A critical investigation of leadership in a Technical, Vocational Education and Training college in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Chagi, Nonkonzo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Technical education -- South Africa , Vocational education -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , Postsecondary education -- South Africa -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140045 , vital:37827
- Description: Far-reaching reforms of the TVET college system – including a merger and frequent revisioning of the colleges’ role in the educational landscape of South Africa – have focused renewed attention on this sector. The fact that the sector has been plagued by poor performance – even to the extent that several colleges have been placed under administration – suggests problems at the level of leadership. This study sought to explore key role-players’ understanding of the leadership and management challenges faced by a TVET college and, by examining responses to these challenges, develop a sense of what leadership means in the sector. The study drew on three leadership theories – distributed leadership, transactional leadership as depicted in political models of management, and critical leadership – to help make sense of the findings. A qualitative case study design was used to explore key respondents’ views and lived experiences. The respondents were the principal, two deputy principals, a council member, three campus managers and a programme head. Interviews, questionnaires and document analysis were the chief data collection tools. The study found that critical leadership was the dominant approach at the college. This was revealed in the college leadership’s awareness of broader societal needs and its own role in operating in a socially just manner. College leadership also revealed signs of rejecting the status quo and opposing state control and bureaucracy, in favour of reactionary initiatives. There was limited evidence of distributed and transactional leadership. In fact, ‘leadership’ as such, seemed not to be part of the college discourse, suggesting that the concept and habit of leadership was not broadly discussed, shared and promoted. This sense was strengthened by the fact that at the time of the study, the college was headed by a charismatic and visionary leader. Indeed, the problem at the college seemed to be the Department of Higher Education and Training, which has failed the college in a number of ways.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Chagi, Nonkonzo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Technical education -- South Africa , Vocational education -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , Postsecondary education -- South Africa -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140045 , vital:37827
- Description: Far-reaching reforms of the TVET college system – including a merger and frequent revisioning of the colleges’ role in the educational landscape of South Africa – have focused renewed attention on this sector. The fact that the sector has been plagued by poor performance – even to the extent that several colleges have been placed under administration – suggests problems at the level of leadership. This study sought to explore key role-players’ understanding of the leadership and management challenges faced by a TVET college and, by examining responses to these challenges, develop a sense of what leadership means in the sector. The study drew on three leadership theories – distributed leadership, transactional leadership as depicted in political models of management, and critical leadership – to help make sense of the findings. A qualitative case study design was used to explore key respondents’ views and lived experiences. The respondents were the principal, two deputy principals, a council member, three campus managers and a programme head. Interviews, questionnaires and document analysis were the chief data collection tools. The study found that critical leadership was the dominant approach at the college. This was revealed in the college leadership’s awareness of broader societal needs and its own role in operating in a socially just manner. College leadership also revealed signs of rejecting the status quo and opposing state control and bureaucracy, in favour of reactionary initiatives. There was limited evidence of distributed and transactional leadership. In fact, ‘leadership’ as such, seemed not to be part of the college discourse, suggesting that the concept and habit of leadership was not broadly discussed, shared and promoted. This sense was strengthened by the fact that at the time of the study, the college was headed by a charismatic and visionary leader. Indeed, the problem at the college seemed to be the Department of Higher Education and Training, which has failed the college in a number of ways.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A critique of the language of record in South African courts in relation to selected university language policies
- Authors: Docrat, Zakeera
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa , Forensic linguistics -- South Africa , Communication in law -- South Africa , Language planning -- South Africa , Linguistic rights -- South Africa , Court interpreting and translating -- South Africa , Multilingual education -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141394 , vital:37968
- Description: This interdisciplinary research located in the research area of forensic linguistics seeks to provide a critique of the monolingual language of record directive for courts in South Africa, while investigating how university language policies contribute the formulation of a monolingual language of record policy for courts, by graduating monolingual LLB students. The research commences with identifying the research problem, goals and objectives and how the language of record policy for courts is linked to university language planning. The research proceeds to an overview of scholarly literature concerning the historical developments of language planning in both the legal system and higher education in South Africa. The theoretical principles concerning the enacting of language legislation and policies is advanced in relation to the constitutional framework. This research furthermore provides a thorough critique of the constitutional framework where the language rights the other related language provisions are discussed in relation to the theory and the application thereof in case law. The research explicates that the language rights of African language speaking litigants is unfairly limited and that access to justice for these litigants is either unattainable or achieved to a lesser extent. The disparities between language, law and power are brought to the fore, where the relevant legislation and language policies fail to determine the language of record in courts as well as legislate the African language requirements for legal practitioners in giving meaning to the constitutional language rights. The language policies of six selected universities is discussed in relation to the legal system’s legislative and policy frameworks, outlining the need to transform the language of learning and teaching and develop the curriculum to support the legal system. In doing so, the shortcomings of the interpretation profession in South Africa are highlighted and the effects thereof on the language rights of litigants. This thesis advances seven African and international case studies, comprising Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada and India. Each of the case studies provides an in-depth analysis of the language of record/proceedings in courts and the language competencies of legal practitioners and judicial officers in relation to their university education. The African case studies are illustrative that English on the African continent in courts and higher education is dominate and the resultant loss of indigenous languages marginalises people from mainstream society. The international case studies provide two models, Belgium and Canada, which South Africa can emulate, in enacting new legislation and policies and the amendment of current legislation, to ensure bilingual/ multilingual language policies are drafted for courts per province, where the language demographics present majority spoken languages alongside English. Furthermore, where courts interpret language rights and legislative and policy provisions in a purposive manner, where African language speakers are able to, fully realise their rights. Australia and India as multilingual models serve as important case studies where South Africa can learn from what to avoid, how to subvert challenges or adequately address these. These case studies highlight the dangers of a political elite who pursue an English only agenda at the expense of the indigenous languages and the speakers thereof. This thesis in conclusion provides interdisciplinary recommendations that need to be implemented in order to address the language question in South African courts and higher education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Docrat, Zakeera
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Language policy -- South Africa , Forensic linguistics -- South Africa , Communication in law -- South Africa , Language planning -- South Africa , Linguistic rights -- South Africa , Court interpreting and translating -- South Africa , Multilingual education -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141394 , vital:37968
- Description: This interdisciplinary research located in the research area of forensic linguistics seeks to provide a critique of the monolingual language of record directive for courts in South Africa, while investigating how university language policies contribute the formulation of a monolingual language of record policy for courts, by graduating monolingual LLB students. The research commences with identifying the research problem, goals and objectives and how the language of record policy for courts is linked to university language planning. The research proceeds to an overview of scholarly literature concerning the historical developments of language planning in both the legal system and higher education in South Africa. The theoretical principles concerning the enacting of language legislation and policies is advanced in relation to the constitutional framework. This research furthermore provides a thorough critique of the constitutional framework where the language rights the other related language provisions are discussed in relation to the theory and the application thereof in case law. The research explicates that the language rights of African language speaking litigants is unfairly limited and that access to justice for these litigants is either unattainable or achieved to a lesser extent. The disparities between language, law and power are brought to the fore, where the relevant legislation and language policies fail to determine the language of record in courts as well as legislate the African language requirements for legal practitioners in giving meaning to the constitutional language rights. The language policies of six selected universities is discussed in relation to the legal system’s legislative and policy frameworks, outlining the need to transform the language of learning and teaching and develop the curriculum to support the legal system. In doing so, the shortcomings of the interpretation profession in South Africa are highlighted and the effects thereof on the language rights of litigants. This thesis advances seven African and international case studies, comprising Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada and India. Each of the case studies provides an in-depth analysis of the language of record/proceedings in courts and the language competencies of legal practitioners and judicial officers in relation to their university education. The African case studies are illustrative that English on the African continent in courts and higher education is dominate and the resultant loss of indigenous languages marginalises people from mainstream society. The international case studies provide two models, Belgium and Canada, which South Africa can emulate, in enacting new legislation and policies and the amendment of current legislation, to ensure bilingual/ multilingual language policies are drafted for courts per province, where the language demographics present majority spoken languages alongside English. Furthermore, where courts interpret language rights and legislative and policy provisions in a purposive manner, where African language speakers are able to, fully realise their rights. Australia and India as multilingual models serve as important case studies where South Africa can learn from what to avoid, how to subvert challenges or adequately address these. These case studies highlight the dangers of a political elite who pursue an English only agenda at the expense of the indigenous languages and the speakers thereof. This thesis in conclusion provides interdisciplinary recommendations that need to be implemented in order to address the language question in South African courts and higher education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A critique of translated (isiXhosa to English) sworn statements by the South African Police Service
- Authors: Mvabaza, Aviwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Forensic linguistics , Translators -- South Africa , Xhosa language -- Translating , Police administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/122869 , vital:35361
