Gohel similarity factor, Sd. AZI release kinetics were best described by the Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models and the values of the release exponent, n, revealed that drug release was a consequence of the combined effects of AZI diffusion, rate of melting of the base and partitioning of the drug which can be considered to be anomalous release.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Development and assessment of propranolol sustained release dosage forms separately and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide

  • Authors: Chetty, Prakash
  • Date: 2006
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3749 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003227
  • Description: Hypertension is a chronic illness that is often undiagnosed and untreated leading to high mortality rates in South Africa. The use of diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and beta blockers such as propranolol has been advocated as first line therapy for the treatment of hypertension. The study and use of controlled release dosage forms for the treatment of various disease states has gained wide interest over the past two decades. The use of controlled release systems offers improved therapeutic efficiency over conventional immediate release dosage forms, the use of which at times have often led to poor patient adherence and decreased therapeutic efficiencies. The current research objective was to develop a sustained release multi-source product for propranolol such that once daily dosing would be achieved. In addition, the sustained release product was developed using Inderal® LA 80mg capsules as a reference product. In addition the development of a suitable immediate release hydrochlorothiazide tablet was undertaken to produce a combination dosage form. The use of two different technologies, namely direct compression and wet granulation were employed to develop the sustained release dosage form. The release of propranolol from these dosage forms was assessed using USP apparatus 1 with quantitation of the relevant dissolution samples using a validated high performance liquid chromatographic method. The release profiles from the prototype and subsequent products were subjected to model independent and model dependent analyses in order to compare them to the innovator product and to elucidate the mechanisms of drug release respectively. Dissolution test results reveal that dosage forms prepared from wet granulation showed better rate retardation and more appropriate release profiles than those prepared by direct compression techniques. The subsequent model independent and model dependent analysis show that a dosage form that is comparable to the innovator product has been developed, with drug release occurring by a diffusion type mechanism.
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  • Date Issued: 2006
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