- Description: The thesis provides a critique of sworn statement translations in the South African Police Service. The study is a mixed method study, which is rooted in Translation and Forensic Linguistics. It focuses on translations of two languages, IsiXhosa and English, an activity that was observed by the researcher at the Ndevana Police Station under the Buffalo City Municipality near King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape Province. In addition to the data collection strategies, among others, the study also collected data through the use of questionnaires responded to by the Ndevana Location’s community members. Furthermore, it used a method of consented interviews with the police officers. The main aim of these interviews was to unearth the police officers’ views on whether they require Translators and Forensic Linguists to assist them. Moreover, the other data collection strategy used was the consented recordings of verbal statements made by complainants, facilitated by the capturing of translated written dockets after the reporting of an incident. The police officers involved and who were available in the precinct were Constables, Sergeants, Detectives, Warrant officers and the Captain. The study period was 90 days, and the data presented in the form of graphs is contained in the relevant upcoming chapters. The findings of the study were that there was indeed a need for Translators and/or Forensic Linguists in the precinct, as the statistics revealed, by both the police officers and the community members. An analysis of the transcribed material, the interviews with the police and the verbal statements made by the complainants written by the police were evidence of the need for Translators and Forensic Linguists by the South African Police Services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mvabaza, Aviwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Forensic linguistics , Translators -- South Africa , Xhosa language -- Translating , Police administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/122869 , vital:35361
- Description: The thesis provides a critique of sworn statement translations in the South African Police Service. The study is a mixed method study, which is rooted in Translation and Forensic Linguistics. It focuses on translations of two languages, IsiXhosa and English, an activity that was observed by the researcher at the Ndevana Police Station under the Buffalo City Municipality near King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape Province. In addition to the data collection strategies, among others, the study also collected data through the use of questionnaires responded to by the Ndevana Location’s community members. Furthermore, it used a method of consented interviews with the police officers. The main aim of these interviews was to unearth the police officers’ views on whether they require Translators and Forensic Linguists to assist them. Moreover, the other data collection strategy used was the consented recordings of verbal statements made by complainants, facilitated by the capturing of translated written dockets after the reporting of an incident. The police officers involved and who were available in the precinct were Constables, Sergeants, Detectives, Warrant officers and the Captain. The study period was 90 days, and the data presented in the form of graphs is contained in the relevant upcoming chapters. The findings of the study were that there was indeed a need for Translators and/or Forensic Linguists in the precinct, as the statistics revealed, by both the police officers and the community members. An analysis of the transcribed material, the interviews with the police and the verbal statements made by the complainants written by the police were evidence of the need for Translators and Forensic Linguists by the South African Police Services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A cybersafety educational framework for primary school learners in South Africa
- Authors: Kucherera, Lean
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer crimes -- Security measures -- South Africa School children -- Crimes against -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49452 , vital:41722
- Description: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made life much easier for many people but have also brought many dangers to the world. School learners are amongst the users of ICT who are becoming cyber citizens. This age is good at exploring new things, with a growing number of school learners having access to ICT devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers. This is due to the affordability of mobile phones, which they normally receive as gifts from their parents. Due to easy access of ICT, school learners can now access cyberspace which offers them many advantages and benefits. Such advantages and benefits include having a platform to socialise, improved and ease of access to information as well as improving their learning. Despite these benefits, school learners (primary school learners in particular) are prone to falling victim to a range of cyber risks and attacks since cyberspace is an unregulated platform that poses many potential dangers Common cybersafety threats associated with school learners include cyberbullying, sexting/“sextortion”, engaging with strangers, accessing inappropriate content and being exposed to a breach of privacy. Because the cybersafety of children, especially primary school learners, is often compromised, there is a need to protect them from the threats associated with ICT. However, protecting children from the aforementioned cybersafety threats is complicated because access to cyberspace is no longer confined to the home computer, but has extended to mobile phones, which are even more pervasive. Therefore, it is essential for school learners to be educated on how to protect themselves and their information in the virtual computer world. A number of developed countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) have included cybersafety education in their school curricula. Similarly, the rapid growth of the Internet around the world, allowed some countries in Africa to take the initiative to start implementing cybersafety education in schools including Mauritius, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Cameroon, Egypt and Rwanda. Countries like Uganda, Sudan, Morocco and South Africa are still facing challenges in this aspect. This study is focused on the cybersafety of primary school learners in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kucherera, Lean
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer crimes -- Security measures -- South Africa School children -- Crimes against -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49452 , vital:41722
- Description: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made life much easier for many people but have also brought many dangers to the world. School learners are amongst the users of ICT who are becoming cyber citizens. This age is good at exploring new things, with a growing number of school learners having access to ICT devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers. This is due to the affordability of mobile phones, which they normally receive as gifts from their parents. Due to easy access of ICT, school learners can now access cyberspace which offers them many advantages and benefits. Such advantages and benefits include having a platform to socialise, improved and ease of access to information as well as improving their learning. Despite these benefits, school learners (primary school learners in particular) are prone to falling victim to a range of cyber risks and attacks since cyberspace is an unregulated platform that poses many potential dangers Common cybersafety threats associated with school learners include cyberbullying, sexting/“sextortion”, engaging with strangers, accessing inappropriate content and being exposed to a breach of privacy. Because the cybersafety of children, especially primary school learners, is often compromised, there is a need to protect them from the threats associated with ICT. However, protecting children from the aforementioned cybersafety threats is complicated because access to cyberspace is no longer confined to the home computer, but has extended to mobile phones, which are even more pervasive. Therefore, it is essential for school learners to be educated on how to protect themselves and their information in the virtual computer world. A number of developed countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) have included cybersafety education in their school curricula. Similarly, the rapid growth of the Internet around the world, allowed some countries in Africa to take the initiative to start implementing cybersafety education in schools including Mauritius, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Cameroon, Egypt and Rwanda. Countries like Uganda, Sudan, Morocco and South Africa are still facing challenges in this aspect. This study is focused on the cybersafety of primary school learners in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A cybersecurity curricular framework for IT undergraduates in South Africa
- Authors: Mbuqe, Apelele Alungile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: LCSH
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49595 , vital:41739
- Description: Abstract ending in a full stop.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbuqe, Apelele Alungile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: LCSH
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49595 , vital:41739
- Description: Abstract ending in a full stop.
- Full Text:
A five year comparative analysis of annual baseline neurocognitive test scores for South African high school athletes
- Reichling, Marcelle Antoinette
- Authors: Reichling, Marcelle Antoinette
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: High school athletes -- Intelligence testing , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Brain -- Concussion , Head -- Wounds and injuries
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145863 , vital:38473
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to assess the pattern of change in neurocognitive performance for adolescent athletes on baseline measures of the Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test, over five consecutive years, with a view to providing an indication of the optimal interval for repeat baseline testing of high school athletes. Participants were non-clinical, predominantly South African high school athletes in the overall age range 13 to 18 years (N = 108), divided into five groups (Grades 8,9, 10, 11 and 12), and tested at five test intervals. Repeated-measures ANOVA analyses examined differences in score performance across the test intervals for each of the five composite scores of the ImPACT test (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Reaction Time, Impulse Control). For the Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites there were significant neurocognitive score changes between several test intervals. Taking these results into account, in conjunction with substantial variability in performance, it is concluded that there is a need for annual baseline testing throughout the high school years. The secondary objective was to generate normative tables (Means and Standard Deviations) on the ImPACT test for the five participant groups at each of the five test intervals, including data for: the five composite scores (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Reaction Time, Impulse Control); for the twelve subtest scores test that go to make up the composite scores; and for four additional memory subcomponent scores (Word Memory immediate recall, Word Memory delayed recall, Design Memory immediate recall, Design Memory delayed recall). The results provide a clinical and heuristic normative platform for future use with brain injured individuals, which can be used to facilitate clinical interpretations of postconcussion assessments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Reichling, Marcelle Antoinette
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: High school athletes -- Intelligence testing , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Brain -- Concussion , Head -- Wounds and injuries
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145863 , vital:38473
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to assess the pattern of change in neurocognitive performance for adolescent athletes on baseline measures of the Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test, over five consecutive years, with a view to providing an indication of the optimal interval for repeat baseline testing of high school athletes. Participants were non-clinical, predominantly South African high school athletes in the overall age range 13 to 18 years (N = 108), divided into five groups (Grades 8,9, 10, 11 and 12), and tested at five test intervals. Repeated-measures ANOVA analyses examined differences in score performance across the test intervals for each of the five composite scores of the ImPACT test (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Reaction Time, Impulse Control). For the Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites there were significant neurocognitive score changes between several test intervals. Taking these results into account, in conjunction with substantial variability in performance, it is concluded that there is a need for annual baseline testing throughout the high school years. The secondary objective was to generate normative tables (Means and Standard Deviations) on the ImPACT test for the five participant groups at each of the five test intervals, including data for: the five composite scores (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Reaction Time, Impulse Control); for the twelve subtest scores test that go to make up the composite scores; and for four additional memory subcomponent scores (Word Memory immediate recall, Word Memory delayed recall, Design Memory immediate recall, Design Memory delayed recall). The results provide a clinical and heuristic normative platform for future use with brain injured individuals, which can be used to facilitate clinical interpretations of postconcussion assessments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A formative intervention study of how learner voice and leadership can be developed within a Learner Representative Council (LRC) in an urban combined school, Namibia
- Authors: Shipopyeni, Salomo S M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Namibia , Student government -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student participation in administration -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144934 , vital:38393
- Description: The Namibian Education system, after the country gained independence, introduced various reforms to ensure the attainment of the educational goals of access, quality, equity and democracy in schools. One of the policies introduced to promote democracy in our schools was The Educational Act 16 of 2001, which gave birth to the establishment of Learners Representatives Councils (LRC) in schools. The LRC body is the legal learner leadership body established to ensure learners are represented in school leadership. However, various studies have revealed that this legal body of learners in many schools has been merely ‘rubber-stamping’ decisions made by teachers; learners have had very little input in decisions that affect them as learners. Thus, I was prompted to conduct this formative intervention study on learner leadership at an urban combined school in Namibia. Informed by distributed and transformative leadership theories, the study aimed to develop leadership within the LRC members and the needed expansive transformation regarding leadership practices in school. The intention was for learners to be enabled to practice their democratic right in decision-making processes in matters that concerned their schooling and learning. This study was theoretically and analytically framed by second generation CulturalHistorical Activity Theory. The participants included 12 LRC members, the LRC liaison teacher, the class register teacher, three school management team members and the principal. The research method was a case study, underpinned by the critical paradigm to bring about the fundamental expansive transformation in learner leadership practices at the case study school. This qualitative study was divided into two phases, a contextual profiling phase and an intervention phase. Data were generated through document analysis, observation, questionnaires, focus group interviews and Change Laboratory Workshops. The data were generated to answer the over-arching question: How learner voice and leadership can be developed within a Learner Representative Council (LRC) in an urban combined school, Namibia. The data were analysed inductively and abductively. The key findings were: first, there were a variety of understandings of the concept learner leadership; second, the involvement of LRC members in decision-making processes was limited to involvement in organising extracurricular activities and controlling of other learners at school; third, leadership development opportunities for learners at the case study school were only provided through training at the beginning of the year and the LRC carrying out various activities and roles at the case study school. Several challenges that constrained the LRC voice and leadership development were surfaced and, through Change Laboratory Workshops, the participants of the activity system together with me (the researcher-interventionist), identified the expansive learning opportunities to develop leadership amongst Learner Representative Council (LRC) members. In the final analysis, this study will contribute to the production of knowledge on the concept of learner leadership in the context of Namibia. Fellow scholars, professionals, colleagues and policy makers in education are requested to engage with this thesis to contribute to our understanding of this important aspect of our field and speak back to policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Shipopyeni, Salomo S M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Namibia , Student government -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student participation in administration -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144934 , vital:38393
- Description: The Namibian Education system, after the country gained independence, introduced various reforms to ensure the attainment of the educational goals of access, quality, equity and democracy in schools. One of the policies introduced to promote democracy in our schools was The Educational Act 16 of 2001, which gave birth to the establishment of Learners Representatives Councils (LRC) in schools. The LRC body is the legal learner leadership body established to ensure learners are represented in school leadership. However, various studies have revealed that this legal body of learners in many schools has been merely ‘rubber-stamping’ decisions made by teachers; learners have had very little input in decisions that affect them as learners. Thus, I was prompted to conduct this formative intervention study on learner leadership at an urban combined school in Namibia. Informed by distributed and transformative leadership theories, the study aimed to develop leadership within the LRC members and the needed expansive transformation regarding leadership practices in school. The intention was for learners to be enabled to practice their democratic right in decision-making processes in matters that concerned their schooling and learning. This study was theoretically and analytically framed by second generation CulturalHistorical Activity Theory. The participants included 12 LRC members, the LRC liaison teacher, the class register teacher, three school management team members and the principal. The research method was a case study, underpinned by the critical paradigm to bring about the fundamental expansive transformation in learner leadership practices at the case study school. This qualitative study was divided into two phases, a contextual profiling phase and an intervention phase. Data were generated through document analysis, observation, questionnaires, focus group interviews and Change Laboratory Workshops. The data were generated to answer the over-arching question: How learner voice and leadership can be developed within a Learner Representative Council (LRC) in an urban combined school, Namibia. The data were analysed inductively and abductively. The key findings were: first, there were a variety of understandings of the concept learner leadership; second, the involvement of LRC members in decision-making processes was limited to involvement in organising extracurricular activities and controlling of other learners at school; third, leadership development opportunities for learners at the case study school were only provided through training at the beginning of the year and the LRC carrying out various activities and roles at the case study school. Several challenges that constrained the LRC voice and leadership development were surfaced and, through Change Laboratory Workshops, the participants of the activity system together with me (the researcher-interventionist), identified the expansive learning opportunities to develop leadership amongst Learner Representative Council (LRC) members. In the final analysis, this study will contribute to the production of knowledge on the concept of learner leadership in the context of Namibia. Fellow scholars, professionals, colleagues and policy makers in education are requested to engage with this thesis to contribute to our understanding of this important aspect of our field and speak back to policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A Framework for Broadband Adoption in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to Enable Citizen Access to e-Government
- Twetwa-Dube, Sithandile Pornelia
- Authors: Twetwa-Dube, Sithandile Pornelia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic government information
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18963 , vital:43003
- Description: E-government has been adopted as one of the cornerstones of the government‘s strategy for making services accessible to its citizens. The aim of this broadband adoption is to provide high quality public sector services via digital channels to improve cost-efficiency and generate benefits to municipality employees and citizen. A major challenge that municipalities face is the lack of public participation which restricts levels of communication between governments and municipalities and the citizen where public misses out on information and services available online, which results in further inequality. This has a devastating impact on service delivery because participatory democracy would be non-existent. Limited IT infrastructure, resistance to change, cultural barriers and exposure of malpractice are main themes related to IT usage or facilitating IT access for the wider public. Furthermore, lack of meaningful participation and freedom of association emerged as themes related to governance effectiveness. A mixed approach within a case study was considered, and data was collected through an online questionnaire and review of current literature. The study collected primary data by conducting web based questionnaires comprising sixty respondent’s citizens and fifteen municipal employees, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) employees and broadband task team members. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) to analyse data from questionnaires. The selected BCMM employees of the population were known to have the relevant knowledge, time and experience to participate. Responses to each question developed the framework further based on the findings. Respondents were selected based on their appropriate knowledge and experience of the problem domain. Six experts were selected for final evaluation of the research findings. Firstly, the findings provided on barriers impact on the adoption of e-government. Secondly, on the techniques available to ensure access to e-government within BCMM. Thirdly, on the availability of technologies currently in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Finally, on the elements of a Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality broadband adoption strategy. This study evaluates barriers of e-government adoption, assessing strategies and techniques for accessing e-government services, examines current technologies to support e-government service within municipalities and analyses elements of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality broadband adoption strategy. A broadband adoption model was proposed based on empirical findings. Key adoption factors include adoption benefits and drivers, concerns and barriers and adoption interventions. These factors provide an essential foundation for the development of the proposed broadband adoption framework. The contribution of this study is a framework based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework to determine factors that influence or restrict a citizen’s intention to use and adopt technology, specifically broadband, in e-government services as a tool for citizen engagement. The proposed framework aims to overcome barriers to broadband adoption 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper in municipalities, specifically Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) to enable citizens’ access to e-government services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Twetwa-Dube, Sithandile Pornelia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic government information
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18963 , vital:43003
- Description: E-government has been adopted as one of the cornerstones of the government‘s strategy for making services accessible to its citizens. The aim of this broadband adoption is to provide high quality public sector services via digital channels to improve cost-efficiency and generate benefits to municipality employees and citizen. A major challenge that municipalities face is the lack of public participation which restricts levels of communication between governments and municipalities and the citizen where public misses out on information and services available online, which results in further inequality. This has a devastating impact on service delivery because participatory democracy would be non-existent. Limited IT infrastructure, resistance to change, cultural barriers and exposure of malpractice are main themes related to IT usage or facilitating IT access for the wider public. Furthermore, lack of meaningful participation and freedom of association emerged as themes related to governance effectiveness. A mixed approach within a case study was considered, and data was collected through an online questionnaire and review of current literature. The study collected primary data by conducting web based questionnaires comprising sixty respondent’s citizens and fifteen municipal employees, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) employees and broadband task team members. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) to analyse data from questionnaires. The selected BCMM employees of the population were known to have the relevant knowledge, time and experience to participate. Responses to each question developed the framework further based on the findings. Respondents were selected based on their appropriate knowledge and experience of the problem domain. Six experts were selected for final evaluation of the research findings. Firstly, the findings provided on barriers impact on the adoption of e-government. Secondly, on the techniques available to ensure access to e-government within BCMM. Thirdly, on the availability of technologies currently in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Finally, on the elements of a Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality broadband adoption strategy. This study evaluates barriers of e-government adoption, assessing strategies and techniques for accessing e-government services, examines current technologies to support e-government service within municipalities and analyses elements of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality broadband adoption strategy. A broadband adoption model was proposed based on empirical findings. Key adoption factors include adoption benefits and drivers, concerns and barriers and adoption interventions. These factors provide an essential foundation for the development of the proposed broadband adoption framework. The contribution of this study is a framework based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework to determine factors that influence or restrict a citizen’s intention to use and adopt technology, specifically broadband, in e-government services as a tool for citizen engagement. The proposed framework aims to overcome barriers to broadband adoption 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper in municipalities, specifically Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) to enable citizens’ access to e-government services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for digital signature implementations for e-government services
- Authors: Kumalo, Mmaphefo Octavia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic government information , Internet in public administration Municipal government -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46086 , vital:39490
- Description: The advent of the Internet has brought with it new innovations, new ways of doing business, new ways of working, new ways of engaging, and new forms of business models. It has ultimately disrupted the traditional ways in which we communicate, socialise, and live life in general. This era has heralded the requirement for digitization and has brought about the digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The fundamental ways in which companies and governments do business are changing due to the increased innovation, and the cost efficiencies that this era has brought with it. Like most governments worldwide, the South African government has responded to the Internet revolution and is taking advantage of it through e-government initiatives. The direct effects of e-government include cost savings, efficiencies, improved and continuous interactions and communications with citizens, better public procurement, and improved tax collection. The area of digitization has the potential to improve how the South African government delivers services to citizens and those that reside within the borders of the country. Amongst the five elements of successful e-government transformation, process reform is at the top of the list. e-Government is not just about the automation of existing processes and inefficiencies. It is also about the creation of new processes and new relationships between all the stakeholders involved. In the South African context, the lack of optimised, automated, and digitalised processes within various government departments has impeded crossfunctional processes’ effectiveness and efficiencies. Manual interventions in processing and transactions occur to comply with the legal requirement to manually sign documents. This poses difficulties in integrating processes within government departments to achieve a seamless experience for the citizen. As a result, this treatise sets out to answer the question of what needs to be in place to allow for the utilisation of digital signatures in automating the processing of e-government services for a seamless experience for citizens and businesses. The resulting Digital Signature Framework can be used by government departments to implement digital signatures and provides providing guidance, facilitating understanding, and providing ease of use, scalability, and agility.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kumalo, Mmaphefo Octavia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic government information , Internet in public administration Municipal government -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46086 , vital:39490
- Description: The advent of the Internet has brought with it new innovations, new ways of doing business, new ways of working, new ways of engaging, and new forms of business models. It has ultimately disrupted the traditional ways in which we communicate, socialise, and live life in general. This era has heralded the requirement for digitization and has brought about the digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The fundamental ways in which companies and governments do business are changing due to the increased innovation, and the cost efficiencies that this era has brought with it. Like most governments worldwide, the South African government has responded to the Internet revolution and is taking advantage of it through e-government initiatives. The direct effects of e-government include cost savings, efficiencies, improved and continuous interactions and communications with citizens, better public procurement, and improved tax collection. The area of digitization has the potential to improve how the South African government delivers services to citizens and those that reside within the borders of the country. Amongst the five elements of successful e-government transformation, process reform is at the top of the list. e-Government is not just about the automation of existing processes and inefficiencies. It is also about the creation of new processes and new relationships between all the stakeholders involved. In the South African context, the lack of optimised, automated, and digitalised processes within various government departments has impeded crossfunctional processes’ effectiveness and efficiencies. Manual interventions in processing and transactions occur to comply with the legal requirement to manually sign documents. This poses difficulties in integrating processes within government departments to achieve a seamless experience for the citizen. As a result, this treatise sets out to answer the question of what needs to be in place to allow for the utilisation of digital signatures in automating the processing of e-government services for a seamless experience for citizens and businesses. The resulting Digital Signature Framework can be used by government departments to implement digital signatures and provides providing guidance, facilitating understanding, and providing ease of use, scalability, and agility.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for enhancing compliance with Employee Performance Management and Development Systems(EPMDS) among public sector doctors in BCMM health facilities
- Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Authors: Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47520 , vital:40116
- Description: This research explored an employee performance management and development system in the context of the public health centres in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study reviewed the literature on EPMDS in the public health sector of South Africa, noting the shortfalls, challenges, and ways in which it could be improved. The major findings from the study include the need to review the entire policy, revise the pay-scales, and co-create a new EPMDS policy creating space for the representation of the views of the employees. Without completing the development and performance evaluation, grade progression cannot be implemented despite years of service; hence the problem doctors face with their salary levels. The current EPMDS was found to be ineffective due to the wide discrepancy that exists between doctors and other health professionals in public health institutions. Among the commitment motivators highlighted by the respondents, was the need to develop an organisational culture that permits employees to recognise that they are appreciated. Future research must consider using mixed research methods, in the context of other South African Provinces and include a larger sample of research participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47520 , vital:40116
- Description: This research explored an employee performance management and development system in the context of the public health centres in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study reviewed the literature on EPMDS in the public health sector of South Africa, noting the shortfalls, challenges, and ways in which it could be improved. The major findings from the study include the need to review the entire policy, revise the pay-scales, and co-create a new EPMDS policy creating space for the representation of the views of the employees. Without completing the development and performance evaluation, grade progression cannot be implemented despite years of service; hence the problem doctors face with their salary levels. The current EPMDS was found to be ineffective due to the wide discrepancy that exists between doctors and other health professionals in public health institutions. Among the commitment motivators highlighted by the respondents, was the need to develop an organisational culture that permits employees to recognise that they are appreciated. Future research must consider using mixed research methods, in the context of other South African Provinces and include a larger sample of research participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for enhancing the transgenerational potential of indigenous african family businesses
- Authors: Matchaba-Hove, Mtonhodzi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession Indigenous peoples -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48894 , vital:41168
- Description: Family businesses are the backbone of many economies around the globe and are believed to constitute over two-thirds of all businesses worldwide. For nearly 300 years, the Southern African economy has been developing as a consequence of the contribution of family businesses to the region’s economy. Despite their importance to the economies of countries, their overall failure rate remains high. Given the important economic and societal contribution that family businesses make, their survival rates are a matter of concern. As far as can be established, little research has been conducted among indigenous African family businesses. The research done to date lacks depth in terms of the topics covered and the countries sampled. The majority of studies on family businesses have been done in European, American and Asian settings. Notably, the research project on Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) has investigated transgenerational entrepreneurship among family businesses around the world. The STEP project proposes a theoretical framework, known as the STEP framework, which to date has not been applied to the indigenous African context. There is a great need for deeper insights into, and an increased understanding of the practices implemented among indigenous African family businesses that have survived across the generations, and of the context in which these businesses operate. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to explore and describe the factors that influence the transgenerational potential of indigenous African family businesses so as to assess the appropriateness of an existing non-African framework, namely the STEP framework, and to reconfigure it for the African context. The STEP framework proposes that various contextual factors influence both the entrepreneurial orientation and the familiness resource pools of family businesses, which in turn influence each other, and ultimately the transgenerational potential of the family business. The underlying theory applied in the study is Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions model. Hofstede’s model provides theoretical support for the belief that the context in which a theory or framework is applied has a big influence on the successful application of such a framework. Therefore, a need exists to contextualise the STEP framework to the context in which it is being applied. An interpretivist research paradigm and a qualitative methodological approach were deemed the most suitable for the current study, as this paradigm and approach enabled the researcher to address the dynamics and invisible issues within family businesses. The current study adopted a multiple case study methodology. Adopting this methodology allowed for a deeper understanding of the object of interest. The three cases were systematically selected, using purposive sampling, to ensure that a credible and indicative sample was obtained. The criteria used for selection were based on the STEP project guidelines and the three businesses selected were from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, of indigenous African heritage and have showed sustained growth and success since their establishment. The reason for these selection criteria was to ensure that the study appropriately addressed the defined research objectives and the gap in the body of knowledge on transgenerational entrepreneurship in the African context. The instrument used to guide the key-informant interviews in this research was a semi-structured interview schedule adapted from the STEP project interview schedule. Once all the data was collected, a combination of directed content analysis and explanation building was used to analyse the data. A framework for enhancing the transgenerational potential of indigenous African family businesses is proposed in this study, based on the practices adopted by the successful indigenous African family businesses which participated. The framework developed adapts the STEP framework for the indigenous African family business context. As in the STEP framework, the framework proposed for indigenous African family businesses highlights several external contextual factors as influencing both the familiness resource pools and the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation. In the context of indigenous African family businesses, the external contextual factors most influential are the philosophy of Ubuntu, the collectivist national culture, as well as the community and extended family commitments. The external contextual factors, namely, the business environment and the industry in which the business operates, were found to be particularly influential on the entrepreneurial orientation displayed by the participating family businesses. All eight familiness resource pools, as well as the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation as proposed in the STEP framework, still form part of the framework proposed for indigenous African family businesses. However, for some the nature thereof differed somewhat from the original descriptions. Therefore, the original names were adapted to better describe these concepts as applicable to an indigenous African family business context. The proposed framework supports the multi-dimensional nature of performance outcomes among indigenous African family businesses. It proposes that in an indigenous African family business context, entrepreneurial performance outcomes are important to the extent that they contribute to achieving the financial performance outcomes, while the financial performance outcomes are important to the extent that they contribute to achieving the social performance outcomes. This study contributes to a greater understanding of successful indigenous African family businesses and their best practices, specifically an understanding of the practices adopted with regards to the familiness resource pools and entrepreneurial orientation. Furthermore, this study has expanded on the understanding of paternalism in that it has provides greater clarity on the nature of this leadership style, as well as the positive outcomes associated with it, in an African context. The study also has significance for educators, who can incorporate the lessons learned from it into their entrepreneurship and family business teaching.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Matchaba-Hove, Mtonhodzi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession Indigenous peoples -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48894 , vital:41168
- Description: Family businesses are the backbone of many economies around the globe and are believed to constitute over two-thirds of all businesses worldwide. For nearly 300 years, the Southern African economy has been developing as a consequence of the contribution of family businesses to the region’s economy. Despite their importance to the economies of countries, their overall failure rate remains high. Given the important economic and societal contribution that family businesses make, their survival rates are a matter of concern. As far as can be established, little research has been conducted among indigenous African family businesses. The research done to date lacks depth in terms of the topics covered and the countries sampled. The majority of studies on family businesses have been done in European, American and Asian settings. Notably, the research project on Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) has investigated transgenerational entrepreneurship among family businesses around the world. The STEP project proposes a theoretical framework, known as the STEP framework, which to date has not been applied to the indigenous African context. There is a great need for deeper insights into, and an increased understanding of the practices implemented among indigenous African family businesses that have survived across the generations, and of the context in which these businesses operate. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to explore and describe the factors that influence the transgenerational potential of indigenous African family businesses so as to assess the appropriateness of an existing non-African framework, namely the STEP framework, and to reconfigure it for the African context. The STEP framework proposes that various contextual factors influence both the entrepreneurial orientation and the familiness resource pools of family businesses, which in turn influence each other, and ultimately the transgenerational potential of the family business. The underlying theory applied in the study is Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions model. Hofstede’s model provides theoretical support for the belief that the context in which a theory or framework is applied has a big influence on the successful application of such a framework. Therefore, a need exists to contextualise the STEP framework to the context in which it is being applied. An interpretivist research paradigm and a qualitative methodological approach were deemed the most suitable for the current study, as this paradigm and approach enabled the researcher to address the dynamics and invisible issues within family businesses. The current study adopted a multiple case study methodology. Adopting this methodology allowed for a deeper understanding of the object of interest. The three cases were systematically selected, using purposive sampling, to ensure that a credible and indicative sample was obtained. The criteria used for selection were based on the STEP project guidelines and the three businesses selected were from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, of indigenous African heritage and have showed sustained growth and success since their establishment. The reason for these selection criteria was to ensure that the study appropriately addressed the defined research objectives and the gap in the body of knowledge on transgenerational entrepreneurship in the African context. The instrument used to guide the key-informant interviews in this research was a semi-structured interview schedule adapted from the STEP project interview schedule. Once all the data was collected, a combination of directed content analysis and explanation building was used to analyse the data. A framework for enhancing the transgenerational potential of indigenous African family businesses is proposed in this study, based on the practices adopted by the successful indigenous African family businesses which participated. The framework developed adapts the STEP framework for the indigenous African family business context. As in the STEP framework, the framework proposed for indigenous African family businesses highlights several external contextual factors as influencing both the familiness resource pools and the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation. In the context of indigenous African family businesses, the external contextual factors most influential are the philosophy of Ubuntu, the collectivist national culture, as well as the community and extended family commitments. The external contextual factors, namely, the business environment and the industry in which the business operates, were found to be particularly influential on the entrepreneurial orientation displayed by the participating family businesses. All eight familiness resource pools, as well as the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation as proposed in the STEP framework, still form part of the framework proposed for indigenous African family businesses. However, for some the nature thereof differed somewhat from the original descriptions. Therefore, the original names were adapted to better describe these concepts as applicable to an indigenous African family business context. The proposed framework supports the multi-dimensional nature of performance outcomes among indigenous African family businesses. It proposes that in an indigenous African family business context, entrepreneurial performance outcomes are important to the extent that they contribute to achieving the financial performance outcomes, while the financial performance outcomes are important to the extent that they contribute to achieving the social performance outcomes. This study contributes to a greater understanding of successful indigenous African family businesses and their best practices, specifically an understanding of the practices adopted with regards to the familiness resource pools and entrepreneurial orientation. Furthermore, this study has expanded on the understanding of paternalism in that it has provides greater clarity on the nature of this leadership style, as well as the positive outcomes associated with it, in an African context. The study also has significance for educators, who can incorporate the lessons learned from it into their entrepreneurship and family business teaching.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Medical care, Cost of -- South Africa , Medical economics -- South Africa Medical care -- South Africa -- Cost control Cost accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50432 , vital:42167
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Medical care, Cost of -- South Africa , Medical economics -- South Africa Medical care -- South Africa -- Cost control Cost accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50432 , vital:42167
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hospitals, Proprietary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47489 , vital:40126
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hospitals, Proprietary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47489 , vital:40126
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for supplier selection in the Nelson Mandela Bay retail industry
- Authors: Mavela, A
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48905 , vital:41169
- Description: The success of business firms operating in the retail industry is largely dependent on the performance rendered by their supply base. Choosing the incorrect supplier could have dire consequences for the retailer’s performance, as suppliers are generally considered an extension of the retailer. Organisations base their operational expertise on the key performance objectives of cost, service, quality, speed, dependability and flexibility, which becomes the basis of their selection criteria when evaluating suppliers. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework that guides retailers in their supplier selection process with the ultimate goal of formulating strategies to improve Nelson Mandela Bay’s (NMB’s) retail performance. In support of the primary objective, it was necessary to identify the current supplier selection criteria used in the NMB retail industry and the challenges that retailers face when selecting suppliers. The study set out to assess the effects of utilising established supplier selection criteria on retailers’ performance, as well as to identify strategies that retailers should employ to improve their performance. A quantitative research approach was utilised to collect data from a sample of 248 retailers and procurement and logistics managers. The empirical findings of the study identified flexibility, timeous delivery and reliability as the most important supplier selection criteria identified by retailers in NMB. The findings also revealed that utilising established supplier selection criteria has a significantly positive effect on retailers’ performance. Lack of collaboration between suppliers and retailers, lack of transparency between suppliers and retailers and suppliers’ limited knowledge of the criteria by which they are judged were identified as the most significant challenges facing retailers in NMB. The empirical findings also identified an increase in a retailer’s competitive advantage and revenue as the benefits of utilising supplier selection criteria to improve a retailer’s performance. The conclusions and implications of the empirical findings are provided and recommendations made. The study advances a framework to assist in guiding the retailers and procurement and logistics managers, retail researchers and policy makers when selecting suppliers. The study suggests that retailers should identify the most important supplier selection criteria, inform potential suppliers of the importance v of those criteria, select suppliers based on those criteria and utilise those criteria to evaluate the suppliers’ performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mavela, A
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48905 , vital:41169
- Description: The success of business firms operating in the retail industry is largely dependent on the performance rendered by their supply base. Choosing the incorrect supplier could have dire consequences for the retailer’s performance, as suppliers are generally considered an extension of the retailer. Organisations base their operational expertise on the key performance objectives of cost, service, quality, speed, dependability and flexibility, which becomes the basis of their selection criteria when evaluating suppliers. The primary objective of this study was to develop a framework that guides retailers in their supplier selection process with the ultimate goal of formulating strategies to improve Nelson Mandela Bay’s (NMB’s) retail performance. In support of the primary objective, it was necessary to identify the current supplier selection criteria used in the NMB retail industry and the challenges that retailers face when selecting suppliers. The study set out to assess the effects of utilising established supplier selection criteria on retailers’ performance, as well as to identify strategies that retailers should employ to improve their performance. A quantitative research approach was utilised to collect data from a sample of 248 retailers and procurement and logistics managers. The empirical findings of the study identified flexibility, timeous delivery and reliability as the most important supplier selection criteria identified by retailers in NMB. The findings also revealed that utilising established supplier selection criteria has a significantly positive effect on retailers’ performance. Lack of collaboration between suppliers and retailers, lack of transparency between suppliers and retailers and suppliers’ limited knowledge of the criteria by which they are judged were identified as the most significant challenges facing retailers in NMB. The empirical findings also identified an increase in a retailer’s competitive advantage and revenue as the benefits of utilising supplier selection criteria to improve a retailer’s performance. The conclusions and implications of the empirical findings are provided and recommendations made. The study advances a framework to assist in guiding the retailers and procurement and logistics managers, retail researchers and policy makers when selecting suppliers. The study suggests that retailers should identify the most important supplier selection criteria, inform potential suppliers of the importance v of those criteria, select suppliers based on those criteria and utilise those criteria to evaluate the suppliers’ performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for teaching secure coding practices through a blended learning approach
- Mdunyelwa, Vuyolwethu Sizoli
- Authors: Mdunyelwa, Vuyolwethu Sizoli
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Blended learning , Blended learning -- Case studies Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49940 , vital:41890
- Description: With the recent increase in cyber-related attacks, cybersecurity is becoming a key area of concern for many organisations. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities are typically addressed through the implementation of various cybersecurity controls. These controls can be operational, technical or physical in nature. The focus of this research, however, is on technical controls with a specific focus on securing web applications. This research investigated whether third year software development students at the Nelson Mandela University adhered to secure coding practices in their capstone projects. In order to determine adherence, secure coding practices were identified from OWASP for the data access layer in web applications developed in the .NET environment. This was addressed by Secondary Objective, which was To determine what secure coding practices a web application developer should adhere to in the .NET environment. These secure coding practices were used to conduct a code review on 2015 third year capstone projects, and addressed Secondary Objective, To determine the adherence of third year software development capstone projects to the identified secure coding practices. The results for the code review were analysed and indicated low levels of adherence which led to the Problem Statement of this research, namely: Undergraduate software development students do not consistently adhere to secure coding practices when developing their third-year capstone projects, thereby leading to vulnerabilities in their web applications. In order to address this Problem Statement, the Primary Objective was identified, To develop a framework for teaching secure coding practices through a blended learning approach. Secondary Objective, To determine whether third year software development students have the requisite knowledge relating to secure coding, took the form of a questionnaire to assess students' knowledge relating to secure coding practices. This required the achievement of further sub-objectives which addressed both the knowledge and behaviour of software development students. The results of this questionnaire indicated that many of the third-year software development students lacked the requisite knowledge. This lack of knowledge and adherence was addressed through an educational intervention, meeting Secondary Objective, To design and implement an educational intervention to support software development students in the development of secure web applications. In terms of knowledge, online lessons were developed addressing each of the secure coding practices identified. In order to address adherence, students were given a checklist to monitor their adherence to the identified secure coding practices. Secondary Objective, To determine the exact of the educational intervention on both student adherence and their requisite knowledge regarding secure coding practices, involved the varication of the educational intervention, and comprised of two components, knowledge and behaviour. Knowledge varication took the form of an online questionnaire given to 2017 third year project students. To address behavioural adherence, the researcher conducted a code review on the 2017 capstone projects. The results from the varication showed a general improvement in students' knowledge and high levels of adherence to secure coding practices. Finally, a framework was developed that encompassed the key elements of this research, thereby providing guidance to support the development of se cure web applications in higher education institutions and meeting the primary objective of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mdunyelwa, Vuyolwethu Sizoli
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Blended learning , Blended learning -- Case studies Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49940 , vital:41890
- Description: With the recent increase in cyber-related attacks, cybersecurity is becoming a key area of concern for many organisations. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities are typically addressed through the implementation of various cybersecurity controls. These controls can be operational, technical or physical in nature. The focus of this research, however, is on technical controls with a specific focus on securing web applications. This research investigated whether third year software development students at the Nelson Mandela University adhered to secure coding practices in their capstone projects. In order to determine adherence, secure coding practices were identified from OWASP for the data access layer in web applications developed in the .NET environment. This was addressed by Secondary Objective, which was To determine what secure coding practices a web application developer should adhere to in the .NET environment. These secure coding practices were used to conduct a code review on 2015 third year capstone projects, and addressed Secondary Objective, To determine the adherence of third year software development capstone projects to the identified secure coding practices. The results for the code review were analysed and indicated low levels of adherence which led to the Problem Statement of this research, namely: Undergraduate software development students do not consistently adhere to secure coding practices when developing their third-year capstone projects, thereby leading to vulnerabilities in their web applications. In order to address this Problem Statement, the Primary Objective was identified, To develop a framework for teaching secure coding practices through a blended learning approach. Secondary Objective, To determine whether third year software development students have the requisite knowledge relating to secure coding, took the form of a questionnaire to assess students' knowledge relating to secure coding practices. This required the achievement of further sub-objectives which addressed both the knowledge and behaviour of software development students. The results of this questionnaire indicated that many of the third-year software development students lacked the requisite knowledge. This lack of knowledge and adherence was addressed through an educational intervention, meeting Secondary Objective, To design and implement an educational intervention to support software development students in the development of secure web applications. In terms of knowledge, online lessons were developed addressing each of the secure coding practices identified. In order to address adherence, students were given a checklist to monitor their adherence to the identified secure coding practices. Secondary Objective, To determine the exact of the educational intervention on both student adherence and their requisite knowledge regarding secure coding practices, involved the varication of the educational intervention, and comprised of two components, knowledge and behaviour. Knowledge varication took the form of an online questionnaire given to 2017 third year project students. To address behavioural adherence, the researcher conducted a code review on the 2017 capstone projects. The results from the varication showed a general improvement in students' knowledge and high levels of adherence to secure coding practices. Finally, a framework was developed that encompassed the key elements of this research, thereby providing guidance to support the development of se cure web applications in higher education institutions and meeting the primary objective of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for the implementation of e-government as a service delivery mechanism in South Africa: The case of the Eastern Cape Thusong Service Centres
- Authors: Madyibi, Ayanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic government information Technological innovations Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18908 , vital:42997
- Description: E-government has emerged as an effective means of delivering much-needed online services to the citizens, businesses and other government institutions. This emanates from the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the internet and the emerging technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). E-government has essentially transformed the culture, structure and the way of doing business by public institutions in providing government services. In the past, e-government has been popular in developed countries but recently many developing countries are starting to appreciate the need to implement the initiative. However, the implementation of e-government has various challenges that have been identified through research and include technological, organisational and environmental aspects. Therefore, the researcher was motivated to study e-government to improve the delivery of services to citizens in South Africa. The objective of the research was to develop a framework for the implementation of egovernment as a service delivery mechanism in South Africa. The research process led to the identification of challenges that impact the implementation of e-government by applying an underlying Information Systems (IS) theoretical model, namely the Technology-OrganisationEnvironment (TOE) framework. The review of literature allowed the researcher to construct a conceptual theoretical framework which was then applied to the case study in order to understand the factors affecting the implementation of e-government in South Africa. Qualitative research data was collected using Thusong Service Centres in the Eastern Cape as a case study. Thusong Service Centres are government service centres based in rural communities which are used for the provision of online government services to these communities. The empirical data was collected using 22 respondents from five organisational and user perspectives: (1) State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as an agency of government responsible for ICT in South Africa, (2) the Senior ICT Managers from various National, Provincial and Local government entities, (3) Thusong Service Centre Managers, (4) Thusong Service Centre End-Users and (5) Expert Reviews. Documents that included the National e-Government Strategy, e-Government Policy, National Broadband Policy, ICT Policy White Paper were also consulted as secondary data. The conceptual theoretical framework was then revised based on the empirical evidence using the interpretive exploratory approach and triangulated data. The consolidated data from both the literature review and empirical evidence assisted in closing the gap between e-government implementation theory and practice. A detailed e-government implementation framework was then developed with the critical factors that impact the successful implementation of e- ii | P a g e government. E-government subject experts were also given the mandate to review the interview questions and the framework. The use of this framework was then explained in terms of how it can assist government decision-makers in South Africa for the effective and efficient delivery of services to the citizens. The research study has contributed to the e-government body of knowledge through the identified factors utilising the TOE framework at an organisational level for developing countries like South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Madyibi, Ayanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic government information Technological innovations Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18908 , vital:42997
- Description: E-government has emerged as an effective means of delivering much-needed online services to the citizens, businesses and other government institutions. This emanates from the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the internet and the emerging technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). E-government has essentially transformed the culture, structure and the way of doing business by public institutions in providing government services. In the past, e-government has been popular in developed countries but recently many developing countries are starting to appreciate the need to implement the initiative. However, the implementation of e-government has various challenges that have been identified through research and include technological, organisational and environmental aspects. Therefore, the researcher was motivated to study e-government to improve the delivery of services to citizens in South Africa. The objective of the research was to develop a framework for the implementation of egovernment as a service delivery mechanism in South Africa. The research process led to the identification of challenges that impact the implementation of e-government by applying an underlying Information Systems (IS) theoretical model, namely the Technology-OrganisationEnvironment (TOE) framework. The review of literature allowed the researcher to construct a conceptual theoretical framework which was then applied to the case study in order to understand the factors affecting the implementation of e-government in South Africa. Qualitative research data was collected using Thusong Service Centres in the Eastern Cape as a case study. Thusong Service Centres are government service centres based in rural communities which are used for the provision of online government services to these communities. The empirical data was collected using 22 respondents from five organisational and user perspectives: (1) State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as an agency of government responsible for ICT in South Africa, (2) the Senior ICT Managers from various National, Provincial and Local government entities, (3) Thusong Service Centre Managers, (4) Thusong Service Centre End-Users and (5) Expert Reviews. Documents that included the National e-Government Strategy, e-Government Policy, National Broadband Policy, ICT Policy White Paper were also consulted as secondary data. The conceptual theoretical framework was then revised based on the empirical evidence using the interpretive exploratory approach and triangulated data. The consolidated data from both the literature review and empirical evidence assisted in closing the gap between e-government implementation theory and practice. A detailed e-government implementation framework was then developed with the critical factors that impact the successful implementation of e- ii | P a g e government. E-government subject experts were also given the mandate to review the interview questions and the framework. The use of this framework was then explained in terms of how it can assist government decision-makers in South Africa for the effective and efficient delivery of services to the citizens. The research study has contributed to the e-government body of knowledge through the identified factors utilising the TOE framework at an organisational level for developing countries like South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework to enhance Information and Communication Technology (ICT) readiness for business continuity at the South African Revenue Services (SARS)
- Authors: Mathase, Euphodia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Internet in public administration -- Taxation -- South Africa Electronic commerce -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49496 , vital:41726
- Description: Many organisations, especially public sector organisations, are required to ensure that they are able to continue with their operation in cases of major disasters that affect the organisations. In the same light, the South African Revenue Services (SARS), being a quasi-government organisation, faces a similar phenomenon. The main purpose of conducting this research was to explore a problem in depth that was identified at the SARS. SARS does not have a comprehensive business continuity plan. The study therefore examined possible techniques or actions for ensuring information and communication technology (ICT) readiness and business continuity, explored various frameworks and policy documents which will assist public entities with readiness for business continuity, and identified frameworks that will assist SARS in implementing an effective ICT readiness for business continuity. The study adopted the design science research approach and aspects of design science research in information systems. Data gathered through the questionnaire instrument was used to design a framework that can be adopted at SARS to enhance ICT readiness for business continuity. The research findings show the importance of effective business continuity management (BCM) and a framework that can be used to implement an effective BCM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mathase, Euphodia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Internet in public administration -- Taxation -- South Africa Electronic commerce -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49496 , vital:41726
- Description: Many organisations, especially public sector organisations, are required to ensure that they are able to continue with their operation in cases of major disasters that affect the organisations. In the same light, the South African Revenue Services (SARS), being a quasi-government organisation, faces a similar phenomenon. The main purpose of conducting this research was to explore a problem in depth that was identified at the SARS. SARS does not have a comprehensive business continuity plan. The study therefore examined possible techniques or actions for ensuring information and communication technology (ICT) readiness and business continuity, explored various frameworks and policy documents which will assist public entities with readiness for business continuity, and identified frameworks that will assist SARS in implementing an effective ICT readiness for business continuity. The study adopted the design science research approach and aspects of design science research in information systems. Data gathered through the questionnaire instrument was used to design a framework that can be adopted at SARS to enhance ICT readiness for business continuity. The research findings show the importance of effective business continuity management (BCM) and a framework that can be used to implement an effective BCM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework to integrate secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula
- Authors: Bangani, Sifiso Matthews
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Electronic data processing personnel -- Training of Computer software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46019 , vital:39409
- Description: Many graduate software developers are not competent in secure programming, resulting in risks that are caused by vulnerabilities in the application code of software applications. These graduate software developers are equipped with programming knowledge and skills from universities, however, these software developers are rarely equipped with secure programming knowledge and skills from the undergraduate level. Although there are various techniques for writing secure code in the current body of knowledge, these techniques are rarely fundamental components of a computing curriculum, resulting in incompetent graduate software developers. The security aspect of software applications, is considered as an important aspect that can reflect the ability of a system to prevent data exposures and loss of information. For businesses that rely on software applications to keep operations running, a failure of a software application can stop production, interrupt processes, and may lead to data breaches and financial losses. This research argued that secure programming education needs to be included across computing curricula, and thus, the primary objective of this dissertation was: To develop a framework for integrating secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula. It proposes a framework for the incorporation of secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula, through a step-by-step approach. This framework includes the identification of application risks and secure programming practices as they relate to each other, and to the basic programming concepts taught to undergraduate students. It specifically aims to improve the security of software applications developed in the .Net framework environment. The main research methods used in this study included a literature view, thematic content analysis, argumentation, and modelling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bangani, Sifiso Matthews
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Electronic data processing personnel -- Training of Computer software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46019 , vital:39409
- Description: Many graduate software developers are not competent in secure programming, resulting in risks that are caused by vulnerabilities in the application code of software applications. These graduate software developers are equipped with programming knowledge and skills from universities, however, these software developers are rarely equipped with secure programming knowledge and skills from the undergraduate level. Although there are various techniques for writing secure code in the current body of knowledge, these techniques are rarely fundamental components of a computing curriculum, resulting in incompetent graduate software developers. The security aspect of software applications, is considered as an important aspect that can reflect the ability of a system to prevent data exposures and loss of information. For businesses that rely on software applications to keep operations running, a failure of a software application can stop production, interrupt processes, and may lead to data breaches and financial losses. This research argued that secure programming education needs to be included across computing curricula, and thus, the primary objective of this dissertation was: To develop a framework for integrating secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula. It proposes a framework for the incorporation of secure programming principles into undergraduate computing curricula, through a step-by-step approach. This framework includes the identification of application risks and secure programming practices as they relate to each other, and to the basic programming concepts taught to undergraduate students. It specifically aims to improve the security of software applications developed in the .Net framework environment. The main research methods used in this study included a literature view, thematic content analysis, argumentation, and modelling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework to measure the degree of alignment between corporate and IT/IS objectives at Randwater
- Authors: Sigasa, Moshane Lydia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Data protection Information technology -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47156 , vital:39818
- Description: The South African Government has institutionalised a Corporate Governance of ICT Policy Framework which was developed by Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The framework has adopted some elements of KING III, ISO 38500 and COBIT. Consequently, it is now a requirement by the South African Government that all its entities must adopt this framework. Nevertheless, it is not clear how government has emphasised this alignment in such entities. The problem statement in this study was that Randwater is unable to realise full value of the investment in IT/IS because there is misalignment between IT objectives or deliverables and the corporate objectives. This study sought to identify a suitable framework which meets the ICT policy criteria as set out by the DPSA, which will facilitate the alignment between corporate objectives and IT/IS objectives at Randwater. This was achieved through the development and refinement of the artefact through the various iteration phases. Additionally, an online survey was used to collect data from a focus group comprising IT experts and senior management at Randwater. The Information Technology Governance Institute Framework was employed to assist in the development of the questions. The survey results were utilised during the validation of the artefact produced by this research study in a workshop. The findings were then linked with the related literature which either supported or rejected the findings through discussions on the literature and thereafter conclusions were made based on these findings. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of what has been done in the field of research in order to assist in defining the problem that this research seeks to solve so as to inform the development of design characteristics. The research process employed the Nelson Mandela University – Design Science Strategy Methodology referred to as (NMU – DSSM) with the goal of developing an artefact in the form of a framework. The research process entailed studying the existing literature and analysing the aspects relating to corporate governance, IT governance, frameworks, and strategies to be able to measure the degree of alignment. The phases of designing the artefact were analysis, design, evaluate, validate and diffuse phases. The final artefact developed was a framework that incorporated the principles of King IV and ISO 38500 in corporate governance and ICT goals alignment. The final artefact also embedded transparency, accountability and security as important elements in the implementation of the artefact. The survey findings were instrumental in the development of the artefact that brings alignment between business strategy and IT objectives at Randwater. From the findings, in terms of IT flexibility, it was revealed that the interrelated parts of the system at Randwater were modular. It was also concluded that there is lack of communication about the manner in which the components of the information systems are organised and integrated in order to allow for rapid changes and that the organisational IT infrastructure and applications were loosely coupled. The findings further revealed that the business had established corporate rules and standards for hardware and operating systems to ensure platform compatibility. It was also revealed that organisational IT applications were developed based on compliance guidelines. In terms of IT-enabled dynamic capabilities, it was revealed that IT systems at Randwater are not capable of scanning the environment and identifying new business opportunities and are not capable of anticipating discontinuities arising in the business domain by developing greater reactive and proactive strength. It was also revealed that it was concluded that IT systems were capable of achieving strategic alignment between IT flexibility and dynamic capabilities. Therefore, design science was the ideal research paradigm towards addressing the research problem and the artefact designed was a viable research contribution. The significance of the study was that it contributed to the development of technology-based solutions to an important and relevant business problem of alignment of business strategy to IT goals. The design evaluation, the utility, quality, and efficacy of the final design artefact was rigorously demonstrated via well-executed evaluation methods. The study also contributed to the literature
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sigasa, Moshane Lydia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Data protection Information technology -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47156 , vital:39818
- Description: The South African Government has institutionalised a Corporate Governance of ICT Policy Framework which was developed by Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The framework has adopted some elements of KING III, ISO 38500 and COBIT. Consequently, it is now a requirement by the South African Government that all its entities must adopt this framework. Nevertheless, it is not clear how government has emphasised this alignment in such entities. The problem statement in this study was that Randwater is unable to realise full value of the investment in IT/IS because there is misalignment between IT objectives or deliverables and the corporate objectives. This study sought to identify a suitable framework which meets the ICT policy criteria as set out by the DPSA, which will facilitate the alignment between corporate objectives and IT/IS objectives at Randwater. This was achieved through the development and refinement of the artefact through the various iteration phases. Additionally, an online survey was used to collect data from a focus group comprising IT experts and senior management at Randwater. The Information Technology Governance Institute Framework was employed to assist in the development of the questions. The survey results were utilised during the validation of the artefact produced by this research study in a workshop. The findings were then linked with the related literature which either supported or rejected the findings through discussions on the literature and thereafter conclusions were made based on these findings. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of what has been done in the field of research in order to assist in defining the problem that this research seeks to solve so as to inform the development of design characteristics. The research process employed the Nelson Mandela University – Design Science Strategy Methodology referred to as (NMU – DSSM) with the goal of developing an artefact in the form of a framework. The research process entailed studying the existing literature and analysing the aspects relating to corporate governance, IT governance, frameworks, and strategies to be able to measure the degree of alignment. The phases of designing the artefact were analysis, design, evaluate, validate and diffuse phases. The final artefact developed was a framework that incorporated the principles of King IV and ISO 38500 in corporate governance and ICT goals alignment. The final artefact also embedded transparency, accountability and security as important elements in the implementation of the artefact. The survey findings were instrumental in the development of the artefact that brings alignment between business strategy and IT objectives at Randwater. From the findings, in terms of IT flexibility, it was revealed that the interrelated parts of the system at Randwater were modular. It was also concluded that there is lack of communication about the manner in which the components of the information systems are organised and integrated in order to allow for rapid changes and that the organisational IT infrastructure and applications were loosely coupled. The findings further revealed that the business had established corporate rules and standards for hardware and operating systems to ensure platform compatibility. It was also revealed that organisational IT applications were developed based on compliance guidelines. In terms of IT-enabled dynamic capabilities, it was revealed that IT systems at Randwater are not capable of scanning the environment and identifying new business opportunities and are not capable of anticipating discontinuities arising in the business domain by developing greater reactive and proactive strength. It was also revealed that it was concluded that IT systems were capable of achieving strategic alignment between IT flexibility and dynamic capabilities. Therefore, design science was the ideal research paradigm towards addressing the research problem and the artefact designed was a viable research contribution. The significance of the study was that it contributed to the development of technology-based solutions to an important and relevant business problem of alignment of business strategy to IT goals. The design evaluation, the utility, quality, and efficacy of the final design artefact was rigorously demonstrated via well-executed evaluation methods. The study also contributed to the literature
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework to measure the degree of alignment between corporate and IT/IS objectives at Randwater
- Authors: Sigasa, Moshane Lydia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Business enterprises -- Computer networks
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48841 , vital:41145
- Description: The South African Government has institutionalised a Corporate Governance of ICT Policy Framework which was developed by Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The framework has adopted some elements of KING III, ISO 38500 and COBIT. Consequently, it is now a requirement by the South African Government that all its entities must adopt this framework. Nevertheless, it is not clear how government has emphasised this alignment in such entities. The problem statement in this study was that Randwater is unable to realise full value of the investment in IT/IS because there is misalignment between IT objectives or deliverables and the corporate objectives. This study sought to identify a suitable framework which meets the ICT policy criteria as set out by the DPSA, which will facilitate the alignment between corporate objectives and IT/IS objectives at Randwater. This was achieved through the development and refinement of the artefact through the various iteration phases. Additionally, an online survey was used to collect data from a focus group comprising IT experts and senior management at Randwater. The Information Technology Governance Institute Framework was employed to assist in the development of the questions. The survey results were utilised during the validation of the artefact produced by this research study in a workshop. The findings were then linked with the related literature which either supported or rejected the findings through discussions on the literature and thereafter conclusions were made based on these findings. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of what has been done in the field of research in order to assist in defining the problem that this research seeks to solve so as to inform the development of design characteristics. The research process employed the Nelson Mandela University – Design Science Strategy Methodology referred to as (NMU – DSSM) with the goal of developing an artefact in the form of a framework. The research process entailed studying the existing literature and analysing the aspects relating to corporate governance, IT governance, frameworks, and strategies to be able to measure the degree of alignment. The phases of designing the artefact were analysis, design, evaluate, validate and diffuse phases. The final artefact developed was a framework that incorporated the principles of King IV and ISO 38500 in corporate governance and ICT goals alignment. The final artefact also embedded transparency, accountability and security as important elements in the implementation of the artefact. v The survey findings were instrumental in the development of the artefact that brings alignment between business strategy and IT objectives at Randwater. From the findings, in terms of IT flexibility, it was revealed that the interrelated parts of the system at Randwater were modular. It was also concluded that there is lack of communication about the manner in which the components of the information systems are organised and integrated in order to allow for rapid changes and that the organisational IT infrastructure and applications were loosely coupled. The findings further revealed that the business had established corporate rules and standards for hardware and operating systems to ensure platform compatibility. It was also revealed that organisational IT applications were developed based on compliance guidelines. In terms of IT-enabled dynamic capabilities, it was revealed that IT systems at Randwater are not capable of scanning the environment and identifying new business opportunities and are not capable of anticipating discontinuities arising in the business domain by developing greater reactive and proactive strength. It was also revealed that it was concluded that IT systems were capable of achieving strategic alignment between IT flexibility and dynamic capabilities. Therefore, design science was the ideal research paradigm towards addressing the research problem and the artefact designed was a viable research contribution. The significance of the study was that it contributed to the development of technology-based solutions to an important and relevant business problem of alignment of business strategy to IT goals. The design evaluation, the utility, quality, and efficacy of the final design artefact was rigorously demonstrated via well-executed evaluation methods. The study also contributed to the literature available on business strategic alignment with ICT goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sigasa, Moshane Lydia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Business enterprises -- Computer networks
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48841 , vital:41145
- Description: The South African Government has institutionalised a Corporate Governance of ICT Policy Framework which was developed by Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The framework has adopted some elements of KING III, ISO 38500 and COBIT. Consequently, it is now a requirement by the South African Government that all its entities must adopt this framework. Nevertheless, it is not clear how government has emphasised this alignment in such entities. The problem statement in this study was that Randwater is unable to realise full value of the investment in IT/IS because there is misalignment between IT objectives or deliverables and the corporate objectives. This study sought to identify a suitable framework which meets the ICT policy criteria as set out by the DPSA, which will facilitate the alignment between corporate objectives and IT/IS objectives at Randwater. This was achieved through the development and refinement of the artefact through the various iteration phases. Additionally, an online survey was used to collect data from a focus group comprising IT experts and senior management at Randwater. The Information Technology Governance Institute Framework was employed to assist in the development of the questions. The survey results were utilised during the validation of the artefact produced by this research study in a workshop. The findings were then linked with the related literature which either supported or rejected the findings through discussions on the literature and thereafter conclusions were made based on these findings. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of what has been done in the field of research in order to assist in defining the problem that this research seeks to solve so as to inform the development of design characteristics. The research process employed the Nelson Mandela University – Design Science Strategy Methodology referred to as (NMU – DSSM) with the goal of developing an artefact in the form of a framework. The research process entailed studying the existing literature and analysing the aspects relating to corporate governance, IT governance, frameworks, and strategies to be able to measure the degree of alignment. The phases of designing the artefact were analysis, design, evaluate, validate and diffuse phases. The final artefact developed was a framework that incorporated the principles of King IV and ISO 38500 in corporate governance and ICT goals alignment. The final artefact also embedded transparency, accountability and security as important elements in the implementation of the artefact. v The survey findings were instrumental in the development of the artefact that brings alignment between business strategy and IT objectives at Randwater. From the findings, in terms of IT flexibility, it was revealed that the interrelated parts of the system at Randwater were modular. It was also concluded that there is lack of communication about the manner in which the components of the information systems are organised and integrated in order to allow for rapid changes and that the organisational IT infrastructure and applications were loosely coupled. The findings further revealed that the business had established corporate rules and standards for hardware and operating systems to ensure platform compatibility. It was also revealed that organisational IT applications were developed based on compliance guidelines. In terms of IT-enabled dynamic capabilities, it was revealed that IT systems at Randwater are not capable of scanning the environment and identifying new business opportunities and are not capable of anticipating discontinuities arising in the business domain by developing greater reactive and proactive strength. It was also revealed that it was concluded that IT systems were capable of achieving strategic alignment between IT flexibility and dynamic capabilities. Therefore, design science was the ideal research paradigm towards addressing the research problem and the artefact designed was a viable research contribution. The significance of the study was that it contributed to the development of technology-based solutions to an important and relevant business problem of alignment of business strategy to IT goals. The design evaluation, the utility, quality, and efficacy of the final design artefact was rigorously demonstrated via well-executed evaluation methods. The study also contributed to the literature available on business strategic alignment with ICT goals.
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- Date Issued: 2020